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The 2023 Watch Purchasing Abstinence Club (WPAC).

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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:

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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 www.watchuseek.com
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 www.watchuseek.com
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 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.
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Ezy101
Hi

A bit late this year but here I am.
From last’s years post #161 not much has changed really. Over the last 12 months a few have come and go but the overall number is going down ( Lorus was a gift and Garmin may be swapped for something smaller)

There is another one in a drawer ( engagement gift) and a solar pulsar in the garage ( no strap) that used to be in my bike, other than that this is It.

The plan is to try a couple of them more (Snk381, Citizen Dolphin,….) and hopefully settle for some kind of special one for my birthday in the fall ( Sinn 556, Smiths Commando ……) and sadly let the Tisell go ( great watch )



Cheers


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk
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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.
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Hotblack Desiato
jmariorebelo said:
Good god that's insane. Buying 3 watches and selling 2 of them every two weeks... for an entire year!

Took 5 years but you seem to be in a much better place now. Any watches from those heavy-flipper days you still remember particularly? Or maybe even a couple that are still around in the collection?
Click to expand...
I was definitely out of control back then. The thing that made me realize I needed WPAC was when I bought something like ten watches in a single week. I didn't live near any watch dealers, so this was all online, without ever trying one on first. I was hunting for any watch that met my size/style criteria that looked like a good deal. For sure, I've turned a corner since then!

Kind of interesting - half of my current collection of six watches were purchased during the worst of the acquisition phase in 2018. As much flipping as I have done, those three have remained. Even during that crazy time, there were some watches that did receive some thought prior to purchasing.

I bought the Aqua Terra to commemorate my mom's passing. I don't see that going anywhere. The Hamilton Pilot Day Date (Interstellar Cooper watch) is the one I got to share my son and my shared love of watching Interstellar. And the Oris 112 has the coolest movement (10 days PR) and the most uncluttered dial for one that has so much going on. It's a large dial watch that doesn't wear big (unlike the IWC 10 day), and the gold bezel adds a touch of dressy that I really liked.

And even though the Submariner is new, it's almost an identical replacement for the 5 digit Sub I wore as my daily watch for almost 10 years. Now that I think about it, that's 4 out of my 6 watches that aren't the "new shiny toy." Realizing this makes me even more confident that I can stick with the zero new watches goal of 2023 (and beyond!).
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W
OK. Time for a bash. The Steinhart Ocean 3 Blue has been on my radar for quite some time. Checking my bookmarks, it's the only one I have bookmarked on my office computer.

What do I like:
- Steinhart - been wanting to try one for quite some time, but don't like Mercedes hands. Some of the Ocean models seem to be all that don't have those.
- Snowflake hands
- 12mm thick
- Blue

Not sure about the bezel. It looks similar to the bezel on the Orient Mako II that was hard to turn and led to its dismissal.

www.olko-watches.com

Ocean 3 Blue

The price is net and does not include the VAT .For deliveries within Europe the resonsible VAT of your country will be added during the checkout. The sporty exclusiveness of the „Ocean 3 blue " makes it stand out from other diver watches. Its solid design guarantees highest resiliance as well as...
www.olko-watches.com www.olko-watches.com
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Hornet99
Weetabix said:
OK. Time for a bash. The Steinhart Ocean 3 Blue has been on my radar for quite some time. Checking my bookmarks, it's the only one I have bookmarked on my office computer.

What do I like:
  • Steinhart - been wanting to try one for quite some time, but don't like Mercedes hands. Some of the Ocean models seem to be all that don't have those.
  • Snowflake hands
  • 12mm thick
  • Blue

Not sure about the bezel. It looks similar to the bezel on the Orient Mako II that was hard to turn and led to its dismissal.

www.olko-watches.com

Ocean 3 Blue

The price is net and does not include the VAT .For deliveries within Europe the resonsible VAT of your country will be added during the checkout. The sporty exclusiveness of the „Ocean 3 blue " makes it stand out from other diver watches. Its solid design guarantees highest resiliance as well as...
www.olko-watches.com www.olko-watches.com
Click to expand...
You've got big wrists haven't you? Yes? You'll need them for the 42mm of this watch. Also, you've got concave shaped wrists right? So you can make the those stupid flat lugs look OK right?
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D
Weetabix said:
OK. Time for a bash. The Steinhart Ocean 3 Blue has been on my radar for quite some time. Checking my bookmarks, it's the only one I have bookmarked on my office computer.

