Pruning/Growing the collection?
I haven’t bought any new watches since November though i grew my collection from 1 to 12 or so in the last 2 years, I was on the cusp of selling them all but 2 but decided instead to no Box them up for a while and see what I missed. I started out with my 1 watch, the g shock, then added my second the seiko alpinist with these 2 I’m covered, but i found 2 watches a touch too utilitarian for me personally, so I added back in the dan henry which I rarely wear still but has an undeniable vintage esque elegance I like, then I added the zelos diver back in and it felt right 4 seems to be at least for now my sweet spot. I have 3 other g shocks boxed up, my old swatch chrono, my high school watch, a casio royale, and the flightmaster that I was convinced I’d love (sna411) but have only worn twice or so. I realise that I liked the simpler things, though my two watches would cover me for 99.9% of what I want, i like having a little bit more variety. I’d like to start selling the watches that I never wear and build towards a Grand Seiko Fund. I know collecting is a personal experience but any thoughts and anecdotes appreciated.
Seems like you have come to a good understanding of what you like and what you don't. Which is a good place to be in. I also understand that you are planning on going for a more expensive/luxury option in the future. GS is a great option and can certainly cover your need for simple things as well. Which often means versatile, a good thing in my books. Especially when looking for a collection of apx. 4 pieces.
What makes your wish list? Any complications/functions (GMT, Spring Drive) or type/style of watch (e.g. diver)?
How come you have set yourself on Grand Seiko?
Seems like you have come to a good understanding of what you like and what you don't. Which is a good place to be in. I also understand that you are planning on going for a more expensive/luxury option in the future. GS is a great option and can certainly cover your need for simple things as well. Which often means versatile, a good thing in my books. Especially when looking for a collection of apx. 4 pieces.
What makes your wish list? Any complications/functions (GMT, Spring Drive) or type/style of watch (e.g. diver)?
How come you have set yourself on Grand Seiko?
I would say spring drive, the draw to grand seiko is that elegance/pricepoint/movement, I like the idea of a spring drive, that sweep + accuracy, can't go wrong really, I would be looking at a everyday watch style, kind of like the alpinist I have now, the lake suwa hits all the marks,
but I'm sure by the time I have the money for it something else will be out, prior to that i liked the high beat
Complications I would love a GMT but happy with just a date and memorising the time differences, but a GMT would be nice as long as it's not too busy.
So something like this in a spring drive and I think I would be happy to everyday that for a long time, I'm not really drawn to swiss watches at the moment, though I respect them for all their greatness, i'm more drawn to German and Japanese watch making for some reason.
Thanks so much for engaging with my post.
I think @danie1 is right. The most important thing is to find out what you like. It’s easy to get carried away when you see new releases, or simply watches that are new to you. I have a love for dressier pieces on the smaller scale. That is not the most mindblowing design but they make me happy. Simple 3-handers. I can see a collection of spectacular divers or chronos. They looks fantastic but it’s not mine home turf even if I have divers and chronos. I think journey is more interesting than the destination, even if it’s good to have an approximate direction set. You seem too be on a nice track.
I would say spring drive, the draw to grand seiko is that elegance/pricepoint/movement, I like the idea of a spring drive, that sweep + accuracy, can't go wrong really, I would be looking at a everyday watch style, kind of like the alpinist I have now, the lake suwa hits all the marks,
but I'm sure by the time I have the money for it something else will be out, prior to that i liked the high beat
Complications I would love a GMT but happy with just a date and memorising the time differences, but a GMT would be nice as long as it's not too busy.
So something like this in a spring drive and I think I would be happy to everyday that for a long time, I'm not really drawn to swiss watches at the moment, though I respect them for all their greatness, i'm more drawn to German and Japanese watch making for some reason.
Thanks so much for engaging with my post.
@Robair are you looking to replace your current Seiko Alpinist? You seem to be enjoying the watch quite a bit. If so, then you are on the right track. Especially if you are looking for some sweeping seconds hand action.
In case you also want to consider some other options there is Spring Drive offerings from Seiko and something similar from Accutron. Both offerings have very interesting styles.
Hello, sir! I know you'd mentioned the SLGA007, and it's a really great watch, but I think there are other spring drive offerings that hit all the marks, but cost significantly less!
