Have an apathetic new year… some parting words for 2022.
As the new year comes around, amongst the sale emails, the usual new years dross, suppliers and retailers alike, an email from Chrono24 lands in my inbox.
Top 3 Watches for 2023… ok. Click, let’s see wh…
Rolex Submariner, Omega Speedmaster, Cartier Santos…
<groan>
I get it, they are a marketplace, these are classics and they sell and re-sell, if it’s an investment then yes these are a good start, but seriously how boring can we be?
I often float the idea that the greatest threat to watches in the next few years will be apathy. With a start like this, I think we’re on the right path. If we continue to walk the well-trodden roads we will risk blinking and missing the sights that sit just outside of the sanitised panorama. You can leave the resort.
My desire for all of you, whatever you wear and however you “watch”, is just to stray a little outside your comfort zone. Try on a brand or size that you do not usually consider. Pop into an AD you never step foot in. Have a look into a vintage piece, even if you fail to succumb to the patina or the radium burn. Talk to a microbrand. Buy a kit.
That‘s enough from me. The minibus is here to take me back to the home. I’ll grab my pipe and slippers and have an early night.
You have woken me from a particularly good dream…
Got the same mail of course. Despite beeing nice watches it felt a bit tired and lazy from C24. There is so many brands and models out there. Have a Happy New Year.
Some of us already dwell in the ignored dark corners of the hobby. For me to follow this advice I would have to buy a Santos. I just won't.
So, instead, maybe I will go big, brash, and quartz in the new year. Cheers.
Some of us already dwell in the ignored dark corners of the hobby. For me to follow this advice I would have to buy a Santos. I just won't.
So, instead, maybe I will go big, brash, and quartz in the new year. Cheers.
I would love to see what you end up with. 50mm+ Diesel watch, or garish Invicta. I’m aiming to make more mods, I have a few watches I need to salvage.
I would love to see what you end up with. 50mm+ Diesel watch, or garish Invicta. I’m aiming to make more mods, I have a few watches I need to salvage.
I moved on from a lot of salvage jobs this year. I figured that if it sat in the Drawer of Shame for a year it really wasn't worth the effort. I am on the fence about this one:
The hands are misaligned and the movement winds like the case is full of sand. I bought it when I was in my "buy one of every American brand" phase. Pros: haven't seen numerals like that anywhere. Cons: probably a low-end Swiss movement in a brand that no one cares about. It is a watch that looks better in pictures than on the wrist. That is true of smaller watches sometimes.
I may replace it with a Citizen chronograph: something large, quartz, and so boring as to be functionally invisible.
I moved on from a lot of salvage jobs this year. I figured that if it sat in the Drawer of Shame for a year it really wasn't worth the effort. I am on the fence about this one:
The hands are misaligned and the movement winds like the case is full of sand. I bought it when I was in my "buy one of every American brand" phase. Pros: haven't seen numerals like that anywhere. Cons: probably a low-end Swiss movement in a brand that no one cares about. It is a watch that looks better in pictures than on the wrist. That is true of smaller watches sometimes.
I may replace it with a Citizen chronograph: something large, quartz, and so boring as to be functionally invisible.
I have a Delta Computer with an EB that’s dead, so I’m going to source something to get it up and running.
One of my Avia’s is going to get rehoused in bronze and might get a replacement movement, or something nicer if it fits.
It will be a year of experimenting with the machinations, and for more horological prose.
And a Hublot… I’ll save up for a second hand Hublot and maybe ask Santa for a Speedking.
Hmmm… good point ! Maybe I’ll try A 36mm watch… or even get a bronze watch!! i was close on buying a longines vintage but they were selling it for $1500 even though it was recently serviced but can‘t go through with it since it was missing the 10 hour marker…
Hmmm… good point ! Maybe I’ll try A 36mm watch… or even get a bronze watch!! i was close on buying a longines vintage but they were selling it for $1500 even though it was recently serviced but can‘t go through with it since it was missing the 10 hour marker…
I think you need to practice abstinence
I think you need to practice abstinence
Let’s see if i can last a month not buying a watch 🤞
I’ll be doing at least one of those. That is if I ever make it to Daytona or Charlotte to visit a Norqain AD. 😇
would love to try at least one microbrand this year. happy new year to you sir
Well said! I do stray of that path more often than not.
Wishing you all a Wonderful Watchful New Year!
I think I’ll stick to my plan on buying a santos 😅😅
Wise words!
Buying what you think is interesting is far more likely to lead to happiness in the hobby than buying the current list of hot models that influencers/sellers are pushing.
I think I’ll stick to my plan on buying a santos 😅😅
If your immediate response is the need to defend your decision to buy a Santos then the overall sentiment has been lost.
It is a shame that I need to supply a disclaimer, I didn’t think it necessary. There is nothing wrong with the Santos, I adore the model, but to rank it amongst the top 3 of watches for 2023 is just lazy. With quality suggestions like this from a leading platform, what‘s the point? Enjoy your Santos.
