SOTC end of 2023

Since many people are recaping their year and showing their collection, I feel proud to show mine as I finally feel happy about it.

I had a 10 watches collection in the middle of the year, as the watch bug bit me hard and I wanted a lot of everything, sometimes just for the sake of having.

Fortunately, I sold some of my watches that I had to make myself wear from time to time, sometimes not even once a month, just to not feel bad about the purchase. Luckily, I sold them at a 10% loss, so I see it as a “rent” I paid for having them:)

Now I stick to the 7 you see here, although I only wear 4 of them in a rotation.

I only wear the following 4 watches:

My daily beater, an 8mm thick casioak, insane specs, beautiful sunburst dial (which now I see is not visible on this particular picture) and a budget watch.

A Vostok Amphibia that I bought as a birthday present to myself and because I have some personal connection to the brand considering the military past of my family in USSR.

This Mysterious Code chrono that I got at a great price, beautiful dial, thin, polished as a mirror, precise (Seiko VK63 I believe), good water resistance (although I dont wear in water). Usually worn when I want to either elevate an outfit a little or am already wearing something smart casual.

And this PRX that I purchased yesterday for Christmas on second hand market for 130$, box, papers and a receipt 🧾 and still on warranty for another year. I will make it my daily watch once I take it to ultrasonic cleaning (an advice I got) to clean it and maybe polish to take the scratches away? what would you guys do? Overall I feel like it is a great catch for that money. The dial is perfect.

Now, for really formal occasions, if I wear warm tone classical clothes I will pair it with this beaty that my girlfriend will gift my in 2 days fot Christmas.

I also have a last year’s Christmas gift from my girlfriend (she clearly knows I like watches). Love this GShock, Casioak (although the one I’ve shown before is the real casioak IMHO). Only wear it if I am going to do some outdoor activities or with a hoodie. Still a must have in any collection, this one stays 4ever.

And the last, and actually the least, the one that I never wear but will never sell is this Fossil HR Hybrid. Just love the technology, the lumed hands, classy look, and a screen inside the dial where I can put any picture. It works as any smarwatch, with notifications, sports modes, health tracking and multimedia controls, but is only operated with buttons (like a chrono) and the battery life is more than 3 weeks. I got it on sale for like 80 bucks so it’s just a cool piece I wanted to have, also considering I am quite young and well into tech, it amazed me from the technological point of view.

And that would he my collection for now, I was also thinking about something for my BDay, I had a PRX powermatic in mind but since I already have the quartz one I think I might go for something else.

There are so many brands, however, thanks to this year I understood that when u r on a budget, its better to spend a little more, or look for a good deal on a 300$+ watch, then to buy multiple watches for a 100$ and not end up loving them and just have them sit in the box.

I appreciate any comment or suggestions you might have for my next watch! Bare in mind although my wrist is 7,3” I am 6’6” with long arms so I cant wear bulky watches, 12mm thickness is my absolute max.

Thank you if you made it this far in my post, I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Illya