Conversing with Collectors: Jay, Community Member

It’s time for another interview and this week we are focussing on one of our community members. Jay was our 200th competition winner and walked away with the biggest win since our inception. This is Jay’s story.

What first got you into watches?

Well for this we’ll have to go way back in time to when I was a student when I couldn’t really afford much. My first watch was a Storm watch. Then when I first started earning some money, I purchased a Rado, I’ve always liked the design from Rado. 

I then got into, let’s say, slightly more serious watches when I read a copy of EVO magazine (as I’m a huge fan of cars as well). I stumbled across an article on the Rolex Daytona, and they talked about motor racing and Paul Newman and that’s what really got me hooked.

Amazing, so what did you end up purchasing as your first luxury watch?

In 2004, I bought the stainless-steel Daytona, the black dial. In those days it retailed for £3,500, which is crazy to imagine now. I ended up purchasing it for £6,000, which was still rather pricy in those days. I didn’t tell my other half, but it ended up being a birthday present which was fantastic.

Do you still own the Daytona?

I don’t still own this watch, unfortunately. The idea was to keep it and pass it on to the kids. We encountered a bit of difficulty during the crisis of 2008 and we had to sell the watch. 

Ever since I haven’t worn a watch, which I know may seem strange. However, my thinking was if you’ve owned a Daytona and no longer have it, you’ll struggle to match it. So, I decided to go without for the past 12 years or so. It was quite painful as it was hard to see other people with watches. 

Now I think I know the answer to this, but I’ll ask you anyway, what is your favourite watch brand?

Well, that’s tricky. If I had to give you one, I think Patek Philippe is the greatest watchmaker, but I also love Audemars Piguet. 

The Gerald Genta design of the Nautilus and the Royal Oak is not a typically shaped watch, I like how unique and sporty they are. Richard Mille is another one to throw in there, engineering-wise. I’d probably go with Patek Philippe, though, if I had to choose one.

What is your dream watch? If money was no object, what is the one watch you’d buy?

I’d probably go for the Perpetual Calendar Royal Oak, perhaps the skeleton version. I’ve always liked the design of chronograph watches and the design of this Royal Oak is just incredible.

What’s the next watch you’ll add to the collection?

Either the Audemars Piguet or the Daytona. It would have to be the steel Daytona with the ceramic bezel, black dial of course.

Let’s talk a little about the Lux Watch Competition. How long have you been playing?

It was by coincidence through social media, it was Competition 10 that I first played. I’ve played some of the big ones since and then finally won the 200th competition. 

Can you talk us through the moment you won the watch?

I missed the draw, I had watched a few in the past. I ended up getting a message with a link to the live draw. I skipped through to the draw part. When I saw my name appear in black and white, I knew won big. It was quite a special moment, of course!

Weirdly, I had bumped into Bradley in Soho the year before and spoke to him. I said the next time we see each other I hope you’re handing over a watch. Lo and behold, the next time we saw each other, I was receiving the Nautilus from him. 

And so have you been enjoying some wrist time with the Nautilus?

I’m keeping it safe, so I haven’t been wearing it. 

What would you say to someone considering playing the LW Comp?

It is such a great competition, it’s so well organised and runs so smoothly. 

Also, the lead time is very quick, so you find out if you’ve won very quickly. The community is great, there’s lots of team spirit and camaraderie. 

There is a lower range as well now to suit most people’s budgets. In my case, all I needed was one ticket. Lux Watch Supply have some of the best watches on offer which are great, so it’s well worth it. 

Jay, thank you for taking the time to speak to us. And congratulations on your win. I hope we will be handing you over another watch soon!

Thanks for having me, looking forward to playing again!

If you’d like the opportunity to win a luxury timepiece like Jay, enter our latest competition.