My Collection 2023
Hi Crunchers,
I think now would be a good time for my first SOTC here 😊
I've been into watches for decades, and have always had more than one at a time. So for me a SOTC is really just a snapshot of a collection that is probably never going to be "finished".
That being said, the last 3 years, I've been building my collection to it's current state according to a few rough guidelines (I guess that's due to the kind of guy I am, I like order 😂):
Mechanical movement
Three-hander
Steel bracelet or band
Wearable daily
Duality (one dark dial and one light dial, in a similar style)
Obviously everyone goes at their collection in their own personal way, this is what makes it fun for me personally, and also narrows it down a bit as not to get overwhelmed by the crazy amount of different watches out there.
Since the duality is my favorite part of my collection, I decided to present the watches in groups of 2, that kind of belong together 😉
First my two divers:
Seiko Marine Master 200 "Steelmaster" (SPB185J1)
Tag Heuer Aquaracer 41mm (WBD2111.BA0928)
These two big boys are both very well made and their wearability surprises me again every time. Enjoy wearing them, especially in summer and at the lakes. I'm normally not a big cyclops fan, but on the Aquaracer it doesn't seem to bother me.
Next my two toolwatches:
Sinn 556i (556.010)
Omega Seamaster Railmaster (220.10.40.20.06.001)
These two are the watches I probably wear the most. They're a pleasure to wear, reliable and quite casual. The Sinn has a super inky black dial, whereas the Railsmasters dial is basically a different color every time you look at it.
On to the vintage (-inspired):
Seiko Prospex Alpinist (SPB197J1)
Omega Bumper Automatic from 1950
I have both these on flex bands, because of the vintage flair and the supreme comfort. The Seiko isn't really vintage, but I feel the hands and overall look make it look a bit vintage. The Omega is from a coin store in Portugal, they didn't know what to do with it and had it serviced by a retired watchmaker a year earlier. I'd consider this a lucky buy 😉. I'd still consider selling it in the future, since I have a different watch in mind for this slot.
The next two are my somewhat fancier looking watches:
Seiko Dresskx modded (SRPE53K1)
Tudor Glamour Date Day (56000-0005)
These two are quite different, but are a bit fancier due to their bracelets. The Tudor is definitely a hidden gem, well made, nice day date complication and relatively good price. The Dresskx has been on the chopping block for a while, but I somehow can't get myself to finally sell it. Maybe I enjoy the modding part. It will, however, leave the collection once I get it's replacement.
The classical watches:
Stowa Partitio (Limited Blue)
Nomos Tangente (164)
I would consider these two my German/Bauhaus watches. Both excellent quality, both very nice to wear. Have to be a tad careful with these, because of the 5bar WR, since I have a little daughter 😍. I do really enjoy wearing them and am happy they're in the collection.
The last two are my family watches:
Tag Heuer Carrera (WBN2013.BA0640)
Junkers Bauhaus (6060-5)
These two are the closest to my heart, since they are both connected to the two women in my life. The Carrera I wore when my daughter was born and the Junkers is the first watch the love of my life bought me when we first started dating. These two will stay in the collection forever 😉
So that's my collection at the moment. I have two watches I'd like to get in midterm, but work on a strict one-in-one-out policy 💸
Thanks for reading this, if you got this far 🍻
Let me know, if you have any questions about any of my watches, or would just like to let me know what you think about my collection.
Greetings from Munich!
Lovely collection. Enjoy them all in good health
Intresting read, love how you have buddy them up.
What a great collection. I like the idea of light and dark complimentary pairings.
Do you wear each of the pairings for specific activities/situations, or just rotate through the collection from day to day?
Also, why no leather? I have a couple with bracelets, but I find myself constantly fiddling with the links as they are too tight or too loose.
Great backstory. Thank you for sharing. I recommend adding a Glashütte Original. You can even easily travel to the store in Dresden I think.
What a great collection. I like the idea of light and dark complimentary pairings.
Do you wear each of the pairings for specific activities/situations, or just rotate through the collection from day to day?
Also, why no leather? I have a couple with bracelets, but I find myself constantly fiddling with the links as they are too tight or too loose.
Some new bands have a push button micro adjust of a little over a link. New GO has as does my IWC yacht club
Some new bands have a push button micro adjust of a little over a link. New GO has as does my IWC yacht club
I’d love a GO one day!
On the bracelets, maybe I just fiddle too much. I got a pre-owned Monta Noble, which is said to have the most adjustable of all; yet I still can’t make my mind up on the links!
What a great collection. I like the idea of light and dark complimentary pairings.
Do you wear each of the pairings for specific activities/situations, or just rotate through the collection from day to day?
