Q: How did you get into watch collecting?
I’ve been interested in them since an elementary school teacher once gave a quartz watch to take home and fix just to give me something to keep me busy. Many years of no money or outlet followed, and it wasn’t until I had a well paying job, COVID lockdowns, and a random YouTube recommendation, that I rediscovered my interest in watches; specifically how they work. This has lead me to collecting.
Q: What was the first watch you ever owned?
A Timex calculator watch from the 1980s. It was stolen from my gym locker, but I’ve since been able to obtain another one.
Q: Do you have a watch with a particularly interesting story behind it?
I have a pocket watch from the 1920s that once belonged to a great great uncle. My grandmother gave it to me before she passed. I tried to have it fixed so it would run again but the watchmaker said it wasn’t worth the money. Since I’ve taken an interest in watchmaking myself, I’ve identified a broken tooth on the ratchet wheel and have procured an identical donor movement for it. I plan to replace this and service it if I feel comfortable enough, or simply have it serviced.
Q: What is one piece of advice you have for someone just getting into watches?
Act responsibly and take care of necessities above all else. Watches are “fun-to-haves” not “must-haves”.
Q: What brands have been getting your attention lately?
Mostly microbrands due to their willingness to try different things such as case and dial designs.
Q: What is your grail watch and why?
An obtainable grail would be the Seiko SARR001 or SARR003 (I can’t decide on which color). I love its classic look with its enamel dial and style of its numerals, but I absolutely love the idea of the Spring Drive movment. A little bit higher priced but likely still obtainable would be any modern Grand Seiko, again for the Spring Drive movement. A grail I will never be able to responsibly afford would be the 5326G from Patek Phillippe. It’s easy to read, refined, and classic looking.
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