Watches in the Wild (A Man of Focus, Volume 28)
Disclaimer: A Grand Seiko for a discussion about....well you'll see.
This is the twenty eighth in a semi-regular digest of cool watches I happened to see this week.
Past posts in this series have been hashtagged to #watchesinthewild and you can click through for part 17, part 18, part 19, part 20, part 21, part 22, part 23, part 24, part 25, part 26, and part 27.
As always, my general policy is that I never ask for wrist shots (because approaching strangers and distant acquaintances to talk about watches is already weird enough) so all pictures below are sourced from the internet. People are mostly cool, I try not to annoy them.
Though in this case if you're truly jonesing for the originals, go harass @HotWatchChick69 and I'd bet he'd post pictures in the comments. You see this is his collection and while he was in my hood last week, we got together to talk about life, family, and watches.
And if you've read any past one of these columns, you know that this is the sort of thing I crave. I got to hear Brian's story: about his family, how he got into collecting, about watches as wearable art, and how he became the Grand Seiko addict we all know and love. Some of those stories might have been told in confidence, so we'll stick to watches today but it was without a doubt the most enjoyable afternoon I've had in some time.
If you get the chance, I hope all of you make an effort to spend some time with other enthusiasts in person. The experience is life affirming.
Brian is as much a mensch in real life as he is online (and just about as crazy) and, it goes without saying, his collection is absolutely top tier. @Fieldwalker , my dear seikoholic friend, you might want to buckle in.
Please enjoy!
King Seiko SPB281
You spoil me sir.
I've talked about my thoughts on the brown version of this watch before so I won't belabor the point too much but I will say, it's absolutely gorgeous in person, wonderfully finished, and is nearly perfectly sized.
Maybe I'll get one if my rotten luck with 6Rs ever reverses.
Grand Seiko SLGA007 "Lake Suwa"
I often wonder about what makes certain watches more desirable than others. Is it the dial? The case? The movement? It remains a mystery to me until this day.
When this watch was first released, I was not surprised to see it selling over retail pricing on grey market website. Seiko limited edition, I get it. People are willing to go nuts for silly reasons. However, what I was surprised by was the fact that that over retail pricing still continues to this day.
And you know I think I figured out why. It's truly lovely. I prefer this dial color and texture to that of its sister watch (the spring drive white birch). I like the little pop of gold in the seconds hand. It's thin and light and wears like the luxury sports watch it is.
If I were to single a thing out that GS probably could have done better with this watch, it's actually the case back and movement decoration. GS movements are, by and large, well done but somewhat anonymous. In the case opf the Lake Suwa, the custom rotor is nice and I like the back facing power reserve, but most of the interesting stuff is covered over by a satinized backplate. This just feels like a missed opportunity.
Lest we forget, this is a just south of 10K watch and brands like JLC (with the 22 karat gold rotor and Cotes de Geneve) and Omega (with the spiraling out striping) invest heavily in the movement decoration.
And given Grand Seiko's notable design chops and ability to create unique looks with polishing and angles, I would imagine that a Grand Seiko could create something truly differentiated if they put their mind to it.
Grand Seiko SBGJ261 "Blue Peacock"
Full disclosure, if I ever buy another Grand Seiko, this one is probably it.
I love so very much about this watch. The 44GS case is angular, beautiful and comfortable. The royal blue dial is a beautifully spiraled basket weave guilloche. The hands are my favorite GS hands and the GMT hand's pale gold color reminds me of my favorite color tie and shirt combination (blue and gold baby!). It's a wonderful size for a dressier sport watch with a flyer GMT complication (40mm x 46mm x 14mm). It's an absolutely delicious combination.
So why haven't I bought it yet? Don't underrate the power of inertia. But less flippantly, I do occasionally wonder about how to square overlapping purposes in watches. I already have a pricey travel watch (JLC Master Geographic) and when you have aggressively imposed collection limits such as I do, you often wonder if you can tolerate having two watches with largely duplicative functions in your collection.
Couple it with the fact that I've never taught myself to read 24 hr time, so any GMT watch I've ever had inevitably gets less use because I have to constantly do math in my head in order to tell the time. The end result is that I tend to gravitate to easier two time zone watches (or just stick with a three hander).
