Hi! I’m Bas — a serious vintage watch nerd who loves diving deep into the wildest watch creations of the last 100 years.
For over 15 years I’ve been chasing remarkable timepieces, digging through dusty archives, and meeting collectors who seek watches with true soul.
Nice to meet you!
My watch journey
It started like many obsessions do: with one watch.
A 1920s Art Deco Elgin I stumbled upon on eBay. From what I remember, it was about 80 bucks. Why did I buy it? Honestly, I just wanted something to lift my outfit. I wasn’t going for full Al Capone vibes, so I picked a piece with a little less presence. No ones noticed but to me, it was my little secret. On my wrist, it told the time perfectly… despite being 100 years old.
You can probably guess the rest. One Elgin became two. Two Elgins demanded another Art Deco brand. And so it went. Like a virus, the hobby took over, and by now, well over a thousand watches have passed through my hands. From plastic Swatches to platinum Pateks.
Each year brought new lessons and fresh temptations, all in the endless chase to add something truly special to the collection — and that one unique piece to complete an outfit.
![[Watch-Flation 📈] This post was supposed to be just about this Rolex Datejust 16220 from 2003 — white dial, engine-turned bezel, super dope features. With words like uncommon, cool and give me a few thousand bucks to buy it and we’re bot](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/622cffc174efcd7057087ff9/1754645502303-ADS6KHWM69CDNEYP6FZA/image-asset.jpeg)
![[Unlikely Collabs 🤝] What do you get when you mix Japanese precision with American t1tti3s? The Playboy watch by Seiko.
One of Japan’s most respected watchmakers, Seiko, famed for its design ethos took an unexpected turn in 1979. The result?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/622cffc174efcd7057087ff9/1754645504162-G3CK1U4IMETXHRNCF8U1/image-asset.jpeg)
The music connection
A watch tells its story — but it also oozes a vibe. To capture that feeling, I turn to music. Each watch gets paired with a song, creating a perfect blend of sound and object. Here are some of my favorite pieces, matched with the tracks that bring their character to life.
1930’s Alpina Chrono
The best of the best, for the best of the best in the 1930s. An age of Art Deco elegance, when everything was handcrafted yet built to last — setting the foundation for decades of watchmaking to come.
Soundtrack: Summertime – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong. The warm voices of the Depression era, wrapped in the smooth, melodic swing of classic jazz.
1970’s yves Saint Blaise
Haute horlogerie meets the disco floor. Yves Saint Blaise was the choice for the lady or gentleman who wanted something unique while boogieing under the glittering lights.
Soundtrack: Sexy Eyes – Dr. Hook. Sensual disco grooves, perfect for the smooth-talking womanizer who just picked up his one-off YSB.
1990’s Kurt Schaffo
Handcrafted in the 1990s — a time when the world didn’t really call for it. Battery-powered watches had become the norm, yet a few rebellious watchmakers kept the craft alive, and pushing even further.
Soundtrack: Bitter Sweet Symphony – The Verve. 90s rebels in their own right, delivering a statement wrapped in a song of pure beauty.
2000’s Rolex Datejust
Now synonymous with corporate douchebags, but Rolex has a heritage rooted in the tough-guy tool watch. Time to reclaim the name for the rebels.
Soundtrack: Here To Stay – Korn. Early 2000s — the height of metal. Strap on your Rolex, hit the mosh pit, and show what it’s really made for.
Now you know me, its time to meet you!
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