4 Watch Collection - Suggestions
So I have been wanting to put a brake on watch purchases. Over the past year I have added 7 to my collection. While that may not be a lot for some, for me it is quite a few, and already some are barely being worn. I also feel a bit overwhelmed by all the choices, making me connect less with a single watch and kind of jump all over the place.
This, and some shifting priorities in my life, has led me to the idea of curating a 4 Watch ‘core’ collection and running with that for a while.
I have chosen to make 4 categories of watch that I want and dedicated about $500 to each category (I will go a little over, and under is of course always nice).
The categories are as follows:
1. GADA ✅
2. Diver ✅
3. Field ❌
4. Dress ❌
So far I have 2 categories filled.
My GADA: Zelos Mako V3 ‘hammered orange’
And my Diver: Citizen Promaster Diver ‘Save the ocean’
Now I am on the hunt to fill my next category, my field watch.
What am I looking for?
I love a vintage look (think Lorier Falcon, Seiko Alpinist).
I want it to be capable of hikes (relatively tough build, >100m WR, stainless steel).
I prefer bracelets but also like leather and rubber straps (not a fan of NATOs)
Around $500 give or take.
Preferably automatic, though I am not against quartz.
Before you go there, yes I already have a g-shock.
I also like a dial with a bit of pazazz to it (as you can see by my other 2 watches). Not necessarily bright or colourful, but some sort of interesting design.
I would prefer some movement variety. I already have a Miyota and an Eco-drive so preferably not those. This is not a hard no though, as I understand especially miyota is used in a lot of watches.
Some inspiration for watches I’ve been looking at:
Now to whoever made it to the end of this somewhat lengthy post (thank you) I would call on your collective knowledge and intellect to broaden my shortlist of contenders for the honourable position of my field watch.
Show me what you got crunchers!
Arise, arise, Riders of Watch Crunch! Fell deeds awake: temptation and financial ruin! Bracelets shall be shaken, Crystals be splintered, a Seiko day, a Rolex day, ere the moonphase rises! Ride now, r...
https://topperjewelers.com/collections/watches/specials?sort_by=price-ascending
Check out what Topper Jewelers has on this sale. They have a Mystic Forest Alpinist on here which is gorgeous. I bought mine from them. If you don’t live in CA they don’t charge sales tax and they do free shipping. They also offer decent money on trades.
https://topperjewelers.com/collections/watches/specials?sort_by=price-ascending
Check out what Topper Jewelers has on this sale. They have a Mystic Forest Alpinist on here which is gorgeous. I bought mine from them. If you don’t live in CA they don’t charge sales tax and they do free shipping. They also offer decent money on trades.
I will be sure to check it out! That Alpinist is gorgeous! Thanks for the suggestion!
The Nodus and Seiko seem like good moves for you. Traska Summiteer is another to consider.
The Nodus and Seiko seem like good moves for you. Traska Summiteer is another to consider.
Oeeeeh I do like the look of that! I’m definitely adding it to the shortlist! Thanks for the suggestion!
You might like a Seiko tic-tac, though I’m not sure where it would fit in your collection . Special edition of the Alpinist line I’m pretty sure, though statistically speaking everything I say is probably wrong… Can’t go wrong with a Hamilton Khaki for field watch. As for dress, I imagine a Seiko Preaage Cocktail Time would fit your dial craving pretty well! Best of luck, and let us know what you decide (:
You might like a Seiko tic-tac, though I’m not sure where it would fit in your collection . Special edition of the Alpinist line I’m pretty sure, though statistically speaking everything I say is probably wrong… Can’t go wrong with a Hamilton Khaki for field watch. As for dress, I imagine a Seiko Preaage Cocktail Time would fit your dial craving pretty well! Best of luck, and let us know what you decide (:
Thanks for the suggestions! I almost pulled the trigger on an alpinist, but for whatever reason I was held back. I love the inner compas bezel and overall design. But something stopped me.
