[Hornet99]

Welcome to the 2023 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club, otherwise known as WPAC. This is the 7th year of WPAC, which gives me pause to stop and think that I'm surprised it has lasted this long. We might just be onto a good thing?

I'm not intending to repeat the usual opening remarks, but if you're coming to this thread wondering what this is all about have a gander at the last couple of years WPAC threads:

The 2022 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club (WPAC).

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...

www.watchuseek.com

The 2021 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club (WPAC).

The 2021 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club (WPAC). Welcome to the 2021 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club, otherwise known as WPAC. This is the 5th 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...

www.watchuseek.com

The 2020 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club (WPAC).

The 2020 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club (WPAC) Welcome to the 2020 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club, otherwise known as WPAC. This is the 4th year of WPAC, which was started at the beginning of 2017 as I was in a spiral of buying, flipping and buying again. Sometimes I was looking at the...

www.watchuseek.com

.....obviously don't read them all, but the original, opening posts should give you a good idea. In short this is a thread for a like minded group of watch obsessed individuals who are generally trying to improve their watch buying habits. Anyone is welcome to join, but if you join we want participation and contribution!

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 2023. 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 with that I declare WPAC 2023 open for business. Yes, it's a little premature but I reckon I'll be quite busy after Xmas and between NY, so a little forward planning is required.

 

[Hornet99]

Weeeee....

Let the bashing begin!

Official warn for you sinner777. First Post infraction......

 

[Hornet99]

I’ll try and knock a SOTC up when the pre-Christmas rush is over

What? Does that mean you are joining properly Sticky?

 

[Hornet99]

Not really. I’ve already got one on order for 2023 but I have slowed down a lot and that’s largely due to WPAC.

Blimey Sticky. I'm impressed that we've managed to have a positive (?) effect on you.

 

[Hornet99]

Just in case anyone tries to point out that I've not adhered to my own rules about first posts, I'll be doing that in the new year....

 

[Hornet99]

Ok, sneaked one more in before 23…. I’m ready Hornet!!!

Bad boy.......

......let's see those intentions for 2023 then.

 

[Hornet99]

Oh it’s positive all right. I wanted to buy myself an Omega Ploprof but I thought “nah, H will grumble at me”

.....that and its a fugly watch. Really fugly.

 

[Hornet99]

The ignore function works well. Now run along, silly person.

 

[Hornet99]

I've just received my first Russian watch, a Vostok Amphibian "Sniper" - is there any way to determine year of manufacture from the serial number?

507503

I'd like to learn more about Vostok watches, can you suggest some resources?

Thanks!

This thread isn't probably the best place to ask, try (as well as the other suggestion...) a new thread in the affordables section asking the question.....

 

[Hornet99]

I sense some signature 'Hard Love' incoming...

I'm closing my eyes then....... 🫣

 

[Hornet99]

[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!

Every time we, as a family, go through duty-free I get some comments about the watches. I don't mention that the ones on display are rubbish fashion watches and that they are beneath me...... 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Hornet99]

I bet you don't dare walking into the duty free High end Tudor/omega/rolex/etc AD, for risk of your family piecing together what kind of cash you are actually spending on your trinkets...

Thankfully we're talking about small regional airports, so no chance for that issue...... 😊

 

[Hornet99]

Hi. You can call me Sug, and I have a watch problem. One day I’ll put all my watches together into one pic, although I find this akin to asking an alcoholic to take a picture of his/her liquor cabinet. Suffice to say, I have too many watches…I’m guessing around 25. That’s way too many. Unfortunately, I’m not a flipper, so that number isn’t likely to lessen by a whole lot. I’ll occasionally give one away. I just sent a flieger that’s too big for my wrist to a friend in Canada. I’ve given a couple to a nephew in Colombia. Another to a nephew here in my hometown. 3 to my dad and 1 to my brother…and yeah, still close to 25 left.

There are probably 10 that get 90% of the available wrist time. I’m diver heavy. My idea of a dress watch is my Aqua Terra. A Damasko DA-46 is the closest thing to a pilot watch I have. Field watch? Does the Glycine Combat Sub count, or is that more of a dive watch? Oris Aquis? Check. SMP? Check. You get the idea.

In any case, I’ve got what I consider a nice collection. I have no need for another watch. Of course, I could have said the same thing for 15 (or more) of my other watches. My goal is to make it through 2023 without a net gain to my collection. IF I find a watch I love at a price I can’t pass us, 2 must go away.

So, I’m on the wagon and hopefully ready for the bumpy road ahead.
View attachment 17120582

Welcome to WPAC Sug 👍😁

 

[Hornet99]

Although I haven't done my SOTC post yet... Could I still request a bash? Everyone loves a bash right?

BAUSELE® Official Store | Crafted with care since 2011

Bausele is an Australian watch brand proposing unique and vintage inspired watches with an extreme care for details. Official supplier to the US Army™. Straightforward but ultra-precise and ultra-robust watches. #Takethetime.

www.bausele.com

View attachment 17120747

I need some help. This ticks lots of boxes for me...

I love IWC / JLC chopped pilot baton hands. It uses them without feeling like a rip-off homage watch. I like 22mm straps, as long as they don't result in skinny lugs - this avoids that and I have some expensive straps in that size sitting unused.
I don't tend towards date windows and it should be durable. And I don't own a watch that overlaps with this in any way.

The best bash I've come up with on my own is the movement... Seiko NH38, accuracy likely to be poor. But on the flip side, likely durable and replaceable. Oh and it puts me £600 further away from an IWC Mk xv (a watch I've long loved but exists beyond my comfort zone price-wise).

Thanks in advance

Isn't this just yet another field watch that takes the dirty dozen as a reference? I'm not that knowledgeable on the theme, but it certainly looks like that and I've seen cleaner and better attempts at this.......

......its a distraction from your goal, stick with that; quick hit on this one is just going to last week's.

 

[Hornet99]

Found a cure for watch addiction. So I’ve been watch purchasing abstinent for a while.

What's the cure?

 

[Hornet99]

I hate getting gifts for this reason I'm typically pretty particular about what I'd buy for myself, so a gift is usually exactly what I would not have bought lol. I always tell people to give me an experience if they really have to give something, like a dinner out or an activity; or just cash

Same here, which makes life somewhat difficult for the wife when she buys gifts for me. Usually we exchange a gift list with each other and that way we at least get something we actually want. The wife bought me a hoodie, which I'd asked for, at Xmas but she unwisely ignored my daughters warnings that I'd not like it. I did not like it 😂😂😂. I do realise that this makes me a nightmare for gift buying......

 

[Hornet99]

Am still beta-testing it.

one initial feedback is, it is turning out to be more expensive than our beloved watch hobby.

It's drugs isn't it......

 

[Hornet99]

......and finally disgusted with the churn.

I think that the churn, and associated with that the wasted opportunities, is the thing I regret the most. When I look back at the watches I've sold and regret it's hard. But there's no better lesson.....

 

[Hornet99]

Just stopping by to say good luck this year and post a pic to hopefully help yawl feel better about your watch buying habits/issues....I didn't actually count how many watches I added/gave away this year but I added a lot less than typical years for me. I think I am close to being cured. Have a great year everyone! Keep up the good work Horny!
The Ho
View attachment 17127449

 

[Hornet99]

Hi Hornet, can I ask what you regret? Was it financial losses or that you didn't enjoy them fully / give them a chance to worm their way into your affections?

Financial losses has always been a regret in this, but I can rationalise that as the price to play. I think the major regret is selling some watches that I should have probably held on to, ones that would have been perfect to live with for a long time, but the desire to be having the next shiny obsession realised clouded one's judgement.....