Issued 3 Meeting - A Celebration of Tool watches and Friendships

We are so happy to share with you some of the moments and watches from this amazing GTG, held in Liverpool last weekend. Organized by 2 dear old friends and long time passionado’s for issued watches and their great history. Mike (@theoldwatchshop) and Jed (@jedly) pulled it off again and gathered a great group of old friends, new collectors and like minded watch addicts from all around the globe (Europe, USA, Singapore, Hong-Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Australia and more besides).
Celebrating issued watches that have seen space, the deep sea and many military service units. Like the famous Rolex Milsubs, Nasa Speedmaster, Comex Subs and UAE, Omani and FAP issues watches. Thanks so much Mike and Jed and all contenders for the great weekend and fun!

Learn by Passion

I have been to many meetings over the years. I have organized my fair share of GTG’ers (check The Passion Meetings) and just like Mike and Jed and many others have done. All in the hope to connect the community and help people to find like-minded people to share their knowledge and friendship with. Over the years i have learned, that this is by far the most valuable part of this hobby and passion. THE PEOPLE you connect with. Sharing a mutual interest has created friendships for a life time. But also opened doors to learn in depth about our watch hobby.

In today’s world, where sadly forums have lost a lot of the fire and Instagram has taken over, discussions on knowledge have often become shallow. Everything for a pretty image, swipe and like and move on. The real in depth insides and stories behind a watch, provenance, research etc have moved away from the wider audience.

For me watch meetings are among the most important moment to learn about the deeper insides of the watches. To really research them and be able to compare, study and find out more about the provenance and nuances. Too often we see self proclaimed experts make big statements on Insta, Youtube or Facebook without ever having the watches in their hand or having several examples to study and compare. Watch meetings give you the opportunity to discover and discuss with a wider group of people. And learn from the people who have way more experience on a subject.

The illusion of Science

Today we also see that to many people try to over-rationalize and over-analyse vintage watches. Trying to fit every detail into a box, in order to be able to tick it. But sure for vintage Rolex i have learned, there is no exact science. Lume is not lume, the geiger is not the real answer to it all, not every inlay, dial can be matched to a serial etc.
Certainly when looking at original owner watches you will discover many mysteries. And isn’t that WHY WE LOVE THIS HOBBY?? If it would be an exact science and all in neat little boxes i would have left it already. The Mystery is big part of the Magic. And aren’t the things that you don’t know often far more exciting then the things you know?

Watch meetings give you a perfect opportunity to discover these mysteries. Give you time and ease to dive deep and let the magic take you on board. Step on and try to meet with other collectors. Join in for a relaxed weekend and amazing watch talks.

The great surrounding of the Titanic Hotel set the stage. The weather was perfect for a relaxed Friday and meeting with the guys.

Saturday start-up at the beach and after off to the main event.

Smelled like 100 vintage Rolex boxes 😉

Off to Liverpool Centre for a nice and sunny day of watches

Friends who share the love for tropical watches. My 5513 and Geoff’s (@manhattenrollie) amazing new 2998 Speedmaster.

Watches got unpacked. Tables got filled. About 36 Comex watches at the scene.

Big Numbers

2 of the about 10 non-logo-dial Double Red Seadweller issued to Comex for first tests with the Helium Valve. Issued to Comex before the 5513 and 5514 Comex was released to them,. Super rare!

The Rolex 5513 and 5517 Milsub is still one of the coolest watches out there

Both have been used by the British Military. And share some of the same MOD specifications like sword hands, T-dial, 60minutes bezel and fixed bars.

A issued watch that has really been used… can’t be mint. It wears its marks with pride.

Explorer dial Submariners