SBGA373 and SBGA375
Exquisite, clean dials, beautiful power meter offering just a little bit of asymmetry for your eyes to have something to hang onto, and 44GS case!!!
Good luck in your (fun) hunt, sir!
I am heartened to read the many posts about collecting and thinning a collection, it seems that it’s a very common dilemma.
I liken my collecting ethos to the tide, it comes in where I buy and Goes out when I sell. A never ending process which keeps me happy.
I think @danie1 is right. The most important thing is to find out what you like. It’s easy to get carried away when you see new releases, or simply watches that are new to you. I have a love for dressier pieces on the smaller scale. That is not the most mindblowing design but they make me happy. Simple 3-handers. I can see a collection of spectacular divers or chronos. They looks fantastic but it’s not mine home turf even if I have divers and chronos. I think journey is more interesting than the destination, even if it’s good to have an approximate direction set. You seem too be on a nice track.
Tastes do evolve, I could have sworn in the beginning that I would need a timing bezel, thankfully i started out experimenting with casios in different styles, i do still appreciate other watches and designs, without necessarily wanting to own them myself or wear them. There is a level of practicality, style, but I think a large part is that feeling you are referring to, little bit of happy when you look at your watch, or anything else you own for that matter.
@Robair are you looking to replace your current Seiko Alpinist? You seem to be enjoying the watch quite a bit. If so, then you are on the right track. Especially if you are looking for some sweeping seconds hand action.
In case you also want to consider some other options there is Spring Drive offerings from Seiko and something similar from Accutron. Both offerings have very interesting styles.
Thanks for sharing these, I have heard about the accutron from youtube videos and these seiko's popped up on my radar but none of them speak to me anymore, I was excited by the prospect for a long time then realised I preferred the artistry I saw in grand seiko designs. Accutrons look very cool, I am not so attracted to the conversation piece open face ones but the Legacy looks great!
I do very much enjoy the alpinist, The grand seiko is something to aspire to, wearing the alpinist everyday has being an exercise in me letting go of a lot of my niggly ocd accuracy mentalities. The movement moves out about + 15 a day I almost got to 5 min before I reset it at a train station looking up at the clock there while waiting for a train. I suppose I like the idea of a beautifully made watch that I could wear drawing everyday and someday at my daughters wedding, perhaps they are two different things, but from my own experience I have watches I admire the design of, but because I don't like wearing them, I'll put them on for a few hours at most and end up switching back to the alpinist. I guess my goal is to find the right watches to keep, I am not super into flipping watches, I've done it as a necessity and always took a hit, but rather flip them or gift them than keep them dusting away somewhere in boxes.
I do wonder how the ginza will age, the dial is so unconventional it doesn't strike me as something that will be timeless, I may grow bored of it someday *turns the watch in the light, light hits that minute track, bling...* or maybe not.
For other watches I used to want a sinn 556i but I dont like the fact I can't tell 12 isn't easily discernible from the other indices, domasko seemed to fix this for me but the watches didn't speak to me but this was round about the time I was starting to realist I was more drawn to simpler watches.
however a grand seiko spring drive gmt to use when travelling... might be nice.
Hello, sir! I know you'd mentioned the SLGA007, and it's a really great watch, but I think there are other spring drive offerings that hit all the marks, but cost significantly less!
SBGA373 and SBGA375
Exquisite, clean dials, beautiful power meter offering just a little bit of asymmetry for your eyes to have something to hang onto, and 44GS case!!!
Good luck in your (fun) hunt, sir!
Oooooh...
I am heartened to read the many posts about collecting and thinning a collection, it seems that it’s a very common dilemma.
I liken my collecting ethos to the tide, it comes in where I buy and Goes out when I sell. A never ending process which keeps me happy.
I've never thought of it in such a way, thats a wonderful mindset.
I think if I could have it if it was possible a watch that does all of this:
1-2 or a year is my limit . I keep a picture of the item I watch as my phone background and if it sticks then I know I really want it.
its good to get a feel for what you like and how you want to compose your collection, and I feel from your post you are at the stage perhaps where you are thinking of upgrading the collection ?
So glad that you add a G shock in your collection. I have 12+ watch not ready to down size yet hope I get to down to your level.