Changing Tastes

Constantly evolving. 20+ years.

I've always been vintage, started "hardcore" with about 3 decent pieces. Had a phase of "f*cking" about, got back into more expensive pieces, and stopped that when I picked up a Corum Bubble Lucifer and a 60s VC cal.k1002 in the space of a month. Kind of changes your outlook when you pick up a Trinity, where do you go from there... so now I just keep things interesting by trying to buy vintage Swiss jobbers dirt cheap and see what I can get out of them. Had a Rolex itch, but scratched that, it happens to even the most-stubborn of us... I got a Milgauss so that explains where I sit on the subject.

Main shifty has been into militaria/military-inspired, and the acceptance of sub-seconds with cut-up numerals. I was completely against it, and now I couldn't give a sh*t, especially if there is an AS movement in there.

No grails, just let it all wash over you... There are a few watches I would like but I am not actively seeking, and many I've foolishly passed by (vintage and otherwise), but you live and learn. It's all about the "journey" (innit @Aurelian?).

I have a dozen or so modest timepieces, but don't consider myself a "collector" per se 😀 Generally prefer "sporty" and/or military-inspired watches for the most part; stuff with a classic vibe. Those tastes really haven't changed much if at all. Can't say I had a "grail" in the beginning; wasn't familiar with that term (as far as watches go) to tell you the truth! LOL! Today? Well, as far as grails go and if money wasn't a factor, it'd be an Omega Speedmaster or a Tudor Black Bay. On the more affordable end of the spectrum, maybe a green Seiko Alpinist?

constant evolution is the key I guess. Things never really stay the same, do they?

The main things I love about watches hasn't changed, but small things like my more recent preference for simpler 3 handers with no date complication is definitely different than it was when this all started for me.

My style usually leans into a dressy sport watch. And sometimes just something fun. I've been a collector for about 10-15 years and started to do mods about a year ago. I play with cheap quartz watches and make them unique just for fun. I just like pretty things😊 My grail would be something like a Beitling navitimer or Omega speedmaster or seamaster.

well, i guess it's a 20-21 years by now, that i'm interested on a topic.

I mean, my taste changed significantly, because i really started out very young. At 9 lmao)

So at first it was all about the function. Digital casios. Then it shifted to all about the form. I've bought a shitty fashion watch. Then it shifted to more of a cultural significance - a G-Shocks and music industry are well tied together. Then it shifted to function all over again - smart watches. Then it became clear to me that i'm not satisfied with a piece of consumer electronics on my wrist. It didn't feel right. So back again to the traditional timekeeping.

But the interesting part - it's not just watches, it's about everything. I went from wearing a bright fashion clothes to a wardrobe of muted neutral colours, and back. My perception of bling also changed along with a taste in watches. I think that the perception of "what's cool" actually influenced my watch choices the most. I went from wearing a lot of sports clothes - adidas, puma and nike as my daily wardrobe to the more understated clothes which don't scream the brand out of it. I cant imagine myself wearing a red tracksuit, but i'm very happy with my mahogany sports jacket. And i'm taking a nice well made denim jacket over a flashy anorak. And my watches went smaller. From 44mm apple watch to 41mm Seiko chronograph, which i've sold to get a 39mm watch. I guess it's all tied together. I mean, 5 year ago i wouldn't think that i would like a vintage Polerouter, but here we are.)

The only thing that never changed - my appreciation for Omega) Me and my father - we are diehard Bronsnan's Bond fans, so i guess it's understandable. And i know that James Bond wears Rolex in a book and i've seen all James Bond movies a couple times, but i grow up with a Brosnan's interpretation, so Omega it is. A nice small golden vintage Seamaster DeVille.

I like watches since I was a kid. I bought my first luxury watch 15 years ago, and the rest is history.

I used to mass buy anything I like. But since 2015 I only buy watches with history and icon.

No grail

Sadly the first watch I decided on getting only five years ago was this thing on Amazon. I knew nothing of what WR meant, no idea about how to size something to my liking on my wrist, and no concept of any aesthetic grace, but dammit it had tool less removable lugs that I thought I would eventually make my own bund strap for. Thankfully that never happened, and it rather just dilapidated rapidly.

The next one that should really be attributed to kicking off the collection would be my simple Bertucci A2-SEL, sort of the root of my love of field watches, and still my night watch of choice.

Most recent acquisition might say that I have a liking for that vintage look, but not quite ready to dive in yet.

Ah the good ‘ol grail discussion, who can resist, I’m a sucker for it myself. I used to have grails. They changed easily. There’s just too much beauty out there to lock oneself inside just one watch. Always new and amazing shit coming out, and old amazing shit I never knew about, so in my early stages of collecting I’m just a kid in the candy shop, total analysis paralysis—but have you considered an RGM?

Not so much really , I like what I used to like and so it remains the same pretty much.

