SOTC, I think I’ve hit my limit
I bought my first “nice” watch in 2012 and it’s been downhill ever since. That said, I’ve always tried to maintain a tight 4 or 5 piece collection and now here I am with 12. Part of what went wrong this year is years of flipping through different NOMOS, I decided that they’re my favorite brand and that I can treat them as if they are a separate collection…allowing myself to keep more than one…the things we tell ourselves.
The main thing you’ll notice is I’m generally into time only pieces (only two with dates and only two with complications) and LEs (only the Citizen, Ming and Pelagos were not LEs). I find myself enticed by LEs mainly because they take otherwise well designed watches and add some sort of quirk to it. The supposed exclusivity is fun, but not necessarily a huge draw.
The four NOMOS area all LE’s, so I’m at least limiting my purchases to more special purchases…
The Non-NOMOS core of the collection is the Armin Strom, JLC Geophysic, Pelagos FXD and the Oak & Oscar, with the Pelagos being the newest purchase. The Geophysic was a long time grail of mine and I finally realized I had the means to purchase one earlier this year. It’s tied with the Black/Grey Panda NOMOS for the most wrist time this year.
The Ming is right behind those two in wrist time, even though I’ve only had it since July. Just a lot of fun to wear, especially over the summer on the nice rubber straps. The W&W Zodiac LE and the Dr Pepper Jack Mason are a bit more impulse purchases and the Citizen was a summer pickup as I felt I was lacking a dive watch at the time (now I have three somehow) and thought the blacked out stealth look was really fun.
I’m not sure I want to have any more watches on hand or commit any more money to the collection, but I definitely won’t tell you I’m done collecting. I don’t feel like I’m missing anything and there really isn’t anything within my current or future budget that I’d really like, but eventually think I’ll pick up another nicer independent at some point, assuming there is one I really like.
Sales Professional always looking for the perfect 4/5 watch collection
Gorgeous collection, but there will always be the next watch. :-)
You need another… baker’s dozen.
By the looks of it your biggest problem is nomos, that's not a bad problem to have, all things considered.
Great collections. Love Nomos. If you’re looking to get rid of watches I’d like to take care of them 🤣
Very interesting collection. Fantastic variaty, and use of, colors👌
That’s a lot of watches! Do they all get wrist time?
I Also love limited editions
Beautiful collection! I absolutely love the Nomos set. I know you’re done and all but I think your ahoi Tangente club and world timer need a metro to round it out 😉
That’s a lot of watches! Do they all get wrist time?
I’d say seven of them get serious wrist time. Though some of that is honeymooning. I’ve had long spells with the Club, Geophysic and Ming this year for sure though.
Beautiful collection! I absolutely love the Nomos set. I know you’re done and all but I think your ahoi Tangente club and world timer need a metro to round it out 😉
I do live the metro and have owned a few. Will probably have one again soon enough.
What a great collection. The Ming is gangster. How do you like the oak and Oscar in comparison to some of those big brands?
There nothing wrong with a separate collection of Nomos. I've been thinking of doing the same with GO.
Is that a Armin Strom I see. That's a really nice piece. Congratulations on the procurement of a really nice collection.
No bracelets?! 😬
Nice group. I like the Pelagos & the JLC most.
Tasteful collection my friend, all good choices.
What a great collection. The Ming is gangster. How do you like the oak and Oscar in comparison to some of those big brands?
I'm a big fan of what Chase is doing and have owned a few different ones over the years. The one I'm settled on now is a special edition with a heat-treated stainless steel case that kind of looks bronze without the patination issues. Fun watch, well made with good aesthetics. No complaints.
There nothing wrong with a separate collection of Nomos. I've been thinking of doing the same with GO.
Is that a Armin Strom I see. That's a really nice piece. Congratulations on the procurement of a really nice collection.
The Armin Strom is really such a fine watch and I feel honored to have such a fine example of fine independent watch making in my possession. It's a great dress watch, but it's also stainless steel, so it gets a decent amount of wear beyond just suit jacket time.
No bracelets?! 😬
Only bracelets I've really ever gotten along with are Rolex Oysters. Otherwise, I just really like fabric or rubber straps for my watches, if not leather, just find it much more comfortable.
The Jack Mason and Citizen both came with bracelets, but they sit unworn in their boxes.
Only bracelets I've really ever gotten along with are Rolex Oysters. Otherwise, I just really like fabric or rubber straps for my watches, if not leather, just find it much more comfortable.
The Jack Mason and Citizen both came with bracelets, but they sit unworn in their boxes.
Well said! I have found that the more premier brands (Rolex/omega/Tudor/even GS) offer better bracelets than options from lower priced brands. I’m a bracelet guy and rarely ever go with leather or rubber unless it’s on my SKX or leather on my GS for a wedding or funeral.
I find that holes for adjusting leather or rubber are just too far apart to get a good enough fit. Any recommendations for rubber or leather strap makers with holes not so far apart?
The Armin Strom is really such a fine watch and I feel honored to have such a fine example of fine independent watch making in my possession. It's a great dress watch, but it's also stainless steel, so it gets a decent amount of wear beyond just suit jacket time.
Nicely done. I have one on my list to buy, maybe one day. Wear yours for me too.
Nicely done. I have one on my list to buy, maybe one day. Wear yours for me too.
They were kind enough to invite me to their collectors dinner in NYC a few weeks back. I was by far the lowest net worth individual there (there were a couple watches brought by attendees, just under the value of the down payment of my house), but I was treated just the same. A pretty fantastic company, soon really cool things IMO.
They were kind enough to invite me to their collectors dinner in NYC a few weeks back. I was by far the lowest net worth individual there (there were a couple watches brought by attendees, just under the value of the down payment of my house), but I was treated just the same. A pretty fantastic company, soon really cool things IMO.
Sounds like a great time.