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The 2022 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club (WPAC).

316459 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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Quick SOTC. Goal to reduce to 18 or 19 watches by year end. Bring it on 2022.
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That's a lot of Tudors! Are they staying as the core thing you collect or are they going to be part of the rationalisation?
I have a very loose idea that possibly the bb58 might go. Other than that no thoughts at all.
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You didn't keep the blue BB58 Rusty?
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.
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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

Enviado desde mi CLT-L29 mediante Tapatalk
The bluebay58 though is meant to have matching blue dial and bezel.
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Was it really that bad? In all the photos I've seen it's not something I'd noticed, but I do now remember you mentioning this. Was it particularly noticeable in daylight or just all the time? I've noticed the colour, or depth, of the blue varies hugely depending on the lighting.....
All the time - just felt wrong or badly done. It might not bother you and I know some people love it, but it annoyed the crap out of me.

Oh and if you buy one you’ll get it used and mint for £2100
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Man, I was all in on this for 2022 until I just bought a cherry wood 30 watch case (17 slots filled). Only 13 more to go.
Simple solution - keep your 17 watches socially distanced
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Three more sold today. To clarify current SOTC:

The ones circled are either for sale, shortly will be listed, or are under consideration. The four along the bottom... not sure which will stay, which will go.

View attachment 16331216

The two empty spots were watches not shown, but already gone.

View attachment 16331217

Down to 23, with 3 of those still listed; 7 watches sold in the past few days.

Harder choices coming up...
Some sterling work there
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Haven’t seen any mention of bashings yet. I think it’s worth mentioning especially to our new members - this is something that has become an integral part of WPAC. When a shiny timing device has gotten into your head and is tempting you and you feel your resistance is faltering then you can present the watch here for bashing. The WPAC crowd will then systematically and ruthlessly tear the watch apart pointing out its every flaw.

This is designed to put you off the watch.
This is NOT personal.
This should be done before purchase or there’s no point.

To get the most out of this you should try NOT to defend the watch and instead try to see if the criticisms have any validity. Many times a quick bash has saved several hundreds or thousands of £/$/€.
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I realize I'm new here, and don't want to be that guy already, but this feels like a better than average place to ask this question.

Given that a few of us have included "spend less time on WUS and other watch sites/media" as a goal for 2022 I was wondering if I was the only person thinking this.

Does it seem like WUS lately has been making itself, let's say, easier to spend less time on?

Every other thread, seems like, is from one of about three or four genres. The most noticeable being: "something something ROLEX," "I got my dive watch wet, is that bad?," "this obviously fake watch is fake and I'm very obviously trying to sell it against the rules," or endless posts mocking the aforementioned categories.

I guess I'm just wondering if it's just me, or if there has indeed been something of a sea change.
For yrs I have only subscribed to a couple of threads on wus. The couple of times I’ve ventured off my path has left me with an impression of armies of sad little people say behind they devices typing or tapping the same old mantra over and over ad infinitum.

I find Wpac interesting and in general feel I actually get to know people on here. I’ve even had a couple of meet ups. The only other thread on here I am subscribed to is a photos of blue diallled divers thread but I rarely even look at it unless I have a pic I think might be enjoyed by others there.

So yes I think in general the place is full of crap.
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Sinner! Glad to have you back in the fold fella.....

......so, what are the new jobs then?
The mere mention of a bash is sure to drag sinner out the woodwork
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In my defense, got this one for a review.

Revamped Darwil brand, 1 of 100 Special Agent Automatic bronzo.

Swiss made, totally retro styled. My favorite vintage brand, owned over 100 of these oldies including orginal one from 70ies.


Special agent ?
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I wonder - is it possible to get every member through January - just January- without a purchase?
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Sorry, but I disagree with this.....

......You've got to remember that for a lot of us we came to WUS / WPAC already have an addiction to buying watches, without a list of criteria. So the criteria, whilst still focused on buying was aiming to reduce the buying by focusing it. By discounting watches, based on criteria, the act of this leads to reducing buying even more as you realise that so many watches won't satisfy you why bother looking. The act of creating a list of criteria also makes you focus on exactly what you do appreciate about watches and by extension appreciate what you have......
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900 posts - wpac kicking off 2022 strongly.

No purchases here.
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Aaaaargh! Sold a watch on ebay and as soon as it was sold and payment confirmed I shipped the watch, shortly after ebay pay out was made all in the space of a day. Same day buyer requests a cancellation, because they don't like the warranty (Gnomon), I say I can't because I've shipped it already. This is accepted.

Fast forward to today and I get a refund request, saying that the watch is defective. Apparently the indices are misaligned and the watch isn't winding. If there was any misalignment this should have been obvious in the head on shot on the listing, I don't think there is any misalignment. As for the winding issue I think that this (and the misalignment) are just being conjured up to give an excuse to demand a return/refund. Nothing wrong with either the alignment or the winding when I had the watch.

......I've messaged the buyer to say I'm not willing to accept a return. Any suggestions of how I should deal with this?
You will lose that claim. Just return it and relist it. Guys just had a change of mind and abusing the system
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Already been returned and refunded Rusty......
Wise move I just had the same - and relisted and sold again. Life’s too short and all that. While since I popped a random watch p0rn shot on the thread. So here is one
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Some weekend fun for you. Found on Facebook. Discuss
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Isn't it just trying to draw your attention to Vincero? Aren't they some fashion brand?
Ive no idea. - just thought ch ward Tissot Rolex and Gucci categories were questionable. As for it being discussed elsewhere o don’t frequent the forum other than to post an occasional picture on the blue dial led thread.
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I’m spending more time photographing my watches than looking for watches now.

For some reason it’s really enhancing my enjoyment of the hobby. Month 1 - no purchases.
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Magnificent !

Personally I often feel a bit awkward when preparing the setup for a shot, and then putting a watch on the center when no one is looking XD. Yet, just like photography as a whole, it's indeed a domain where one could express both creativity and knowledge. And that's part of the incentive to share for me !

And also part of what delays my watch reviews by the way, as I henceforth do await to get at least half decent shots of my units in order to publish them.
Same for me, I keep a monthly track of the accuracy for my quartz, and now daily for my automatic. Hopefully, not having a 30 watches collection helps in that regard.
I enjoy setting up a pic - part of the fun. This pic

Started off with a vase and fishing line

Then edited out the fish gut

Then took the overhead and started working on it



Ofc you don’t normally have time for such frippery but it’s quite fun to try now and again
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