15 April 2022

I distinctly remember getting my first watch. It was a Swatch with a dark blue dial and a pink rubber strap that my mum had to cut for me in order for it to fit my wrist. It was a gift from my godfather. As he was wearing his watch on his right wrist, that’s what I did too (I didn’t know any better and I still do to this day, despite not being left-handed). I think I was 5 or 6 years old.

Fast forward to 2011 when I got my first ‘serious’ mechanical watch: a TAG Heuer Link Chronograph. I was by no means a ‘watch guy’ back then and the TAG really was my only watch for a couple of years. In 2014, while on Honeymoon in New York City, my wife and I walked past the Wempe boutique on 5th Avenue. When I saw the Breitling Transocean 1461, I had 2 thoughts: 1) Wow, this is insanely beautiful and 2) This is way too much money to spend on a watch. The salesperson kept talking about how complicated the movement was (semi perpetual Chronograph) – I nodded politely, pretending I knew what he was talking about. We soon left the boutique without buying the watch, but we kept walking past it, so I went in a couple more times to admire the watch. After 3 or 4 times, my wife said, ‘I’m not going in there with you another time unless you buy it’. So, I did. I was now a very happy 2-watches guy until a year later – 2015.

I had just moved to Australia from Germany and was stoked to have found a great job in Sales. And what better way to celebrate a great month than getting a new watch? I had looked at images of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT ‘Good Planet’ for months on end and was super exited to finally get it. Right, so I now had 3 watches, but for some reason, I still wasn’t a ‘watch guy’. I didn’t really know that much about watches, didn’t’ watch endless YouTube videos, read forums or spend hours on Instagram. Yet.

That all changed in 2017. My dad was visiting from Germany and as a birthday gift, he gave me a Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 46 – the same exact watch that he had. I really liked the look of it, and for some reason, I wanted to know more about this watch. I googled it and discovered this whole new world – in short, the Watchfam, forums, Youtube channels, online publications, you name it. Endless resources at your fingertip. I was hooked!

After that, I quickly bought a couple of Seiko watches as well as the one watch that no collection seems to be complete without – the Omega Speedmaster Professional. On January 31, 2018, I posted my first watch shot on Instagram. It was a Speedytuesday, and nothing would ever be the same.

I can’t say enough good things about the local and international Watchfam on Instagram, seriously. I love interacting with everyone and seeing people’s photos and videos. In late 2018, I discovered that the community extended to ‘real life’ as well and I went to my first watch meetup. I was wearing my Grand Seiko SBGH267 and was feeling very nervous, but everyone there was so nice and generous with their watches. Over the years, I was lucky enough to not only take part in, but also organise several GTGs and events and it’s something I’m really proud of; to be an active member of this awesome community. A community that doesn’t care if you’re wearing a Seiko or a Patek Philippe. Doesn’t care if you know the reference number of your watch. Doesn’t care if you know what a lever escapement actually does. You can just show up, see some amazing timepieces and chat to some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. But I digress.

“Over the years, I was lucky enough to not only take part in, but also organise several GTGs and events and it’s something I’m really proud of; to be an active member of this awesome community.”

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT ‘Good Planet’

In terms of other significant watches throughout the years, there’s a couple that are worth mentioning:

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Up/Down

Still by far the most beautiful watch I own. Flew to Sydney to pick it up from a mate who sold it. What a stunning piece. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any wrist time at all. It might be a watch I could see myself selling if I ever needed the money to buy something else I really wanted.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas

The Vacheron Constantin Overseas. Probably the watch that most people would associate me with. When I bought it in 2019, they were readily available, and no one really cared about them. Oh, how times have changed. It’s still my favorite watch in the collection and if you asked me to only pick one for the rest of my life, it’s this one. Easily. I just find it incredibly sad that it got caught up in the current hype. I truly want everyone to just be able to buy this watch at retail. It’s expensive enough!

Bulgari Octo Finissimo

When I learned that I was going to be a dad, I knew right away that I wanted to celebrate this very special occasion with a new watch. I had always liked the design of the Octo, but the titanium one didn’t feel right for me. The stainless steel one with 100m water resistance was just perfect. It’s been one of my most worn watches over the last year and a half. I think it’s a future icon! Can’t recommend it enough.

Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ 50th Anniversary

When I got the call, I knew that’d be the perfect watch to pass on to my son when he’s older. In fact, I consider it his watch already, I just get to wear it sometimes.

Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton “Night Surfer” Time+Tide Edition

The Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton “Night Surfer” Time+Tide Edition. It’s hard to describe this watch without seeing it in person, but it continues to impress me. Time+Tide absolutely nailed this one.

I’m not looking to add any watches to the collection at the moment, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if a sports watch from a certain high-end Indie made an appearance on my account later this year if things go well. Until then, I’ll enjoy my collection and, more importantly, the community.

Shout-out

A big shoutout to Watch Enthusiasts Melbourne, Fifth Wrist, Time+Tide, and Red Bar Melbourne. Would not be the same without legends like Anthony D, Tom, Vinnie, Anthony O, Dane, Dimi, Andrew McUtchen, Drew, Alex, Charith, Dale, Salil, Teesaan, Harin, Den, Mikey, John, Jose, Kenneth, Roman, Michael W, Leigh A, Mike A, Nick, Minh, Martin, Tony, Vincent, Yin and all the other guys. You truly are a spectacular bunch and I’m eternally grateful to have met all of you.

“When you move to a new city in your 30s like I did, it can be hard to make new friends and it’s something I’ve really struggled with for a couple of years. But I can honestly say that – through watches – I found my people. People that I now consider my closest friends, I’ve met through this wonderful and crazy shared passion of ours.”

Vinnie, JP, and Teesan (Pic source: Jaeger-LeCoultre)

Getting to know JP

What was your earliest memory of a watch?
Getting that Swatch when I was 6.
Vintage or modern?
I dabbled in vintage a couple of times, but keep coming back to modern.
Automatic or manual winding?
Automatic
Favorite complication?
Date
Leather strap or bracelet?
Bracelet
Favorite watch in your collection?
Vacheron Constantin Overseas
Favorite dress watch on the market?
It’s a tie between the Grönefeld 1941 Principia and the Moritz Grossmann Tremblage
Favorite sport watch on the market?
Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante / MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO
Favorite chronograph watch on the market?
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down
Favorite integrated bracelet watch?
VC Overseas
Favorite independent brand and watch?
There’s sooo many! I’m really liking Pascal Coyon, Habring and Lang & Heyne right now! MB&F just continues to amaze me as well.
What is your grail/exit watch?
Changes, but currently it’s the MB&F LM101.
What do you think of the current hype surrounding certain watches?
I despise it. If I can’t get a watch at retail, I don’t want it. I’m certainly not going to beg or ‘build a relationship’ with an AD just to get an allocation for a watch that’s in demand. For me, there’s so many brands beyond the hype that are worth exploring!
The watch I wore the most last year.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo.
The watch I look forward to seeing this year.
The new Jaeger-LeCoultre releases look fantastic. Plus, anything from Vacheron Constantin and the Indies.
Advice for someone who is starting a watch collection.
Buy what you like and don’t worry about what other people will think. Don’t pay over retail.
Favorite country to visit.
Italy / Maldives.
Talents/skills that people might not know about me.
I make the best Bolognese you'll ever eat.

A big thank you to JP for sharing his time and watch journey with the community. Please make sure to follow him on Instagram at @jp_melbs.

JP Imhoff