thomcat00 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:15 amPatek Philippe (from a lyric reference in “Touch And Go” by Emerson, Lake, and Powell)

You are obviously a man of discerning taste!

'Man in the street nowhere to sleep
No time for nothing, no Patek Phillipe
Pedal to the metal, blow by blow'

Great song, very good album, the band, alas, are all gone.

I’d been given my first watch, a Timex, but I recall the first watch I bought, a 1970’s Seiko chronograph with a steel “racing” bracelet, came from a tiny shop (chosen from what they had under a glass case).

Going off topic (sorry, but bear with), much later, I bought my first “good” (read “quite expensive”) watch in 2006, it was a Sinn 103 reverse panda, when the internet was around but wasn’t anything like it is today, however, the purchasing experience was as if the internet didn’t exist. I went for a viewing in a room attached to their workshop at the factory (also fitted out with glass cases), then poured over their hardback catalogue to select my preferred model, and faxed in the order with my credit card number .

The experience of buying direct from Sinn today isn’t much different, in fact when I ordered a replacement bezel a couple of years ago, I had to email them to get a part number, then place the order via their “Contact” section of the website, then wait for them to send me an online invoice, which I paid with a credit card! The watch was (and still is) amazing, but their website was (and still is) dreadful!

Look at this selection of Oris watches from the Next Directory of the 1980s published over on Instagram. That pointer date model still exists but at £1600, in the 80s Next Directory it's £157.99 or even maybe £57.99!!

I worked for Next as a Saturday boy in the late 80s/early 90s and at the time had no idea about Oris and could have bought one with my staff discount of I think 75%!!

The rest of the Directory looks very dated!

The rest of the Directory looks very dated!

Well, yes - it was 40 years ago

While prices seem cheap now, wages were pretty low. 75% discount would be good though.

I had a few plated watches in the 90’s. They tended to wear through over time and then the case metal would become pitted and rough to the touch.

The modern versions will be stainless steel and not a cheaper, softer, metal.

I wonder if any of these Oris would have survived?

thomcat00 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:15 am
. . . and Patek Philippe (from a lyric reference in “Touch And Go” by Emerson, Lake, and Powell

Surely you mean "Palmer".

On a similar note ,after watching a concert last night on YouTube,I was reminded of a concert by Robert Palmer I went to see probably around 1989/90 at Hammersmith Odeon.The drummer got so carried away that he fell off his stool and took half the drum kit with him.Otherwise ,one of the best concerts I have seen.

And also ref: The Next Directory from 1998, is that..... Uma Thurman?

DavidCM wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2024 1:08 pm

thomcat00 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:15 am
. . . and Patek Philippe (from a lyric reference in “Touch And Go” by Emerson, Lake, and Powell

Surely you mean "Palmer".

Actually, no, “Powell” is correct. Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and Cozy Powell recorded and toured in 1986. “Touch And Go” was the lead single from that record.

And don’t call me “Shirley”

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerson ... %26_Powell

I was obviously thinking of the earlier iteration of the band.I wasn't that interested in them,so wasn't aware of Powell being in the group,.. although I was aware of him..Cozy is an unusual forename.

And I Shirley won't call you Surely.

DavidCM wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:07 pm I was obviously thinking of the earlier iteration of the band.I wasn't that interested in them,so wasn't aware of Powell being in the group,.. although I was aware of him..Cozy is an unusual forename.

His real name was Colin, but Powell wasn't his real surname either! Great drummer. Sad loss.

Only Carl Palmer is still alive from the more famous ELP. He is still playing and touring at the age of 73, in his ELP legacy band / Return of ELP.