Sometimes, when I look at the small airplanes (say, the single-engine propeller planes) it strikes me as very strange that these are of the same category (airplanes) as the big ones (say, the 737's and 767's). Similarly, when I look at a small boat, it's often strange to think that this is the same basic "thing" as the QE2 or an aircraft carrier. I also wonder about the different experiences of piloting the small Cessna and piloting the much larger 767. Are these really the same experiences or are they very different? The feel of flying, versus the very high-tech video game?

So now, I look at these two watches, and it seems strange that they are parts of this same category -- vintage machanical watches. Everything is different -- the look; the size; functions; materials; age; price; etc. But a fantastic part of this collecting hobby is that we can enjoy different "looks" and "feels", depending on the situation and our moods. Monday was the blue shirt, sports coat . . . and for some reason, based on the day's agenda and mood, the big, fat, black chrono felt perfect. Tuesday, the cuff was much smaller and the mood was different, so "less" watch felt better.

I think it's also important, as collectors, to allow oursleves to go different directions with our pursuits. As a Heuer collector, the Sinn is a very natural watch to want -- Bundeswehr case; legendary 5100 movement; one of the ultimate tool watches . . . it's an obvious part of the collection. The "H. Stone" watch is an oddity, but here's how I got to it:

• doing some research on the history of the Caliber 12's,
• I began reading about the Buren movements, and
• was impressed by their reputation for quality, and
• their small size, so
• I began doing ebay searches, and
• spotted this little watch, which looks very pretty, to me, and
• my mother was from Leeds and my father was "H. Stein" (or "H. Stone", if the German is translated), so
• I bought it for just around $100, and
• have enjoyed it ever since!!