I liken this watch to meeting someone you who you have a strong suspicion is perfect for you, but you're just never in the same time at the same place long enough to figure out if the chemistry would work out long term. I long for the day when I have enough time with this guy to figure it out.
Or maybe I'm just making excuses. A dream deferred for now.
Grand Seiko SLGA015 "Evolution 9 Diver"
I think Brian might have brought this watch along to try to convince me to abandon my long standing opposition to dive watches. That opposition has since softened but, leaving aside the movement (I do love me some spring drive), this was always going to be a super hard sell for me.
Obviously, dive watches are my least favorite genre of watches and modern divers, aesthetically, are probably at the bottom of that list. The bezel while lovely in many respects, is too vintage for me in its execution, with a very soft click and a slightly loose ratchet which just makes me wonder if I've broken it. There are just a few too many shapes on the dial for me (circle, split shield, and bars) and the reverse lollipop seconds just makes me a little sad.
Now, it's not all bad, the Black Stream dial is beautiful and subtle. The titanium build means that it's exceptionally light and comfortable on wrist. It is very evidently a watch that was built with great care and precision that I just don't really like the look of.
Credit Grand Seiko for not building a Submariner homage but I feel like they were a little light sprinkling the design magic on here compared to their other releases.
Grand Seiko SBGK015 "Ryusendo"
I specifically requested to see this watch because of the gorgeous dial. It was beautiful, as breathtaking as I expected it to be, and yet made me realize that I'd honestly never go out of my way to own one.
I'm the sort of grump that takes a look at something as beautiful as a Ryusendo dial and wonders about the longevity of it as a fashion statement. Like will we look back in 20 years at all these highly textured GS dials and comment "Man, the early 2020s were pretty silly weren't they?"
Anyway, none of my meanderings should detract from how pretty this watch is in person. The guilloche pattern is unlike any I can recall having seen before (well except on other Grand Seikos I suppose) and is remarkably executed.
I don't know if I love the bi-compax dial layout with the small seconds on one side and the power meter on the other. Somehow, I wish GS had pushed the power meter to the back (it feels a bit perfunctory anyway) and given it a centered small seconds. These are small complaints by and large....the watch is great and I really enjoyed it on my wrist for the moments I had it.
But you want to know what struck me the most? It was immaculate, not a scratch or scuff in sight. I know a safe queen when I see it.
Hey Brian! Wear this one more! It deserves more than the occasional test drive.
Grand Seiko SBGV238 "9F 25th Anniversary"
But @edge168n! You hate quartz! How could you betray the sacred brotherhood of mechanical watch dorks by declaring a quartz watch your second favorite Grand Seiko of the endless collection of The-Artist-Formerly-Known-as-Omeganut?
I stand guilty as charged but I mean come on guys look at this watch! 44GS case except 3mm shorter than comparable mechanicals and spring drives. This is as nearly perfect a sizing for a modern dress watch as it gets and it hugs the wrist beautifully.
In person, the dial is comparatively subtle by GS standards and at distance it looks like a pretty but standard champagne dial. But up close, you see the pressed pattern of a stylized "G" and "S". I honestly didn't see it at first and it felt like a special little reminder for the wearer that they are wearing something special.
I think the heavily faceted case displays best on a strap rather than the bracelet and it gives the gold bezel a beautiful halo effect around the dial. In good light, the watch quite literally glows. It's so beautiful, I don't even notice the ticking seconds.
In many respects, it reminds me of the two tone Chronomat 32 I bought my wife. Hyper accurate quartzes with a gold/silver/champagne color palette, though this leans dress while the Chronomat leans sporty.
Still, I think this might be one of the nicest watches I've played around with all year.
Grand Seiko SBGC249 "Casio Oceanus"
Sorry wrong watch.
There we go. After making fun of it constantly for the past 6 months or so, I am deeply annoyed to tell you how much I actually like this watch. For a 16mm watch with a 52mm lug to lug, it carries its bulk remarkably well and felt balanced and sturdy on wrist, due to the aesthetics of the Evolution 9 case. I frankly didn't notice the titanium build much because the watch was so big, but I'll admit it was pleasantly weighted.
