SOTC - I may be done
I know it's a dangerous thing to claim you are done, but I'm having a hard time seeing where I would go from here. I feel like I have all my bases covered, and any upgrades I would make would be at price points that just don't make sense to someone in my position in life.
- NOMOS Club Campus 38 Future Orange - I like having a pop of color and orange is a fun accent. I previously had an orange Seiko Samurai and loved the color but not the watch. I upgraded to this, and I couldn't be happier. I know a lot of people hate the long lugs, but they make the watch wear bigger which is good for my 8" wrist. I like that I can dress this up but still have it be fun. Or wear it on a fabric strap and give a fun pop to a casual outfit. The only things I could see myself upgrading this to are in entirely different brackets. Perhaps one of the bright colored Omega Aqua Terras or Rolex OP's would do the same job, but neither speak to me in the same way. The biggest issue with this one is my wife likes to wear it.
- Tudor Pelagos FXD - This has been my grail for a long time. Since I got rid of my Seiko Samurai, I didn't feel like I had a diver that was modern. I debated between this and an Omega Seamaster 300 Professional for a while. But after trying on the Omega I realized it wasn't for me. Even on the rubber it felt much more blingy and dressy than what I wanted in a diver. If I wanted a diver to be a GADA and work with anything from a suit to the beach, that would be the pick. But I wanted a much more tool looking watch and this is the best I've found. This is becoming my almost everyday piece.
- Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT - This has been my everyday watch since I got it (until the Pelagos arrived). It's a strap monster. It's got a useful complication (I don't travel a ton, but need to check UTC time often). It's a size that works on almost all wrists. It takes inspiration from a lot of watches I like (Omega Aqua Terra, Explorer 2, GS SBGN) without being a homage to any of them. This could handle any activity I'm likely to do and can be dressed up enough to work in any situation I find myself in (I haven't been to a black tie event in more than 20 years). I could possibly consider upgrading to the Explorer 2, but honestly the Mercedes hands and cyclops are not things I enjoy and I don't want to get a Rolex just to have a Rolex. The more sensible upgrade would be the GS SBGN005, but that's a big upgrade cost for a very similar look and 19mm lug width (there goes the strap versatility).
- Bulova MIL-SHIPS - I love this watch. I love vintage watches, but I always feel like I have to be extra careful when wearing one. I love vintage inspired divers (Black Bay 58, Omega Seamaster 300, Blancpain 50 Fathoms Barakuda, etc). But those are all very much vintage inspired. I look at those and I can tell they are a modern watch. The MIL-SHIPS is different. I strap that on and I feel like I'm wearing a watch that came out in the late 50's. The 16mm lug width, the unique operation of the bezel, and everything about it feels old. But unlike a vintage watch I don't need to baby it. I've thought about getting a Tornek-Rayville as a replacement, but I'd be spending 2x what I paid for this to get almost an identical watch with 20mm lug width and 99.9% of people would think I'm wearing the same thing.
- Casio G-Shock GWM5610-1 - This is my absolute beater. Going to the driving range, I put this on. Going to be doing house work or yard work, this goes on. I don't wear it that often, but it's great to have and always shows the correct time in watch box when I need to set a watch. I can't imagine upgrading this unless it dies.
- Swatch Flattention SFB106G - My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, gifted me in December of 2000. It was our first Christmas as a couple. She was an avid Swatch collector and this was my first watch as an adult. I haven't worn it in a decade or more (I was a smaller man 22 years ago). But I keep the battery in it refreshed and I like that I still have it.
- Caravelle Sea Hunter - This is a vintage watch from the late 60's or early 70's. It has been serviced and the dial was re-lumed. I had the bezel removed. It very much feels like a vintage Tudor Ranger or 1016 Explorer. At 36.5mm it's about as small as I feel comfortable with wearing on an 8" wrist. I'd love to have a 36mm 1016 Explorer, but I could never justify wearing a vintage watch worth that much. I'd love a vintage Tudor Ranger, but they are almost all 34mm and I just can't pull it off. This is a great vintage option that is still affordable enough where you don't fear wearing it.
