Why I Bought It: Rolex Stella-Inspired Oyster Perpetual 41 With Turquoise Blue Dial

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There aren’t that many rules that GaryG applies to watch collecting, but one rule that he has found critically important is that it’s crucial to handle a watch before buying it. This story however is about how Gary completely violated that rule and nonetheless came away happy with a watch that few people would have guessed he would buy: the recently launched Oyster Perpetual 41 from Rolex with a bright turquoise blue dial.

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The Jaeger-LeCoultre Tribute to Reverso 1931 on the author’s wrist

Why I Bought It: Jaeger-LeCoultre Tribute To Reverso 1931 – Reprise

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Over the twenty-odd years that GaryG has been buying “serious” watches, he has purchased more pieces bearing the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand name than any other, by far. Within the Jaeger-LeCoultre pantheon, one watch sub-group stands out for him: the Reverso. Between his wife and he, they’ve bought a total of seven Reverso models. Given that, why add another? In this instance, the Reverso Tribute to 1931?

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Why I Bought It: Vianney Halter Antiqua – Reprise

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For GaryG the wonderful Antiqua by Vianney Halter is a long-term keeper. He fell for the Antiqua when he first saw one more than a dozen years ago; while many of his friends will freely confess that at the time they were at first put off by its looks, Gary was smitten from the start. But that’s not all that he loves about this watch. Find out here why he bought it!

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GaryG’s Year In Review 2020: Trends, Notable Watches, Favorite Photos, Plus Watches He Bought And Watches He’d Like To Buy (And You Might Consider)

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GaryG meanders through some observations on the state of the industry, 2020 occurrences, and his own year in watches, including the watches he bought in 2020 and the watches he’d like to buy. And there are also his favorite photos from this year’s shooting interspersed to keep it lively. Enjoy!

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You know you’re a watch guy if . . . at a restaurant you photograph everyone's watches but not the food

You Know You’re A Watch Guy Or Gal If . . . – Reprise

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Horophiles are pretty unique people and have some pretty unique traits and habits. In the theme of Jeff Foxworthy and his “you might be a redneck if” routine, John Keil pokes a little fun at our WIS brothers and sisters as well as ourselves. So without further ado, you know you’re a watch guy if . . .

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: Supporting the brand: group wristshot at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Costa Mesa OCNA event

Jaeger-LeCoultre: A Collector’s ‘Gateway Drug’ And Ongoing Pleasure – Reprise

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While his friends’ paths into serious collecting have been fairly diverse, GaryG started with Jaeger-LeCoultre, which opened his eyes to the world of fine watchmaking and served as the foundation for his ongoing fascination with horology. Take a look at Gary’s history collecting fascinating timepieces by this revered Swiss brand.

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Object of desire: Contemporaine Phase de Lune/Jour by Vianney Halter (photo courtesy Horlogerie-Suisse.com)

How Not To Buy A Watch: My Misadventure – Reprise

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In 2006 GaryG spotted two objects of desire at a California dealer: Vianney Halter’s dramatic Antiqua and Contemporaine timepieces. They were out of his reach, but in 2007 he found a Contemporaine in white gold offered at a price that was about one-third its original retail value on eBay. What could possibly go wrong?

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Wristshots And Online Watch Photography: The Saga Continues, And, Yes, There’s Instagram Too

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How time flies! It seems like only yesterday that GaryG penned an article about wristshots. But that was back in 2015. And in 2017 that he posted thoughts and images on how to – and how not to – take watch photographs for sharing. It seemed to Gary that it’s about time for an update on both – as while some things remain the same, much has changed.

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Why Philippe Dufour Matters: And It’s Not A Secret – Reprise

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“I have no secrets as past watchmakers had. There are graveyards full of secrets and that’s enough.” – Philippe Dufour, 2014

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Two prototype Caliber 906 watches from Jaeger-LeCoultre

Why I Bought It: Two ‘Unsalable’ Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 906 Prototypes – Reprise

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This is the story of the final watch – or, truthfully, pair of watches – that GaryG happened upon at a Sotheby’s auction in late 2017 and felt that he just had to have: two 1970s prototype pieces made by Jaeger-LeCoultre. But why “unsalable”?

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