The chronograph buttons were nice and snappy, something I didn't expect from a spring drive chrono given how mushy quartz chronographs can feel. The sapphire bezel is friction fit (a minor niggle for me) but so beautiful that it made me gasp with no small amount of delight. I actually thought it was a bicolor at first because the color kept flipping an almost black, midnight blue and a bright chrome cornflower blue. Seiko materials science wizardry strikes again.
I haven't even gotten to Seiko's crazy movement, a Chrono/GMT Spring Drive. It's such a watchmaking flex.
What can I say? This is a remarkably silly watch. It's too big and ridiculously over engineered and has more functions than any reasonable person could ever want.
I love it.
What cool watches did you see this week?
By day, investor and father. By night, Seiko nut. #justgooutsideandtouchgrass
Great that you two could meet up. I’m looking forward to my 2nd London meetup next week.
As always I haven’t spotted any watches on any wrists. But I spent the weekend in Paris with wife and some friends. Couldn’t do much watch safari then, except a planned visit to the F p Journe Boutique. Hoped to see Chronometre’ Blue. Not there of course but I was allowed to try the store managers Chronometre’ Souverain in platinum.
After the weekend my wife and I stayed in the Capital an extra day. Now I could do some serious watch safari. Two of the watches I could hold and put on the wrist was the gold and green Speedmaster and particularly the Patek Philippe Calatrava Weekly Calender in steel.
All 3 was absolute beauties. I’m not in the market but It was a real privilege only to come close. Of the the 3 the Souverain and the Weekly calender would be my favourites if money wasn’t an issue.
Great that you two could meet up. I’m looking forward to my 2nd London meetup next week.
As always I haven’t spotted any watches on any wrists. But I spent the weekend in Paris with wife and some friends. Couldn’t do much watch safari then, except a planned visit to the F p Journe Boutique. Hoped to see Chronometre’ Blue. Not there of course but I was allowed to try the store managers Chronometre’ Souverain in platinum.
After the weekend my wife and I stayed in the Capital an extra day. Now I could do some serious watch safari. Two of the watches I could hold and put on the wrist was the gold and green Speedmaster and particularly the Patek Philippe Calatrava Weekly Calender in steel.
All 3 was absolute beauties. I’m not in the market but It was a real privilege only to come close. Of the the 3 the Souverain and the Weekly calender would be my favourites if money wasn’t an issue.
Serious grail watches there! I long to visit the FP Journe boutique in Paris, if only to try an Elegante on wrist.
Loving the watch safari (even a small one).
@Deeperblue
Our resident David Attenborough of watches said of the SBGC249:
You heard it straight from the horse's mouth!
Serious grail watches there! I long to visit the FP Journe boutique in Paris, if only to try an Elegante on wrist.
Loving the watch safari (even a small one).
Don’t have to high hopes when visiting. There was two ”for display only” in brass to see except for the one on store managers wrist. But they had a catalogue to look into and there was a nice chat.
Absolute class collection by @HotWatchChick69 and I have no doubt he's as charismatic in person as he is online. Just wish I had more of the West Coast homies in my hood.
I have almost the same feelings about dress watches that you do about divers @Edge168n. Although I live a "soft life" as you once said, I like to feel like I would live dangerously if I needed to.
I absolutely love the 44GS case and if I ever jump on the GS bandwagon in the future, this would my train. I just don't know if my lizard brain can handle the scratches these cases would pick up. All of them are stunning in person and the high beat GMT is my favorite, but I don't know how a "dressy sport watch" fits my life and personality. I would describe my dress code outside of work less Teddy Baldassarre and more Worn & Wound. Yet I can't stop dreaming about the boutique edition SBGJ235.
Maybe I'll get over my neurosis some day...
@Deeperblue
Our resident David Attenborough of watches said of the SBGC249:
You heard it straight from the horse's mouth!
To be completely fair, I prefaced it with...
But I'm a broken in the head watch dork so of course I would love it!
