Watches in the Wild (Camp Hijinks, Volume 38)
Disclaimer: Picture from a couple days ago but literally exactly what I am wearing today. GS + hoodie for the cozy win.
This is the thirty 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.
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.
One of the minor annoyances about going from two kids to three kids is the hoary and constant admonitions about how I'm going from man on man to zone defense. For some reason, all of my friends (all of whom I love dearly) seem to think this is a novel and very funny comment and please stop now.
Perhaps it is fitting that I write this now, attempting to camp with my two oldest kids on a school trip (to give my wife a "break") and wondering just how I managed to talk myself into such a terrible thing. I have this sinking feeling that I'm in for a midnight drive back home with two kids hopped up on sugar and sleep deprivation. Ah well, more writing time!
(A note from future me. There was totally a midnight dash back home from the campground.)
Sleep is about as horrifically terrible as it ever was but I've settled into a nice rhythm where I get some outside time (playgrounds, museums, name a kids spot du jour) , take a couple of meetings, and get some infant cuddles. The upshot is a somewhat different set of watches than I usually get to see, but fewer conversations than I might normally have.
I hope you enjoy!
Dan Henry 1964 silver dial panda
Seen while at the playground. We traded watches for a bit and talked some collecting before going out separate ways.
I've talked before about the fascinating history of the panda dial before in my writeup of the Hamilton Intramatic Chronograph and it tickles me to no end that I get to see a modern homage of it.
Oh sure, there's some UG Nina Rindt in there, some Movado Subsea, some Heuer Carrera, and some Daytona/Le Mans (whatever they were calling it back then) but this feels most like the Hamilton Chronograph A (to the point where they tried to emulate the feel of the original's unique scale bracelet with a lovely beads of rice).
But if I've said it once, I've said it a million times. Obsession with originality of design is the bane of the watch collecting hobby. If actual watch makers took that dictum too seriously, we might never have moved off sundials.
It remains baffling to this day to me that this is as controversial a take as it is. Like, most of us will never get to own a Newman Daytona or a Nina Rindt. Even if it were in budget, the number of watches available and ready to be worn falls mathematically by the year (Unless of course you're Omega and you're trying to unofficially sanction frankenwatches like the Philips Speedmaster fiasco). We should applaud the enduring effort and interest in these designs by brands at all price points.
As always with Dan Henry, I find myself impressed with the build quality especially relative to the price. It captures with great clarity, the sporty elegance of those great mid 60s racing chronographs and demonstrates the collector's mind of the man behind them.
Grand Seiko SLGH017
Seen at the farmer's market taco stand but sadly no conversation. He was with his two kids, I was with two of my kids. It would have been a thing and right now my life is all about avoiding things.
Grand Seiko makes me feel like a hipster. Though I have only owned a Grand Seiko since 2020, I feel as though I've been a GS partisan for far longer than the YouTube algorithm has been. It's been magical seeing the brand gain respect from the broader Western collecting community.
And so it is with some mixed feelings that I see more and more Grand Seikos on wrists. I was here first you damned kids!
I kid of course. For watch enthusiasts, it can only be positive that the Grand Seiko brand and catalogue continue to grow. It's good to have a luxury watch brand whose first foot forward is NOT a diver but instead some variation of dress/dressy sport watch.
As for the Night Birch itself, I can't help but appreciate the subtlety with which it holds it's textured dial. I felt the White and Green Birches (SLGH005 and SLGH011 respectively) were a bit too on the nose texturally. The Night Birch is far lower key and, as a result, will probably age a bit better as tastes change.
The case is the Evo9, all soft angles and beautiful on wrist comfort. The movement is typical Grand Seiko mechanical excellence and the case back is beautifully decorated with Tokyo stripes and that big skeletonized rotor. Maybe they're listening to me after all (lol, of course they aren't).
It's a beautiful watch, one I should make a point of getting on wrist soon.