As for the Hamilton khaki (and Murph) they just don’t do anything for me. I like the cathedral hands on the Murph but other than that I just feel nothing for them.
The dress watch is a little down the line, and I think I already have a strong contender for it (;
Although I've done more than 7 this year (not proud of that tbh) I'd still say you've had quite a haul! I like what you're proposing - a core of 4 with some on the periphery when you want to scratch a different itch. 👍
The Alpinist and Zelos look good to me. Certainly beat the more standard looking quartz Tissot PRX, Hamilton Jazzmaster or Tissot T-classic, or the Orient Bambino.
Marloe have some good options, WR100m, Miyota auto, many dials and strap/bracelet options, should be around $500
Although I've done more than 7 this year (not proud of that tbh) I'd still say you've had quite a haul! I like what you're proposing - a core of 4 with some on the periphery when you want to scratch a different itch. 👍
The Alpinist and Zelos look good to me. Certainly beat the more standard looking quartz Tissot PRX, Hamilton Jazzmaster or Tissot T-classic, or the Orient Bambino.
Marloe have some good options, WR100m, Miyota auto, many dials and strap/bracelet options, should be around $500
Exactly my thoughts. 4 watches that’ll be with me for a long time. And then I can play around on the cheaper end if I feel an itch I just have to scratch. Plus I’m not selling any watches, so I will have plenty to switch to if need be.
Thank you for the suggestion also! I am a little sick of the PRX, Khaki fields, and Bambino’s of the world. Not that they are bad watches at all, they just do not speak to me (except for some vintage Tissot pr’s).
As a Cincinnati Bengals fan, I love your Zelos!
The Sternglas Tiga. It's quartz but very affordable, it's a gmt and has sapphire.
Not field but flieger. Laco blaue Stunde or Augsburg. Starts at 340 with sapphire. You would habe enough financial space to chose the upgradet movement and AR coating. Only 50m WR but for the field it's enough.
Junkers Professor Quartz
Or Junkers Baumuster Automatik for 340. But only 5atm and minerals glas.
As a Cincinnati Bengals fan, I love your Zelos!
As I am stubbornly refusing to embrace American sports even after moving to the US, I have no idea what a Cincinnati Bengal is😂. But thanks! Let’s go Bengals!
The Sternglas Tiga. It's quartz but very affordable, it's a gmt and has sapphire.
Not field but flieger. Laco blaue Stunde or Augsburg. Starts at 340 with sapphire. You would habe enough financial space to chose the upgradet movement and AR coating. Only 50m WR but for the field it's enough.
Junkers Professor Quartz
Or Junkers Baumuster Automatik for 340. But only 5atm and minerals glas.
Thank you for the suggestions!
I have looked at Laco and Junkers before, but their aesthetic is not really what I’m looking for. I appreciate the effort though!
Thanks for the suggestions! I almost pulled the trigger on an alpinist, but for whatever reason I was held back. I love the inner compas bezel and overall design. But something stopped me.
As for the Hamilton khaki (and Murph) they just don’t do anything for me. I like the cathedral hands on the Murph but other than that I just feel nothing for them.
The dress watch is a little down the line, and I think I already have a strong contender for it (;
Have you thought about a seagull 1963? It’s not exactly a fit for any of your categories, but you might be able to pretend it fills your field categorie… Cool looking watch with a fun to look at movement, a nice vintage feel, and a unique design. Best of luck!
Have you thought about a seagull 1963? It’s not exactly a fit for any of your categories, but you might be able to pretend it fills your field categorie… Cool looking watch with a fun to look at movement, a nice vintage feel, and a unique design. Best of luck!
I’ve never really considered the sea-gull. I respect it for what it is, and that movement does look very nice, but it just does not interest me sadly. I really appreciate the suggestion though!
As I am stubbornly refusing to embrace American sports even after moving to the US, I have no idea what a Cincinnati Bengal is😂. But thanks! Let’s go Bengals!