Absolute class collection by @HotWatchChick69 and I have no doubt he's as charismatic in person as he is online. Just wish I had more of the West Coast homies in my hood.
I have almost the same feelings about dress watches that you do about divers @Edge168n. Although I live a "soft life" as you once said, I like to feel like I would live dangerously if I needed to.
I absolutely love the 44GS case and if I ever jump on the GS bandwagon in the future, this would my train. I just don't know if my lizard brain can handle the scratches these cases would pick up. All of them are stunning in person and the high beat GMT is my favorite, but I don't know how a "dressy sport watch" fits my life and personality. I would describe my dress code outside of work less Teddy Baldassarre and more Worn & Wound. Yet I can't stop dreaming about the boutique edition SBGJ235.
Maybe I'll get over my neurosis some day...
Soft AND indolent thank you very much.
We all have our odd little prejudices about watches. For me, divers. For you dress watches.
You are of course incorrect in your dislike. Dress watches are fantastic. But then again, so am I! Divers are great! We're just broken.
Tell you what. Buy the watches, send them to me, and I'll pre scratch them for you! No more neurosis!
Lovely write up of the denizens of waters too deep for me to likely ever swim in.
I think the Lake Suwa dial is my favorite dial texture ever.
I’m just shocked that people meet up in the first place. I’m not sure what that feels like anymore since the pandemic.
I didn't think anything could replace the Omega Speedmaster in your heart's affection!
I’m just shocked that people meet up in the first place. I’m not sure what that feels like anymore since the pandemic.
Try it some time!
Seiko spring drive is awesome. The pinnacle of watch movement.
https://youtu.be/jVoRoK1u3Dg
@Deeperblue
Our resident David Attenborough of watches said of the SBGC249:
You heard it straight from the horse's mouth!
But you know what? It says a lot about you that you'll wear that thing.
When you see a guy wearing a watch like that you think to yourself "Wow... That dude really does not give a s*** what people think about him!"
I respect that.
Love the latest installment @Edge168n!
I think I saw a lady wearing a Rolex OP this week 😱 didn't have a good enough excuse to ask about it though, so could be wrong.
I did definitely see a Seiko GMT, but there is no way I could tell you which one.
Saw a Radley watch too. These are pretty common around my way as they are a popular label, are cheap as chips (£30) and they look pretty.
Honestly, can't knock em. What can you get in the non-fashion watch category that's feminine like this?
You can talk about Digital Casios being better in this price range, but even the rose gold ones don't have the feminine vibes that this one does.
The picture of the Soko up top brings back memories. Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, as the pestilence came upon us and lockdown was descending, I somehow landed on watches as something to pay attention to that wasn't disease, death, and mayhem. I quickly fell down the rabbit hole and read and watched everything I could find, and started buying watches, beginning with low end Seiko, Orient, etc., as one does. Eventually I ran across Spring Drive. It immediately grabbed my attention as the coolest thing in the world, but the price was clearly completely out of the question. I mean, my $400 Hamilton was already an outlandish extravagance after all. Later that year they released the Soko. At $5000, rather than $6000 or $7000, it was less outlandish, but still absurd; but maybe, just maybe, I could consider it?
As lockdown lifted, I made my way to the Grand Seiko boutique on Madison Ave.; it might have been the first luxury watch store I visited. I tried on the Soko (and the Snowflake of course, since that's what everyone talks about), but the watch that really grabbed me was the Shunbun, and wouldn't let go. Skip ahead half a year, with shaking hands I handed over the credit card and bought me the SBGA513, and I actually owned a Grand Seiko Spring Drive. While I didn't buy the Soko, it was a stepping stone to jumping the shark and adding a 0 to the amount I was willing to spend on a watch.
And now I also own a Peacock. Clearly I got over luxury watch sticker shock. It's lovely. I bought it for the look and design the look and design; while not unwelcome, the GMT function was wholly incidental.
PS I was also tempted by the JLC Master Geographic, but having just bought the first Grand Seiko, it was too rich for my blood.
