The 2022 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club (WPAC).

Hi WPAC, appreciate the move away from strict abstinence and look forward to an epic OT diversion, maybe a little kayak chat in the spring.

I've come to terms with my tiny watch museum currently contained in three boxes.

The "Front Six"



Empty Slot - waiting for the call up from the other boxes
Tangramatic 39a Moon Bauhaus - for when I feel like mixing with humanity
Seiko SNXF05 - Love this watch, thinking of a couple strap/bracelet options
Shinola Runwell 38 - Looks and feels like the perfect watch on my wrist
Vostok 710 - Vacation/Casino watch
Seiko SNK803 - The one to rule them all

The next two boxes are not organized in much of a manor. Glad that I think so much about arranging them, it's less time thinking about buying them.

Old-Timer's Box



Timex Easy Reader & Waterbury
My first "nice" (>$100) watch, ESQ quartz
Melbourne's Collins Moonphaze
Shinola's Gomelsky Moonphaze
Shinola Muldowny

Orient Mako II
Shinola Runwell 36
Seiko SNKl41
Seiko SND333
Vostok handwound
MWW Equinox

Box #3



Top Row - Vegas watches

Bocia titanium quartz
Seiko SNK607
Citizen Stiletto
Hamilton Khaki quartz

Songdu - $17 experament purchased because I love the dial, daed battery, maybe future mod fodder
Seiko Spirit Solar - JDM
Taki - fashion forward closeout buy @ local gallery (may become my new Casino Watch as it saw me through a monster roulette run in Biloxi)
Bulova Lunar Pilot - have come to terms with the size
Vostok mod fodder
EMG Horizon

Waiting for batteries: Bocia square 1st anniversary gift & Lip Boogie Chrono

For 2022 I'd like to come to terms with letting from one to four leave my collection. While I don't feel a pressure to down size I can't help but think about letting a couple of them go.

The 36mm Runwell is a treat of a watch in real life, pictures always fail to capture the color of the case, the specialness. Plus, I'll never wear it; any time I think about wearing it one of several Seiko5s take its place. Love the watch, it's been serviced by Shinola and spotless. Thinking about selling/trading in at a local multi AD/jewelry store.

I never wear the Melbourne moon phase, have worn it several times this past year as a trial and it just always leaves me flat. Because of that I don't enjoy seeing it in the box.

2021 saw me come to terms with this watch hobby by buying the third box and not worrying about it. I'm happy with an accumulation.

That said, I still have a very serious lust over Vaer's 36mm C3 Navy on bracelet. It went out of stock earlier this year and I thought I was off the hook. Bought a Hamilton Khaki on deep discount while on vacation which has made me want the Vaer even more (nice watch but at 38 with those lugs, too big). Now it's back in stock, don't think I will be able to resist in '22.

And the Seiko SRPE45 Mojito. Every picture I see of this thing makes my brain all happy. If I sell the Shinola this will likely get added.

Otherwise, I've got a super entertaining stable of watches with several still looking for their forever shoes. Strap / bracelet hunting as well as the completion of a mod should eat up most of my free time for 2022.

Good luck everyone!

bth1234 said:

well there's loads of watches I would like, but not at full price. A specific example. I would love a green Oris Aquis, 43mm, or even 41mm but not at full price of £1600 or so, and not above £1000. So occasionally I see what's on offer on ebay just in case. Now if a UK watch seller put these on sale at half price, say, maybe when Oris release an updated version, I would be in instantly. If it was blue or black, less so.

Hence the recent Tribus watches which were being sold at 70% off were terrific value. In my opinion. The ones I bought are instantly in my MVP box. (if I had one. I bought one at Christmas but didn't keep it.)

So it's the same with CW. A nice watch they sell normally for £1000 is suddenly on offer for between £500 and £600, so what was vaguely of interest before suddenly becomes vey interesting, although I would rather see watches reduced to below 50% of retail for them to be an instagrab. Other buyers are the same no doubt, so the CW sale items sell very quickly. You don't really get time to think. It's like Glastonbury tickets, although I wouldn't want a pop Festival ticket. And CW do have some watches I like very much.

So there's time to buy, then have it bashed, and return it for a refund. But there's generally no time to have it bashed in advance.

There's watch brands I don't know very well, so if they are discounted, I do need to do a bit of research first, but I am OK with some watches. So take Omega. I think I have fair idea of a good price on a speedmaster. An SMP, PO, AT, constellation etc, less so.

