Q: How did you get into watch collecting?
My first automatic watch was a Seiko Turtle SRPE95K1, which over time got me to think about swiss movements. Having then moved onto Steinharts, Squale, Tissot, Yema etc. I eventually received a Tudor as a wedding present from my MIL. I am truly a fan of mechanical movements, but hoping to streamline and refine my collection as I go along.
Q: What was the first watch you ever owned?
My first watch was a Swiss Army quartz field watch. I wore it until it broke; for my 18th birthday, my mother gave me another swiss army watch with a sapphire crystal and that stuck around for a little longer.
Q: Do you have a watch with a particularly interesting story behind it?
I acquired a Breitling Chronomat B01 42mm with a silver dial in Dec 2022. I bought it because I wanted a milestone watch to commemorate being liberated from being under a terrible manager for almost 7 years; I have effectively taken their place as head of the department. It is a watch that reminds me of the pits I had to pull myself out of, and the feeling I got when it was all over.
Q: What is one piece of advice you have for someone just getting into watches?
Buy what you like, but do plenty of homework before pulling the trigger. Also, not everyone needs watches of all genres, and sizing is a matter of personal taste; you do you!
Q: What brands have been getting your attention lately?
Breitling, Tudor, Zenith for the mid-to-upper echelon; Grand Seiko has been taking up plenty of bandwidth recently.
Q: What is your grail watch and why?
I won't consider it a "grail" because it will be more of a "milestone" watch - the Rolex 226570 Explorer II. It's the only modern Rolex which has not been overtly associated with the vulgarities of flex culture; the overall presentation is simply not that bling, and that fits the bill for me.
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