Seiko Metronome
Purchased in cahoots with my cousin for a nephew's high school graduation. Said nephew is heading to Cal on a part scholarship (Go Bears!) and is playing tenor sax for the marching band.
I am not a musician by any stretch of the imagination so the idea of a metronome is only loosely formed for me. But I'm told that it will be rather useful for him on the field itself hence the purchase.
Being a watch guy, I do, however, have A couple of random thoughts.
1. The metronome sound is a little 80s in the not entirely pleasant computer beeping way. I feel like they could have gone more with the phone number tones and gotten a better effect.
2. It wears small. 36.5mm diameter and a 39mm lug to lug but the watch face itself is much much smaller due to the very big internal bezel with beats per minute.
3. It's remarkably dressy with a cool sweep to the quartz movement.
4. It is the first finished watch I've ever seen branded underneath the Seiko Instruments label (which in addition to being a major watch movement maker also manufactures a lot of other precision mechanical and electronic machinery....including metronomes).
By and large, it's a fun little device and worth the couple hundred dollars price of entry. Though given that Teddy Baldsssare just featured it on his channel and my uncle just pinged me to ask if that was the watch I just got him, maybe move quickly. I wager prices are on the rise.
Cartier Tank Louis Cartier
Seen at a Thai restaurant on the wrist of a lady. No conversation. Looked like a tank must except was in gold, so clearly was the much pricier Tank Louis Cartier.
You don't really need me to talk about this watch really. The story of General Pershing and the tank tread inspiration has been beaten absolutely to death and it's unclear to me whether or not it's just apocryphal.
You don't really need me to talk about how this watch oozes heritage or how it might be one of the most beautiful watches ever made in one of the most iconic cases ever made.
All you need me to tell you is that I literally can't tell the difference between shapes of this and the Tank Must which retails at 1/5 the price. So how did I peg this as a Louis Cartier? The Tank Must doesn't come in precious metals.
I think.
Have I mentioned watch spotting is an imprecise art?
Seiko SPB315
Seen on this camping trip on the wrist of the new watch acquaintance highlighted in the last edition. Worn on a tough looking khaki NATO strap (I am fairly sure this usage is fair use but if this column gets shut down, blame International Watchman Inc.) We chatted.and he mentioned originally wanting to wear a Casio but just went with a feeling. I honestly can't blame him. It's a hell of a camping watch.
First some context. I am on a insane quest for a dive watch that can last more than a couple of weeks before I grow tired of it and flip it. As @valleykilmers and @Fieldwalker can attest to, this is harder for me than it sounds. I have been through no fewer than two dozen dive watches from San Martin to Rolex and everything in between. Nothing sticks and I'm beginning to think this is a personal problem.
Anyway, one of the serious contenders was the Seiko SPB317, the modern Prospex Slim Turtle white with the striking black aluminum bezel framing a cream white dial. It was, in almost every respect, an absolutely fabulous watch. The dimensions were absolutely perfect (41mm x 47mm x 12.5mm but wore smaller) and the case shape was the beautiful and nostalgic late 60s and 70s cushion case style. I even got a nearly perfect 6r35 with just 3 seconds of variation a day.
Me being me, of course, I flipped it almost immediately to a friend who loved it. I'm pretty broken guys....I need help.
At any rate, this was my first time with the black dial, gilt version of it and while I'm not a great fan of gilt markers, it suited this vintage styling.
The Slim Turtle is very nearly the perfect Seiko diver. It looks good, fits fantastically, and balances the toolish and dressy vibes extremely well.
It probably says volumes about me that I simply couldn't commit.
What cool watches did you see this week?
By day, investor and father. By night, Seiko nut. #justgooutsideandtouchgrass
Only cool watches I see are on my wrist. Everyone else wears Apple Watches. 🤣
Yo! We gotta go grab some drinks, man! My work life has completely settled down, and I'm back to 2 hours of work a day MAX! We can now spend hours and hours and hours at Valley Fair!