So wear what you don't like?
I kid, as I have expanded horizons in the past. When I got the cheapest automatic on Amazon, the Winner diver, it was many things I rallied against. Large, shiny with a bracelet, a date magnifier and exhibition case back. It quickly grew on me.
I guess I'll have to try on some modern higher end thing despite having no intentions to buy, just because. Were I really trying, it would be one of the many models that I just don't get like a Speedmaster, a Reverso, anything German, or the aforementioned Santos (which I suspect is the watch given to Frasier in that one episode (it looks so 90's to my eye).
You CAN leave the resort…
I needed the laugh and great advice. Cheers.
If your immediate response is the need to defend your decision to buy a Santos then the overall sentiment has been lost.
It is a shame that I need to supply a disclaimer, I didn’t think it necessary. There is nothing wrong with the Santos, I adore the model, but to rank it amongst the top 3 of watches for 2023 is just lazy. With quality suggestions like this from a leading platform, what‘s the point? Enjoy your Santos.
The article doesn't describe these as the "top 3 of watches for 2023" - the tagline is "3 Classic Watches With Good Value Retention to Look at in 2023". I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with the article, but it appears that my interpretation of it differs from yours.
I buy watches that I like, and if they happen to be mainstream watches, so be it. My goal is not to have a collection of watches that meet with the approval of self appointed guardians of what constitutes a boring versus interesting watch, but rather to have a collection of watches that make me happy. Boring, as beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. I certainly don't find these 3 choices to be exciting and new, but that doesn't stop them from being appealing to me, and hence all 3 currently have a spot in my collection, along with several others that aren't as mainstream. I applaud @WatchN for his decision to stick to his plan for buying a Santos if that's what appeals to him.
The article doesn't describe these as the "top 3 of watches for 2023" - the tagline is "3 Classic Watches With Good Value Retention to Look at in 2023". I'm not saying that I necessarily agree with the article, but it appears that my interpretation of it differs from yours.
I buy watches that I like, and if they happen to be mainstream watches, so be it. My goal is not to have a collection of watches that meet with the approval of self appointed guardians of what constitutes a boring versus interesting watch, but rather to have a collection of watches that make me happy. Boring, as beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. I certainly don't find these 3 choices to be exciting and new, but that doesn't stop them from being appealing to me, and hence all 3 currently have a spot in my collection, along with several others that aren't as mainstream. I applaud @WatchN for his decision to stick to his plan for buying a Santos if that's what appeals to him.
😐
Again, I feel the need to disclaimer the disclaimer is also a shame, especially since I did allude to the true nature behind the C24 email and their choices. Perhaps I’m being waaay too subtle…
… nevermind, it’s not exactly Pulitzer Prize winning stuff from me this. Not sure anyone else has had to water-down their New Years message, let alone twice.
Perhaps it’s pure fantasy to desire watch content that doesn’t have the usual suspects. There is nothing wrong with any of the three watches they chose, but a boy can dream.
Be bold, or don’t, doesn’t bother me… I am the self-appointed guardian of sweet f.a.
Have you considered a vintage Smiths?
😐
Again, I feel the need to disclaimer the disclaimer is also a shame, especially since I did allude to the true nature behind the C24 email and their choices. Perhaps I’m being waaay too subtle…
… nevermind, it’s not exactly Pulitzer Prize winning stuff from me this. Not sure anyone else has had to water-down their New Years message, let alone twice.
Perhaps it’s pure fantasy to desire watch content that doesn’t have the usual suspects. There is nothing wrong with any of the three watches they chose, but a boy can dream.
Be bold, or don’t, doesn’t bother me… I am the self-appointed guardian of sweet f.a.
Have you considered a vintage Smiths?
My comment was mainly said in jest anyway. I get your point of obvious choices and for people to maybe experiment a bit more. I just think your choice of word ‘boring’ didn’t help in getting your point across.
The Santos is well reviewed and documented but it’s not at all boring.
My comment was mainly said in jest anyway. I get your point of obvious choices and for people to maybe experiment a bit more. I just think your choice of word ‘boring’ didn’t help in getting your point across.
The Santos is well reviewed and documented but it’s not at all boring.
I like the Santos (why do I feel like I’m repeating myself), the watch itself is not boring, but it being lauded as a top 3 for 2023 alongside a Submariner and a Speedmaster? Boring.
The sentiment is lost now. The C24 email was merely the scene-setting. The fact you are drilling down on the Santos itself is not the issue and may extend from your knee-jerk reaction to justify the decision to potentially purchase one - you do not. I only encouraged people to experience something watch-related that they have not ever considered, to broaden their horizons, to bring some levity to the hobby. Or not, this is just whimsy.
😐
Again, I feel the need to disclaimer the disclaimer is also a shame, especially since I did allude to the true nature behind the C24 email and their choices. Perhaps I’m being waaay too subtle…
… nevermind, it’s not exactly Pulitzer Prize winning stuff from me this. Not sure anyone else has had to water-down their New Years message, let alone twice.