The picture of the Soko up top brings back memories. Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, as the pestilence came upon us and lockdown was descending, I somehow landed on watches as something to pay attention to that wasn't disease, death, and mayhem. I quickly fell down the rabbit hole and read and watched everything I could find, and started buying watches, beginning with low end Seiko, Orient, etc., as one does. Eventually I ran across Spring Drive. It immediately grabbed my attention as the coolest thing in the world, but the price was clearly completely out of the question. I mean, my $400 Hamilton was already an outlandish extravagance after all. Later that year they released the Soko. At $5000, rather than $6000 or $7000, it was less outlandish, but still absurd; but maybe, just maybe, I could consider it?
As lockdown lifted, I made my way to the Grand Seiko boutique on Madison Ave.; it might have been the first luxury watch store I visited. I tried on the Soko (and the Snowflake of course, since that's what everyone talks about), but the watch that really grabbed me was the Shunbun, and wouldn't let go. Skip ahead half a year, with shaking hands I handed over the credit card and bought me the SBGA513, and I actually owned a Grand Seiko Spring Drive. While I didn't buy the Soko, it was a stepping stone to jumping the shark and adding a 0 to the amount I was willing to spend on a watch.
And now I also own a Peacock. Clearly I got over luxury watch sticker shock. It's lovely. I bought it for the look and design the look and design; while not unwelcome, the GMT function was wholly incidental.
PS I was also tempted by the JLC Master Geographic, but having just bought the first Grand Seiko, it was too rich for my blood.
Love love love love this story.
Watch collecting is, at its heart, completely illogical. We spend large amounts of money on these very silly little mechanical works of art and it's always fascinating to me what capture's people's attention. For me, the low key nature of Soko Shadow felt right on my wrist. For you, the pale pink flash of the Shunbun. The differences in opinion are what makes the hobby great.
But the one thing we can agree on is that the blue peacock is absolute fire.
As for the JLC master geographic.....there's always next year 😉 It's a hell of a watch.
The picture of the Soko up top brings back memories. Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, as the pestilence came upon us and lockdown was descending, I somehow landed on watches as something to pay attention to that wasn't disease, death, and mayhem. I quickly fell down the rabbit hole and read and watched everything I could find, and started buying watches, beginning with low end Seiko, Orient, etc., as one does. Eventually I ran across Spring Drive. It immediately grabbed my attention as the coolest thing in the world, but the price was clearly completely out of the question. I mean, my $400 Hamilton was already an outlandish extravagance after all. Later that year they released the Soko. At $5000, rather than $6000 or $7000, it was less outlandish, but still absurd; but maybe, just maybe, I could consider it?
As lockdown lifted, I made my way to the Grand Seiko boutique on Madison Ave.; it might have been the first luxury watch store I visited. I tried on the Soko (and the Snowflake of course, since that's what everyone talks about), but the watch that really grabbed me was the Shunbun, and wouldn't let go. Skip ahead half a year, with shaking hands I handed over the credit card and bought me the SBGA513, and I actually owned a Grand Seiko Spring Drive. While I didn't buy the Soko, it was a stepping stone to jumping the shark and adding a 0 to the amount I was willing to spend on a watch.
And now I also own a Peacock. Clearly I got over luxury watch sticker shock. It's lovely. I bought it for the look and design the look and design; while not unwelcome, the GMT function was wholly incidental.
PS I was also tempted by the JLC Master Geographic, but having just bought the first Grand Seiko, it was too rich for my blood.
A peacock and a 413? Dam - Even big league GS collectors (Brian) don’t have both those hotties 🔥👏. Nice choices 👌
Thanks for the shout out! I’m happy to own the Seiko-a-holic moniker. I can win on irrationality more than you guys. That’s my flex 💪🤪
As I’ve been on planes a lot in the last couple days I’ve got some watch sighting to report, how exciting! 😃
It was on a flight to San Francisco from Narita … and they were both Rolex GMTs. How unexciting! 😑
Rolex Pepsi
Seen on wrist of guy in first class, that we are forced walk past on our way to steerage. But I could still strut a bit as I was rocking a GS heavyweight, the 413 cheery cherry, that neither he nor anyone else noticed.
He looked unhappy and and a bit frumpy for fancy first class person. Also he didn’t look friendly. Watch was easy to recognize quickly, but that’s about the only thing I’ve got to say about it.
