My 3 watch rotation

I’ve found a sweet spot in my watch collecting journey. As a relative watch newbie (about 2 years being very interested in watches and about a year into collecting), I’d like to think I have many more pieces ahead of me. There are many brands, styles and concepts of watch that intrigue me, but over the last month or so, I’ve found a comfortable groove with what I currently own.

Maybe it’s contentment. Certainly, some gratitude.

The first few pieces I purchased were impulsive and sub-par, but the last 3 watches I’ve bought were very intentional. Meticulously chosen for a purpose. These 3 watches have found a rhythm on my wrist that I really enjoy, and though I may want others, I don’t feel like I need them. As I poke around online, the gravitational pull to purchase watches has been replaced with a passive appreciation for their beauty. I know the itch will return eventually. I’m sure I’ll find a gap that needs filled. For now, though, these 3 have given me the time-keeping tools I need.

In order of purchase:

Orient Ray ii

This watch offered:

• My first automatic movement

• Simplicity in design

• Functional dive bezel

• Enamoring blue dial

• Unbeatable price point

A beautiful watch, super functional for me, great as a daily driver, but I couldn’t stop dreaming about expanding the collection.

Timex Ironman

This watch offered:

• Classic digital quartz functionality

• Comfy band

• Obviously, takes a lick’n

• Nostalgic connection (my dad wore this watch 24/7 for 20+ years)

I wear this watch every single night. The comfy band, the indiglo (shown below), endless timers for everything, it could honestly be my one and only if I wasn’t addicted to the real thing 😂

The Ray by day, Ironman by night setup worked for me, but there was a pretty significant gap between them. I had a hankering for something field-ish, maybe something flieger-ly done. Something simple, durable yet interesting to look at.

Enter,

Seiko SRPH29

It offers all the above listed felt needs and split the difference between the other two nicely.

• The comfy but durable strap

• Minutes outside / hours inside display

• Sleek, brushed finishing

• See through case back really impresses normal folk (even though it might be the least interesting movement in the world to look at 😬)

I got this watch fully expecting to be soon possessed by the compulsion to snag another, yet I’ve found myself genuinely content with what I have. I never have to wind up a dead movement, because there’s not often more than 24-48 hours without wrist time for each watch and the power reserves have held steady. I’m also never paralyzed by an overwhelming number of choices.

As I scroll on here and try to lean on the wisdom of the crowd, I want to avoid some common pitfalls:

• I’m not setting a limit on my purchases. Has anyone ever abided by self-impose “one-watch-per-year” rules??

• I’m not tempted to upgrade to more expensive, more rare or “better” versions of what is already working.

• I’m not interested in adding watches with complications I’ll never use just because. Do I really need to know what shape the moon will be tonight?

I have no real point to all this. Just sharing where I’m at. Maybe I’ll change my tune in a year. Or a week. Or an hour.

Maybe it’s all just to say this:

You can find satisfaction with a few (relatively) cheap watches. Less may not be more, but it might be better.

Thanks, WC, for being an understanding place for these rambles! 😄

All that said: what would you add next that I might be missing?? Bonus points if it’s affordable, functional and durable.