What makes *A KEEPER* ? Share your views and show us ur keepers ..

[sdwtchlvr]

Yeah, I've bought and sold dozens of watches...I've called half of them keepers. At this point, my 1680 is the only one that has 99.9% chance of staying. Bought the 1680 from the original owner so that is special.

[Medusa]

I like everything about this watch from it's fit and finish to it's shape, size and weight. It is a dive watch that truly looks and feels like a tool.

[dfl3506]

My Seiko 6105-8110 is definitely a keeper. I picked it up in a pawnshop a couple of years back for a bargain price. they are becoming so hard to find in good original condition that I'd be an idiot to sell it.
Another watch that is a keeper is my Reactor Photon, also becoming quite rare. I just love the design, the heft and finish of this.

[Nishant]

your flipping and i think this is a generalization becuase I do not know you , BUT , i feel that you or I or us , are more excited from the search, the find, the purchase, the receipt of the watch then you have it . thrill gone
to have another thrill repeat steps above ... excitement lies in the hunt, and the chase , once caught DONE , do again

Thanks for some great points mate !
I do agree that THE SEARCH, THE QUEST, THE JOURNEY to the Next Watch is a Great Kick ... However, it cannot be generalized that this applies to every single watch ..
If that were the case, we would be unhappy with every single watch we owned.. The Concept of a GRAIL would be LIE then ..
And Endless Flipping would make us all bankrupt.

While I would love to run a blog like ablogtoread and have all cool timepieces to try out, take pictures and write reviews about.. I know I can't. I am meant to serve humanity in a different way :)

And Why would it be that every time I strap on my JLC, my eyes say PERFECT. When I strap on the RoleX, I know why it was my first grail .. and Grand Seiko, well, I confess I have thought about trading it a couple of times, but I just don't.. coz it ignites my love for it every time I try it on.

On the other hand, I tend to lose a Korsbek within a month or two of owning it .. I have had 5 of em .. and I still want the sixth .. [ hoping Poul delivers a HE before it comes down to that ] .. but I don't know.. so many many factors that play in.

[Nishant]

Great points Ariel.. Thanks for a detailed reply.
I have to agree .. the watches I see as COMPLETE NON-KEEPERS are flipped within the hour .. sometimes I keep them for more than 1 but less than 2 hours only to take a few pictures as a memoir and then off they go. There are a few who stay back for a ONE NIGHT STAND with a particular hope of a love that may develop. But then, One Night Stands never worked for me.. I am glad they didn't. After all, They are NOT SUPPOSED TO.

"To Sell or Not to Sell" .. I usually think a lot before purchasing a timepiece ... and if I feel I am gonna be stuck with a piece or lose hefty sums of money, I tend not to go there. This is one reason I haven't bought a Glashutte Original timepiece yet. I love everything about it, but know that there is just no market for it and I would lose lots of money. This Rule however doesn't apply to grails, to watches I lust for, watches I know I won't flip .. Example is JLC. The watch doesn't garner stellar reviews coz of its size and pushers ... But I Just Loved IT. From the first time I eyed it on the forum.. and here it is. The money I turned for it doesn't bother me coz its resale doesn't matter .. It is with me for the long haul.

I don't dig something, even for one little second, it's usually a lost cause.
V True. I have flipped many of my watches coz of the same reason .. One tiny aspect may bother you .. and its DONE. You start thinking of the alternative or how to best let it go.
However, there are exceptions .. my decision to hang on to the Grand Seiko is one. There have been days I thought I could do better with the money in that watch.. then you strap it on.. and it begins to call on you again ! Funny but True.

"she's not perfect but instead perfect for me!"
Case in point, DSSD. I heard so much cribbing about the bracelet ... but the moment I got it Sized.. I fit me PERFECT.
I actually think of DSSD Bracelet as a BIGPLUS in that watch. But that's me. MAYBE, IT IS ONLY ME.

[Rojote]

Well I claimed and considered myself a NON flipper until recently. Sentimental value is an obvious reason to keep a watch if you like it. But, I was able to almost 3x my money in four years on a watch I really did not wear much. I knew it was a hot item and it had a cult following and kept it in near perfect condition. So with that I was able to step into a real tool diver watch with all the goodies for a great value. I got the 2000 meter dive rating, 4mm thick sapphire crystal, 316 SS, Swiss ETA, BGW9 Lume, Lotus flower engraved caseback (way cool) in a low production Boutique brand. This would have cost me easy 4 to 6 grand in a top ego brand. Very happy with my flip BTW.

Good luck. It's the typical male "chase and find" syndrome that never goes away...

[rukrem]

For me 99% of the watches I acquire - I do so because they: look good, they serve a purpose, or I was curious ...

As such -most items loose their luster after extensive use; tools loose their usefulness or they get replaced by an updated / better version; and curiosity, once fulfilled, seeks something else to be curious about.

I flip because watches are disposable; and like any disposable prodcut -if used enough will need to be replaced. The only exception, is with watches that have sentimental value for one reason or another.

I guess what I am trying to say is that, sentiment makes or breaks which watches will be a keeper for me.

[Fullers1845]

This. Life milestone + #151/300 in the world = Keeper.

[Will_f]

A keeper for me is a watch that works for my lifestyle, is exceptionally well made, beautiful and comfortable.

Simple really. :)

Or not.

[kjw]

My Black Monster is the closest thing I have to a keeper. The reason I won't likely sell it is all the trips and experiences it has gone through with me.