American football, orange and black, from Cincinnati, feel free to not embrace this message either 😂
Green dial Alpinist and something from the Seiko cocktail collection, many dials available and bracelet or strap is an option.
Straight from Seiko’s website:
Green dial Alpinist and something from the Seiko cocktail collection, many dials available and bracelet or strap is an option.
Straight from Seiko’s website:
I’m an effort for variety and to get a Swiss made piece from a stand up brand with 80hrs PR, available on strap and bracelet.
Here’s a portion of my collection that checks these boxes.
GADA: Sky dweller (100 meters water resistance, robust, annual cal, gmt… basically the perfect watch imo)
Field: Weiss American Made Field Watch (Land River dial #7 of 50.)
Diver: JLC Polaris Date Green dial boutique edition
Dress: Vintage Grand Seiko 44GS (kind of wish I had a gold dress watch) but love the symmetry and design of this piece
I’m in the same boat as you. Started on this hobby in 2019 I barely wear 2. I have 12+ watches I want 4. Started pruning. My my core lately:
I myself though am contemplating losing either the diver or the gmt to make room for a dress.
Personally love this version of the alpinist myself:
I like what I see here! While collecting watches is very fun, and there are a lot of watches I ‘want’ I just feel like I need to calm it down 😂 so this is my way of doing that
I've had my black alpinist for a few months now and absolutely love it.
The black one is very cool!! I still prefer the green I think though
So I’ll throw you a curve because I’m looking at both the Zelos and Citizen as divers. Neither is bad; they’re both good, but together they double up on divers.
That being said, my suggestion would be to add a GMT which would also work as a dress watch. Take a look at Vario. Their website shows an Empire art deco style GMT coming this fall that would work well as a dress watch.
For field watches I don’t think you can go wrong with Hamilton.
They are indeed 2 divers, but the Zelos has proven to be so versatile I wear it everywhere no problem. It kind of made itself my GADA. I have looked at the vario verso for a dress, and it is still in contention. As for Hamilton, I just don’t really feel much for their watches I’m afraid..
This here are my four.
1st is an E.C.Andersson wich is a Swedish microbrand
2nd is my custom modified Casio Duro
3rd is my custom modified Seiko SRPD with the case upside down
And 4th is my dress option french Lip Churchill
Very well balanced, and unique pieces which I appreciate!
I do have a soft spot for Timex so I would not mind adding one to my collection! And I don’t have any titanium either.. it’s going on the list!
Green dial Alpinist and something from the Seiko cocktail collection, many dials available and bracelet or strap is an option.
Straight from Seiko’s website:
The alpinist has been on my radar but for some reason I have not pulled the trigger. And I wouldn’t want seikos for both field and dress I think. Thanks for the suggestions though!
Here’s a portion of my collection that checks these boxes.
GADA: Sky dweller (100 meters water resistance, robust, annual cal, gmt… basically the perfect watch imo)
Field: Weiss American Made Field Watch (Land River dial #7 of 50.)
Diver: JLC Polaris Date Green dial boutique edition
Dress: Vintage Grand Seiko 44GS (kind of wish I had a gold dress watch) but love the symmetry and design of this piece
Beautiful collection, a bit above my budget but good for inspiration! Thanks!
Very well balanced, and unique pieces which I appreciate!
Thank you!
Might need to snatch me a Lego watch😂
They are indeed 2 divers, but the Zelos has proven to be so versatile I wear it everywhere no problem. It kind of made itself my GADA. I have looked at the vario verso for a dress, and it is still in contention. As for Hamilton, I just don’t really feel much for their watches I’m afraid..
I totally get the Zelos. It’s all everything! The Casio isn’t bad either, but I’d have a hard time picking it up with the Zelos next to it.
Not everyone feels Hamilton, so no worries.
Have you searched the Islander brand selection?
Ive had a browse through their catalogue yes! Some interesting stuff but nothing made me go wow I need to have that.
Thanks for your valuable input though, I appreciate it!