Saw a gaggle of watches this past week!
Omega Speedmaster Racing (326.32.40.50.06.001) - On the wrist of a dude working in my office. Saw him in our 3rd floor coffee shop. Knew it was a Speedmaster, but hadn't ever seen this reference before. It's gorgeous and a lot more fun than the Moonwatch!
Rolex Datejust (126333) - On the wrist of some douchy tech bro on my Southwest flight. He was definitely in PE or VC, with the typical uniform of chinos and expensive “dress casual” shirt. I would peg him as maybe 5 or 6 years out of b-school, so a VP now. If he were a new associate, he'd have a Sub on his wrist, yeah? If he were more senior, he'd have something like a rose gold Yacht-Master, right?
Speaking of Submariners, there was a tatt'ed up dude on another Southwest flight, with a highly augmented female companion, with this on his wrist.
Finally, saw this on the wrist of a dude in my building's cafeteria. I LOVE the two-tone! It was a really beautiful watch!
Only cool watches I see are on my wrist. Everyone else wears Apple Watches. 🤣
You need to hang out in different circles.
Only cool watches I see are on my wrist. Everyone else wears Apple Watches. 🤣
Agree with @Kclouis. Gotta high grade your class of watch friend 🤣🤣🤣
Most of the reason I write these sorts of things is because I find that there are watches everywhere and I hope that folks practice some mindfulness about the things around them. Maybe you see something cool and make a friend! A boy can dream.
You need to hang out in different circles.
I work with a bunch of entitled a-holes. Does that make me one too 🤣
Yo! We gotta go grab some drinks, man! My work life has completely settled down, and I'm back to 2 hours of work a day MAX! We can now spend hours and hours and hours at Valley Fair!
Saw a gaggle of watches this past week!
Omega Speedmaster Racing (326.32.40.50.06.001) - On the wrist of a dude working in my office. Saw him in our 3rd floor coffee shop. Knew it was a Speedmaster, but hadn't ever seen this reference before. It's gorgeous and a lot more fun than the Moonwatch!
Rolex Datejust (126333) - On the wrist of some douchy tech bro on my Southwest flight. He was definitely in PE or VC, with the typical uniform of chinos and expensive “dress casual” shirt. I would peg him as maybe 5 or 6 years out of b-school, so a VP now. If he were a new associate, he'd have a Sub on his wrist, yeah? If he were more senior, he'd have something like a rose gold Yacht-Master, right?
Speaking of Submariners, there was a tatt'ed up dude on another Southwest flight, with a highly augmented female companion, with this on his wrist.
Finally, saw this on the wrist of a dude in my building's cafeteria. I LOVE the two-tone! It was a really beautiful watch!
I'm so very close to being a real human again! Maybe in a couple weeks we can go nerd out over stuff. I want your opinion on the new Tag Heuer Carreras!
Some fantastic spots and you know my deep affection for two tone Rolexes. Let's just drop the pretense that these are sportswatches and embrace the bling!
Agree with @Kclouis. Gotta high grade your class of watch friend 🤣🤣🤣
Most of the reason I write these sorts of things is because I find that there are watches everywhere and I hope that folks practice some mindfulness about the things around them. Maybe you see something cool and make a friend! A boy can dream.
I was at a fancy lunch last Saturday and my waiter was asking about my PRX and he was wearing a nice diver too but I didn’t want to get up in his business and ask him about it and take a closer look 😂
I was at a fancy lunch last Saturday and my waiter was asking about my PRX and he was wearing a nice diver too but I didn’t want to get up in his business and ask him about it and take a closer look 😂
I think when you spot watches, it's absolutely inevitable that you're going to have an awkward moment when you stare at someone's wrist and they get weirded out about it.
Half the challenge is being able to talk yourself out of those situations!
I think when you spot watches, it's absolutely inevitable that you're going to have an awkward moment when you stare at someone's wrist and they get weirded out about it.
Half the challenge is being able to talk yourself out of those situations!
