[mconlonx]

2022 = unmitigated failure; zero goals met.

31 watches. Dang. But only 9 unmodded....

I think at one point, I was under 16 watches... but things needed modding, and a few other watches were purchased.

2023 = no goals. I'd still like to try an online watchmaking course. Especially since my Vostok 710 handwind diver build is stopping intermittently.

I feel a purge coming on, soon. Not really any quantity goal at this point, but I could stand to shed a few.

No planned purchases, immediately, although there are maybe even three different mod builds I'm considering for the NH34 movement.

Bottom picture, bottom row, first three on the left - these are now the core of an endgame collection. I recently tried on a Longines Spirit 37mm... that may be a fourth addition. Others include a Citizen Chronomaster AQ4020-54Y, and a GS SBGN005.

None of those are happening any time soon, will be lucky to pick up even one in 2023.

The one watch tempting me in the near future is the pending Zelos Mako GMT release. Not even pix to post yet, but I like the Mako design, fits great, and will feature the new Miyota 9075] "traveler" GMT movement, which does fascinate me. We'll see if the design resonates.

I don't hang out here for the abstinence (obviously...) - y'all are just fantastic people to hang with. This thread, like another that moved offsite, is more like, "it's not about the watches."

 

[mconlonx]

Godayum that's a lot of em. I remember you wanted to end 2022 in the tens...



Did you have any planned purchases in 2022? If not, how did you end up with 31 watches, and how will you keep the same from happening in 2023?



This alone should be enough incentive not to buy any flip fodder and keep working towards a greater goal. Good luck.

Planned purchases: Plus one Endgame Collection watch. Check - Glycine Airman No. 1. Unexpected: a need to sell a Sinn 656, only to pick up another one.

Otherwise... a Seiko 5 I know will not be available, cheap, OEM for too much longer. A Pagani Design which borrows heavy on the Longines Spirit with NH35 - solid watch, but largely superfluous. Stupid cheap deals on the Armitron digital ($10.00!), and Casio.

And then a whole lot of mod-builds. There comes some inevitable tipping point where I feel a need to put ideas into metal. Most lately, that involves the NH34. Like this one, a 24hr, single hand version...

I've come to peace with the thought that I may only ever have dozens of watches at a time.

31 watches, 22 of which are anywhere from scratch-built from disparate parts, to lightly modded.

There was also the odd purchase which led to a miss-ship on the part of a Chinese company, a custom-dial watch to rectify the situation, and then me managing a run of 20 watches with custom dial and caseback, signed crown and buckle.

 

[mconlonx]

[wife-ish, dragging me through IKEA]
Me:...
Wife-ish: Isn't there anything you want to browse.
Me: Naw, I'm good, I don't think we really need anyth... Ooo, look! Clocks!

 

[mconlonx]

In the last couple weeks of 2022, I finished up a couple mod watches - both NH34 builds. For an inveterate mod-hound like me, a new Seiko GMT movement, selling at reasonable prices, with decent availability, and largely compatible with other mod-popular Seiko NH3x movements and parts, NH34 mods were bound to happen...

But no new watches this year. So far.

 

[mconlonx]

If I was considering that Steinhart, I'd go straight to a comparable San Martin product, save money, and have a better homage watch.

Printed indexes with silver outline hands. Deal-killer on my end.

I'm not one of those enamored by BB58/Pelagos styles, so this one is largely lost on me. It has everything I don't like about the usual copy-design dive watches, and none of what I do like.

---------------------

Sometimes one addiction can substitute for another, if the underlying causes of the first addiction are ignored. Quitting drinking is only one part of actually sobering up in AA. Some of what WPAC is all about parallels AA teachings; some does not.

I do have addictive/obessive qualities, so I keep a tight grip on anything which might trigger these issues... which includes watches.

Compared to substances, especially alcohol, watches don't even hold a candle to the spot I was in. My life has not become unmanageable due to watches. Believe it or not, I spend less on watches than I did on alcohol...

Psychologically, there are similarities. Financially, physiologically, and spiritually, not so much.

 

[mconlonx]

Chr Ward C63 Sealander 36mm.

Of all the colors released, when it comes down to it, this would be the one. Time was, I would have bought one on release, and here it is, offered in one of their special sales.

I still think it's a handsome watch, and even with female endlinks, would probably fit near perfect for me. I like the handset - even the trident on the end of the second hand doesn't bug me. The stub of index under the date window is the one thing missing from the Traska Commuter, Citizen Chronomaster AQ4020-54Y, and even my Seiko 5 SNKL41.

But... I just can't justify a purchase. And this one has the whole sale price FOMO going for it, too. From a few different 36mm mod builds, especially one with a Sub applied index dial and sword hands, to the BB36, there is just no need for this one... which if it was released a year earlier, could very well have scratched that itch.

