Advice Needed for an Over-thinking Fool
A couple of years ago, I decided to submit my watch collection for some much-needed reduction. I wanted to get a nice 3-4 slot watch roll and fill it with pieces that I LOVED which was an idea far removed from my watch box at the time. Some of my collection were "check the boxes" watches and they needed better homes; Many were gifted (in an attempt to create some new recruits), some were sold, and the really important ones (grandfather's watch, father-in-law's watch) were stowed away safely.
The first entry into the new watch roll was my Tudor Black Bay 58 - a watch that I simply will never tire of... love it or hate it, it's one of my favorites.
And now the time has come for my second entry, and I have decided that I want to find the perfect everyday watch for me, ideally, 36mm or thereabouts. Do you think it would be insane for me to add a Black Bay 36 to my collection knowing a BB58 is already there? Would you avoid redundancy like that in such an abbreviated collection?
Or, to avoid redundancy would you select an alternative pick, for me, the Longines Spirit 37mm (a show-stopper in my opinion) or a Grand Seiko SBGA285 - in my estimation, a perfectly simple, yet fully exceptional bit of wrist candy?
With limited real estate, I want to make the right choice - help me!
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The only criteria being pieces that you LOVE, just pick the one you really want. Brand, model, similarity to something else, are all irrelevant to how much it is loved. It would be insane to rule out a watch you really want for an arbitrary, irrelevant reason, and would be reverting to checking boxes.
Wholeheartedly agree with gbelleh, figure out what you love and go with that. Of the three I prefer the BB36. To me, it is a distinct watch from the BB58 and honestly, I find it better looking than the Explorer I and would buy it 100 times out of a 100 if I had to make the choice.
Another good everyday piece is the IWC Pilots 36. Stunner of a watch and can be picked up relatively affordable on the second hand or grey market.
For the styling choice, I would pick Grand Seiko (or Longines) as it would be less chance for you to decide which to wear for you.
Casual situation can go with both.. BB58 with more rucket situation while these can be worn in a more dress up situation.
However, it is you who live with the choice you make, so go what whichever in mind (or 3 of them 😜)
Variety adds that spice of owning a watch collection. I have seen some celebrity or rich people YouTube videos showing their collection of 5 Rolex Daytonas and other 5 Pateks or same thing more or less. The watch box should be like a box of chocolates, it should surprise or excite you every time you open it. Go with something different that you don’t have and would love to wear.
The Blue Bay 36 is the "crown jewel" in my 4-watch collection and the books are closed now. No more watches in or out.
It's har to not recommend the BB36, but i probably would go for the Longines if I already had a snow flake representative?
Though I have and love the BB36 I voted on the Longines, because I find the BB36 and BB58 too redundant. For an easy wearing great everyday watch you can also check out the Grand Seiko SBGX line, which you can get for a great deal (if you are fine with a quartz movement).
@Wimzard Without thinking about how to solve the three watch puzzle, which one do you like best?
As an owner of the BB36 and a future owner of a BB58, I think it could make a killer duo. The BB36 fits unbelievably comfortably and fits in just about every situation, even as a dress watch. The BB58 is an amazing non gaudy dive watch that is in par with its stable mate rolex.
I'm using the spirit 40mm which lots of people in the forum already know since i've shared a lot about it but i would like to own the 37mm one especially the champagne dial. They've released months after i bought mine btw. I've posted a topic about what piece can be an alternative to a spirit a few days ago. There are also very good alternatives, but for me an everyday all-condition watch should check all the boxes, including a lume but for me more importantly comfortness of the watch. As a work habit, i'm always taking a look in UX perspective initially for everything, so get a Spirit and never wear it off. Buuut! buy with the bracelet, it is super hard to find the original bracelet later. This is my suggestion :D And also please take a look to the Omega AT 150m 38mm dials :)
Longines all day, every day. However, your heart will lead you to the right watch. It's like Harry Potter picking his wand. lol
I own a Longines Moon Phase so I would go with the smooth Grand Seiko.
The only criteria being pieces that you LOVE, just pick the one you really want. Brand, model, similarity to something else, are all irrelevant to how much it is loved. It would be insane to rule out a watch you really want for an arbitrary, irrelevant reason, and would be reverting to checking boxes.
I really didn't even think of that way, but you're totally right. It's hard to break that train of thought, being everything in my collection needs to be perfectly different from one another - sometimes I think YouTube has warped my approach to collecting. Thanks @gbelleh !
Wholeheartedly agree with gbelleh, figure out what you love and go with that. Of the three I prefer the BB36. To me, it is a distinct watch from the BB58 and honestly, I find it better looking than the Explorer I and would buy it 100 times out of a 100 if I had to make the choice.
Another good everyday piece is the IWC Pilots 36. Stunner of a watch and can be picked up relatively affordable on the second hand or grey market.
It's funny - I've been keeping my distance from IWC, but only because it feels so refined and having one for me would feel like wearing my dad's clothes to school, like, am I truly worthy lol. However, I will be researching this piece, it's beautiful
It's very refreshing to hear that you think the BB36 and the BB58 are uniquely different because I feel the same way. Even the black dials of both are very different, the BB58 has a touch of gray, and the 36 is inkier, not to mention, I just love them. Thank's for the help @AllTheWatches !