Also, why no leather? I have a couple with bracelets, but I find myself constantly fiddling with the links as they are too tight or too loose.
Thanks 🙏
Yeah, I wear what I feel like wearing each day (although I have a few specific reasons for some of the watches).
I used to have loads of leather straps, but find myself gravitating towards steel now. Just a preference, I guess, but some steel bracelets and straps do have micro adjust and on-the-fly adjustment options that make it better to wear.
Great backstory. Thank you for sharing. I recommend adding a Glashütte Original. You can even easily travel to the store in Dresden I think.
GO are pretty nice, could imagine one in the collection in the future. But I have two other somewhat pricey purchases planned first, so might be a while ;)
You mean the Aquaracer or the Carrera?
I’d love a GO one day!
On the bracelets, maybe I just fiddle too much. I got a pre-owned Monta Noble, which is said to have the most adjustable of all; yet I still can’t make my mind up on the links!
I also think it depends on the watch and how it wears. With some it's important to have a perfect fit, with some it's okay if the bracelet isn't 100%. Also it's a matter of just getting used to it, I guess
I love collections like these where every watch has a backstory and some thought behind it! Very nicely done, hope you enjoy it for a long time!
Fantastic collection, with an interesting background.
Kind of like the Black and White Cookie of watch collections! I’ll leave now 😏
Nice collection my friend 👌
Thanks. I enjoyed reading your summary
Great write-up! The “duality” criterion is a unique and cool way to build a collection- I like it.
Very nice collection indeed 👍
Funny how you mention the DressKX. I have the 57 with a Strapcode Jubilee and I feel the ezact same way you do. Then again a hairline scratch right in the middle of the Hardlex crystal doesn't help. 🤣
It's strange, isn't it... It is a pretty good watch, all things considered, and for a little extra cash and some fiddling, you can change some of the details to exactly what you want. Have you considered swapping the crystal for a sapphire? 💪
Very nice watches, love your style.
Great collection. I love the variety across multiple price points. Wear them in good health.
I particularly like the Sinn, and as it happens I own exactly the same Alpinist. If you are interested I recently did a SOTC 4 video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlkRZhdaa58
Man that Stowa is absolutely stunning. Really beautiful and it looks very versatile as well!
Man that Stowa is absolutely stunning. Really beautiful and it looks very versatile as well!
Yeah, it sure is a beaut. Change the Milanese for a brown suede leather strap and it looks completely different. Plus it's quite rare, as far as I can see
I particularly like the Sinn, and as it happens I own exactly the same Alpinist. If you are interested I recently did a SOTC 4 video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlkRZhdaa58
Nice collection! Yeah the Sinn is such a great watch. definitely too plain for some, but for me it's the ultimate tool watch. Even wear it when I'm changing my cars tires etc. that's how solid it feels 💪 Really like your BB36 😍 Have been stalking around one of those for a while, but can't decide if the 36mm size is the right one for me.
It's strange, isn't it... It is a pretty good watch, all things considered, and for a little extra cash and some fiddling, you can change some of the details to exactly what you want. Have you considered swapping the crystal for a sapphire? 💪
I've wanted to swap for sapphire, just moved to a new state and need to find a watchmaker to assist. I know I could get the tools but it would really just be for this one job. Still trying to get to know this watch. I agree it is a fanstastic watch and a lot of fun, just having a hard time connecting to it.
I've wanted to swap for sapphire, just moved to a new state and need to find a watchmaker to assist. I know I could get the tools but it would really just be for this one job. Still trying to get to know this watch. I agree it is a fanstastic watch and a lot of fun, just having a hard time connecting to it.
Fair enough. I can also recommend swapping the case back to something slimmer, that helped improve the wearability a lot for me.
This is a very nice collection. You covered the most popular groups: bauhaus, Swiss, German, Japanese, vintage, tool and dress. Maybe add a Hanhart for a flieger, and/or Tudor Black Bay GMT if you want - Otherwise it’s a great collection as is.
This is a very nice collection. You covered the most popular groups: bauhaus, Swiss, German, Japanese, vintage, tool and dress. Maybe add a Hanhart for a flieger, and/or Tudor Black Bay GMT if you want - Otherwise it’s a great collection as is.
I actually have a white Hanhart Preventor9 on my shortlist if the Vintage Omega finds a new loving owner 😉
You happy with your Preventor9?
Great collection.
Small update to my SOTC: the Bumper Omega is now up for sale and my Longines Spirit 37mm is now part of the collection ✨
So far so finished for 2023, however, there is a possibility the Nomos will shrink down to 35mm 😉
Very satisfying symmetry! My brain respects the sense of order 🙂