2023 SOTC

Seeing and reading everyone’s sotc has been super fascinating and enjoyable. Figured I’d throw mine in too!

Just a little about me:

I’ve been wearing watches all my life but only seriously got into the hobby around 2016. Fairly common story— bought a Seiko SNK for ~$50 on Amazon and only fell deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole.

My collection has always been very fluid and never really stayed constant for more than three months. Tried to be as diverse as possible in the beginning, tried out micros, many seikos, and a few vintage pieces here and there. Eventually realized that I am not a “spec sheet” collecter, I don’t need to fill out categories, I like mainstream brands and I’m reliably boring. The result is the most stable I’ve seen my watch box in the past year and I’m very happy!

Anyways in order from top left to bottom right:

MoonSwatch [Jupiter]

Won’t lie, I don’t care for the speedmaster pro, at least not in its iconic form. The whole “every collector needs a speedy” quote irritates me 😅. But the Moon watch in fun colors, I could definitely get behind! I liked this one because it looks like a iwc mojave!

Tudor Pelagos FXD MN23

The lastest edition to my collection and the only one I put my name on a waiting list for. Took about 4 months and it was worth it. Love everything about this watch and easily my most worn of the year. I could wax lyrical but I think you get the point.

Seiko SPB143

I bought this the day it became available in summer 2020 and sold off every other Seiko I had at the time. This would be my ultimate (maybe last?) Seiko. For a long time it was the pride of my collection and subsequently all I wore! Although now it mostly serves as a beater watch when working on various other projects.

Tudor Ranger 39

Like many of you, I too enjoy playing dress up solider/adventurer/explorer. I walked into the Tudor boutique on a whim and they had one available. Just felt “right” when I tried it on. Quickest 15min watch purchase I’ve ever made. It’s a super boring watch and I can’t defend whatever flaws are thrown at it. But I like it and if I’m honest it’s the watch that matches my personality best.

G-Shock Mudmaster Burton LE GG-B100BTN-1A

The largest, toughest, and loudest watch I own. It was a bday gift from my gf after a few months of dating. The first time I took her snowboarding she watched me crash and break one of my cheaper Casios. She figured this would be tough enough for the slopes. It’s awesome because the strap is long enough to wear over my gloves! Now it comes with me during every adventure.

G-Shock Full Metal GMWB5000-1

No doubt the most fun watch in the box. I love a square G but the idea of an elevated one was too good to resist! To be honest I rarely wear this but every time I do I can’t help but love it and wonder why I bother with such boring watches normally. Mine now sports vertical brushed finishes across the bezel from some drunken summer party that I’m told was awesome.

Longines Spirit 37mm

The first seiko I owned and truly adored was an older SARB035. I mostly liked it because it reminded me of a vintage Rolex datejust or OP. This Spirit carries that same vibe, and was the Sarb’s eventual replacement. However the raised arabics and 6 o’clock date give it a more unique personality and the result is probably the best daily office watch. It’s pretty understated yet not boring enough to be dismissed. Say what you will about the 5 stars but in this all silver guise it gives the dial an incredible sense of depth.

Tudor Black Bay 58

This was my first step into entry luxury. I actually started saving up for the BBGMT back in 2018 but when I finally got to the Tudor boutique, it was the 58 that left the biggest impression. I held off on purchasing because I wanted to tie it with a significant reason. I never found a moment worthy enough in my head. In 2022 my gf told me to “just buy the watch. Don’t waste time, do what makes you happy and enjoy life”. She was right. So we went immediately to the store and bought it. What a happy day. Yes, it’s the most clinical watch enthusiasts’ watch. And it’s perfect.

TISSOT PRX PM80 40mm Ice Blue

I’ve had many prx watches since the original quartz release but this ice blue is my fav. Sure there’s many other great alternatives available in the market now but I still prefer the prx to them all. The bracelet is great and it’s definitely a looker. Do I think a 37mm size would be ideal? Absolutely. Time will tell.

Seiko 5 GMT SSK005

Truthfully I don’t care for or need a GMT watch. Nevertheless a mechanical gmt at an affordable price point and from a brand I adore is hard to resist. It’s a fun watch mostly because I reminds me of my earlier days in the hobby back when I was modding my SKX. I’ve since outgrown my interest in this case shape/size but it’s an orange Seiko and that’s a vibe I can get behind.

___

Well that’s what’s in my watch box at the end of 2023!

Going into 2024 I would like to reduce the amount have. I’ve thought about swapping all 3 tudors for a pelagos 39 (or even a Rolex sub no date) but I think I’d miss the FXD and the BB58 holds too much sentimental value now. Also maybe consolide both seikos into one? The green 1968 prospex divers gmt looks tempting! 😅

Then there’s the other watches living rent free in my head that I need to see in person:

-Vertex M100

-Tag Heuer Glassbox 🐼

-Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow 3594.50

Well who knows what will happen? If you made it to the end of this wall of text, thanks for letting me share!