For the styling choice, I would pick Grand Seiko (or Longines) as it would be less chance for you to decide which to wear for you.
Casual situation can go with both.. BB58 with more rucket situation while these can be worn in a more dress up situation.
However, it is you who live with the choice you make, so go what whichever in mind (or 3 of them 😜)
My heart tells me all three of them too! But I think my Wife has a bug out bag ready to go she sees more than 1 watch delivery this time lol 🤣
Variety adds that spice of owning a watch collection. I have seen some celebrity or rich people YouTube videos showing their collection of 5 Rolex Daytonas and other 5 Pateks or same thing more or less. The watch box should be like a box of chocolates, it should surprise or excite you every time you open it. Go with something different that you don’t have and would love to wear.
That's interesting, I was chatting with a friend about this very topic and he pointed out a similar thing, but I like your observation much better, you don't bat an eye at a collection of 5 Daytonas and/or 5 Patek's, at least not in the same way a smaller, less iconic collection might feel redundant to the same onlooker.
Any of the three watches in the poll would fill up my heart, thanks for the advice @Half_Life and I think a trip to the AD, getting some of this metal on the wrist will help too! (and now I want a box of chocolates)
My heart tells me all three of them too! But I think my Wife has a bug out bag ready to go she sees more than 1 watch delivery this time lol 🤣
I feel you bro 😅😅
I like the light dial of the Longines to balance out the 58, but you couldn't go wrong with any of those (or the kickass suggestions that others have made).
There’s a bunch of factors here. First off, I don’t think its crazy to own the BB36 and the BB58. I did for awhile and I loved both. They are pretty different. The 36 is smaller, has a smooth bezel and has a more modern overall design vs the 58.
The BB36 is a good amount smaller than that Grand Seiko. Also the GS has a date, better finishing and Spring Drive. The Longines is great but I find that I prefer the design of the Tudor. But the Longines does have a better movement and a date window if you want that. Overall, if you are okay with the bigger size, the GS is the best watch of the bunch. If the GS is too big, it’s personal preference between the other two. The Tudor has its brand heritage, looks better to me and has no date if you want that. The Longines still has great heritage and has a date if you want that.
Go with your heart. I kept trying to fit a chrono into my "expensive" watch collection only to realize Im not really a chrono guy haha. Divers and everyday watches are just my thing. Having two of the same brand doesnt matter. The black bay line is hard to resist overall, all models.
Before you choose the Longines, have a look at the Longines Silver Arrow. It’s a great piece that’s been living in my head rent free for quite a while now.
I’ve never had an opportunity to see an AT in the metal - I would really like to see how it fits, my 38mm watches have historically been 43-45mm lug to lug so the overall feel is quite different. I have a feeling Omega nails it. thanks for the suggestion, i know I need to dive deeper in their catalog!
Since you didn't say BB58 Blue, I'm guessing it's black. If you are only going to have four watches, I'd avoid two black Black Bays or really any other black watch. So, given the choices, the Longines Spirit...which also happens to be gorgeous.
@Wimzard Without thinking about how to solve the three watch puzzle, which one do you like best?
it’s the BB36 every time - I love the other watches in the poll, but the Tudor just has some magical appeal!
The only criteria being pieces that you LOVE, just pick the one you really want. Brand, model, similarity to something else, are all irrelevant to how much it is loved. It would be insane to rule out a watch you really want for an arbitrary, irrelevant reason, and would be reverting to checking boxes.
I don't think anyone can say it any better
it’s the BB36 every time - I love the other watches in the poll, but the Tudor just has some magical appeal!
I'd say go for the BB36 then, to me liking the watch is way more important than a balanced collection. If you end up with a BB58, BB36 and BB Pro combo - that's great too.
I've owned 2 Grand Seiko pieces. They are are awesome
I’ve interacted with the snowflake in the metal, and I found it absolutely mesmerizing! I know I want one in the roll, but man, there catalog is enormous!
Since you didn't say BB58 Blue, I'm guessing it's black. If you are only going to have four watches, I'd avoid two black Black Bays or really any other black watch. So, given the choices, the Longines Spirit...which also happens to be gorgeous.
It is gorgeous! to me it doesn’t read SO pilot-y that you couldn’t rock it as a dressed up piece or in some jeans and shirt - very versatile. Longines has been crushing it.
I'd say go for the BB36 then, to me liking the watch is way more important than a balanced collection. If you end up with a BB58, BB36 and BB Pro combo - that's great too.
I agree - I think I’ve watched a video too many on YouTube about watch collecting. this stuff never used to cross my mind until these big channels started hitting my feed lol
I'd pick the Longines Spirit, but I'm biased, because I own one - the 40mm, though, black dial. But you just can't go wrong with any Spirit as long as it fits you. It's incredibly versatile, beautifully finished, and a spec-monster to boot.
The only criteria being pieces that you LOVE, just pick the one you really want. Brand, model, similarity to something else, are all irrelevant to how much it is loved. It would be insane to rule out a watch you really want for an arbitrary, irrelevant reason, and would be reverting to checking boxes.
I agree 1000% but just to share my thoughts I’d take the BB 36 out of the running and choose between the Longines Spirit 37 & the GS SBGA285 - but that’s just me, choose whatever will make you the most happy regardless of everyone else’s opinion 🤘🏼