The Tell-Tale Timepiece - A Watch Journey

Warning, this post may contain evidence of psychosis and confessions of habitual sacrifices. This is not for the faint of heart as many watches have been lost their souls during the telling of this tale!

True! — nervous — very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses — not destroyed — not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things watch related. I watched many things watch related. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily — how calmly I can tell you the whole story.

It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Object there was there was only watches. Passion there was only watches. I loved them all. They had never wronged me. They had never given me insult. For their stainless steel I had all desire. I think it was their heart ticking away at 28,800 vph! yes, it was this! Whenever I heard them, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees — very gradually — I made up my mind to own all the watches, and thus rid myself of this desire forever.

No doubt I now grew very poor; — but my collection grew more fluently, and with a heightened stature. Yet the ticking increased — and what could I do? I gasped for breath — and yet others did not. I talked more quickly — more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the ticking steadily increased. Why would others not understand this hobby? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men — but the ticking steadily increased. Oh God! what could I do? I desired — I craved — I bought! It ticking grew louder — louder — louder! And still the watches ticked away pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they controlled? Almighty God! — no, no! They had! — they controlled! — they knew! — they were making a mockery of my horror! — this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! — and now — again! — hark! louder! louder! louder! louder! —

As a sacrifice to ensure the safe passage on my unhallowed watch journey, the following watched burn on the pyres of my memory:

Seiko 5 Field Watch SNZG15J1 (my first mechanical timepiece)

Omega Seamaster 300M 212.30.41.20.01.003

Oris BC3 01 735 7641 4364-07 4 22 05

Christopher Ward Trident C60 Pro C60-43ADA2-S0KW0

Rado D-Star 200 R15960203

Hamilton Khaki Navy Pioneer H77715553

Tissot Seastar (circa 1970s)

Christopher Ward C9 5 Day C9-43-5DA-SC

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M 220.12.41.21.03.002

Damasko DA38

Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow 3594.50.00

Marathon Navigator

Seiko Nano Universe Limited Edition SCVE039

Omega Speedmaster Professional 311.30.42.30.01.005

Stienhart Ocean 39 GMT Premium 500

Rolex Datejust 16220

Grand Seiko Sport GMT SBGE255

Tudor Black Bay GMT M79830RB-0002

Nomos Glashutte Club Automat Limited Edition 753.S2

Vulcain Cricket 120:542 (circa 1950s?)  

Glashütte Original Sixties 2020 Annual Edition Glacier Blue 1-39-52-14-02-04 (wish I didn’t sell)

Grand Seiko Taisetsu Reference SBGA415

Seiko Shinobu Ishigaki SARB065

Seiko Prospex 1965 Diver's Watch Recreation 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SLA043 (wish I didn’t sell)

Seiko Watchmaking 110th Anniversary Prospex Save the Ocean Limited Edition SPB333

Glashütte Original SeaQ 1969 1-39-11-06-80-06

It has been over 10 years since that insufferable ticking took me over, and I am in the autumn of my watch collecting journey. I am more seasoned - more savvy - nay, more understanding of my likes and desires. As such, I am now care for these ticking hearts:

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional 310.30.42.50.01.002

Omega Seamaster 300 234.30.41.21.03.001

Grand Seiko Shubun SBGH273

Panerai Radiomir Tre Giorni PAM01334 (currently for sale on Chorno24)

Longines Spirit Zulu Time L3.802.4.53.6

Vostok Amphibia Paratrooper VDV 420307                             

Gruen Veri-Thin Precision Cal. 425 (circa 1950s?)

Waltham Grade Vanguard (1947)      

Waltham Grade No. 820 (1902)    

Have I now found my Jeeper-Keepers? Only time will tell. I can say that I have found momentary peace – I am sated by the ticking hearts of the current collection. However, there is the ever-foreboding presence of ticking – tick – tick – tick creeping in my brain, and the ghoulish shades of the Glashütte Original Sixties Glacier Blue and the Seiko SLA043 haunt my dreams. That ticking is getting louder and louder- can you hear it too?

…the horror…the horror…