Hey Buddy, my eyes are up here. 👁️ 👁️
Welcome back! Sounds like you are bossing fatherhood 3.0 💪
Thank you for another cool write up.
I saw a nice Seiko 5 on a guy recently...
As well as a load of Radley watches like this...
Radleys are by far the most common watch on ladies under 70 after smart watches.
One of my receptionists was sporting an MK similar to this ...
I have to say, she styled it incredibly well and it looked great on her 👌
Only cool watches I see are on my wrist. Everyone else wears Apple Watches. 🤣
It’s a shame 😂
About a week ago I saw Rolex no date sub with a jubilee bracelet on a car salesman’s wrist when I went to go get my car serviced. Which was pretty cool as that was my first time ever seeing a real Rolex in person!
I'm in for the metronome, such a cool idea.
Yo! We gotta go grab some drinks, man! My work life has completely settled down, and I'm back to 2 hours of work a day MAX! We can now spend hours and hours and hours at Valley Fair!
Saw a gaggle of watches this past week!
Omega Speedmaster Racing (326.32.40.50.06.001) - On the wrist of a dude working in my office. Saw him in our 3rd floor coffee shop. Knew it was a Speedmaster, but hadn't ever seen this reference before. It's gorgeous and a lot more fun than the Moonwatch!
Rolex Datejust (126333) - On the wrist of some douchy tech bro on my Southwest flight. He was definitely in PE or VC, with the typical uniform of chinos and expensive “dress casual” shirt. I would peg him as maybe 5 or 6 years out of b-school, so a VP now. If he were a new associate, he'd have a Sub on his wrist, yeah? If he were more senior, he'd have something like a rose gold Yacht-Master, right?
Speaking of Submariners, there was a tatt'ed up dude on another Southwest flight, with a highly augmented female companion, with this on his wrist.
Finally, saw this on the wrist of a dude in my building's cafeteria. I LOVE the two-tone! It was a really beautiful watch!
I love reading these posts for MANY reasons, but I think a significant reason is it’s a parallel to watching “Tiger King” for a humble man like me. Somehow I’m introduced to a section of society I can hardly believe exists and am continually astounded by.
2 hour work days? This type of thing exists? IN THIS ECONOMY?! And everyone can afford luxury watches?
I’ll settle back into my plebeian station and enjoy the vicarious fireworks. Perhaps one day I’ll join ya’ll in horological & societal Elysium…
Yo! We gotta go grab some drinks, man! My work life has completely settled down, and I'm back to 2 hours of work a day MAX! We can now spend hours and hours and hours at Valley Fair!
Saw a gaggle of watches this past week!
Omega Speedmaster Racing (326.32.40.50.06.001) - On the wrist of a dude working in my office. Saw him in our 3rd floor coffee shop. Knew it was a Speedmaster, but hadn't ever seen this reference before. It's gorgeous and a lot more fun than the Moonwatch!
Rolex Datejust (126333) - On the wrist of some douchy tech bro on my Southwest flight. He was definitely in PE or VC, with the typical uniform of chinos and expensive “dress casual” shirt. I would peg him as maybe 5 or 6 years out of b-school, so a VP now. If he were a new associate, he'd have a Sub on his wrist, yeah? If he were more senior, he'd have something like a rose gold Yacht-Master, right?
Speaking of Submariners, there was a tatt'ed up dude on another Southwest flight, with a highly augmented female companion, with this on his wrist.
Finally, saw this on the wrist of a dude in my building's cafeteria. I LOVE the two-tone! It was a really beautiful watch!
Kudos 👏! I think you're an emerging talent in this grand and glamorous sport of Watch Spotting. The circles you roll in probably are some great spotting locations, maybe a competing column? 😃
Love the weird and wonderful world of Rolex characters.
Kudos 👏! I think you're an emerging talent in this grand and glamorous sport of Watch Spotting. The circles you roll in probably are some great spotting locations, maybe a competing column? 😃
Love the weird and wonderful world of Rolex characters.