It's very well done, no real faults to keep me from buying this one... just an acknowledgement that it would only ever be a second-tier watch among those I already have. So why bother...?

 

[mconlonx]

I'd be interested to hear how you approach (relative to your own financial means) your personal limits on what is acceptable / prudent to spend on a watch?

After household needs are met, including all that boring, mundane stuff like savings, retirement, etc., modest expenditures are usually OK.
Or something might be saved-for, augmented with watch sales of lesser-loved examples.

Advice is often given (and I think I agree) that if your heart is set on watch A, then buying cheaper watch B (which is a bit similar but not as nice), in an attempt to scratch the itch, is a futile pursuit.

But if watch A is a Vacheron Constantin 222, then a lot of people (myself included) will need to accept that it won't ever happen and might choose to look for a watch that shares some characteristics but at a much lower price-point.

I was thinking one approach is to choose watches that are in your budget but have a design integrity or enough unique attributes that they don't feel like lesser versions of something else. G-shocks are good for this as they could be argued to be the best or most desirable of their genre. But steel sports watches? Pilot's watches? I think it's harder.

I would disagree with the futility of buying the cheaper watch. I have purchased cheaper versions of designs I admire, and in at least one case, came away with a cheaper watch that probably wears better and meets more of my criteria than the watch it might be accused of homaging.

Likewise, I bought the Pagani Design PD1717 - the Longines-Spirit copy design - and have to say, it is excellent value for money on its own. ...But a poor substitute for the real deal. It's a decent 38mm NH35-powered automatic, but it's nowhere near the 37mm Longines Spirit. That said, after living with the PD for a bit, and trying on the Longines... probably not, regarding the Longines. Lovely watch, heritage brand, if I had to get one, the 37mm Spirit would be the one to get, but... again, only ever a secondary watch to either the BB36 or the Sinn 656.

I had a San Martin 6105 in bronze for a while, which has saved me money, long-term, by not feeling the need to purchase and probably flip a real-deal Seiko SPB151.

Cheaper watches have their use. I'd lose more flipping a Longines than the PD cost... to find out that I'd probably end up flipping the Longines...

 

[mconlonx]

I think it is very likely FOMO, but that doesn't make it a mistake.

A few years ago, the CW sales were 50% off. The discounts have been pared back and now they are only around 30% to 40% occasionally, and the prices have crept up, so the deals are not as good as they were. My first C65 was a 50% off brand new sale watch for about £350. I have no doubt I could get most of that back if not make a profit should I ever decide to sell, so buying with a decent discount always helps. If you are interested it's worth buying one to inspect, but not living in the UK makes it a bit more of a faff to send back, so it helps if you intend or expect not to send it back.

The other alternative, but it doesn't come with a refund option is to watch for eBay sales, and also sales on the Christopher Ward forum, where prices can often be even lower than the sales.

I don't think you would be disappointed with a CW watch. I like mine very much, but when all's said and done, it's just another watch, and can just disappear into the box with the other nice watches.

Well yeah, but I don't NEED it. I mean, who needs even one watch, or more than one, but I have similar watches on either side of that one (more and less expensive, same size, basic function). Probably the case looks and wears amazing in real life.

But just like earlier this year when I simply could not justify keeping a Traska Commuter, I just don't see where this wouldn't overlap and be completely superfluous.

It doesn't do anything wrong, but it also doesn't do anything right enough to be worth the chance.

 

[mconlonx]

Sad:

I got a holiday/end of year bonus of an extra paycheck. First thought - I can get a watch! Second thought - but which one?!? Third thought - spend a bit, or blow the whole wad?

Not even a specific watch in mind, but of course a whole bunch of possibilities waiting in the wings. None of which are actually "needed."

How silly is all of that? Probably instead I'll get something stupid, like suspension for the car, or maybe have the timing belt done. Something household expenses might cover, but would make things a bit easier. We could use a new dishwasher...

 

[mconlonx]

I totally would have bought a purple Seiko 5 ...as long as it was an older 7s model. The purple Zelos Aurora was very tempting, as were some of the purple dial Tsao recent releases.

But I don't need another watch. Sold a Van Banner VBAO in purple, which I kind of regret. But collecting "all the colors of the rainbow" dials is just another way to justify Too Many Watches.

I really should like Oris Big Crown Pointer Date watches, Especially the 38mm ones which just came out. Same thing with the 38mm Hamilton Murph - on paper, near perfect watch for mconlonx. Reality... meh, doesn't grab me like it should. Even in person, it's a great looking watch; I'm over my "no fauxtina" and "date-only" phases.

But still... I got my top of the heap watch in that style, a Sinn 656. I seem to be more a "some arabic indexes" kinda person, rather than an "all arabic indexes" which actually surprises me to find out.