Cheers.

Click to expand...

I'm a semi-recovered bargain hunting watch accumulator (as opposed to a serial flipper) and recognize a lot of rationalizations for buying new watches when I read them. You, my friend, seem to be in the mindset of acquiring more rather than enjoying what you have.

Are you keeping up on all the goings on of the watch market so that you recognize a bargain when it comes up for grabs in January 2023 after a year of abstinence? How will you deal with the temptations of recognizing a true bargain on a desired model during calendar year 2022?

And this bit about buying before bashing, that's 2021 thinking, right? Your first post in this thread states your goal of abstaining for the year. That should include bargain buys, no?

Browsed though the thread and didn't see your current stable, any chance on a collection photo?

bth1234 said:

No, I am not paying much attention to the current market. I enjoy collecting watches as a pastime, and I enjoy the watches I have.

I don't expect to buy anything in 2022, and maybe for quite a while, but I do look and I know when I see something I like. For instance I would quite like a moon phase, but I'm not too keen on paying a substantial price for one. I enjoy this whole thread as much as any other, and it's nice to see discussions that aren't geared to helping people buy.

So I first turned up towards the end of last year. My intention is not to buy any more watches, and that won't be hard to do, but it's not a hard "no", whatever the watch cost. I have bought my first favourite, a speedy. My second favourite was a zenith chronomaster, but I doubt whether I will ever bother to get that one. So as I consider more expensive watches, it becomes a harder decision. Below $100 there's no thought needed, so if I saw something on AliX or see a cheap Seiko I fancy, I might get it, but I don't have any intention to get one. From $250 to $500 say it needs a bit more thought, and above that even more. That's all.

But for instance, I like the Chris Ward watches, which are already priced competitively, and when they have a sale with up to 50% off it's a good opportunity, and worth a look.

[edit]
Another thought. I just watched a new youtube by Andy of "The English Watch". He was discussing price rises, and noted that Rolex had just increased prices by about 10%, so a £6400 watch was now £7100, and he sort of dismissed this as if it was of no importance. I was quite surprised, given that I can get a very nice watch for that unimportant £700, never mind the other £6400.

Click to expand...

Wow, lot to unpack there. You started off with "No, I am not paying much attention to the current market" then finished with an edit to add "and noted that Rolex had just increased prices by about 10%". Most everything in the middle was an analysis of pricing in the watch market including an admission that "Below $100 there's no thought needed" to purchase something that catches your eye.

Sounds like you're shopping for a new bargain, hopefully the watch will live up to the perceived value of the deal. Either way, you are not buying a watch but the dopamine hit that comes with paying the lowest price. The watch is just the prize in that particular Cracker Jack box.

I know this is the kinder, gentler WPAC'22 but I'd still like to see the state of your collection and see you articulate what you have and where you'd like your collection to go.

----

On another note, I wanted to ask about posting pictures of new straps/bracelets in WPAC. I've always considered adding new strap options a great way to retain interest in the watches I have, keeping my attention away from buying new ones.

I have a new bracelet coming for my SNXF05 and would love to share when it arrives but wanted to make sure it's not seen as enabling.

FWIW - I'd love to see more pics from members collections but understand that some may wish there to be less visual temptations.

The 19mm beads of rice bracelet landed today and I wasted no time getting it hooked up.









Here's a mirror shot:



$40 from a US seller here.

Nice enough for the price, easy to size and pretty comfortable wearing around today. Wears and looks OK but corners were cut; the underside brushing is not as consistent as expected but not problematic, a couple links are quite stiff. I also wish the case facing ends of the end links were finished better.

Without any taper and being pleasingly thick it "outweighs" the watch. The stock bracelet has the opposite problem. It is comfortable though so a few days of wear are in order to see if we get on.

If you've got something sporting 19mm lugs with a bit more heft than this Seiko5 I'd rate it a buy.

Still thinking about leather, open to ideas.

Interesting the conversation about "event watches" as I'm considering picking up a watch on vacation in May.

While visiting New Orleans last year I found a super charming clock and watch shop that hand a good selection of very nice vintage watches. Purchasing from them would give me great peace of mind about condition and future service on a type of watch I've been wanting for as long as I can remember; hand wound, PM, preferably US made vintage.

