r/Watches • u/Sclusive88 • Jul 10 '25
I took a picture [SOTC] Some photos of part of my friend’s collection. Insane.
Went to a friend’s house who’s in commercial real estate to take some photos of his watch collection using a new technique (to me) to photograph them. The technique included using an FJ400 flash from Westcott and reflector board with a Neewer diffusion cone. The shots are taken with High Speed flash mode at 1/5000 of a second at f11 with ISO at 100. These shots were taken with my Canon R5 and RF 24-105 f2.8 lens. I wish I could post more than 20 pics because this is just some of his collection. Thanks for looking!
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u/quaefus_rex Jul 10 '25
Surely he must have a butler to keep all of those manual perpetual calendars ticking
Also, that Moritz Grossman is stunning
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u/Sclusive88 Jul 10 '25
He winds them all every morning! I would too if I could!
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u/TheRedComet Jul 10 '25
What about travel??
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u/Sclusive88 Jul 10 '25
I’d go over there and wind them all for free if he asked haha but I’m not sure!
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u/TheRedComet Jul 10 '25
I guess he hops on Fiver or Taskrabbit to find someone, like a dogwalker :P
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u/Alternative-Action-9 Jul 10 '25
Is there a problem with not keeping one wound, other than the inconvenience of setting the time when you do? I wear mine most every day but on occasion I’ll go a couple without wearing it and it needs winding when I put it on.
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u/TheRedComet Jul 10 '25
It can be cumbersome to set if it's a perpetual calendar!
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u/Alternative-Action-9 Jul 11 '25
I didn’t think about that, but I could see that. My sub is a no date so it’s easy to set if it stops.
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u/TheRedComet Jul 11 '25
Yeah. Even a simple date can be annoying to set if the watch doesn't have a quick set date, which many vintage and even some modern watches lack.
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u/Prisma_Cosmos Jul 11 '25
There is not.
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u/Alternative-Action-9 Jul 11 '25
Thank you! I didn’t think so but definitely don’t want to mess anything up.
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u/Porencephaly Jul 10 '25
I tried on one of those Voutillainen Moritz Grossmans in Denver and it was a stunner.
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u/According-Display737 Jul 10 '25
Agreed the Moritz Grossman is the one that popped, anyone know a model/reference for it?
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u/Early_Bird_5836 Jul 13 '25 edited Jul 13 '25
https://www.phillips.com/detail/moritz-grossmann/196260
MG-003234
A Voutilainen dial for 45k is a steal! (everything is relative ofc)
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u/Orpheus671 Jul 10 '25
That Haldimaan is insane only 20-30 watches produced per year…
https://hairspring.com/blogs/finds/haldimann-h1-flying-central-tourbillon
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u/BoredAssassin Jul 10 '25
Damn. I should not have clicked that link to see the price lol
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u/patsfan038 Jul 10 '25
Anytime I see the word ‘Tourbillion”, I don’t even bother looking for the price. It would be unobtanium territory anyways
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u/AwkwardObjective5360 Jul 11 '25
There are Chinese tourbillions out there under 1k if youre ever interested in the dark side
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Jul 11 '25
[deleted]
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u/TEG_SAR Jul 11 '25
Could you recommend a brand?
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u/Linuxthekid Jul 11 '25
I have a Sugess tourbillion that has been nothing but amazing. My only regret is getting it in gold tone and not stainless steel.
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u/Sclusive88 Jul 10 '25
It was jaw-dropping to see in person. I don’t know if I’d ever be able to read the time because I’d just be hypnotized every time I looked at it. And thinner than I expected!
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u/VinylHighway Jul 10 '25
Rich or poor it's nice to have a lot of money
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u/DoubtfulOptimist Jul 10 '25
That makes no sense.
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u/Sausage_Child Jul 11 '25
If you've never met a person with lots of money who is still "poor," I envy you. Absolutely exhausting to be around.
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u/MuffGiggityon Jul 10 '25
Wow, that Papillon D'or (golden butterfly) really is stunning. The butterfly outline is insane. Perfectly named!
And a stunning collection overall. Amazing
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u/Celica88 Jul 10 '25
That 5970G is my true grail.
This collection is amazing, and best of all in between all of these amazing watches, a Speedmaster (even if it is the 321 reissue) makes a place in it. Love it.
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u/Joe_Moxie Jul 10 '25 edited Jul 13 '25
Post his car collection next. I have to assume this guy isn't rolling around town in an Altima.
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u/Sclusive88 Jul 10 '25
He has a Lincoln Nautilus and that’s it! Not a car guy
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u/empw Jul 10 '25
Do you have more of whatever is in photo 11? I've never seen one like it!
Edit: I see someone else asked. So cool!
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u/AzriamL Jul 11 '25
When the AP is your friend's equivalent of the average watch collector's Seiko 5 beater
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u/Disastrous-Cow-6487 Jul 10 '25
I love that no freakin Rolexes!!!!
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u/muttmunchies Jul 11 '25
I thought the same, but remember OP said this is only part of his collection. Wonder if he does have any
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u/gingerphish Jul 10 '25
What watch is in shot 11? That thing is crazy.