I guess its a little like my taste in clothes. I've reached an age where my style really hasn't changed, but my clothes are a little nicer in quality and they fit better.

I've been collecting for about 11 years now and while I don't really remember my first watch, the first watch that I would claim as my own is the Cartier Roadster Chronograph XL. Big, sporty, shiny.

I still love it, but I've trended smaller and dressier over the years, with more enjoyment of precious metals.

I think my grail early on in my collecting career was a ceramic daytona. I ended up buying the two tone and have no desire for a ceramic anymore. For me at least, I'm pretty sure grails just don't exist anymore.

I went from all quartz all time prior to 2013, (I was 50 when I bought my first automatic) to a nice mix of mechanical and quartz.

I have always like higher end watches, but until I retired I never bought anything over $600. I invested all my money and time work and nothing else. (and it paid off with retiring at 50)

I don't believe in grail watches.

I buy what I like, wear what I want and don't go into debt doing anything.

My collecting journey seems to have progressed in phases:

In the early years, I wore a Timex Ironman almost exclusively.

Then, in my late teens/early twenties, it was all about BIG BOI Fossils, Invictas, Michael Kors, and perhaps a few other fashion brands. All cool watches in their own right.

From there, I got my first "real" enthusiast's watch, a Citizen Nighthawk. Wore that almost every day for about three years, followed by my first automatic watch, an Orient Ray.

I then dipped my toes into the "Swiss Made" pool, with a Steinhart Subby homage. This kept me happy for quite a while, as it felt like the "pinnacle" lol... oh, young me... so much I wish I could teach you... (No hate for homages, by the way; that Steinhart is still in my collection, and will likely always be, as I wore it on my wedding day).

After that, my collecting went dormant for some years. I was on a weight-loss journey and my Apple watch was on 24/7, tracking steps, workouts, sleep... But, thanks to a pesky little worldwide pandemic, some freed-up disposable income, and a deluge of affordable AliExpress homages, my love for watches was rekindled, and I adopted a"quantity over quality" approach to collecting for a year or so. Some cool pieces, but ultimately unfulfilling.

Next came the microbrands (of which I'm still a big advocate). They represented an attainable pricepoint for me, but offered far more unique options than yet another Daytona or Submariner homage I had been dealing in.

The acquisition of a PRX and Lunar Pilot ushered in an era of seeking out watches with some provenance and story behind them. I quelled my desire for a Seamaster with the MIDO Ocean Star and, for the first time, I also explored the world of dressy watches on <gasp> leather straps! Orient bambinos, Sun and Moons, and Seagull Chronos. I also developed a love for Casio during this phase, thanks in no small part to discovering a few of the usual suspects on YouTube (I'm a sheep, I know, lol)

Now, in addition to finally, finally "getting" Seiko, and subsequently becoming obsessed with textured dials, I also find myself gravitating toward smaller, mid-century-inspired pieces. The 47mm+ Fossil-addled brain of my younger self would no doubt be dumbfounded by my growing number of sub-40mm "ladies" pieces. haha

Love the prompt, @PresentDayPrimitive !

My tastes have expanded.

I really started out being focused mostly on divers & chronographs, but now I also like field watches, Fliegers and even the right dress watch.

Great journey. Love to hear about how people progress through this shared passion.

Tastes surely evolve, and my tastes are no exception. I know what I like, even if I didn't like it yesterday.😀

One thing that did decidedly change was my view towards digital watches. Up until a few years ago, I thought they were cheap, and ugly. Then one day I noticed a friend was wearing a G-Shock, the original "square" model, and I began to wonder if I was missing the boat. Shortly after, I bought a G-Shock DW5600, and fell in love with it. That opened me to reassessing my view of digital watches. While I still find many examples to be monstrously large, and hideously ugly, I now appreciate why some models have become iconic.

I’m a one watch collector! Don’t know about you lot!! Bunch of crazy’s I say!!

🤓

Btw… that day you told me you got a Smith… I got this… damn you!! Lol

This will be the smallest in the collection let’s see how it goes. 🤞

How long have you been collecting? - Since about 2020/10.

What's changed since your first watch? - My tastes have become more expensive in some ways, but also more relaxed in terms of cheaper, quartz watches.

Did you have a "grail" watch at the beginning? - I really liked the Seiko Presage Prestige Enamel Spring Drive (SNR037, SNR039)

If so, is that still your grail today? - While I still would like to get this watch for it's classic styling with modern movement, and it's much more attainable to me than it used to be, I also now have an "uber grail" I will likely never own, but can dream about in the form of the Patek Philippe Calatrava (5326G).

If you are lucky enough to live in a city with many art museums you know that you are drawn more to some than others. I grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C. so I had access to excellent free museums. I enjoy art museums and constantly annoy my family by spending too much time on each piece and in each room (my children were broken by an Albrecht Durer exhibit at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, I broke my wife at the Louvre). The museum that I have visited most often is the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art. It has a huge Calder in the entry. It has large Joan Miro pieces. I can spend minutes with a Morris Louis.

