What’s your Origin Story? The Watch That Started it All.
I’ve loved watches most of my adult life, albeit affordable watches you could find in Walmart/the mall. Nearly 15 years ago I picked up a Timex Expedition at my local Walmart for $35. It was mounted on a comfy Velcro strap that - after daily wear - eventually lost its ability to close securely. This set me on a path to find a new watch strap as a replacement and I stumbled upon Clockwork Synergy. Long story short, I ended up with 10 nato straps and the obsession ensued.
That’s the quick and dirty on my obsession. What’s your rabbit-hole-watch that started you in the hobby. Bonus points for photos of the watch that were taken at the time of ownership.
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Aaron
It started with a Timex Expedition. Baltimore, Maryland.
Baltimore, MD, USA
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
My great grandfather's Waltham pocket watch was the beginning of my downfall ... I mean love of watches 🤣
My great grandfather's Waltham pocket watch was the beginning of my downfall ... I mean love of watches 🤣
That’s an excellent Origin Story! Love this.
#timex weekender about 8y ago when I stopped working (role change) in a clean room all day (no watches allowed in a clean room). I started the hobby/obsession with that.
Like 30 or so (all <$1000) watches later she still runs 🦾
Hmm… I feel like this could be my supervillain origin story 🧐
I did a piece about it many moons ago.
Rolex Datejust
This Seiko started it all.
This was my engagement watch, my wedding watch, and my university graduation watch.
Given by my uncle when I turned 18
I bought 2 Timex and had a 3rd gifted to me throughout my teens. When Shinola was a pretty new company I bought one of their Runwell watches for I think $600. At that time I thought spending $600 on a watch was wild, but I had gotten a nice bonus from my work and decided to treat myself. Wore that watch for many, many years. I eventually got curious about other watches and after too much Googling I ended up with a Khaki Automatic 38mm. Shortly after the Hamilton I started accumulating watches.
Great thread idea!
40th birthday. Had worn a gold tone Seiko (wedding gift) for 15 years. Decided to get a “good watch”
Began researching why Timex was $15.00 and Rolex $5,000.
Rabbit hole open!
Ended up with the 1st gen Omega Planet Ocean (this was 2006). Fell in love with the brand, moon story, etc. $3300 retail, got it at an AD discount of $2500. A lot then, feels like a steal now. Lots have come and gone since, but this will always be a favorite.
Cheers, Dave
A friend introduced me to mechanical watches in the 80s. When the first ads of the new Seamasters came out, I was sold immediatly. Had to save my money for three years to buy one. This month it's exactly 30 years with the Omega Seamaster Chrono Diver. It was my only watch for almost 20 years - till the bug got me. 😉
I put on a Radioactive watch and from there on. I became Watchman. Hehe
It was my Sarb017 Alpinist that started it all for me.
Which is upgraded to my Grail Grand Seiko SBGN009.
Now it’s Watch Bracelet and Straps.
I was lucky enough to inherit this one from my dad when I started my career in automotive sales, I always loved and respected watches but from a distance, after years of comments and compliments from clients and colleagues alike I started to wonder if I hadn’t been missing out by not investing more time in this hobby/passion/discipline slowly but surely I got to the point where I spend money I don’t have on watches I can’t afford with 0 regrets not considering the time spent researching and exploring (outside my work hours of course) when I could be generating more streams of income. It’s a rabbit hole alright that’s for sure ..
This was the first one
This Seiko was the beginning of the end
This Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Spider was the final nail in the coffin. I'm stuck with this until I die
The one that started it all 2 years ago and now
Great question
Admiring my late fathers two tone champagne dial datejust on a jubilee.
He wore it for decades and that attracted me to watches. I couldn’t afford anything that fancy for many years and didn’t want anything that was less than this.
Sadly he passed away early in life and that watch along with many other Rolex watches we had to sell.
A few years ago I decided I had enough money to splash out on a luxury watch and after so much research and deliberating I decided on my Glashutte seventies panorama date. It’s an ode to him and I love that watch dearly.
I didn’t feel the need to have a Rolex just a watch that reminds me of him and that watch has been perfect. Sadly I continue to find reasons to buy more
I don't have the watch with me ATM, but it was a Bertucci A-2S that I found. I started researching about Bertucci, and that led to more curiosity about watches, which led to a watch purchase, then more research, another purchase, more research, on and on!! It's been fun, and discovering this site has added to the fun and my knowledge! EDIT: @squarestanley I recently discovered Clockwork Synergy, too, and have been impressed with their watch bands. Quality is great and they have great prices!
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I posted about this at the end of last year. How it Started vs How it's Going.
I always had watches as a kid, but slowly fell off. I had later had a watch revival as an adult, brought on by newer versions of the Casio F91w and the Timex Camper that I had in childhood. So I guess I came full-circle. Casio and Timex will always be touchstone brads for me.
@Trapvision3d I’ve always been curious about the watch that started it all for you
#timex weekender about 8y ago when I stopped working (role change) in a clean room all day (no watches allowed in a clean room). I started the hobby/obsession with that.
Like 30 or so (all <$1000) watches later she still runs 🦾
I love it. Another Timex origin story!
Hmm… I feel like this could be my supervillain origin story 🧐
I’d be interested in seeing the film lol. The Timekeeper… The Screwed Crown… Diabolical Tsuyosa. The possibilities are endless.
I did a piece about it many moons ago.
Rolex Datejust
That’s a very dope piece. Still have it?
This Seiko started it all.
This was my engagement watch, my wedding watch, and my university graduation watch.
Given by my uncle when I turned 18
That’s a watch with a lot of meaning built into it. I’m sure it’s very special to you. Great watch!
I bought 2 Timex and had a 3rd gifted to me throughout my teens. When Shinola was a pretty new company I bought one of their Runwell watches for I think $600. At that time I thought spending $600 on a watch was wild, but I had gotten a nice bonus from my work and decided to treat myself. Wore that watch for many, many years. I eventually got curious about other watches and after too much Googling I ended up with a Khaki Automatic 38mm. Shortly after the Hamilton I started accumulating watches.
That’s a great entry into watches. Hamilton is definitely the gateway to luxury… I mean, at least they were for me.
That’s a great entry into watches. Hamilton is definitely the gateway to luxury… I mean, at least they were for me.
Hamilton was for sure my gateway to luxury.
That’s a very dope piece. Still have it?
I shure have👍
Oh that's clean👌
My great grandfather's Waltham pocket watch was the beginning of my downfall ... I mean love of watches 🤣
@ralland, that makes two of us. Opening up the caseback and seeing the movement was the beginning of... whatever this has become...
@ralland, that makes two of us. Opening up the caseback and seeing the movement was the beginning of... whatever this has become...
That's awesome! Love it!
Like many, many folk, for me it was a Timex ... that has been lost to time unfortunately. I was 6 or 7 years old. It was the 1960's. Get Smart was on TV, I was learning to ride my first 2-wheeled bicycle and I dreamed of going into space like the NASA astronauts.
I've pretty much owned a Timex watch of one sort or another ever since. Still love them and currently own a couple!
It was a watch like this from Temu. It cost $4 and kept time for about 2 weeks!
I loved it... then it died. Then I bought a Casio Duro. :D