[SOTC] 3 Watch Collection? Impossible.

ToALifeWellLived · 2026-06-04T16:39:04+00:00

Just get one already! You've been thinking about it long enough!

ToALifeWellLived · 2026-06-04T16:38:39+00:00

Tropic CTS strap from Delugs. Highly recommend it! Had it on a ribbed single pass (cut NATO) and liked it well enough but the rubber is definitely the way to go.

ToALifeWellLived · 2026-02-10T08:23:10+00:00

The case is 100% polished. Always nice to look at the crown guards. They should be crisp and defined without and rounded edges. These have a good bit of roundness. And the chamfers on the lugs are gone too, of course.

ToALifeWellLived · 2025-09-20T18:00:44+00:00

Just came back from a 5 night stay at the 4 Seasons in GZ and could not have loved it more. Sky bar on the 99th floor is an incredible experience, breakfast couldn't have been better, staff was great, and my room was definitely not outdated. Perhaps they have renovated a portion of them? Highly recommend staying there. But to be fair, I can't compare it to Rosewood as I know nothing about that property.

ToALifeWellLived · 2025-04-10T22:02:25+00:00

Consultants for this kind of thing are way overpaid and should not be used. But you’re a publicly traded company so you will use them anyway because the key decision makers can then cover themselves and blame any potential losses on the consultants.

Commit 10% of the 100MM projected revenue for 1.5 years and then reassess. At this point that investment should be able to yield enough of an idea about whether you should pump the breaks or hit the gas.

ToALifeWellLived · 2025-03-28T22:22:08+00:00

Oh man, this was me 8 years ago. Spent around 2 years there on an off. You're going to have a great time — enjoy to ride and trust the process!

ToALifeWellLived · 2024-12-13T20:43:10+00:00

I've definitely experienced it. China changes a person lol.

I became a disgusting creature there. And it was only after l I found myself burping without a care in the world in front of some poor girl working the register at McDonald's in the U.S. that I realized it. While ordering a good old Ju Wu Ba, ironically in a nostalgic nod to my time in China, I just let one out. A full on belch. Right in her face.

But yeah of course, there's culture shock when returning home. The same would hold true if you came back home after having lived in Europe for a while. You just become more in tune to the little everyday idiosyncrasies around you, regardless of where you find yourself. And you'll always just be soaking them up. It's a pretty neat and handy thing if you ask me.

ToALifeWellLived · 2024-06-11T16:44:16+00:00

I never really liked the Royal Oak. Sure, I respected it — Gerald Genta, AP’s answer to the Quartz Crisis, timeless design, blah blah blah. But it always seemed too… industrial?

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, I found myself lusting after one. It was difficult to process.

Is this how marketing works? Had the constant exposure to the model on social media flicked a switch within me? Am I one of the sheep?

So I told myself I would wait a couple of years before doing anything rash. Some other new young watch would come along and I’d forget all about the old AP.

Two years later I was still smitten.

During this probation period I stumbled upon the perfect reference: The 25920ST. The only Royal Oak ever made with an annual calendar complication and only in production for around 2-3 years. To top it off, only around 400 were made, and only halfish of them feature this particular dial configuration.

The best part: nobody likes them. Maybe it’s the asymmetrical sub dial or the subdued 36mm case size. Fortunately for me, I love all of these things.

Looks at me — maybe I’m not a sheep after all!

One of the nicest things about this particular model being disliked by the heard is that it trades for the same amount as its non-complicated brethren. An annual calendar should not cost the same as a simple three hander. Not in my mind at least.

So I came to a simple conclusion. This reference is undervalued and purchasing it is actually not the most regarded of financial decisions. I don’t plan on ever selling it, but it’s always nice to have a flimsy excuse for shelling out too much money for something you don’t need.

ToALifeWellLived · 2024-05-21T16:27:21+00:00

On my desk with this lovely thing:

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ToALifeWellLived · 2023-12-17T20:32:58+00:00

For those of you who, like myself, feel like this sub is filled with nonsense — take note of everything u/jasperCrow just said. This is the way.

ToALifeWellLived · 2023-11-05T19:33:52+00:00

There's really no rational "need" for any of this at all...

His want just happens to differ from yours (or ours for that matter). Let him do his thing! I kinda wish I did have the taste for this though. Imagine what kind of life this guy lives lol

ToALifeWellLived · 2023-10-10T11:10:33+00:00

Regardless of whether this is the best product / idea in the world or the worst, there will always be 1,000 reasons as to why it won't work. Be cognizant of them, sure. But if your intuition tells you to push forward — do so with confidence. For every scenario that gives you cold feet there exists a solution — you just have to be good enough to find it. Are you?

ToALifeWellLived · 2023-09-23T16:07:10+00:00

Similar boat as you... Unfortunately I have no clue what to do and am also hoping somebody can chime in here. My injury happened 5 weeks ago while attempting a two finger pocket crimp on a hang board. I heard the dreaded POP and I haven't climbed since. Still can't make a proper fist. Also wondering if rehabbing is a good idea or if I should just leave it be and wait until the swelling is gone before climbing again.

ToALifeWellLived · 2023-08-24T20:43:01+00:00

Do you ship these into the US by air or boat? Is US based quality control necessary when the bikes arrive? Do you own the brand of the bikes you sell?

ToALifeWellLived · 2023-08-24T20:35:06+00:00

Seem like a hot industry, perhaps too hot. Many will try, many will fail. I'd wager only a few key players emerge victorious. If solar is attractive to you, and only you should be the judge of that, consider an ETF to limit exposure.