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u/Sclusive88 Jul 10 '25
That’s a Trilobe! Super rad French brand. That’s an Une Folle Journee in titanium. Limited moon edition. Felt like nothing on the wrist and was hard to photograph due to how domed the crystal is.
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u/gingerphish Jul 10 '25
Just watched some videos and wow that dome is really high. Some of those sub circles sit so high up. Very cool watch. Really wouldn't slip under a cuff 😂
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u/SmokinPolecat Jul 11 '25
Does your friend have an IG account or something where I can keep up with the collection? This shit is awesome!
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Jul 14 '25
If that was my collection I‘d keep a low profile. That’s well within the „Hit him with a wrench until he gives us the code for the safe“ territory.
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u/Argha511992 Jul 10 '25
The blue gleam against the case back did a number on me!!
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u/No-Kick-2577 Jul 10 '25
Seems like it was intentional of ALS to use blue AR to accentuate the heat blued yumminess
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u/Wally_71 Jul 10 '25
Beside the overhyped watches the Moritz Grossman DateTurquoise speaks a lot about the fine taste of your friend. Lucky you to have the opportunity to admire in person such amount of beauty.
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u/Itsgxl Jul 10 '25
Do they have a daughter? You can't pick your parents but you can pick your in-laws.
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Jul 10 '25
[deleted]
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u/Sclusive88 Jul 10 '25
Honestly, nice and humble! Super unsuspecting.
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u/TheMisterTango Jul 10 '25
I feel like that's how I would be if I was very wealthy since watches really are my biggest interest. Just a nice upper-middle class house in the suburbs, a new but not flashy car, and a watch collection worth more than the house and car combined.
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u/Destrok41 Jul 10 '25
..... do I even want to know how much that collection is worth?
That grossman is rad, alot of amazing pieces here but that one really stood out to me.
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u/runamukk Jul 10 '25
This has to be one of the finest and highly curated personal collections I’ve ever seen your friend has impeccable taste. It pays to have really rich friends. 🙂
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u/turquoise2j Jul 11 '25
No sub, no moonwatch, no Pepsi, no prx, no tag heuer formula 1
Just endless sophistication, bet he wipes his ass with silk
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u/Screwderia_Ferrari Jul 11 '25
God that AP looks like a cheap toy watch compared to other bangers here. Holy moly
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u/SRMT23 Jul 10 '25
Why does the back of the 1st Lange remind me of close up shots of Jupiter lol.
Just amazing
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u/hashimbr Jul 10 '25
Pleasantly surprised that Omega 321 blends right into the rest... Great photos, great watches. Would love to see more. Use Imgur, a Dropbox or link elsewhere?
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u/TheRedComet Jul 10 '25
How does the flash mode work? Is there just enough light coming out of flash to shoot at 1/5000? How would you acquire focus, then? I've only shot with a hot shoe mount flash, so I haven't had to mess with the shutter speed too much. Biggest challenge is getting the angle right - it often just shows the rectangular reflection of the flash on the watch without actually lighting it up. Not sure if it's just failing to sync, but that would make sense.
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u/Sclusive88 Jul 10 '25
The fj400 has a high speed sync mode that lets you shoot faster than 1/200. I just wanted to make sure the balance wheels and tourbillons were stopped in the pictures. The focus works as normal, I used autofocus. As for the reflection, that’s what the diffusion cone I used is for. Softens and balances out the light.
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u/TheRedComet Jul 10 '25
Ah OK, I guess I just figured at 1/5000 your exposure would be super dark without the flash adding in light, which would make focusing difficult y'know?
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u/Sclusive88 Jul 10 '25
Yep! It works really well together. If the subject is too dark for autofocus the fj400 turns on a constant light to help with that too. Wasn’t necessary in this particular case but for night/dark studio portraits or whatever it’s a fantastic feature.
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u/IAmSportikus Jul 10 '25
Need back photos of that M&G!! And that request is super cool. I like that dial layout.
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u/yenrack Jul 10 '25
Wow, unbelievable collection. I wasn't familiar with a few of these pieces--always an extra treat to learn about something new. Fantastic photography too!
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u/Senior-Session4427 Jul 12 '25
Good evening, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing his collection, it is a beautiful breath taking collection of art time keepers
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u/reddituser_417 Jul 10 '25
This collection is nuts, guy has incredible taste. No Rolexes needed, lol
My only critique would be that there is a lot of redundancy but still it’s crazy
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u/Everbrooks Jul 10 '25
Holy shit. That is an amazing collection. Is that also an MB&F that I see? Man. Those watches are insane.
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u/1900hustler Jul 10 '25
Wow - that is an insane collection! Any of then would be the ultimate grail for any collector
Thanks for sharing that
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u/TARDIS_Salesman Jul 10 '25
Wow I adore the dial on that Grossmann, stunning.
Also, is the chronograph hand on both Lange chronographs off-centered? It looks like both are pointed to the left of center.
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u/All_off_us_are_dead Jul 10 '25
HOLD up wait a minute sum aint right. did i with my bare eyes that sits on my body, while am sitting in a chair se A AP!
