I turned 30 on Friday and got... (pics on p3)

[chrisparker]

A little over a year ago I signed up to TZ with the aim of finding the perfect watch to accompany me through the next chapter of my life.

It started 9 years ago when my parents bought me a Tag Heuer Classic 2000 for my 21st birthday. I love that watch and have worn it almost every day since.

Then a few years ago my brother-in-law turned 30 and my sister bought him a similar watch, which got me thinking about what I like for my 30th.

I've always liked Tag, in particular the black Monaco, which was the top of my list for a 30th present. Then back in 2007 I got engaged to Vicky in New York, where I purchased the ring. During that break we must have visited every jeweller in Manhattan and whilst she was looking at rings I had my head in the watch displays. Having seen loads of brands I've never looked twice at before I decided to do a little research which led me here.

Over the last year I've changed my mind many times but there have been a couple of favourites I've liked since I first saw them. Firstly the Planet Ocean was the one I fell for, I love everything about it and when a friend asked me to recommend him a watch it was the PO that I did, a week later and he had one. Then another friend bought one. So that was now nudged off the top spot.

Forward to January this year when I was browsing the watches in Hugh Rice Jewellers in Hull with Vicky (now wife) when she spotted the watch I had taken an interest in. She said I'll get you it if you like, for your birthday. What? Now, I said, my birthday is 8 months away... Yes she said, I've just got my bonus and if I don't get it now I might not have any money left come August.

I'm not a man who asking twice so we had a closer look, tried it on, negotiated a further discount off an already generous January Sale price and finally decided to leave and have a think, it was a lot of money after all.

We left the store and talked about it on our way home. Then the next day Vicky went in and bought the watch. RESULT.

It's been torture since, it was no secret, she teased me with it, allowed it in the house but wouldn't let me have the bracelet sized, I could look but not wear it.

A very slow 8 months passed on Friday I turned 30 and I eventually got my watch, already sized and ready to wear.

I yes I'm delighted and it's been worth the wait.

So what was is it you ask?

Well I'm afraid you'll have to wait.

Chris

[ASW1]

A belated happy birthday Chris - I look forward to the reveal in due course.

[jonny]

speedmaster moon watch?

[Jonmurgie]

Congrats on the big 30 :D

No idea what you've got though :)

[whoami]

Well I'm afraid you'll have to wait.

Chris

Why?

Your birthday was last week, tell!

[village]

30 eh! Congrats.....now show us the watch (Blancpain?)

[PeterM]

Great post Chris and belated birthday greetings.

Now come on you bugger, sod the suspense - we can't wait 8 months :D

[Daddelvirks]

Many congrats Chris :) .
Due to the way you are building-up your story, I'm now more than curious what the result is.

Cheers,

Daddel.

[Puntsdog]

Your good lady didn't treat you to one of those delectable Glashutte Originals they have in there did she? I was only in yesterday, tried on a gorgeous Maurice Laxroix masterpiece chrono with a silver face. Not sure of the model but it was very nice. Reduced to 2215 i think from 4390. Shame it looked so small on my wrist. So what did the good lady get you then????

[boddah]

Happy Birthday... now spill the beans pronto :D

[jonny]

slow reveals have been "offically " banned on the forum so if you dont want to lose your membership.... :D

[Superal]

Now I am curious - do tell!
alex

[DWK]

Problem is that you might just decide you want a watch from 1979 as well!!

Congrats.

[WORKSIMON]

30 UP !! Congrats mate, and hurry up and cough to what you got :wink:

[pinkwindmill]

Happy 30th Chris. Now, SPIT IT OUT, what d'ya get?!

Cheers,

Guy :)

[crazyp]

Congrats!