We'll be returning to NO for a couple days this year and I've started liquidating some firearms that that I bought during my "buy all the guns" phase to build a fund. The plan is to sell a few watches as well but it was easier to start with the firearms and validating in that I don't miss the first one to leave the house.

This gives me incentive to photograph and write my sales spiel, post and hopefully complete a sale or two by the beginning of May. The plan is to have a fund significantly larger than anything I've devoted to watches before on reserve for when the planning/timing/desire line up.

Going to NO with an open mind and a desire for something that I'm going to really enjoy. If it's not there, I'm not buying. The next timing event will happen in October on another travel adventure. If it's not there the money is going into savings with an earmark for a future lux level purchase.

I think I'm over the desire for the Vaer, too happy with my SNK803 and plan to worry about a replacement when I finally kill it.

Seiko's Mojito continues to be a potential spoiler and if no suitable watch appears to me on vacation it may well find its way under the Christmas tree this year.

I will be wearing my Casino Watch in May and my Beach Watch in October however.

While I never plan to completely stop buying watches, more will be leaving than coming for the foreseeable future. For me, that's progress!

mxxxxxm30 said:

I saw someone post a picture of them kayaking with theirs if I remember correctly, but not sure about swimming.

Click to expand...

That was me! And YES to swimming with mine. Bought it specifically to torture test it, has been in lakes, pools and lazy rivers as well as knocked around a bunch.

IMO Seiko5s are good to go in the water. The 803 has been replaced by the SNXF05.

** General Update **

After wearing the SNKL41 for a few weeks on the stock bracelet I've found the silver hands and markers on white sunburst difficult to read in pool hall lighting.

Switched to the SNXF05 on stock bracelet and fell in love with the 60's vibe of the thing. Perfectly readable in any lighting with enough detail to reward longer viewing. Keeping great time and impervious to daily knocks.

For years the bulk of my wear was between a slightly too blingy Shinola and a slightly too dowdy SNK803, have been searching for one watch to bridge the two and I'm confident the 05 is the one. We'll see how I feel in 3-6 months.

--

This just in, DB's wife is awesome, pays attention and bought me a watch for my 52nd birthday.





Mr Jones Ricochet jump hour.

I knew she paid attention, that's one of the reasons I married her! She indulges my brief watch chats and I've expressed how I think folks miss out by being to particular about what they'll wear. Unlike Doc, I'm a sentimental fool.

LOVE the watch. Great size, has been a very efficient winder, lasting >24 hours after a half day's wear. Pondering a thread on it if I can manage a handful of good pictures.

Surprised to admit that I caught the jump hour on the second day of wearing and it kind of caught me back; I did not expect it to be so, so delightful.

No sales to report...yet.

I've recognized my sentimentality and embraced it within reason. It's easy for me to get attached to things (especially cars) yet have cultivated a detachment that insulates me from negative emotions when those objects are lost.

Worked for many years selling luxury & European cars so had the opportunity to cherry pick trade-ins. Still prefer to buy ~ 7years old w/ 110K - 175K depending on condition. Pay 1/3 down, finance for 24 or 36 (low payment w/credit benefits) and they tend to last 4 - 7 years. Maintenance must be planned for and expected.

My Timex Easy Reader is tired but I won't let it rest. It passed all reason to keep it going three batteries ago. Kinda the same with my Esquire, I love that watch and just noticed the battery has died (which means that I WILL be visiting my preferred jeweler soon). Still have a Seiko quartz Tank style (HS graduation present from the folks) with a dead movement that I paid to have a hand reset a couple years ago. My jeweler can do it, probably be about $150 - $200...still on the fence.

As to clothing, especially a well liked jacket, I'd definitely take it to a seamstress. Bet it turns out great and doesn't cost that much.

Boy howdy, everybody sure is different!

I'm an accumulator that doesn't like to sell and came to WPAC to see if I could learn to manage a small (25-35) accumulation without drowning in watches. The idea of the perfect 3 or 5 seems crazy to me!

Suppose I do have a "collection" of Shinolas and could make the case for a limited collection of types (square chrono, round chrono, dress, dive, solar, etc...). Really though, nobody's fooled, it just an accumulation of man jewelry.

While I'm labeling things, all my watches are "men's watches" while I'm the one wearing them. Many were marketed to women but I don't hold that against a nice watch. Really though, gendering watches is pretty dumb.