Perhaps it’s pure fantasy to desire watch content that doesn’t have the usual suspects. There is nothing wrong with any of the three watches they chose, but a boy can dream.
Be bold, or don’t, doesn’t bother me… I am the self-appointed guardian of sweet f.a.
Have you considered a vintage Smiths?
My bad - I'm not on the Chrono24 mailing list so I didn't get the email that described them as "The Top 3 Watches of 2023". In that context, I would agree with you.
I do try to seek out watch content that doesn't just cover the "usual suspects", and appreciate anything that brings something new to my attention, especially if it's something that appeals to me and falls within my budget. One persons "usual suspects" could be another persons new discovery. Even though the 3 watches mentioned in the article may be old hat to you, I personally didn't discover the Santos until late 2021 when I saw one on the wrist of Mike Brewer on an episode of Wheeler Dealers. I had no idea what it was, but it appealed to me enough to cause me to try to determine what watch it was. Once I was able to determine it was a Santos, I started doing research and decided that I wanted to add one to my collection, which I did in February 2022. That experience helped me change my mind about Cartier as a brand -until that time I had dismissed them as a fashion brand.
I'm not "into" vintage watches, but fully understand their appeal to others. A vintage Smiths doesn't float my boat, but I'd jump on an opportunity to pick up a Universal Geneve Polerouter, similar to the one that @Eris_Goddess_of_Discord picked up earlier this year. Other than some pocket watches that are well over a century old, the only vintage watches in my collection are a Wakmann Chrono and a Benrus WristAlarm. Neither of them see much wrist time, but hold sufficient appeal that they remain in my collection. I'm not averse to adding vintage watches to my collection, but at the same time, I'm not seeking them out.
I'm just voicing a different opinion - no need to "water down" your message.
Saw the same C24 headline and thought the exact same thing.
Ug. Welcome to Boring-ville.
I guess we can't be surprised their most profit making watches are also described as the "top watches"
My bad - I'm not on the Chrono24 mailing list so I didn't get the email that described them as "The Top 3 Watches of 2023". In that context, I would agree with you.
I do try to seek out watch content that doesn't just cover the "usual suspects", and appreciate anything that brings something new to my attention, especially if it's something that appeals to me and falls within my budget. One persons "usual suspects" could be another persons new discovery. Even though the 3 watches mentioned in the article may be old hat to you, I personally didn't discover the Santos until late 2021 when I saw one on the wrist of Mike Brewer on an episode of Wheeler Dealers. I had no idea what it was, but it appealed to me enough to cause me to try to determine what watch it was. Once I was able to determine it was a Santos, I started doing research and decided that I wanted to add one to my collection, which I did in February 2022. That experience helped me change my mind about Cartier as a brand -until that time I had dismissed them as a fashion brand.
I'm not "into" vintage watches, but fully understand their appeal to others. A vintage Smiths doesn't float my boat, but I'd jump on an opportunity to pick up a Universal Geneve Polerouter, similar to the one that @Eris_Goddess_of_Discord picked up earlier this year. Other than some pocket watches that are well over a century old, the only vintage watches in my collection are a Wakmann Chrono and a Benrus WristAlarm. Neither of them see much wrist time, but hold sufficient appeal that they remain in my collection. I'm not averse to adding vintage watches to my collection, but at the same time, I'm not seeking them out.
I'm just voicing a different opinion - no need to "water down" your message.
The message and the moment have passed; ‘twas pithy commentary from the in-house curmudgeon which many have come to expect. Have a good New Years.
The message and the moment have passed; ‘twas pithy commentary from the in-house curmudgeon which many have come to expect. Have a good New Years.
Happy New Year to you as well.
Not a big fan of Chrono24; I've bought a few things off there and have never had a problem. Still it is sort of a last resort stop (very rare) for me.
While I find at least two of those models boring, the more apt term for me would be basic. These are some of the most basic bro watches around.
While I find at least two of those models boring, the more apt term for me would be basic. These are some of the most basic bro watches around.
Basic, boring, potato, Rolex…
Here is "The" watch of 2023 - the very first dive watch is being celebrated for its unique 70th Anniversary...now in 42mm case size...
https://www.blancpain.com/en/ff70
Here is "The" watch of 2023 - the very first dive watch is being celebrated for its unique 70th Anniversary...now in 42mm case size...
https://www.blancpain.com/en/ff70
Jan 3rd - called it. Right, roll on 2024.
Jan 3rd - called it. Right, roll on 2024.
Couldn't resist with your lead-in and today's announcement - just too good to pass up.
When they first announced, I thought maybe they would produce a vintage reissue of the original design - sadly that was not to be the case (pun intended). So instead we get a 20 year anniversary issue in 42mm disguised as a 70 year anniversary issue. I am quite ok with my 45mm case size - so I will be sitting this one out.