- Tudor 1926 41mm - This was my first "Luxury" Watch. I am in love with the dial. I bought it as a more dress piece, but after having it a while I realized it was pretty versatile. I've put it on pass through nylon straps and even rubber straps and worn it casually. Without lume it can't really be a GADA, but it's close. If I had to take one watch on a vacation this would be it. I'd bring a shell cordovan NATO and a single pass through nylon strap and could wear it by the pool in the day and with a jacket at night. If I was ever going to replace it, it would be with a JLC Master Control. That would fill the dressy need, but I'd lose a lot of the versatility of the Tudor. I don't think it's likely to happen.
- Bulova Lunar Pilot - I have the wrist to pull this off. I love the story behind the watch. I love that it's quartz to avoid service costs. The obvious upgrade here is a Speedmaster, but I don't know that I can justify spending that much on a watch for very limited wear. I just don't wear this that often. I do think it's versatile and have dressed it up (it looks amazing on an Artem Sailcloth Strap). But I mainly keep it on a Nick Mankey Hook strap and wear it casually. My favorite use for it is actually timing "Extra Time" when I'm watching soccer matches. If there was one watch to upgrade this would be it, but I'd have an awfully hard time justifying the cost of a mechanical chronograph, plus the associated service costs.
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Andrew
Mid 40's. Trying to keep a well curated, small collection.
Seattle
Member since
Last active: 3 days ago
7.75” / 19.69 cm
Great collection! No reason to add to it if you don’t get the itch.
mmm... see you in five years.... wait a minute... you are here? We are not tricked...
You can't stop at 9 - 10 would be much better😀
What about something in gold? Both the 1926 and sea hunter would pass with a suit. Are there times when you want just a little bling? I have the Orient Bambino 38 in gold and it is so nice.
That’s a great collection, and you seem really pleased with what you’ve got. Congratulations on reaching the end of your watch buying journey.
It’s just…we’ll, buying as many watches as you have isn’t really a rational thing, and I say that as somebody who has at least that many. And even if it were, unless you stop paying attention to the watch world all together, there’s always something else out there that will call to you. But hey, what do I know?
So you’ve either reached the end of your watch journey (congratulations!) or you haven’t (congratulations!); either way there’s something to be excited about.
I don't see an Omega.
It's a great collection and it's lovely to see that you didn't fall into the all black dial divers collection trap.
It’s a solid collection! Your at a great point in your watch journey.
Now you get to kick back and enjoy what you have and be picky about what you even consider to be a new addition.
No Hurries, No Worries!
Wonderful collection. I appreciate the write up and history of each watch with your review.
This is a fantastic collection. Enjoy it thoroughly and if another piece catches your eye that makes sense, great. If not, you’re doing well regardless my friend.
I can assure you that the JLC Master Control is an amazing dress watch!
Solid collection!
Great collection. I really like the fact that every watch got a reason why it's in your collection. I think you couldn't have done it in a better way.
A quick question to the Nomos. I'm looking for an orange dial watch for quiet some time and I always end up with the Skx011 and the Nomos. But the problem I've got with the Nomos is the seconds hand. I don't like the fact that it's in a different tone of orange. I've saw it in person only once for a short time. Most of the time I only saw photos. So I'm asking myself the question whether the different tone looks perfectly fine in the real world or if it's something that is bothering.
Great Collection! How about a nice Flieger from Stowa or Sinn? :)
Great collection. I really like the fact that every watch got a reason why it's in your collection. I think you couldn't have done it in a better way.
A quick question to the Nomos. I'm looking for an orange dial watch for quiet some time and I always end up with the Skx011 and the Nomos. But the problem I've got with the Nomos is the seconds hand. I don't like the fact that it's in a different tone of orange. I've saw it in person only once for a short time. Most of the time I only saw photos. So I'm asking myself the question whether the different tone looks perfectly fine in the real world or if it's something that is bothering.