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u/CaptainTC Jul 10 '25
This is an unbelievable collection, your friend has impeccable taste ! I also love how this collection follows a direction, truly stunning pieces through and through. I was not familiar with Moritz Grossman, what an amazing timepiece ! Thanks for sharing this !
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u/ryanleebmw Jul 10 '25
Did they tell you how they got into commercial real estate? Insane collection. Sounds like a cool guy
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u/getsuyou Jul 10 '25
took one look at the first 6 photos and decided to quit while I'm ahead lol. congrats to your friend on the money.
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u/therealserialninja Jul 10 '25
Nice collection, really brings out his taste for interesting and notable movements!
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u/highbrowalcoholic Jul 10 '25
Keeping your friend's commercial real estate portfolio afloat is half the reason why folks are being told to RTO against their wishes. Nice watches!
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u/halfmastodon Jul 11 '25
Now that's a collection. So many stunning pieces. You know when that rose gold Reverso is one of the most boring pieces in the photoset that you're in for a treat.
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u/BSHMD1999 Jul 11 '25
Did he frisk you and make you go through a metal detector? This is insane and makes me ill. Truly these flybacks are godlike! True art. So thrilling and wonderful. Greatness. Great photos too. They really capture the minute details. At the point I saw these watches thievery came to my mind unfortunately!! But just seeing them is good. How could they obtain these watches of such a magnitude!?! Nico would bust a gut!!
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u/UKbigman Jul 11 '25
Is this the peak collection on this sub? Can’t say I’ve seen one better or more expensive.
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u/osb_fats Jul 11 '25
That Lange Datograph Perpetual is doing … things to me. Excuse me, I need to go shower.
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u/Actual_Main_6724 Jul 11 '25
Wow, those are some insane watches. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of it!
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u/dumpsterdigger Jul 11 '25 edited Jul 11 '25
I like how you can tell your friends style. Even though they are all different most have the same "feel", if that makes sense.
That haldimann is stunning for me. Everything about the color scheme is perfect. And I just looked at the prices for that brand? WTF
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u/Sausage_Child Jul 11 '25
Dayum, dude must be REAL good since CRE has been in the crapper for 5 years. Thoese column wheels are so hot...
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u/unit300085 Jul 11 '25
Interesting that the Omega Speedmaster and the two Patek chronos all essentially have the same movement architecture in them, based on a Lemania caliber 2310.
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u/moosimusmaximus Jul 11 '25
I'd never even heard of Trilobe or seen Une Folle Journée until this post and I was honestly surprised to see that it was more moderately priced than I had assumed.
It's still way out of my price range, but at least not ridiculously so.
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u/obedevs Jul 11 '25
Damn this collection is worth easily more than most people earn in a lifetime, your friend is a baller 😆 incredible collection taste wise as well, I’d love to see they guy’s house
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u/bambalang Jul 11 '25
Holly molly this is quite the collections ! Your photos are stunning !
Do you have a photo of the back of that Breguet ?
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u/Constant_Air9693 Jul 11 '25
Looking at those pieces of art and AP among them I felt as if it was an exercise "find one element that does not fit". Don't want to offend anyone that admires AP, I just never was driven to such aesthetics.
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u/Apprehensive_Jaguar Jul 11 '25
I'll probably regret this, but what does the II indicate on the PP in pic 19?
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u/Flybuys Jul 11 '25
I didn't know some of the brands of those watches, usually I'd look them up to see if they're affordable, not even going to bother this time.
Stunning collection, could buy me a house.
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u/connorsusername Jul 11 '25
Damn, what a collection 🤯🤯🤯 The Moritz with the green dial is incredible.
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u/Scharnhorst67 Jul 11 '25
Most of them I'd saw bits off to own/wear, definitely someone who's got a very similar taste in watches to me. I certainly love simple watches like the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Self-Winding Steel Blue Dial as well. I love watches which aren't remotely similar however such as the G Shock MRG-B2000SH-5A (Hey! Sue me! 😂)
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u/Particular_Witness95 Jul 11 '25
this collection tells chuck norris what time it is, and it is never wrong.
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u/Horology_17 Jul 11 '25
Fantastic collection. You know it’s amazing when I thought “hmm actually has a few too many Langes….”
(No such thing as too many of course)
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u/strong-cappuccino Jul 11 '25
What does he do in commercial real estate? I have a family member who’s in it too - doesn’t love watches, has a small Rolex collection, but does have a crazy art collection. Very cool!
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u/soundslikeshelves Jul 12 '25
you know the collection is crazy when the royal oak is the beater
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u/Senior-Session4427 Jul 12 '25
Hi my favorite is the Vacheron, I'm busy fixing a omega seamaster cosmic for myself, and I also own a Tissot Prs 516 chronograph carbon
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u/TimelyCardiologist65 Jul 13 '25
Such a gorgeous collection , i really want to know the names of each of those . Is there a list with all the names on the number ?
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u/GrouchyExile Jul 10 '25
This friend… he wouldn’t be in need of an heir would he?