Rolex Batman and/or Batgirl
Seen on male traveller, dressed in all black with slicked back hair, in security. Watch commentary: easy to spot. Hmm that’s it.
Again, not possible to talk with as it was fairly chaotic with shoes off, sweater off, cap off and then my watch causing them concern. FFS 🤦♂
I was down to jeans and an undershirt and ready to strip off those as well.
Also, how does a salad cost 30 bucks? North American airports suck for food. Before leaving Japan I got a delicious feast at an airport 7/11 for ~8 bucks.
Anyway, since my interactions with docs in Rolexes are always a bit of a let down (they are not watch enthusiasts) its given me less confidence to randomly talk to a Rolex person vs a person wearing any other sort of luxury or interesting watch. Sorry Rolex guys who also love all watches, I’ll judge you unfairly ⚖
Thanks for the shout out! I’m happy to own the Seiko-a-holic moniker. I can win on irrationality more than you guys. That’s my flex 💪🤪
As I’ve been on planes a lot in the last couple days I’ve got some watch sighting to report, how exciting! 😃
It was on a flight to San Francisco from Narita … and they were both Rolex GMTs. How unexciting! 😑
Rolex Pepsi
Seen on wrist of guy in first class, that we are forced walk past on our way to steerage. But I could still strut a bit as I was rocking a GS heavyweight, the 413 cheery cherry, that neither he nor anyone else noticed.
He looked unhappy and and a bit frumpy for fancy first class person. Also he didn’t look friendly. Watch was easy to recognize quickly, but that’s about the only thing I’ve got to say about it.
Rolex Batman and/or Batgirl
Seen on male traveller, dressed in all black with slicked back hair, in security. Watch commentary: easy to spot. Hmm that’s it.
Again, not possible to talk with as it was fairly chaotic with shoes off, sweater off, cap off and then my watch causing them concern. FFS 🤦♂
I was down to jeans and an undershirt and ready to strip off those as well.
Also, how does a salad cost 30 bucks? North American airports suck for food. Before leaving Japan I got a delicious feast at an airport 7/11 for ~8 bucks.
Anyway, since my interactions with docs in Rolexes are always a bit of a let down (they are not watch enthusiasts) its given me less confidence to randomly talk to a Rolex person vs a person wearing any other sort of luxury or interesting watch. Sorry Rolex guys who also love all watches, I’ll judge you unfairly ⚖
Great spots (even if they were Rolexes)! I think a lot of folks take the "travel watch needs to be a GMT" thing pretty seriously which I find odd but hey not my wrist either.
As an aside, Japan gets fast food better than almost any other food culture in the world. Teishoku is, on the one hand, completely something every cafeteria in the world understands and ,on the other hand, perfected to a Japanese art. It's one of those great mysteries how they managed to crack the quality/cost/speed code.
Like airport/train station food in Japan is better than that of most full blown shopping centers in North America.
Great spots (even if they were Rolexes)! I think a lot of folks take the "travel watch needs to be a GMT" thing pretty seriously which I find odd but hey not my wrist either.
As an aside, Japan gets fast food better than almost any other food culture in the world. Teishoku is, on the one hand, completely something every cafeteria in the world understands and ,on the other hand, perfected to a Japanese art. It's one of those great mysteries how they managed to crack the quality/cost/speed code.
Like airport/train station food in Japan is better than that of most full blown shopping centers in North America.
Despite having a few meals at high end fancy places in Tokyo, we also did a few cheap izakaya and even convenience store dinners
Lawson raimen noodles with a soft boiled egg, an onigiri, and one of the high end baked treats is a delicious meal 🤤!
Funny you mention it - yes, I guess if you own a GMT you are probably chomping at the bit for long distance travel so it’s more justified and needed.
I kind of want a 9F movement for the jumping hour hand (and 5 sec per year accuracy) so I’m guilty as well 😂
I never see anyone around me wearing a watch that isn't a smartwatch of one kind or another.