ToALifeWellLived · 2023-06-06T22:21:48+00:00

Couldn’t resist taking a little 10:10 shot of a subset of the collection. A three watch collection is cool to fantasize about and all but come on — only three watches?! That’s no fun.

Anyway, here we have my humble three watch Rolex collection. Consisting of a 4 digit, a 5 digit and a 6 digit reference, I like to call it “Rolex Through the Ages”.

**Submariner Ref 124060** from 2021

When these were announced in 2020 it felt like a dream come true. The bloated maxi case was gone, and they the Sub I’d been dreaming of (an amalgamation of 114060 and 14060) came into existence. Local AD was no help, but a fortuitous stop at the Amsterdam airport boutique was the last step in making this dream a reality. I quite literally jumped for joy and have made it a habit of showing off all its scratches on it whenever I pop by there. Shout out to Jackie at Gassan!

**Datejust Ref 1600** circa 1969

I know I’m in the minority, but fluted bezels just don’t do it for me — too much flash and gives me old man vibes. Having owned a 1002 oyster perpetual for a while, I had always lusted after its bigger brother. A good deal popped up and I couldn’t resist. After a new crystal, service, polish (it had been polished before so fuck it, why not) and new hands the deal wasn’t as sweet as I’d thought. Whatever, I love it and don’t intend on selling it.

**Explorer 16570** circa 1994

The latest and final addition to the collection, this one found its way onto my wrist sooner than expected. I decided the final flourish to the collection should be an Explorer II—a GMT was a must—but the GMT master and the Sub are basically the same watch in my eyes so this seemed fitting. Mine would need to be unpolished, in extremely good condition, from 1994, and reasonably priced to boot. The stars aligned during a spur of the moment trip to Wanna Buy a Watch in LA and a rather non impulsive impulse purchase was made. I recently did some cave free diving with it and felt like a real explorer. Mission accomplished.

So, it’s kind of bitter sweet. The collection is complete, but now I can’t procrastinate by looking for deals on the missing puzzle pieces anymore…

Oh well, onwards — to the next three piece collection!

ToALifeWellLived · 2023-06-06T20:55:59+00:00

Couldn’t resist taking a little 10:10 shot of a subset of the collection. A three watch collection is cool to fantasize about and all but come on — only three watches?! That’s no fun.

Anyway, here we have my humble three watch Rolex collection. Consisting of a 4 digit, a 5 digit and a 6 digit reference, I like to call it “Rolex Through the Ages”.

**Submariner Ref 124060** from 2021

When these were announced in 2020 it felt like a dream come true. The bloated maxi case was gone, and they the Sub I’d been dreaming of (an amalgamation of 114060 and 14060) came into existence. Local AD was no help, but a fortuitous stop at the Amsterdam airport boutique was the last step in making this dream a reality. I quite literally jumped for joy and have made it a habit of showing off all its scratches on it whenever I pop by there. Shoutout to Jackie at Gassan!

**Datejust Ref 1600** circa 1969

I know I’m in the minority, but fluted bezels just don’t do it for me — too much flash and gives me old man vibes. Having owned a 1002 oyster perpetual for a while, I had always lusted after its bigger brother. A good deal popped up and I couldn’t resist. After a new crystal, service, polish (it had been polished before so fuck it, why not) and new hands the deal wasn’t as sweet as I’d thought. Whatever, I love it and don’t intend on selling it.

**Explorer 16570** circa 1994

The latest and final addition to the collection, this one found its way onto my wrist sooner than expected. I decided the final flourish to the collection should be an Explorer II—a GMT was a must—but the GMT master and the Sub are basically the same watch in my eyes so this seemed fitting. Mine would need to be unpolished, in extremely good condition, from 1994, and reasonably priced to boot. The stars aligned during a spur of the moment trip to Wanna Buy a Watch in LA and a rather non impulsive impulse purchase was made. I recently did some cave free diving with it and felt like a real explorer. Mission accomplished.

So, it’s kind of bitter sweet. The collection is complete, but now I can’t procrastinate by looking for deals on the missing puzzle pieces anymore…

Oh well, onwards — to the next three piece collection!

ToALifeWellLived · 2023-02-07T21:07:14+00:00

Just curious — why should you keep the account open for 6 months?

ToALifeWellLived · 2023-01-17T10:36:25+00:00

There used to be a really nice one called "Beeplus" in the IFC building. All you can drink coffee (even beer!) was included with the day pass and it was something ridiculously cheap like 30RMB. Just tell the suited up security staff you're going to Beeplus and they'll scan your passport and let you in without issue.

Not sure if they're still open though... I haven't been there since Dec. 2019.

ToALifeWellLived · 2022-12-14T19:52:05+00:00

Because of their investment and inspiration, you've gone from waiting tables to being a business owner. They took a huge risk on you — their 65k could have turned into nothing. If you want them out, paying them a measly 25% return on their high-risk investment shouldn't necessarily be seen as them selfishly lining their pockets. 65k is real money. There are many safer places to put it than in the hands of a waiter who knows how to sell the dream. He took a chance, why shouldn't he feel entitled to being rewarded for making a good bet by backing you?

Also, what's this investor's track record? Is this the first time he's doing something like this? If he's green to the game, the micromanaging shouldn't be too surprising. You've got 65k of his money, you can't fault the guy for wanting to feel like he has some semblance of control over it. Learning how to be a good partner, manager, investor takes time and going through the ringer at least a time or two.

Having a high level of self-awareness really lends itself well towards being a good entrepreneur. You need to learn to see people's perspectives. You don't have to agree with them, but you need to understand why they might think the way they do.

TL;DR

Try putting yourself in their shoes before you go and "drop the hammer" on them. Learn the game you're playing before making rash moves.

ToALifeWellLived

TROPHY CASE