Gah, I hate slow reveals - give us one pic...I'm sure someone will find the rest on photbucket :lol:

[Desert Dog]

Congrats on the 30th :occasion4:

come on, spill the beans!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[SternG]

Happy birthday :!:

Now enough with the suspense :D


Gheers

Stern

[Chairman LMAO]

What sort of thread is this!? I resent having to wait...

the invent of the internet means i should have instant gratification...

people even edit down pron videos for 'the best bits' and you expect me to wait 9 months to find out what watch you already own.

AGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Ventura]

[JustaHunch]

I hope we don't have to wait eight months! :lol:

Congratulations on the birthday.

[walkuere]

Chairman LMAO, it would be better not linking pics like this in the main forum...

So Congrats, Chris! ( You are exactly 12 days older than me)

So what have you got?

Frank

[BigD]

Happy Belated Birthday :)

Is it a 1200m PloProf?? :twisted: :lol:

[Chairman LMAO]

Chairman LMAO, it would be better not linking pics like this in the main forum...

Is there an appropriate sub-forum?

You do know its not real right... its a widely used image to illustrate similar points, in this case the image is taken from a respected science/political blog to avoid any bad sources.

[KavKav]

Attaboy Chris, a belated Happy Birthday mate!

[Sharky]

SHOW US!!!

Mark

[Ferrari 312T]

Maybe like him we will have to wait 8 months.....

[matt]

Another slow reveal ? :roll:

[Dean in Canuckistan]

Another slow reveal ? :roll:

+1 :evil:

[adrian]

Happy birthday. :D I turned 30 last Friday as well. :D

[Seb d]

So, come on, spill the beans!!

[Jake]

Many happy returns - I can just remember 30 (or can I?) :D

A great read - but you're braver than me. I wouldn't dream of letting the missus have any idea of what watches costs - I'd be in deep doodoo if I did :roll:

Cheers

Jake

[thenikjones]

Another slow reveal ? :roll:

Interesting build up, then a "slow reveal" - what a waste of time :roll:

Happy Birthday, but frankly couldn't care less what you got.

[pastrana72]

Great story. :D

Happy Birthday, sound's to me like you have a cool wife.

hope you enjoy your present, 8 months is a long time to wait.

Is it a G-Shock? :wink:

[chrisparker]

Here you go you impatient bunch:



Chris

[maxf]

Great choice! My present to myself on my 30th was a Speedy pro

[Gunscrossed]

Nice!

[walkuere]

Very nice :twisted:

Frank

[chrisparker]

Apologies to those who can't bear a slow reveal, I originally posted while I was at work and didn't have a camera with me.

I'm home now so I've had a chance to take a couple of shots.

Speedmaster's have probably been the most posted and talked about watch over the last couple of months so it's nice to finally be able to let mine out of it's box.

Thanks to everyone for your birthday wishes.

Chris.

[pastrana72]

its not a G-Shock :cry: :wink:

:D That is a great watch, welldone.

Worth the wait, I would like one of these one day too.

I have feeling i will not get bought one for my birthday.

[WORKSIMON]

Very nice Chris, I want one of these for my 40th in a few months 8) 8) 8)

[boddah]

Here you go you impatient bunch:



Chris

Great shot 8)

[Giles]

Great birthday present. My Fortis B42 landed today so I am also smiling.

[Jonmurgie]

Super prezzie, well worth the wait :thumbup:

[chrisparker]

Happy birthday. :D I turned 30 last Friday as well. :D

Happy belated birthday to you too Adrian. :thumbright:

Chris

[thenikjones]

Apologies to those who can't bear a slow reveal, I originally posted while I was at work and didn't have a camera with me.

Good choice - it'll still be looking good when you celebrate your 60th.

[andy tims]

Good choice of watch and a damn good photo too.

[Dean in Canuckistan]

An excellent choice - I chose the same watch for my 30th last year.

Happy birthday.

[CmdrBond]

Well, that is a seriously good choice for a 30th birthday present. 8)

[Scottishtrunkmonkey]

Happy birthday Chris and a bloody good choice 8) Very good pic too :)