Brutal cull: SOTC 2023 versus SOTC 2024
Old thread (link), but long journey: https://www.watchcrunch.com/Calumets/posts/add-your-sotc-shot-for-the-start-of-2023-compare-in-a-year-22966.
I've made lots of changes to my collection in the past year and I'm amazed at how much relief I feel. I'd wanted to thin down for a while but was worried I'd have regrets and so put it off for ages (this is actually a reduction from 32 watches in 2021).
I had tried putting them all away and keeping just three on rotation, but I found I wanted more options (so, that was a useful exercise in discovering how many I might be comfortable with).
This also got me more focused on what I really, really liked and whether I wanted to swap stuff out. I finally bit the bullet and got rid of the Tudor 79220N because it always felt too thick. That was a sale that I had resisted for a long time, but it made way for the Pelagos 39, with the dimensions I craved. This purchase made the Sinn obsolete.
I'd already picked up the Yema really cheaply on Ebay and immediately loved it, which meant that the Archimede could go. I loved so much about that watch, but always felt it was a 38mm struggling to get out of a 40mm case.
It was easy from there as the two Seesterns and the Stowa, though fantastic watches, didn't get any wrist time at all.
There's a vintage Ordiam at the watch spa and a Vostok Amphibian I use as a beater too, but each of the remaining watches will get lots of wrist time.
I'm so glad I've finally done it!
An admirer of shiny wrist art. I've recently arrived at a fairly settled collection after years of flipping. That could all change at any time... IG: @tickerstickers
Well done, I'm going through a similar process of refinement at the moment. It's not easy, but will be worth it in the end.
That's so brutal, this post should come with a PG certificate! I have to say, I miss the colour of the Seesterns. What are you going to do in the summer?! Maybe you could stretch to a Doxa?
I know from seeing some of those on eBay, that this has not been easy! 😉
I totally agree with what you say about the Archimede. I have to say, I also prefer their versions with the central and small seconds.
Funnily enough, I have just today put my Stowa Marine Roman 36 on the bracelet. I originally got the bracelet with the Stowa Partitio, but it was the wrong size. The replacement came from Stowa yesterday, and rather than put it on the Partitio, I opted for the Marine Roman. I think it looks great:
That’s quite a daunting challenge. My first reaction was that losing the Sinn must have been tough but with the P39, it makes sense. I think that’s nearly the perfect watch.
I think about doing this way too much but deep down, I know that I am not ready. I can’t imagine giving up anything I have even if they are redundant. There’s an intellectual vs. emotional disconnect that I need to resolve someday.
Well done, I'm going through a similar process of refinement at the moment. It's not easy, but will be worth it in the end.
Good luck with it. It is difficult because you're shedding watches you clearly like very much else you would never have bought them in the first place. But trimming the fat leaves something lovely and lean.
That's so brutal, this post should come with a PG certificate! I have to say, I miss the colour of the Seesterns. What are you going to do in the summer?! Maybe you could stretch to a Doxa?
I know from seeing some of those on eBay, that this has not been easy! 😉
I totally agree with what you say about the Archimede. I have to say, I also prefer their versions with the central and small seconds.
Funnily enough, I have just today put my Stowa Marine Roman 36 on the bracelet. I originally got the bracelet with the Stowa Partitio, but it was the wrong size. The replacement came from Stowa yesterday, and rather than put it on the Partitio, I opted for the Marine Roman. I think it looks great:
The Stowa looks great on the bracelet and I do miss that mesh. The Seestern colours were great, but I still have a bright blue Vostok beater and a vintage Ordiam with a blue dial too. The Seesterns were a test run for a Doxa, but I couldn't live with the thickness. Of course, Doxa has now released much thinner subs, but the reduced diameter wouldn't work for me as the dials are already so small in the case. The Archimede sub-seconds is lovely, but still 40mm unfortunately. My summer watch will be the Pelagos - I'm determined not to baby it, just wear it and enjoy it.