This is an open invitation btw. Anyone who wants to write a regular watch spotting column should usurp me immediately!
That’s a sad diverless life you lead, and @valleykilmers and I keep a candle lit for you hoping you will one day join us on the sunny shore that is #diverlife
😜
Thanks for the write up, these are always fun to read. Extra kudos for doing with infants in the house
Yup, many of the tanks (20k to 3k) kinda look the same to me, always assumed it was my lack of sophistication that was at issue.
I have a sighting! Whoop whoop 🙌
My coffee buddy (who’s been suffering horribly from long COVID) had a nice classic looking Glycine on that he picked up when working in Switzerland. I know the brand for the Airman, but this one gave me slight Panerai vibe when I first saw it.
A diver....that's the name of a watch you can wear to the beach right? I have another name for that....a watch.
I kid of course. I haven't given up yet on finding the magical diver. I have a micro brand diver on its way right now so perhaps it will be the one. Hope springeth eternal.
I am ashamed to admit I've never heard of the Glycine Incursore before. It's got a lot of Tudor Ranger feels too.
Cool spot!
Yeah checking out Female Nurse’s watches pinned on their chest or on a chain around their necks isn’t a good excuse to ask about their watch 😂
Yeah that would go over real well. Best to stay quiet and enjoy the view 🤣
I guess that makes me Joe Exotic. I can dig it.
I actually think that there are more watches in the wild than anyone really knows. I think I'm just in so deep that I see them everywhere now.
I wonder if at some point I should host a lunch on a sunny boardwalk somewhere and invite watch nerds to come and spot with me in the wild!
Yes! Over drinks!
Planning a SoCal trip in ~ October 😃
Yes! Over drinks!
Planning a SoCal trip in ~ October 😃
Give me dates! (Over dm)
Might be able to make it happen!
Well, @Fieldwalker and I do still hold out hope that a diver sticks at some point. There’s plenty of fish in the sea.
I have the same magnetic draw to dress watches… that is to say none. I find many very attractive in pictures and even in person: from the two tone Explorer @HotWatchChick69 saw to Reverso’s to Santos’ to so so many Grand Seikos… but when on my wrist they’re just kind of “meh”. Don’t know if I wasn’t held enough as a child or if I still have some lingering attachment issues from that college break up… but I can’t make a dress watch stick. When your therapist finds a reason for your aversion to water resistance you send them my way after.
Seen this week:
Cartier Roadster Pink
I couldn’t let this one go without asking something. The lady was very excited that I noticed it but when I said
“I’ve never seen the pink Roadster in person” she replied “oh no, it’s a Cartier!”
Yes my dear, we know. She admittedly knew nothing about watches but really loved this model because 1) it’s a Cartier and 2) it’s pink.
All fair enough reasons and I’ve bought suits with less consideration. Beautiful in person and I really loved the hue of pink. @Edge168n’s wife watch shopping horror stories still keep me up at night but I’d splash on this for my baby mama if she was into it.
Love these updates… keep ‘em coming!
Well, @Fieldwalker and I do still hold out hope that a diver sticks at some point. There’s plenty of fish in the sea.
I have the same magnetic draw to dress watches… that is to say none. I find many very attractive in pictures and even in person: from the two tone Explorer @HotWatchChick69 saw to Reverso’s to Santos’ to so so many Grand Seikos… but when on my wrist they’re just kind of “meh”. Don’t know if I wasn’t held enough as a child or if I still have some lingering attachment issues from that college break up… but I can’t make a dress watch stick. When your therapist finds a reason for your aversion to water resistance you send them my way after.
Seen this week:
Cartier Roadster Pink
I couldn’t let this one go without asking something. The lady was very excited that I noticed it but when I said
“I’ve never seen the pink Roadster in person” she replied “oh no, it’s a Cartier!”
