Q: How did you get into watch collecting?
What got me curious abt watches? Casio and Seiko for sure, as a little kid there was this big box department store that was membership only, and as u walked in was a watch section that was literally a glass case, four sided, with the latest watches. This was the early 80's so the quartz movement erupted earlier. So tech/fitness watches were hot, like a runner's watch with two orange button could record your time intervals, it was so cool as a little kid. The tech of it all was Star Wars-esque (top movie at the time). Then a new Swatch store, boutique opened up in the mall to lots of fanfare. That led me to see that u can curate and collect all of them just like they displayed them in the mall, so Irony's in one place, Swatch colorways in another, their steel ones in yet another, etc. (all housed in one place, just one brand). The eye-candy of it all was great. Then, surfers and west coast skateboarders snuck into backyards skating into empty pools wore them, just like me, naturally we bought GShocks, which rappers wore in music videos. I grew up listening to west coast punk like Social D and new wave music on KROQ was big, which also was the same time rap was born Run DMC and Beasties, then West Coast hip hop like TuPac and Dr Dre. Boom, just like that maybe hundreds of watches later, u get a chest full of memories each tied to a unique personal story of loved ones past n present. It was never about status or selling watches to make money, it was all tied to my lifestyle, my friends riding bikes to the mall playing Defender, its all tied to who I am. Inexplictly a watch on my wrist was the standard and now even in my advanced years, as always, a watch is not apart from me.
Q: What was the first watch you ever owned?
Mid-80's Swatch watch and a Casio Runner's watch.
Q: Do you have a watch with a particularly interesting story behind it?
I was playing in a charity golf tournament hosted by legendary rock star Alice Cooper. It was a wonderful event and the foundation supporting it was called Autism Speaks @autismspeaks.org (please support this group) and as many of those fun charity golf scrambles there is a lot of fun, donation opportunites and of course golf. Well Alice Cooper is an avid golfer and was playing in the group ahead of my grouping. It was getting late, so very last hole then the charity dinner. It was a closest to the hole type set up. $10 and the closest to the hole gets a watch sponsored by local company Oakley. The hole is backed up by the time we get to the tee box, Alice's group is there waiting for their turn, so we were backed up for sure. Luckily a bar was set up by the Oakley host of the hole. Drinks were being had, photos taken, lots of laughs, I shook a rockstar's hand and it was getting very dark as it was late. Par three down hill, I squint to barely see the green. The host Alice's group tees off. He finally tees off in near darkness and hits this amazing tee shot that lands only 7' to the hole and the crowd gathering erupts. The host is surely to win the coveted Oakley watch which was the closest to the hole at the time. We all cheer as the host should win the Oakley watch, right, its only fitting. He's waiting to collect his prize (so he thought) as we were the very, very last group. I saunter up, adult drinks in hand, I squint yet again because of the sheer darkness of the green 130 yards below was like hitting into a wall of nothing, we hurriedly all hit our shots onto the green, and as the very last player.... I stiff my tee shot nearly acing it, landing maybe 4' from the cup. Stealing the hole in one prize from the tourney host. What a moment, what blind luck, what a cool Oakley titanium watch. One, that is always tied to a cool story and one I will always remember.
Q: What is one piece of advice you have for someone just getting into watches?
Wear your watches don't curate them in a way that it's too precious. Stay within your budget, don't rush, and most of all have fun. Stop buying when it is not fun, then u will know u have enough.
Q: What brands have been getting your attention lately?
I have a chestful of watches into the hundreds. All types and all styles. My current go-to shortlist is: Everyday-Field-Pilot's watch is Timex's Expedition North Field Titanium 41mm; GADA is my Omega Speedmaster Aqua Terra 2504.50.00 co-axial 2500 caliber movement 36mm; my Diver watch is a Seiko Orange Baby Monster; my Dress watch is a Rado 1957 Golden Horse 37mm; my grab and go quartz watch is my GShock 5600 or GShock GD350GB; my GMT is a Seiko 5 Sport Batman SSK003 41mm; and chrono watch is a Timex Q Chrono quartz 40 mm. Then there's literally a case full of Casio and vintage watches, along with high end watches that I love.
Badges
