Helm Miyako - Story of my latest pickup

For me, watches are stories... so here is one about my latest addition to the collection (sorry for going on... I appreciate if you come along, and won't be offended if you don't) 😀:

A couple of years ago (2021-ish), when I was still early in the process of going down the watch rabbit hole, I came across some images of the Blancpain 50 Fathoms.

Even thought my tastes were still a bit unformed, something about the look really spoke to me (if the 45mm size seemed far to large for my 7-inch-ish wrist). But whatever the size or look, the cost seemed WAY out of my league at $15k-ish - especially since I was just wading into the watch-hobby pool and couldn't fathom ever going that deep into it (see what I did there?).

In looking around for something that gave me some of those vibes - I came across HELM watches - and their recently launched Miyako.

It seemed that HELM was generally considered very well made (especially for the price), and a little bit hard to come by (with long wait lists). While I appreciated the super-tool-y watches HELM seemed to be best known and appreciated for, they didn't really speak to me. But this one really caught my eye - The curved look of the sapphire bezel insert, the stepped dial with a little texture, and the applied markers and numerals all just worked for me - and maybe most salient, the sub $400 cost felt more within my price range where I couldn't really imagine spending much more than that on a watch (little did I know at the time how my sense of "value" would shift over the years 😀). But you couldn't buy them, so I kept looking and bought 2nd hand (and enjoyed) this RLG which gave some some of those vibes.

Over the next year or so I'd see videos of the Miyako crop up from various reviewers as it was getting a good amount of attention from the community. I could watch and get a sense of it, and kept really liking what I was seeing. Since you couldn't just buy one, there didn't seem to be any harm in putting my name on the wait list - knowing full well that it could be well over a year before my number came up - so I got on the list.

Then I mostly forgot about it.

Every now and then, another video would pop up - I'd remember how much I liked it, and check my place in line - seeing hundreds (if not more) in front of me. So I'd forget about it again.

Now my tastes were getting more refined as my price-points began creeping up. I found myself being drawn to smaller, sub 40mm watches like this or this or this. But also still really enjoying a few slightly larger/chunkier pieces like this, this and this.

I checked recently and saw that my number was getting closer to the front... and I still really liked it, but wasn't sure it was for me. The whole thing seemed maybe too chunky? The bracelet was maybe too much for me? I'd been thinking about adding a diver - something kind of larger (ish) - and more expensive. Then I came across a video showing that the Uncle Straps z199 for the skx007 would fit it - NOW I was pretty sure I would get one.

after all, by now the $375 price seemed so very reasonable (funny how that happens) - and the nice taper on the z199 bracelet sealed the deal. When my number came up, I ordered both on the same day. And immediately added the z199 when I opened the box. With a little fiddling, I think it looks great!

I've had it now for about two weeks, and keep reaching for it from the box. I think the taper and the jubilee-esque look make it appear just a bit more refined. And yet the all-brushed look of the z199 seems to suit the watch more than the somewhat heavy bracelet (with minimal taper) that comes with it - to my eyes anyway.

Overall, this watch feels super solid, and I love the details, the shape of the crown, the depth to the dial, the way it sits on my wrist, the lume...

My main complaint right now is that the hollow end links need a little more adjustment to fit fully. I've bent them into shape a bit, but if I look closely, it's not quite right yet. I've ordered the version with solid end-links, which is supposed to arrive this coming week and hope that works out.

To make a long story longer - I'm really glad I got it. I'm very much enjoying it. And think the z199 bracelet - for me anyway - was the key to making it just sing.

Is there a moral to this story?

I guess I reminded myself that I don't always need to spend more to get maximum enjoyment. As much as I've been eyeing the big brands lately, I remember why I love the independents/micro-brands. AND once again I've reminded myself how much a change in strap/bracelet can change the whole feel/vibe of a watch.

Thanks for getting this far. Hope you enjoyed it at least a little.

Here's to all of us crazy watch people - who actually stuck around until the end of this thing! 🍻