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The 2022 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club (WPAC).

316476 Views 6601 Replies 157 Participants Last post by  bth1234
The 2022 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club (WPAC).

Welcome to the 2022 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club, otherwise known as WPAC. This is the 6th year of WPAC, which was started at the beginning of 2017 to try and get myself and some other addicts out of a crazy buying/flipping cycle with watches, we were buying for the sake of it rather than for the appreciation of the watch itself, constantly chasing the next, new shiny watch or searching endlessly, fixated on some watch; generally, IMHO, a rather unhealthy behaviour.

So, what is the point of WPAC? Well, the aim is to abstain from purchasing watches. But that's a bit blunt really, the abstinence is a tool or a method to break the cycle of buying/flipping and become a discerning consumer of horology. Learning to appreciate what you have, understand what works for you with watches and think rationally about purchases, rather than emotionally. Or the ethos of less is more, as some have suggested the philosophy is here. Yes we still love watches, but as we all know we can be weak, so WPAC is a place to get help; here you can take solace from like minded people and get support and encouragement to stop impulse buying.

With those that stick around and make some commitment WPAC has been successful; for me it's certainly helped me break the buy/flip cycle and stop obsessing, so maybe it can help you.

In previous years we've had some rules, but this year there aren't going to be, there seems little point when we all have subtly (sometimes massively) different goals. If you are in serious horological trouble with buying then look back at the OP in previous WPAC threads, the rules should be a useful starting point if you want to get things under control or just shout out here to get some advice, it's what we're good at. Think of it like a clubhouse or a WUS subforum dedicated to being friendly, chatting about everything and anything and where you can find like minded watch fans.

Having said that, there is one rule I'd like everyone to adhere to; first post should be an intro with a SOTC picture (include everything, don't cheat) and some goals/aims for 2022. Whether you want to abstain completely, want to save for a special watch, just need to take control, slow things down or whatever, we'll be happy to have everyone. Just as long as you're clear on what your aims are.

Please participate in the thread, it's what makes it what it is. Any reasonable topic of conversation is acceptable and in fact welcomed.

Bashing of any potential purchases should still be a mandatory element, but let's keep it funny. Nuclear level bashing is required for any actual purchases.
Expect to be challenged by others if you're suggesting a purchase, whatever your personal goals/aims and expect to need to defend yourself.

.....and one last thing, we do occasionally get some trolls visiting, let's agree to not feed them.

Edit - clarification on enabling: this is a difficult one to deal with as WPAC has evolved such that we discuss watches, post pictures, etc., previously we tried not doing that but it didn't really work and as well despite the temptation provided by this individuals need to develop the control to not be tempted every 5 minutes by something. However, this year we seem to have a mixture of regulars and new participants, and some the latter are wanting to abstain. Hence please don't directly enable by suggesting watches......
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OK, like my Fitbit, I miss wearing a mechanical, proper watch. I've always worn one and it feels odd to not be wearing one. Having said that, it has been liberating to not have a watch to wear and the longer I go without one the less strange it is.......

So my intentions for 2022 is to buy a Tudor black bay 58 and I'll be generating the majority of the funds from sales of the watches mentioned above (and the ones I've sold already). This will be the only purchase of 2022, there will be no other watches in my collection. The Fitbit will act as a beater if required and the Tudor will be the daily watch, in fact the watch for everything. And that's it.

There's been the mental roadblock with the Tudor, as discussed ad nauseam on here and whilst I've been back and forth on this in my head it'll always be a mental struggle. I'm currently happy justifying it via the fact that I'll generate the majority of the funds from watch sales. And that buying (and keeping this watch….) this watch will satisfy me and I'll have a keeper…..

.......however, the BB58 isn't a done deal. I'm still not a 100% sold on needing it and in no hurry to buy. So I'll see how it goes.

I think that I'll spend less time generally on WUS, apart from WPAC, and watch sites.

I remember you sold your pelagos at one point, what will the bb58 do that your last tudor didnt?

