Which are the ones you let get away...or just missed...or maybe haven't had the courage or insanity to purchase?

I ve got all those watches i d like to have. A few of em will leave in a short term because they mean nothing anymore to me (G's)

Ok Mel @ChronoGuy , I’m back!

Here’s a few 'had in it my hand, I didn't buy at retail, I'll cry regretful tears from now till eternity', watches.

Ah, hindsight.... 😕. Feel the pain:

2021 build slot for Anordaine

Declined build (about 3k I think) as I’d recently bought a watch and I felt it was too ‘close’ to another purchase. And now, If U want one, it’s several years, way more $, and no guarantee what you’ll get. 😢

Maki-e Urushi Lacquer :

At retail in Japan. Loved it, but it was at a price that I mentally considered outta my league, at the time. Now sadly, it’s very out of my league.

Again at retail. Similar scenario as Maki e above for not buying. Wifey and I have had lots of fun times in Ginza and I loved the bright blue. Also still want to add a mechanical GS one day (my buddies at Shizukuishi say I need one 😂) This one has shot up in value now so it’s a nope nope nope now. 😑

Of all my watches, I think the only one that I did right and bought fast 💨 was my Seiko Ginza! Phew 😮‍💨

Alan...you know this one that I was after...you were there with me and Brian @Mr.Dee.Bater when we were chatting about it with Joel...he had one lined up for me till the wife put the ixnay on it...so sad...

Maybe I can still find a way to convince her...

The Seiko Alpinist Ginza (SPB259) is one of those for me. But I can’t blame myself for missing out on it because I only really got into watches until some time after it was released. The prices being asked for these now are insane and make it no longer interesting for me.

I wish I had become a watch nerd in the 2010s before the prices on the Omega Speedmaster Professional became absurd.

I could have purchased anOrdain sooner and probably at a lower cost. Now, I find myself on the waitlist until 2027. I'll likely change my mind by then, which may not be all that bad.

I agreed with my wife sometime around August last year that the gift for my 50th birthday would be the last watch purchase for 2023. It could have become the Lorier Astra

but it took ages to be eventually launched (and in hindsight the first batch sold out so quickly I wouldn't have scored one anyway).

It could have been the Depancel Allure Legend 60s

but I wasn't convinced of an ST1901 movement watch at the price and it has since sold out.

It could have been the Orient Star Heritage Gothic

but for some reason my favourite colour (white with blue numerals) is always more expensive than the others. It could have become the Citizen NB1060-12L

but I didn't have it on my radar yet and thus it'll have to wait for my 25th wedding anniversary this year.

That's how I got the Wise Adamascus AD773.

I already shared the story of how I turned down the chance to get my grail, a JLC Reverso Classique, because my then-significant other and I decided we had other priorities. Only to buy the same watch after she broke up with me.

:::sigh::: That Patek is amazing! I would likely never wear it outside though.

1-2 year ago I put a deposite on this 37mm thing.

While waiting for my GS, my Rolex A.D and Vacheron A.D decided to offer me watches on the same day.

I came to the mall and bought the two watches and then decided to cancel the GS.

I regret cancelling the GS cuz it was a limited model. But hey, the watch market is down, the GS secondary price is lower now.

I have a few watches that I’ve kept at limbo but one that I wish I had picked up - but I hadn’t gotten into watches yet at that point - was the Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz 38. Would have been the perfect everyday watch 🥲.

Hamilton has since released an updated version but I prefer this simpler one. The new one has a larger size (40) and significant price hike (25+%) so it’s a non-starter for me.

There are quite a few during my collecting journey but two that still haunt me the most:

Hesitated with this one 2 years ago but due to great deal opted for Speedy first. Not regreting getting the Speedy but prioritizing that purchase means this one went app. 40% up in last 18 months. Now I have a mental block paying this much. It is definitely worth it but still problem is in my head. Waiting patiently for price drop on secondary or my mental block disappearing.