 

[mconlonx]

I'm sure you are Number 2, but who is Number 1?

 

[mconlonx]

Precious metal bullion is one of my alternative spending modes, when I have cash burning a hole in my pocket, maybe even a watch in mind. Buy (usually) some silver - junk coin and bullion - (rarely) some gold, and bring it home to hoard.

Like Smaug, yo.

Lucky: I can buy in person, New Hampshire, USA, no sales tax or additional fees. Buy at spot plus a small dealer fee, sell at spot. Otherwise, there are online services (USA).

It's a step less spend-able than cash, and value varies, based on the market, but it makes for a great reserve, and compared to much else on which one might spend money, you'll make a good chunk of it back, time it right and you might see a hefty return.

Speaking of which, bash please:

925 "Sterling" silver tonneau case, 18k gold bezel. 4s28 hand-wind movement. Really unique, higher-end Seiko watch and novement. Small seconds, even Arabic number indexes, blued hands, sunken subsecond dial... SWOON!

This has been a target endgame collection watch of mine, I'm sitting on a chunk of windfall cash, part of which could be justified on this. Most of these are off ebay, sold from Japan, this one ships USA domestic.

Against: strap doesn't do it for me, and I'll probably obsess about finding an OEM buckle, especially if it was silver, too. I don't need a dress watch, which is what this very obviously is. I don't need another watch.

But dang, this one's really special.

 

[mconlonx]

Remember my intentions post? Specially this part?



Oris just did a thing, and it's indeed spectacular.

Hands-On - The New Oris Big Crown Calibre 473

Big news for the Big Crown with a new, high-performance, anti-magnetic, hand-wound Calibre 473 developed in-house by Oris.

monochrome-watches.com

View attachment 17150685

I should know by now to never underestimate independent brands...

Absolutely not in need of a bash (for now). The Citizen is much more interesting to me and going nowhere, and my thoughts on mechanicals as stated in the intentions post above haven't changed. But damn if this isn't a great looking watch with what seems like a fantastic movement.

 

[mconlonx]

This past week... Been tempted, casually looked around. Windfall cash has a way of prompting that.

But ultimately, I don't need another watch. I'm not sure I even want another watch.

So why even look? I can tell myself fit's just looking at the menu, that I'm just keeping abreast of the market, that aside from if some stupid deal comes along on already named Endgame Collection watches... but when it all comes down to it? Anticipating that new watch purchase serotonin hit.

Foolish human, and your brain chemicals.

From, "Well, I could afford that Seiko Laurel," through, "...and if I'm considering $900 for that, certainly looking at microbrands and others way below that amount is reasonable...," to the gutter, "If only I could find the right AliX Radiomir homage... and there are always still a few cheap Casios I've never tried..."

All this, while I still have a couple dozen watches I love when I'm wearing them.

12 days, no purchases.

 

[mconlonx]

@Hornet99 Woah, guy! Leaving?!?

Well... all luck and good wishes in your present and future. The Helson and Eterna are a great pair. Be well, and we'll catch up when you turn up here anon.

 

[mconlonx]

Speaking of bashing, I recently took the Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow off my grail list for the third time because I kept forgetting it has several dealbreakers (No hacking or seconds track?! WTF?!), but I think it is in need of a proper WPAC bashing. Have at it y'all!
View attachment 17164298

This one's cheaper...?

 

[mconlonx]

GUYS!?

Should I buy another G-Shock?

Probably you should complete your Invicta Limited Edition collection, first...

 

[mconlonx]

I so don't need a GS. The ones which appeal to me are the SBGN 9F GMT series, and the SBGW hand-wind watches. I am psyched by the new releases - hand wind in 37mm size, and the re-jiggering of the SBGN005 into the SBGN029. Spring drive? Meh, the ones which appeal are the hand wind Credor models.

I'm more likely to spend too much - and yet still less than a GS - on an early 70s King Seiko 4502-7001 in really great condition.

 

[mconlonx]

Holy FOMO, Batman! I just posted this in the deals thread and I might have posted in WPAC last year but I have been tempted by this ugly, ugly watch several times before so bash away!
View attachment 17169637

This is definitely a watch where I like the idea a lot more than I'd probably ever wear it.

I don't need to strap an industrial grinder part to my wrist to tell the time.

My head registers "rough grit, bead blasted titanium," my eyes see "chrome removed from pot-metal base."

The gold accents def class it up...

"Hey, what do we have in our archives, like a Tuna, that we can totally capitalize on...?"
"You're not going to like this..."

 

[mconlonx]

This thread has gone very, "I don't pay attention for [length of time] and this is where the discussion went?"

I just did a sweeping cull of secondary watches. I'm feeling purgey. Some may end up back in rotation, some may get kept a while longer but some will be sold...

Def keep. Maybe 3 more could go.

???

We'll see...