The Next Hunt
I'm at a stage where I'm trying to figure out where to go from here: Keep increasing the quality (and price tag) of successive purchases or figure out a niche at a lower price point that I can explore and bring to the wristwatch enthusiast world.
I'm reasonably certain that I'm done with battery operated quartz watches. If it's electrically powered it's a solar cell or a spring drive and nothing else. Otherwise it's an automatic. Yes, no wristwatches without rotors or solar panels. Which means... No more 9F series Grand Seikos - at least for the foreseeable future (I already have one and that's enough for me).
But here I am wondering just what then? I'm starting to feel less inclined to go for an automatic too - it feels like I already have enough of those in my collection, not counting the ones I'm trying to sell. I think I've caught some kind of minimalism disease - the feeling like you've stretched your reach too far over your brief 6 year tenure in this hobby.
Maybe that's why I'm starting to - instead of acquiring more new pieces - just focus on rejuvenating my existing timepieces with new straps to change their look.
I am though intrigued by lesser known brands like Citizen's Reguno, Seiko's Lorus or the Casio Oceanus lines.
What does that tell me about myself? It tells me I like the to seek out the non-mainstream. That I like the point tail. So where do I go from here? Obviously more likely to lean towards dressier wristwatches than pilots or divers' themes.
A wristwatch is an instrument of utility, a piece of jewelry, an accessory of elegance, a gadget of tireless endurance and an engrossing hobby all in one.
You should get "The Citizen" next. After just have fun.
Have you already tried vintage watches? There's a wonderful overlap to enjoy of beautiful design, affordability, and interesting mechanical movements. And you can get so far off the beaten path they'll have to send a search party.
Hmm. I too have asked where to go from the current collection. First, think of functionality: do you have what you need such as a diver, tachy, or GMT? Then I would think of brand variety, as well as variety in color, size, and materials. Movement would be in consideration of course, and there are pros/cons to getting simple and complex calibers. Craftsmanship then excels you to a whole new level, such as hand engraved movements, enamel dials, precious stones, and personalization. In the end, we realize that a quartz time-only Seiko is the best watch in our collection 😅
Have you already tried vintage watches? There's a wonderful overlap to enjoy of beautiful design, affordability, and interesting mechanical movements. And you can get so far off the beaten path they'll have to send a search party.
Thank you. Yes my radar has swept over vintage offerings. Designs are truly enticing but serviceability and durability are my concerns. Plexiglass is not open for consideration. And I am looking at 18KYG case exclusively for vintage pieces.
This narrowed down my search to a few nice ones such as:
ETA 2892 based movements or Sellitas are definitely serviceable. And there isn't too much patina to bother me either. But I haven't come around to pulling the trigger on either of these gorgeous pieces as I want to keep looking for that 100% satisfaction score, which these timepieces don't achieve as I feel they add some redundancy in my existing collection.
Those look nice! Hmm yeah those requirements pretty much rule out anything earlier than this so called neo-vintage category I've been hearing about lately.
Spent almost a year just researching hand wound JLCs and VCs. Never did pull the trigger