Nice read! Didn’t know @HotWatchChick69 is real !! Go figure 😂… didn’t see any fascinating watches lately cuz it’s on people and I hate people … I’ve been a such a grump so never bothered looking nor caring … again lovely collection from Brian and excellent post and read ! 🍻
Thanks for the shout out! I’m happy to own the Seiko-a-holic moniker. I can win on irrationality more than you guys. That’s my flex 💪🤪
As I’ve been on planes a lot in the last couple days I’ve got some watch sighting to report, how exciting! 😃
It was on a flight to San Francisco from Narita … and they were both Rolex GMTs. How unexciting! 😑
Rolex Pepsi
Seen on wrist of guy in first class, that we are forced walk past on our way to steerage. But I could still strut a bit as I was rocking a GS heavyweight, the 413 cheery cherry, that neither he nor anyone else noticed.
He looked unhappy and and a bit frumpy for fancy first class person. Also he didn’t look friendly. Watch was easy to recognize quickly, but that’s about the only thing I’ve got to say about it.
Rolex Batman and/or Batgirl
Seen on male traveller, dressed in all black with slicked back hair, in security. Watch commentary: easy to spot. Hmm that’s it.
Again, not possible to talk with as it was fairly chaotic with shoes off, sweater off, cap off and then my watch causing them concern. FFS 🤦♂
I was down to jeans and an undershirt and ready to strip off those as well.
Also, how does a salad cost 30 bucks? North American airports suck for food. Before leaving Japan I got a delicious feast at an airport 7/11 for ~8 bucks.
Anyway, since my interactions with docs in Rolexes are always a bit of a let down (they are not watch enthusiasts) its given me less confidence to randomly talk to a Rolex person vs a person wearing any other sort of luxury or interesting watch. Sorry Rolex guys who also love all watches, I’ll judge you unfairly ⚖
It’s the great conundrum: Rolex people don’t know anything about watches, but it’s next to impossible to tell other watches without staring like a weirdo.
It’s the great conundrum: Rolex people don’t know anything about watches, but it’s next to impossible to tell other watches without staring like a weirdo.
You nailed it man! I did see a few other other airport watches and lacking an Attenborough level of acuity, and not physically grabbing their wrists, I could pretty much only identify dial colors.
Maybe pateks, maybe invictas? 🤨🤔
You nailed it man! I did see a few other other airport watches and lacking an Attenborough level of acuity, and not physically grabbing their wrists, I could pretty much only identify dial colors.
Maybe pateks, maybe invictas? 🤨🤔
I was talking to a guy at a party a few weeks ago. I could see a diver peeking out from his cuff. Looked like an older Sub, but then so do like 500 other watches. It never felt right to mention watches, so I didn’t fine out what it was. Basically, I suck at watch identification.
I never see anyone around me wearing a watch that isn't a smartwatch of one kind or another.
Watch blindness is truly the silent burden of our times. I've a notion to start a GoFundMe or have a bakesale to raise awareness for this terrible condition.
An important remedial step is immediately going to a nearby convocation of watch nerds or, barring that, your local AD. Get that sh*t checked out stat.
Nice read! Didn’t know @HotWatchChick69 is real !! Go figure 😂… didn’t see any fascinating watches lately cuz it’s on people and I hate people … I’ve been a such a grump so never bothered looking nor caring … again lovely collection from Brian and excellent post and read ! 🍻
To be fair, @HotWatchChick69 is like 70% cartoon character. The collection is absolutely as awesome as advertised though!
Nice spots. Ive had a very quiet week really, Omega De-Ville on the wrist of a colleague, noticed a couple of the Tag smartwatches, and a two-tone DJ when we went out for lunch last weekend.
Nice spots. Ive had a very quiet week really, Omega De-Ville on the wrist of a colleague, noticed a couple of the Tag smartwatches, and a two-tone DJ when we went out for lunch last weekend.
Even so, some excellent spots. I wish I saw more DeVilles in my day to day (and maybe dress watches in general). I think it's a very good looking watch.
Even so, some excellent spots. I wish I saw more DeVilles in my day to day (and maybe dress watches in general). I think it's a very good looking watch.
Its a bit blingy for my taste, but the dial was a lovely champagne colour.