One of my grail watches and criminally underrated for the price it goes for. Could strech for one on secondary but simply don't see myself where and how much wrist time it would get. Since I know that and given the cost I can't justify such large purchase for watch with so little wrist time, hence it remains on my wish list.

The original kickstarter #direnzo red dial (I got the black)

Green #lorier falcon. I just didn’t want one back then, now I was this exact model.

I hesitated on this #islander … the enthusiasts didn’t 😢

I’d love to know what watches your wife likes, if any?

😢

I will speak to her given the chance ✊!

I wonder if that purchase would also be a ticket into the micro artist studio in Shinshu.. watch it getting made. I’d push for that if I was in line for one!

Tempted several times to add this one to the collection...my wife hates Patek...in her words, "they are expensive boring watches"...

lol 😂 don’t tell anyone but I agree, shhh 🤫

I bought sight unseen, as I’ve a bit a personal connection to Ginza and Gion, so was easy to justify.

You’re right about it all, a great looking watch, and not worth paying multiples to get one! Pictured in Ginza 👇!

I know Rich - I ordered the green dial and now wish I had the presence of mind to have ordered the blue and pomegranite dials as well. But I am not greedy, at least I have the green one.

It will be worth the wait.

Which Rolex and VC did you purchase?

I have the green Falcon...we can work something out if you really want this one. I have only worn the watch once. It's a bit too small for my 7.5 inch wrist thus it sits in the watchbox. Send me a message if you are interested.

I already have my Seestern S434 covering the two-tone blue dial diver role. The NB1060 is a JDM model, so good luck to anyone trying to source it locally. On the other hand, the yen exchange rate is working in my favour.

It’s the VC fifty six, and the new submariner.

They’re different A.D, all in the same mall.

She's actually really awesome...there are some watches in the collection I wouldn't own but for her pushing me to buy them...these two are examples...

I'm really like a 5-year old in a candy store with no concept of moderation...it's good to have an adult around to moderate and oversee my behavior 😉

Excellent choices! Awesome!

I love my VC 56 - it's traveling with me this week to some important meetings. Just the right level of stealth luxury.

And the Sub is iconic.

One of these for an absolute insane price with bracelet and strap. Practically half retail lightly used. A mate of mine bought it instead and I still think what if...

That's a gorgeous Speedy!

Damn... this one would be AMAZING!!!

I have countless of these.

A platinum day date....sort of like my Dad's but a one up! Matches my wedding band. Didn't buy this because it never honestly feels pressing. Rolex is going to make these until Armageddon. Also, I don't want it to be a negative feeling when I do.

A Patek 5960. Wife detests the way this one looks.

Moser Pioneer Tourbillion. I think I'll probably get this one eventually but I currently have too many blue watches. I don't know why this is actually an issue.

The entire Parmigiani Fleurier catalog. But probably most specifically the GMT Rattrapante. This one also feels like an inevitability....but I want to have something to celebrate.

IWX Mark XX. This one is weird. I still debate it constantly because it's a fantastic watch by and large. I think it largely comes down to the Junkers Ju-52 on the back. Hugo Junkers was pretty vehemently anti-Nazi, but there's no denying that the plane itself has pretty strong associations with something nasty. I don't know if I'll ever get over it.

It crossed my mind a while back that I should circle back and get the discontinued models that I always wanted before pursuing more current models.

The first of these was the no-date Longines Legend Diver. Naturally as soon as I got it, they released the 39mm no-date (which would probably have been better for me).

The next on the list are a 39mm Explorer and an early Speedy reduced.

I’ve also been keeping my eyes open for a blue SuperOcean Heritage model prior to the SOH2. They changed the blue. The old blue was better, imho.

I'll heartily endorse the Parmigiani...I definitely want to add the GMT Rattrapante to my Parmigiani collection for sure.

I'm just waiting to see if the new hype around Parmigiani will die down a bit so I can pick one up for a slight discount.

Sadly the good old days of picking Parmigianis up for 40-50% off are long gone.

That’s a big Ouch!!