Yes my dear, we know. She admittedly knew nothing about watches but really loved this model because 1) it’s a Cartier and 2) it’s pink.
All fair enough reasons and I’ve bought suits with less consideration. Beautiful in person and I really loved the hue of pink. @Edge168n’s wife watch shopping horror stories still keep me up at night but I’d splash on this for my baby mama if she was into it.
I think the ladies roadster is actually nearly perfect for a sports watch. It's well sized, super rugged and has the nice quick change system. The only problem is that they're all used now....not being produced anymore, it's just a bit of luck of the draw.
You know my position on women's watches. Buy a Cartier Tank FIRST. Spare yourself my inevitable descent into madness.
Love these updates… keep ‘em coming!
Will try!
Well, @Fieldwalker and I do still hold out hope that a diver sticks at some point. There’s plenty of fish in the sea.
I have the same magnetic draw to dress watches… that is to say none. I find many very attractive in pictures and even in person: from the two tone Explorer @HotWatchChick69 saw to Reverso’s to Santos’ to so so many Grand Seikos… but when on my wrist they’re just kind of “meh”. Don’t know if I wasn’t held enough as a child or if I still have some lingering attachment issues from that college break up… but I can’t make a dress watch stick. When your therapist finds a reason for your aversion to water resistance you send them my way after.
Seen this week:
Cartier Roadster Pink
I couldn’t let this one go without asking something. The lady was very excited that I noticed it but when I said
“I’ve never seen the pink Roadster in person” she replied “oh no, it’s a Cartier!”
Yes my dear, we know. She admittedly knew nothing about watches but really loved this model because 1) it’s a Cartier and 2) it’s pink.
All fair enough reasons and I’ve bought suits with less consideration. Beautiful in person and I really loved the hue of pink. @Edge168n’s wife watch shopping horror stories still keep me up at night but I’d splash on this for my baby mama if she was into it.
Trying to complement or discuss a muggles' watch is fraught. Discussing calculus with a dog could be easier. I've had a similar convo with a Rolex wearing surgeon acquaintance.
I guess that makes me Joe Exotic. I can dig it.
I actually think that there are more watches in the wild than anyone really knows. I think I'm just in so deep that I see them everywhere now.
I wonder if at some point I should host a lunch on a sunny boardwalk somewhere and invite watch nerds to come and spot with me in the wild!
Joe EdgeXotic, ayeee.
And shoot, I’d fly out to have a watch spotting luncheon with the WatchCrunch lads. Maybe some of that affluence will rub off on me, and I can become one with the jungle.
Haven’t spotted anything as usual. But today, while working in the garden, I listened to Fratello Watches pod. It’s about how, or if, approach someone you spotted a nice watch on. Thought of you when I heard it. The episode is name ”Approaching watchwearers in the wild”, suitable enough.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/794TcsJ2x5GRswwUOFglXt?si=yDV3j_qCQ7W6bxKMq4cquw
Haven’t spotted anything as usual. But today, while working in the garden, I listened to Fratello Watches pod. It’s about how, or if, approach someone you spotted a nice watch on. Thought of you when I heard it. The episode is name ”Approaching watchwearers in the wild”, suitable enough.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/794TcsJ2x5GRswwUOFglXt?si=yDV3j_qCQ7W6bxKMq4cquw
I feel as though I should have trademarked the name "Watches in the Wild". First Hodinkee puts out their youtube series and now Fratello.....I'm doing a very poor job of monetizing this! Very un 2023. 😂
Enjoyed their pod though.
The strangest watch I saw at the beach yesterday was a cartier tank must...
And the other day at a local cafe/bakery/farm store there was a sub, full gold day date, explorer 1, and a Panerai.
The strangest watch I saw at the beach yesterday was a cartier tank must...
And the other day at a local cafe/bakery/farm store there was a sub, full gold day date, explorer 1, and a Panerai.
I've seen people wear tanks to the beach before...it's a weird choice to say the least.
Excellent spots overall!