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Q: How did you get into watch collecting?
During the pandemic, I found myself going online and configuring a Porsche Taycan for myself. Over and over and over again obsessively. I didn't change any of the options. I was just fixated on getting myself a Taycan. Which was absolute folly, because a) I already had a Cayman, and b) I hate electric cars. I realized that I was just bored, so decided that if I wanted a "Porsche" thing, I would just buy a Porsche Design watch. Got the 1919 Datetimer Eternity for something like 75% off MSRP from Jomashop or something similar. Next thing you know, I've spent way more on watches than I would have on a Taycan. Stupid.
Q: What was the first watch you ever owned?
Victorinox Swiss Army "Marlboro" field watch. My dad bought me one when I was in high school. It must have cost $100, which was an inconceivable amount for us. Unfortunately, I lost it when I went to Cedar Creek Falls, jumped off a high rock into the pool below, and a spring bar must have failed when I hit the water. Miss the watch. Miss my dad.
Q: Do you have a watch with a particularly interesting story behind it?
I grew up really poor. I'm a first generation immigrant, whose parents spent their working lives as a cook and a waitress in Chinese restaurants. Both had very little formal education, due to trying not to starve to death during Mao's "Great Leap Forward" and eventually escaping Communist China to Hong Kong and then to the U.S. I've been EXTREMELY fortunate in life, blessed with physical and mental health, educational opportunities, a loving supportive family, and you know, growing up in the "Land of the Free" as opposed to Communist China. So, I was able to do well in school, and get a good job, and build a successful career. But, all my life, I've always thought of myself as, "Poor," with a capital P. I'd never outgrown my penny-pinching childhood. I was the dude who would always order the cheapest item on any menu - even if that meant eating "head cheese," because the dish cost $0.50 less than the chicken breast. I would buy the store brand ketchup, even though all I ever wanted in life was some delicious Heinz! And coming up on my fifth decade on this earth, when you pinch every penny like that and put your money in something like a low-cost S&P 500 index fund, compounding returns over decades means that one day you wake up, look at your brokerage statement, and realize, "Gosh, I have some money." Even still, my lizard brain kept saying to me, "You're Poor" with a capital P. I was still buying the store brand ketchup, even as the bottle of Heinz beckoned alluringly to me. And that's when I finally threw all caution to the wind, one day, and bought an Omega Aqua Terra. It just looked awesome, and I didn't know why, but I had to have it. I was sweating when I ordered it. When it arrived, I thought I might hyperventilate. This was absolutely the most expensive thing I'd ever purchased. It was irresponsible. It was a dumb, frivolous, luxury conspicuous consumption good. I'd wasted my money. I'd thrown out all good sense. And, lo and behold! It made me very happy. I loved it and I continue to love this watch to this day. And, counter to what my lizard brain was telling me, my family did not end up under a bridge. My children continued to have food to eat. Nobody came to my home to repossess my wife's car. A switch flipped in my brain. Now, my brain recognizes, "Oh, we're no longer that 6 year-old kid who has to buy all his clothing from the second hand store. We have some money." Every time I look down at my wrist, I'm reminded, "It's okay, go ahead and buy that bottle of Heinz." And I will tell you, the Heinz really does taste better than the generic store brand ketchup!
Q: What is one piece of advice you have for someone just getting into watches?
Seiko will always provide the best value / bang for the buck. There's a reason that all enthusiasts love Seiko.
Q: What brands have been getting your attention lately?
There are only 2 brands in my book: Omega, because James Bond (pew, pew) and Seiko / Grand Seiko.
Q: What is your grail watch and why?
Every watch I end up getting seems to be my grail watch. So, I guess the answer is "whatever my next watch purchase is" is my grail watch.
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