just a little reminiscing
Not that long ago, I got into the hobby of watches. I’m still getting into the hobby, and I have an inkling it will provide me with many mini lifetimes of entertainment. I’m not setting out to be any master horologist, or the master of anything, I’m just here to learn as long as I’m interested, and don’t go insane or gatekeepy in the process. My approach with hobbies typically start in some kind of infant stage where I’m basically blind and dumb and just get what I need. Then I start learning what I want.
This little green Islander is technically the fourth in line for what I thought I was learning what I really wanted in a watch.
The first one I got to begin the collection process was this Bertucci:
Beautiful little brick of a field watch. Got it for forty five bucks on Duluth Trading website. It’s got fixed bars (though technically a couple hex tools would get rid of them if so desired), push button “behind-the-dial glow” (which still tickles me pink), takes three batteries (which is a bummer), but is still worn with pride and joy.
Then my wife wanted to get me a watch, so I pointed at this one online:
no regerts.
While impatiently waiting to open that present, i got this one for myself:
At this stage all I had managed to learn was that Citizen was a reputable company, and that I wanted solar instead of battery, and that I have an infatuation with blued hands, subdials, railroad minute tracks, and domed crystals especially when these things are put together well in one package.
So back to number four in line, my Emerald Islander. It was my first mission for myself to get an automatic. Had to be reliable, but the movement just as much, but also easy to replace, so a diver was my baseline. I had trouble navigating the Seiko world, still do, but now I have somewhat of a clue where I might start. Back then, I was gung-ho about having a day/date complication, these days it’s different. After doing the YouTube thing I eventually discovered Marc and his merry band of men and women on LongIslandWatch.com. Here, my eyes settled on the ISL-73. Green is my wife’s favorite color, so that’s why that is. I had yet to discover what a YachMaster was, but I guess before I even knew it I was just another sucker for Rolex, which is what it is.
It’s just interesting to wear it and think about that whole process again, and whether I would choose that way now or make any changes. I’m still in love with the watch, bar from one element I want differently: less intrusive crown guards.
Thanks for crunching along.
Not the fanciest of collections. Just an amateur enthusiast, with a little interest in some things EDC as well. And tennis. And F1. And nature. And science.
It was nice to see where you started and the thinking behind the watches you have purchased.
And most importantly, you wrote that entire essay without once using the word "journey." For that blessing, I am grateful.
Nice collection but that Citizen is 🔥
Great write up! Interesting to see where you coming from and where you going. I must say you started with a bang. I really like the look of the Bertucci👌
It was nice to see where you started and the thinking behind the watches you have purchased.
And most importantly, you wrote that entire essay without once using the word "journey." For that blessing, I am grateful.
And I’m thankful for stalwarts like yourself for steering us impressionables in the right direction—I have one in the mail I’m excited to show you.
Haha love the look of the Bertucci, it looks like it could survive a nuclear Fallout. We all start somewhere which i find interesting, a lot of people start at seiko or Casio, some dive in with a tag or Breitling and develop thier collections from there! Some of us start with an elizebeth duke special from Argos or a fashion watch before maturing. I’m sure your hobby will take you to many places. The islander buy is a random purchase from what you started with but I guess that’s the beauty of YouTube, giving us access to all these great brands we had never heard of 👍🏻
I enjoyed your story so far. I like your (and your wive's) taste. 👌That green is top.
Ayos pare! Thanks for sharing your story. 🍻
Started my love affair with watches back in high school, 1980s. For most of the ensuing 35 years I was a 1-2 watch guy. Then it got on me about 12 years back.
Since then have bought and sold/gifted over 370 watches. Currently own 15, not counting gifts.
What I have learned, mostly the expensive way, but have had a blast doing so:
WATCH LIKES:
Sports watches
36-38mm width
<12mm height
</=47mm L2L
No crown guards
Bracelets/MN straps
Inner AR coating
bigger crowns
Milled clasps
Micro adjustments
On the fly adjustment clasp
Curved/short/angled lugs
High beat movements
Stick indices/applied indices
Solid end links
Female end links
Snowflake hands
Quick change bracelets
Hardened steel/Titanium
Marine Nationale straps
WATCH DISLIKES:
>39mm width
<36mm width
>13mm height
>48mm L2L
Flat case shape/lugs
Case side engraving
NATOS
Butterfly clasps
PVD/DLC coatings
Outer AR coating
No AR coating
Lack of quick change date on date models
Ghost date dials
Incomplete Arabic numerals
Roman numerals
California dials
Mixed Roman and stick indices
small crowns
large crown guards
Folded link bracelets
No micro adjustments
Bubble case backs
Straight end link bracelets
Mercedes hands
Male end links
NH35 movements
Internal rotating bezels
Heavy watches
Dive watches
Compressor cases
I was a two watch guy for quite a while, maybe twenty years ish; day watch, dress watch. Could not for the life of me tell you what compelled me to buy a third, but my hunch was it started with zombies.
I love how specific you’ve found your tastes to be, bummer it had to be the hard way sometimes, but enjoying it is key.
At this point, since 2017, I’m only about 22ish watches bought/gifted, and have yet to sell one. I’ve learned that there is a lot to learn.