Selling your entire collection is brave, good luck! :cool:
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Grüetzi everyone and hello from Switzerland!
SOTC in 2019: Tag Heuer Calibre 1 Limited, Baume et Mercier Clifton Club, Apple Watch 4
SOTC end 2021: 3 Omegas, Apple Watch 4
View attachment 16330384

However, I have decided to upgrade my first Omega (Seamaster 300 MC Titanium) to the new Seamaster 300 (black dial), and I have already placed the order with someone who can get this watch for me with a good discount. The new version will arrive in January, and then I will let go the older version (95% probability).

Goals for 2022 besides this exchange:
  • Spend less time on WUS, but increase the quality of my contributions
  • No more watches, and be happy with my 3 watches and various straps

Happy new year, Guys and many blessings for 2022!
I love your collection! It reminds me of mine.

Isnt going from a titanium seamaster to a steel seamaster a downgrade and not a upgrade? Even if the other is newer... I was really close to buying that model in the past, so i have a soft spot for it.

Your collection is exactly what i would have had if i was making more money 4 years ago

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Sotc
Seamaster gmt
Ceramic speedmaster
Midsize seamaster
60s dress seamaster
Stowa flieger

Last time i got into wpac i started tracking wrist time in a spreadsheet over a year, and i realised i was wearing my midsize 50% of the time , and everything else was sharing the last 50%, so i sold alot of my colection(and spent the money on a couple more omegas) . Now i know anything i buy is in direct competition with the midsize, its just a do it all watch, i went to the pool with it, went skiing, and its perfect with a suit too.

The speedmaster is nice when i want something shinier. The gmt is for when i feel like wearing something heavier, the 60s seamaster was my grandpas, and the stowa is my newest aquisition, and i have not taken it off since i got it. Its a nice pop of color.

This year i bought the stowa, and a gshock. Now i know gshocks arent my thing, and i think not buying anything next year will be plausible.

You can see the snow outside in the reflection hahaha


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Nope. It didn’t last a month. Dial and bezel being different colours of blue was the elephant in the room for me. I just couldn’t unsee it.
Thats funny, the different colors on my smp midsize is great, the dark grey bezel and the black dial makes the watch fun to look at in the sun

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Second pic is field watches View attachment 16331240

Wow you have a Weiss?
I was really into camerons podcast and he seemed like a genuine and knowledgeable guy, but his designs never spoke to me. what is it like wearing it? Are you happy with it?
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As someone with both a 34mm and a 44mm watch, i feel like size doesnt matter, nothing is too small, no matter the person, its all in the head of the wearer
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It does appear much harder for Europeans to sell watches. I don't know why, in theory the marketplace in Europe is bigger. Lack of common language, not as consumerist, historical brand preferences; all have something to do with it but don't explain anything like the whole of it.

I was looking at a watch from a dealer in Germany on chrono24.co.uk and in the detail it said that they only sell to the EU. So given that they were posting on the specifically UK version of the site, what did this mean? That they didn't realise the UK was no longer in the EU? That they did realise and this was a way of expressing their resentment at us leaving? That anyone could buy from them but they couldn't be bothered to remove the VAT for nonEU purchases?

It's all too complicated to bother with.
As someone who lives in europe but not in the EU, i get the impression people use eu and europe as synonyms

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I’m in. Applying the 5,4,3,2,1 rule! 5,4,3,2,1 close internet browser and stop looking at watches! After a long time searching I finally found this Seamaster 2254.50 towards the end of 2021, full set and I’m mint condition. Flipped quite a few to fund it. After a few years going at this hobby it’s a watch that I love, much prefer it to the Seamasters that followed (skeleton hands etc). For me purchasing watches is simply a way to find the things one likes in a watch. Think I’m pretty much there with the 2254! Anyways, I’ll check in at the end of the month with a progress report...





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Love it! do you know you can get a adjustable clasp for it?
you can get a 2020 Planet ocean clasp for it, you will need 2 new links so it fits the old bracelet, but afterwards i found it went from a great watch to the best watch in its price class. i got a list of all the part numbers i needed through the forums and sent it to my Omega AD, and it just works now. that made the watch a keeper for me
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