I like it in the different color, it makes the watch look a little sportier. When I was shopping for my Tudor I was considering the Club Campus Neomatik 39 in silver. It's the same basic design, but has a second hand that matches the others. That watch reads as much dressier than the ones that has the second hand in a different color.
HaHaHa...that is the evil nature of this hobby. You are NEVER done! Sell, buy, trade...must have that one, must have this.... No, it never ends my friend....never!
That bezel-less sea hunter looks solid. share a few up close pics please? Seems like it perfectly nails the 1016 look, plus the 666, it is killa!
That bezel-less sea hunter looks solid. share a few up close pics please? Seems like it perfectly nails the 1016 look, plus the 666, it is killa!
Here it is on a unlined cordovan strap.
That's a great watch collection.
Beautiful collection, but it needs a Timex. lol
I was looking at Expedition North Titanium the other day. But I previously owned a Boldr Venture, and ended up almost never wearing it. Every time I thought about putting it on, I'd grab something else instead.
Here it is on a unlined cordovan strap.
Thanks buddy! What a watch :)
apologies for unsolicited opinion: i’d gift the Nomos to the wife + buy her that Cartier Tank, keep only the FXD, Swatch and Caravelle, sell the rest to fund one nice piece.
I was looking at Expedition North Titanium the other day. But I previously owned a Boldr Venture, and ended up almost never wearing it. Every time I thought about putting it on, I'd grab something else instead.
I hear you! I'm in the same boat, but can't let any of them go. lol
Great collection!
now that you’ve finished “filling slots”, you can move onto buying watches that just interest you! No more reasoning or justification here😅
where to go? Maybe more color diversity? Green face?
Knowing when you have attained the collection you wanted at the beginning is a good place to be. I reached it recently, and am thrilled.
One thing I have done to keep focused is to avoid the influence of advertising. The goal of all advertising is to create artificial dissatisfaction within you while trying to convince you that their product is the solution. But remember, advertising can be both clearly overt (billboards, commercials, print ads, etc), or covert (product placement designed to subtly influence you, YouTube videos with an advertising agenda when framed as an ‘independent review’, etc). I feel covert advertising to be source of more endless chasing and lost money than any individual watch purchased because it keeps people on an invisible treadmill of dissatisfaction.
I suggest unsubscribing to almost all YouTube watch channels to avoid the covert advertising influence. It’s pretty easy to identify these channels if you look at them critically. The big sign is channels that constantly review watches provided by the manufacturer, yet almost never have anything negative in the review. Or, channels from watch dealers that a seem to push their brands or watches from their store. I unsubscribed from almost all my watch related YouTube channel, only keeping WatchCrunch and UptickWatchReviews. I kept these because the content isn’t a sales pitch and always solid. You may have similar favorites. The point is to eliminate YouTube channels that are covert advertising, because again, the goal of all advertising is to create dissatisfaction with what you already have. I still love some of the channels I unsubscribed to, Federico being on top of that category. But I feel that his earlier content was much more solid and over the last few years it has become more covert advertising, imho. I believe that most Watch collectors become dissatisfied and are forever chasing the perfect collection because of the influence of advertising.
I also suggest that if you think you think you no longer want a watch in your collection, set it aside for an extended time and don’t even look at it. I’ve found that when I thought I wanted to trade in a watch, time away has made me appreciate it again when I do this and I’ve always decided to keep the piece. Always remember, aside from very few brands and models, selling or trading is a money loss - a bit like cars.
Enjoy the mountain top of having a satisfying collection!
Great collection! I would say the only additional watch to add would be a nice dress watch.
Maybe when you get to that next milestone you want to celebrate.
Great collection! Very thoughtful. I wish you luck when it comes to quitting. 😉
Love the collection!
Its not a box full stop messing with my OCD 🤣
Its not a box full stop messing with my OCD 🤣
Sorry CDO that's in the right order 😉