SOTC 2023
I always had a bit of an interest in watches growing up, but never got seriously into it until my dad offered to buy me a watch as a graduation gift in 2014. After 6 months of research and dozens of trips to the local jewelers, I ended up with my beloved Nomos Ahoi.
For the longest time, that was my only watch "real" watch except for a quartz seiko titanium blue-faced chronograph I sadly threw out because the movement died and a watchmaker told me it would be cheaper to just buy a new quartz Seiko than replace it (regrets).
I bought the Braun in 2020 when my Nomos had to go in for its first service.
Unfortunately, the Nomos had to go in for a second time this year as it started running quite slow and its absence (nearly 6 months) led me on a wild goose chase in Tokyo to find another mechanical watch that I could rotate with it. I ended up coming home with the yellow Casioak and the Tudor North flag with the Tudor being my first ever "luxury watch" purchase.
It's funny - when I bought the North Flag, I was gushing over the legibility and pop of the dial as well as the dramatic styling of the case as a whole. I'll put up a full review of the North Flag somewhere down the line. I still do enjoy the Tudor, but now that I have my Nomos back, I can't help but feel the Nomos is "home" for me.
Better yet, after all the questing and spending this year, although I have a much deeper appreciation for watches in general, I have zero interest in adding another "luxury watch" to the collection for the time being. Hoping that feeling will continue for another 9 years.
What are your SOTC stories for the year?
Nomos Ahoi, Tudor North Flag, yellow casioak
Good collection! That Nomos definitely looks and feels like a great everyday watch.
Seeing your Braun, I want mine back which I dumped for the same reason you did your seiko… maybe I have a chance to try the ahoi sometime, especially the blue faced one sparked my interest. Great collection.
I'll take the North flag, it's my favourite Tudor. It would look better with a yellow frame on the date window I think.