Nice collection! Looks like we have some similar tastes. 😁
The Stowa looks great on the bracelet and I do miss that mesh. The Seestern colours were great, but I still have a bright blue Vostok beater and a vintage Ordiam with a blue dial too. The Seesterns were a test run for a Doxa, but I couldn't live with the thickness. Of course, Doxa has now released much thinner subs, but the reduced diameter wouldn't work for me as the dials are already so small in the case. The Archimede sub-seconds is lovely, but still 40mm unfortunately. My summer watch will be the Pelagos - I'm determined not to baby it, just wear it and enjoy it.
It certainly sounds like you've spent a lot of time thinking it all through!
That’s quite a daunting challenge. My first reaction was that losing the Sinn must have been tough but with the P39, it makes sense. I think that’s nearly the perfect watch.
I think about doing this way too much but deep down, I know that I am not ready. I can’t imagine giving up anything I have even if they are redundant. There’s an intellectual vs. emotional disconnect that I need to resolve someday.
I get it. It took me a long time but I finally realised that not wearing so many of them was unsettling, and this hobby should be 100% enjoyable. I think I've got that back now. The Pelagos definitely enabled the Sinn shedding. I tried hard to force myself to really love the Sinn, but finally worked out that it was the aesthetics of the bezel cut outs that I didn't like. The Pelagos sunray is something I'm coming to terms with rather than like, but it is a brilliant watch.
I went from 26+ watches down to 6. It's slowy creeping up again and I'm now at 10. I'm looking at a couple more pieces to complete the douzen then that's it I think 🤔
That's so brutal, this post should come with a PG certificate! I have to say, I miss the colour of the Seesterns. What are you going to do in the summer?! Maybe you could stretch to a Doxa?
I know from seeing some of those on eBay, that this has not been easy! 😉
I totally agree with what you say about the Archimede. I have to say, I also prefer their versions with the central and small seconds.
Funnily enough, I have just today put my Stowa Marine Roman 36 on the bracelet. I originally got the bracelet with the Stowa Partitio, but it was the wrong size. The replacement came from Stowa yesterday, and rather than put it on the Partitio, I opted for the Marine Roman. I think it looks great:
Wearing my Antea on the bracelet today as well. Pouring out a little coffee for the loss of the Stowa 🥲
Wearing my Antea on the bracelet today as well. Pouring out a little coffee for the loss of the Stowa 🥲
But another collector, somewhere, gets to enjoy it too!
Nice collection. Both iterations are top notch. I'm trying to reduce, but that voice in the back of my head keeps saying 'give it a try, you don't have a (insert every complication/dial color/case shape/etc)'. I'm down to 10 (not counting the G Shocks or Casio, of course) but the box holds 12. The empty spots are taunting me.
Nice collection. Both iterations are top notch. I'm trying to reduce, but that voice in the back of my head keeps saying 'give it a try, you don't have a (insert every complication/dial color/case shape/etc)'. I'm down to 10 (not counting the G Shocks or Casio, of course) but the box holds 12. The empty spots are taunting me.
Thank you. I understand the 'voice' - it's dangerous and it demands compliance. Those empty slots can be dealt with using a saw - but you have to be prepared to be BRUTAL! 🤣
Is the 2nd from left a Junghans? It's stunning!
Is the 2nd from left a Junghans? It's stunning!
Yes, the Junghans max bill Chronoscope - my first serious watch, and only ever grail!
But another collector, somewhere, gets to enjoy it too!
That is exactly what I tell myself. Makes it a little better.
That was some heavy culling. I’m not there yet but it’s been on my mind more and more recently. I actually let two watches go this week but that was just to be able to buy another one.
As a rare advocate for a tight collection, I say kudos! Love the Pelagos 39
That was some heavy culling. I’m not there yet but it’s been on my mind more and more recently. I actually let two watches go this week but that was just to be able to buy another one.
Two out for one in is pretty good progress IMO 🍻
Two out for one in is pretty good progress IMO 🍻
Absolutely, but just one occasion, not a trend yet.
Nice collection, love the Yema!
Nice collection, love the Yema!
Thank you. The Yema is really nice and low key. It's not very accurate and the lume spots are all over the place, but it's charming..
Lovely 4 piece 👌🏻😍👍🏻
Lovely 4 piece 👌🏻😍👍🏻
Thank you! 😊
Nicely done ! It’s such a pain selling these days. Great core collection 💯
Nicely done ! It’s such a pain selling these days. Great core collection 💯
Thank you