I am not quite ready to let go of the 20th Century.

Around thirty years ago I walked into an antique store and bought a gold mid-century Hamilton to replace a quartz Gucci. It fit with the thin lapels on my vintage suits, my collection of Riverside and Blue Note albums, and the Walker Percy and Saul Bellow novels that I was reading.

My interest has always been in the watches made from 1945 to 1965. @Porthole has let me see the beauty of the martial watches of the 1940's. I have waded through the proletariat watches of the Eastern Bloc. But, I always return to a certain simplicity. It is as if I hadn't gone anywhere. If I were only moments from the impact of a natural disaster and could only reach once into my watchbox I am likely to leave with this in my hand.

How's that for evolution?

I appreciate (and share) your taste for Arabic numerals. I started as a fan of three-handers, and have now moved into slightly more complicated things (dates, GMT). Still not a fan of dive or sport watches, and don't think I'll ever be.

Do you anticipate moving on from Arabics, or is that still and forever a dealbreaker for you?

hahaha I knew you'd get something. Can't wait to see it.

The site said delivery this month but who knows when it will come…

I heard if you keep refreshing the tracking page, it'll come faster.

Tried it!! Mauahahaha

Over 45 years collecting, and not much has changed since the beginning. My core interest is and always has been technical in nature. A watch for me is a tool or instrument first, style comes after that.

I've never had a so called grail, and I never heard of it until the last 10 years or so.

About 6 years in now, I think I'm doing a U-turn to where I first entered the hobby- dressy watches. I originally got into watches looking for 3~4 great watches to complement my outfits, but for the past couple years, I was looking more and more into sports watches ("robust" watches). I think the 45mm Citizen Skyhawk is the epitome of that journey.

My "attainable grail" has been the Breguet Classique 5157 in rose gold, I'd still love to own the watch. However I have recently set my eyes on the Rolex Datejust 36 Wimbledon in SS, I think the watch is sort of the culmination of dressy and sporty in one watch.

Great post! I’ve been collecting for around 15+ years, and more seriously in the past five. What’s changed the most in my collecting habits is the the fact that I used to worry too much about what others thought of my collection, and the next thing I knew I had a collection of watches other people liked but not me. I’ve also sold many watches I should have kept… now I 100% focus on what I want! I should t have even fallen into that trap. I’ve always had grails, but attainable grails for me. They just aren’t what most people consider a grail. Like my TAG Heuer Formula One. It’s been a grail of mine since I was a teenager, once I was in my mid to late twenties and could afford it, I was able to obtain that “grail”. So my definition of a grail may be a little twisted 🫥

That islander. 🥰

Been collecting mechanical watches for 10 years now.

I used to be a dresswatch guy : Tissot LeLocle, Seiko SRP259, SNKL43, Geckota Jumping Hour + 2 vintage pieces from Yema and Vostok.

But I'm more and more on a sportier side : Timex Giorgio Galli, Farer Resolute, Casioak, Citizen Promaster... I love the idea of a watch that can be at its place by the swimming pool and at the restaurant.

In fact I'm really enjoying the concept of GADA watch, what it looks like, and what it is meant to be/do. In that way I have my eyes on the Ch.Ward line up (C65 Dune and C63 mainly), The Citizen Chronomaster (the ones with a crown guard) and, in the higher end, Omega AT could be my stuff too.

I have way too many grails to list them here !

Been collecting about 8 years now and in the main the direction of my taste has barely shifted but it has become a little more sharply defined, a little more polished.

EG. In my first year or so of collecting I bought:

a frederique constant classic index GMT - a steel,dress/sport,silver dialed travel watch

an alpina startimer pilot auto - a classic pilots watch with a bit of added flair

an alpina heritage diver - a classic compressor styled diver with a dash of extra pizazz

Over the last year or so I've bought:

a dornbluth and sohn world timer - a steel,dress/sport,silver dialed travel watch

an IWC raaf pilots watch - a classic pilots watch with a bit of added flair

a JLC Polaris (green) - a classic compressor styled diver with a dash of extra pizazz

I often think that what people believe is their taste changing is often really people slowly uncovering who they actually were all along, just buried under layers of who they think they 'should' be. I was lucky in coming into the hobby a little later in life, well after I'd lost a bit of bark along the way with a very clear idea of who I was and what made me happy so I could skip the whole experimentation phase.

Instead, my development has been more in appreciating small things within a larger framework a little more and being a little braver/reckless about where and how much I pay for those little things.

In answer to your other questions about 'grails'. Ive never really had one so no change.

“I often think that what people believe is their taste changing is often really people slowly uncovering who they actually were all along, just buried under layers of who they think they 'should' be.”

I like that thought. Well said.