SOTC - 2 years into collecting - What's next ?
Two years ago I had a huge milestone in my studies coming up, and since the strap of my old gshock was on the verge of breaking, I thought I'd buy myself a "nice" watch. I started learning more and more about them and eventually got kinda hooked.
This is my collection two years later, in chronological order (left-right, top to bottom) :
Casio F91W : months into researching watches I still hadn't settled on one, and I needed a cheap robust watch with which to spend a month at a military camp. I haven't worn it much since then, but the (numerous) scratches on its face remind me of that special month (and doing push-ups on gravel 😢)
Seiko Alpinist SPB259 " Ginza " : three months later (and a year into looking for a watch, my milestone was already passed), I was torn between a Citizen Kuroshio and an Akrone C04, and when asking for help on an online forum, someone posted a photo of this watch. It was more than double the amount I was planning on spending, but it was awesome and getting very hard to get so I only had an evening to think about it and eventually bought one of the last pieces available in France. I have worn it a lot, and haven't been that careful, so the bracelet and the bezel are pretty scratched up but that doesn't take much attention away from this dial
Christopher Ward C65 Dartmouth series 1 : a few months after buying my alpinist I felt like it could be nice to have another watch so I once again started researching. I bought this one completely on a whim during a CW sale, but for 900€ it was hard to beat : great finishing (a notch above my alpinist), COSC movement, great bracelet, on the fly micro-adjust. I think this might be my favorite watch but I can't really tell why, it might be a mix between the great fit and finish, the incredible crystal and the subtle nods to vintage models
GS 43999 : A few months ago I accidentally came across vintage GS models on japanese auction sites and I knew I had to get one. My preference went to the 43999, and I bought this one although the pictures weren't great. It is in fairly good state, although the case has been polished, the plating on the crown has worn off (not sure if I like it or not) and it has a tiny scratch on the dial
GS 5722-9990 : One month later I saw this 5722-9990 on yahoo japan auctions, listed for a great price and in great condition (I'm fairly sure the case has never been polished and the dial is close to immaculate). I couldn't resist and bought it. I'm glad I did cause it's incredible but I now have to sell the 43999
Zelos Swordfish Field bronze Meteorite : I really wanted a Zelos because I really like what the brand is doing, I really wanted a bronze watch, and I felt like the design of this one was a great success, the meteorite dial going very well with the sportiness of a bronze field watch and the bronze complementing well the faux-patina. I was on the fence about buying it because I'm not a fan of the NH35, but I'm glad I did because it is really great and I love how it patinas
Now that my watch box is full (although the 43999 is going to go), I'm kind of wondering what should be next. I feel like it would be unreasonable to have more than 6/7 watches but I still have my eye on many models (a citizen chronomaster or a GS quartz, a formex baby reef, an omega 2254.50, maybe a dressy chronograph...). Additionally, I'm only 22 so I should probably slow down if I don't want to end up with 100+ watches at 40
Any thoughts on where I should go next and what I could add ?
And any tips on how to approach watch collecting without buying a thousand watches 😢?
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Great collection, I would be more than happy with any of them. That Seiko Ginza has gone up to silly money ! What next ? No idea, maybe a chrono. Seasons greetings to all in the city of light.
Nice collection my friend 👌love vintage GS
Decent collection, congrats👍🏼
Great collection! I'd recommend adding the Bulova Lunar Pilot, maybe the Casio Royale AE1200.
Just do your own thing. We're all susceptible to being influenced by others, but try to look at watches through your own eyes, and go for whatever genuinely draws you to it. Also, be aware that your taste WILL change (and change again) over time. No rules in the watchbox - that's a rule!😉
I have the same CW and it is my favourite watch
Great collection! The Alpinist Ginza is awesome, and I love both Vintage Grand Seikos!. My recommendation would be a flieger-style chronograph watch (Sinn would fit in well) or, as you mentioned, a 9F Quartz Grand Seiko. A SBGP - on bracelet & in a darker color, black or my favorite, dark blue 🙂 would be good for everyday wear to rotate with the dressier 5722-9990 on strap. Other than that - your current line-up already covers just about all the bases. Is there any way you can keep both Vintage GS's? Best of luck with your decision!