Posting in a thread about macro pictures inspired me to pull the Gomelsky out and it's not left my wrist for 3 days. I love having a bench so deep that I can pull out a sleeper that keeps my attention for days!

Hornet99 said:

Topic for debate here.......

I'm starting to wonder whether having a larger collection of watches is better for relief of boredom. I think that I find having only one watch only more difficult to live with than I'd originally anticipated, probably the result of the WUS effect, e.g. over exposure to horology.....

Logically it would seem that you should be able to divorce random (not fully thought through) buying from a having a large collection.

Click to expand...

This pretty much describes me and my three watch boxes. I really do get a lot of enjoyment from my large selection; they (almost) all get admired even if not worn.

But I have made the decision to limit myself to the three boxes for the foreseeable future (hopefully forever) and have turned my thinking to booting the ones that don't bring me joy and very selectively adding where and when it makes sense.

I still lust after two watches that I will allow myself to add when I've culled the few I want gone and everything is running on fresh batteries. This personal requirement keeps me from buying on impulse.

That said, my wife and I went back to New Orleans last month for our anniversary and we visited the watch store I mentioned earlier in the thread. While they didn't have any vintage watches that caught my eye they did have the new Frank Lloyd Wright models from Bulova and I fell for the Robie House model.



We have a couple Wright houses in town including the Meyer May House which I've toured a couple times. It also reminded me a bit of the many vintage American hand wound watches I've been interested in.




As laid out earlier in the thread I'd decided to only entertain buying a watch on vacation this year and so I have. Done for the year, now back to trying not to look at Vaer and that hot Mojito.

Feel free to bash, god knows the watches I like tend not to be too popular.

cortman said:

Welcome back! Hope it was a great trip.

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Thanks! It really was. Hope you all don't mind the indulgence...

My wife's greatest pleasure in life is travel so we try to be on the move a couple times a year. This leads to frequent fare checking with Delta in her down time, which led to an absolute steal on first class tickets to Kauai Hawaii back in February. Booking at that time locked in the condo at basically pre-covid pricing which made this extravagant trip possible. Flights are now listing at least 4X and resorts 2X-3X what we paid.

I retired a couple years ago while my wife planned to work another decade or so. Since booking and paying for 80% of the trip her company merged, reorganized and downsized some executives. You can guess why I typed that last sentence. We'll be just fine and I can't say I've been entirely comfortable in retirement (I really enjoyed selling). That said, if not for the surprise belt tightening I would have pictures of my new Zen Watch.

I honestly did think of WPAC while holding the $100 trinket in my hand and was instantly revulsed at the prospect of spending the cash so I could make a funny post online.

What I can report is that Orient makes a great snorkeling watch.





And my venerable Seiko SNK803 filled lighter water duties. In my eye, still the perfect watch.



Looked at Omega in one of the airports and couldn't help but think how far we could travel on those same dollars. No competition.

Jet lag's a B.

Miles_Wilson said:

My takeaway here is: stop caring so much. The event that happened is your emotional attachment, which you can remind yourself of at any time with or without a specific watch.

I appreciate the stoicism in that, so I'll take it to heart about downsizing my collection even if the watch in question has some illogical emotional attachment to a point in time or a special event.

But hey I just got married last Friday so I shouldn't go selling the watch she got me any time soon, I would never get another one from her. 😅

Click to expand...

As WPAC's resident sentimental, pro large collection guy I feel the need to suggest otherwise.

I came to terms with unfettered buying by limiting myself to three display boxes; #1 - 12 spots all keepers, mostly sentimental including my last daily wear Timex, my first "nice" watch, etc. #2 - 6 spots, most worn / current fascination. #3 - 12 spots, overflow, newer & on the bubble pieces.

I'd recommend finding a nice display box that closely fits the number of sentimental watches. If they bring you joy in their simple existence why feel compelled to get rid of them? You may be surprised at how delightful it is once or twice a year when one of them is the perfect companion for the day.

Also, frequently selling leads to buying. "This new model reminds me of that one watch I used to have and I've sold off a few..."

Hello from the fun blizzard in the US!

Last night ~5PM



This morning:



Just past halfway through the storm. Lake Michigan keeps our temps up, 16 degrees F currently but keeps the snow coming also. Winds have died down to 22 MPH, were consistent 35-40 MPH overnight.

Good times!

Merry Christmas