My short "long" story:
In those days, even though I love watches, I had very with little knowledge (and cash) so my collection was very limited, and basically my watch is just a watch that I like and can afford... I had Tissot (quartz), Breitling (quartz), Casio G-Shock, etc and then comes the Tag F1 in 2008 which I considered already pricey for a watch even though things were getting a lot better for me. I was very happy with that watch as I love to watch F1 too!!! kinda cool too...hehehe!!! I still surf around looking for better watches like the omega, rolex, etc. Come to think of it, that was how it begun...
Last year, I bought a Omega Constellation for my wife and was offered a pre-owned 36mm Rolex Datejust 16234 and I was so happy to own that shiny shiny bling Rolex!!! I love that Datejust but somehow it was too small and too formal, so I was still searching for a bigger sporty watch even though I do not plan to own another expensive watch anytime soon.
So I surf around planning for my next watch, found the Omega PO Liquid metal!!! I was wow!!! The watch looks great in picture. So, when test drive with my wife but well, it didn't sit so well on my 6-inch wrist... it was nice but somehow just doesn't clicked!
One day, I went shopping and tried on the Sub and GMTIIc, well, I was impressed but I was unwilling to pay that sort of price at the time. On the same day, tried on the IWC, Breitling, and then one of the sales guy convince me to try on the PAM359. Holy sh*t!!! I was so impressed with the 44mm 1950 case and got goosebumps on the 359... I went crazy and started researching and reading more about Panerai... I started making plans on getting a PAM from then on.
The unfortunate happened!!! On 11-11-2010, my rented apartment in Shanghai was broken into. The Datejust and F1 was stolen including my wife's jewellery. It was sad and it took me some time to recover... I was very down that time so my wife gave me the green light to get a Panerai. Went to the boutique and the sales guy recommended me the PAM177 and PAM111 and put on a waiting list for a PAM366 "Fu" China special edition coz the price is still within our price budget. Luckily, I never make any haste decision so I went back and still considering my next purchase.
At one time, I was about to just get a Base version PAM as it was within my price budget, bit somehow it just doesn't feel right. I prefer the 1950 case PAMs and the choice were 312, 351 and 359. Therefore I'm still unwilling to pull the trigger until I can make up my mind and make the great price leap and feeling comfortable. When I found out there will be a 386, I tell myself "This is it!!!", this should be the one. So, I called the Boutique here and put a queue for this piece as it will probably be available by year end.
So I better start saving now as I do not want to use existing savings to buy it, I want to make my next purchase more worthwhile with effort and probably I will hugged it in my sleep and dream about it too, hahehehehahh!!!
The End!