Great collection! I'd recommend adding the Bulova Lunar Pilot, maybe the Casio Royale AE1200.
Unfortunately the bulova lunar pilot is way too big for my wrist. I might try to mod a casino royale or a gshock in the future though !
Great collection! The Alpinist Ginza is awesome, and I love both Vintage Grand Seikos!. My recommendation would be a flieger-style chronograph watch (Sinn would fit in well) or, as you mentioned, a 9F Quartz Grand Seiko. A SBGP - on bracelet & in a darker color, black or my favorite, dark blue 🙂 would be good for everyday wear to rotate with the dressier 5722-9990 on strap. Other than that - your current line-up already covers just about all the bases. Is there any way you can keep both Vintage GS's? Best of luck with your decision!
I was indeed thinking of a sinn flieger chronograph ! Unfortunately they tend to be a little big for my wrist
I love the SBGP005 but I'm afraid i'd scratch the lugs. I would love to get a 62gs but none of those are quartz
A citizen chronomaster could be a great alternative because those are solar powered and the dials are spectacular (I've had my eye on the red washi and black and gold winter edition for a while now)
I can't really justify keeping both gs's since they are very very similar (same case, almost the same movement, almost the same dial (the difference being the chronometer mention, the GS logo and the AD star). I think i'd rather fund another purchase by selling the 43999 even though i got it serviced
I was indeed thinking of a sinn flieger chronograph ! Unfortunately they tend to be a little big for my wrist
I love the SBGP005 but I'm afraid i'd scratch the lugs. I would love to get a 62gs but none of those are quartz
A citizen chronomaster could be a great alternative because those are solar powered and the dials are spectacular (I've had my eye on the red washi and black and gold winter edition for a while now)
I can't really justify keeping both gs's since they are very very similar (same case, almost the same movement, almost the same dial (the difference being the chronometer mention, the GS logo and the AD star). I think i'd rather fund another purchase by selling the 43999 even though i got it serviced
I also considered the SBGP005, and like you, was concerned with scratching the beautiful zaratsu case polishing. The 44GS case is something, though! Maybe consider the SBGP013 instead - the case is a little more brushed, and the zaratsu is limited to a smaller area on the lug surface. The 013 was going to be my choice, but I ended up with the SBGN005 instead (I convinced myself I needed the GMT function 🙂).
I was/am also intrigued by the Citizen Chronomasters (the washi paper dial is so cool - blue being my favorite). My concern, probably not justified, was with potential after purchase service/warranty issues as I'm in the US, and believe the Chronomasters are JDM only. Could a Citizen AD in the US be able to coordinate service issues? GS (to me) seems to have a more established AD and Boutique network here in the US. If that's not a concern for you, then the Chronomaster is a compelling choice - they have a perpetual calendar/date feature where the GS does not.
Here's a shot of my SBGN005 to help/complicate your decision 🙂. Good luck and enjoy the chase!
WOW man, that Seiko Alpinist caught me totally of guard. I’d never seen it before and now I’m friking in love with that spider web/bricky dial. Also, hearing you’ve worn it a lot and you’ve got “battle scars” on it shows you make good use of your watches. They are made to be used, scratches are nothing but a proof of it!! Amazing collection buddy. 🤩
Yeah that vintage GS 👌🏻
Great collection my friend.
That's a really dope collection. What watch box is that btw?
That's a really dope collection. What watch box is that btw?
Thanks ! It's a Heisse & Söhne, but it's a bit underwhelming
Jesus dude... I think you can call it day. That's one hell of a collection. Only thing I could think to add is a proper chronogaph. But seriously, hats off to you that's a beautiful collection of watches.
Keep simple don’t buy if you want only buy what you need.