If you follow watch content accounts on Instagram that are known for some of the best photography, then the handle @Bharmon417 might not be new to you. A young watch collector that happens to also be a professional photographer, @Bharmon417 is not only passionate about Panerai, Audemars Piguet and Rolex, but all those other things we like to refer here at WCL as the good life. With eye-catching photo compositions that are the perfect embodiment of the hashtag #WatchLife we created five years ago, @Bharmon417 is a watch collector truly enjoying the journey and not so worried about the destination —even though he already has a strong lineup of watch grails in sight. A hobby that started with a Breitling Super Ocean Heritage Chrono has now developed a fine taste for some of the best from AP, Patek Philippe, F.P. Journe and MB&F.
Now, you’ll hear straight from him all that he wants to share about this amazing hobby that brought us together in the first place.
Why Did You Start Collecting Watches?
What was Your First Watch and Your First Luxury Watch?
I started collecting purely on having an interest in watches. Watches to me were the only real accessory to my daily wardrobe. My first watch was a Swatch and my first real luxury watch was a Breitling Super Ocean Heritage Chronograph.
How Many Years Have You Been Watch Collecting?
My love for watches started at a young age, but things got fairly serious about 5 years ago right around 2013 which coincides when WCL launched.
What are Your Favorite Brands?
My favorite brands are Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Panerai, MB&F, F.P. Journe and a few other independent and micro brands.
Which of Your Watches Do You Consider Special and Why?
My Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Amagnetic 3-Days Titanio PAM 389 is extremely special to me as that is the watch that has seen it all. I got married wearing that watch and I first dove with Great White Sharks while wearing that watch. It has a very special place in my collection for obvious reasons.
Can You List the Brands and Watches You’ve Owned In your Watch Collecting Journey?
In regards to major brands, I've owned Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Omega & Panerai. Due to availability and pricing, I haven’t had the chance to own a Patek Philippe yet. For now, I'll continue to dream of the day that a dealer calls to tell me that my piece has arrived.
Some of the watches I’ve owned or still own include an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15400ST Ruthenium Dial, a Royal Oak ref. 15400ST Black Dial, a Royal Oak Offshore Black Themes ref. 26020ST, six different Panerais including the PAM 389, PAM 000, PAM 372, PAM 674, PAM 690 and the PAM 514, an Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon, a Rolex Explorer II ref. 216570, Rolex Submariner ref. 114060, Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Batman’ ref. 116710BLNR, Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller ref. 116660, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500LN, a few Maurice Lacroix and a Breitling Super Ocean Heritage Chronograph.
Why Do You Buy Certain Brands and Watches?
I wouldn’t consider myself a serial flipper per say, but I do buy and sell watches more often than not. I keep telling myself that I’m trying to bring pieces in and out of the collection to someday have the perfect 4-6 watch collection. Getting back to the question, I have focused on major brands such as Rolex and Audemars Piguet due to their retention value. Patek Philippe is still a huge reach at the moment but I hope to have the opportunity to add one to my collection.
Which is Your Grail Watch you Wish to Own One Day?
A few grail pieces that I would love to add to my collection would be an F.P. Journe Chronométre Souverain in platinum, a Patek Philippe 5711 or a 5712 , a Patek Philippe Aquanaut ref. 5167 and an MB&F Legacy Machine LM2.
How Many Times Do You Switch Watches During The Day?
Most of the time I will wear the same watch all day. On the weekends, I will change my watch multiple times depending on my mood and the activity planned for the day.
If You Had to Keep and Wear Only One Watch From Your Current Collection to Wear for the Rest of Your Life, Which One Would That Be?
Due to many reasons, and the sentimental value behind it, I would have to choose my Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Amagnetic 3-Days Titanio PAM 389. It’s too special for me to ever let it go.
