2023 Year End SOTC

Hi WatchCrunch peeps. Just want to share my very small 6 watch collection (not sure if it even qualifies as a collection) and why I chose these timepieces.

TLDR:

1. Casio F91W

2. Swatch Clearly Black Striped

3. Seiko SPB-243 J1

4. Omega Aqua Terra 41mm

5. A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Automatik

6. Omega Constellation Piepan

Casio F91W

A small gift from a loved one and my newest watch, this F-91W brings me back to my grade school days when I thought the F-87W was one of the coolest watches under the sun. It’s surprisingly very comfortable, and I find myself using the stop watch far more than I thought I would.

Swatch Clearly Black Striped

I had the Swatch that was the predecessor to this when I was in middle school. It was the Swatch Jelly Fish (Ref. GK100) and was my first “grown-up watch”. I wore that watch till I completely destroyed it. Although I don’t wear the watch at all, it’s a fun homage back to a more carefree time in my life.

Seiko SPB-243 J1 (38.5mm)

There are few Seikos that have caught my eye but when I saw this Laurel Alpinist inspired sub-collection (not the actual reimagined Laurel), I knew this would be a great daily driver for me. It’s muted brownish gray dial and dauphine hands with a matching third party NATO strap (the watch comes with a stainless steel bracelet) is something that is as home with a pair of jeans as it is with matching office attire.

Omega Aqua Terra (41mm)

This was a gift to myself after my last promotion at work. This watch is an absolute strap monster and I find myself alternating between the factory stainless steel bracelet in the summer, navy blue alligator leather in fall and spring and a blue rubber strap for the winter.

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Automatik (38.5mm)

I’ve been eyeing the Saxonia line since 2008’ish (And the Lange 1 for years prior) and have always hoped to get this when the time was right.

The dial balance, finishing and attention to detail is everything you’d expect from an ALS.

1962 Omega Constellation Piepan (34.5mm)

This is the watch that started it all for me. My father’s watch. Gifted it to him by my grandfather. All stainless steel. Original dial, case and movement. I was just a few years of age when I first noticed this watch. I have loved it ever since.

My father gifted this to me in 2022. It is the watch that means the most to me.

Looking Ahead

I see a Cartier in my sights for 2024. The Santos Dumont in all stainless to be more specific. Or maybe in two tone… Or maybe a pristine Cartier Roadster. Or maybe a vintage find.

Either way, it’s going to be a slow burn from here on out. Just one timepiece a year.