What do I like:
  • Steinhart - been wanting to try one for quite some time, but don't like Mercedes hands. Some of the Ocean models seem to be all that don't have those.
  • Snowflake hands
  • 12mm thick
  • Blue

Not sure about the bezel. It looks similar to the bezel on the Orient Mako II that was hard to turn and led to its dismissal.

www.olko-watches.com

Ocean 3 Blue

The price is net and does not include the VAT .For deliveries within Europe the resonsible VAT of your country will be added during the checkout. The sporty exclusiveness of the „Ocean 3 blue " makes it stand out from other diver watches. Its solid design guarantees highest resiliance as well as...
www.olko-watches.com www.olko-watches.com
Click to expand...
1. Polished centre - links... Yuck in most instances, including this one.
2. Snowflake hands are so intrinsically Tudor in my mind that I struggle with them on any other brand.
3. At that price-point I want some design originality / individuality / history to the design
4. 'Automatic movement' written on the dial? Steinhart not content with the already unnecessary 'Automatic'?
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W
Hornet99 said:
You've got big wrists haven't you? Yes? You'll need them for the 42mm of this watch. Also, you've got concave shaped wrists right? So you can make the those stupid flat lugs look OK right?
Click to expand...
If I can rock a 54mm Invicta, I can rock this one, baby!
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Devro said:
4. 'Automatic movement' written on the dial? Steinhart not content with the already unnecessary 'Automatic'?
Click to expand...
It's a little understated, for sure. I like have a Tudder that says, "Rotary Automatic Self-winding Hand-turning Watch Movement Gear Machine" on the dial. It gives me something to read on the bus.:p
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Lee_K
I've owned six Steinharts in the past. I liked them, and felt they were a good value for the money. I have a 7-1/4" diameter wrist so the so-called flat lugs (they really aren't flat -- see picture below compared to a Seiko Sumo -- but they don't curve down as far as some would prefer) weren't an issue for me. The two OVMs and two GMTs I had with that same case wore very comfortably.

It is, of course, a Tudor Submariner homage. Nothing particularly wrong with that, but certainly not terribly original. But of course this is Steinhart -- they rarely are original. I really liked my Black Bay Blue (41 mm) when I owned it, and was taken with the overall refinement that Tudor brought for what I thought was a reasonable price.

Polished center-links are always a scratch magnet. I don't wear watches on the bracelet so that's a non-issue for me. It doesn't have applied indices so that might make the watch a little dull. I give kudos to Steinhart for the ceramic bezel insert and the use of BGW9 Super-LumiNova rather than the Old Radium everyone else seems to do with homages of the Tudor Subs. I am so tired of faux aged luminous paint on indices and hands of contemporary watches.

I think it's a good-looking watch, if the originality issue is not a factor for you. I know it wasn't for me with any of my other Steinharts. I was able to enjoy the designs without the staggering prices of either the originals or the modern variants from Tudor and Rolex.

Azure Blue Wood Electric blue Jewellery
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Lee_K said:
I've owned six Steinharts in the past. I liked them, and felt they were a good value for the money. I have a 7-1/4" diameter wrist so the so-called flat lugs (they really aren't flat -- see picture below compared to a Seiko Sumo -- but they don't curve down as far as some would prefer) weren't an issue for me.
Click to expand...
I'm about the same.

It is, of course, a Tudor Submariner homage. Nothing particularly wrong with that, but certainly not terribly original. But of course this is Steinhart -- they rarely are original. I really liked my Black Bay Blue (41 mm) when I owned it, and was taken with the overall refinement that Tudor brought for what I thought was a reasonable price.
Click to expand...
I don't look at original so much as:
- Do I like it?
- Do I trust the manufacturer in relation to the price?
- Am I willing to pay for it?

Original haute-horologie is great for people with unlimited resources, but I'm not that guy.

Polished center-links are always a scratch magnet. I don't wear watches on the bracelet so that's a non-issue for me. It doesn't have applied indices so that might make the watch a little dull. I give kudos to Steinhart for the ceramic bezel insert and the use of BGW9 Super-LumiNova rather than the Old Radium everyone else seems to do with homages of the Tudor Subs. I am so tired of faux luminous indices and hands.
Click to expand...
I think I agree on all of that. This guy has brushed the center links, but like you, I mostly don't wear the bracelets.

I think it's a good-looking watch, if the originality issue is not a factor for you. I know it wasn't for me with any of my other Steinharts. I was able to enjoy the designs without the staggering prices of either the originals or the modern variants from Tudor and Rolex.
Click to expand...
Staggering is right!
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M
Weetabix said:
OK. Time for a bash. The Steinhart Ocean 3 Blue has been on my radar for quite some time. Checking my bookmarks, it's the only one I have bookmarked on my office computer.

What do I like:
  • Steinhart - been wanting to try one for quite some time, but don't like Mercedes hands. Some of the Ocean models seem to be all that don't have those.
  • Snowflake hands
  • 12mm thick
  • Blue

Not sure about the bezel. It looks similar to the bezel on the Orient Mako II that was hard to turn and led to its dismissal.

www.olko-watches.com

Ocean 3 Blue

The price is net and does not include the VAT .For deliveries within Europe the resonsible VAT of your country will be added during the checkout. The sporty exclusiveness of the „Ocean 3 blue " makes it stand out from other diver watches. Its solid design guarantees highest resiliance as well as...
www.olko-watches.com www.olko-watches.com
Click to expand...
I sure would hate missing an opportunity for a bash! Hrm...
  • Steinhart is such a shameless ho...mage brand.
  • Snowflake hands on something other than a Tudor? Oh wait, it is a Steinhart so that tracks.
  • It is 25% of the way into a Tudor Black Bay you will eventually buy but its trade-in value is closer to 15%.
  • Three is spelled out on the dial and extra characters cost more...like a telegram. Boo-boo-boop, boop, boo-boop!
  • Looking at the evolution of Steinhart's Ocean divers line, Malibu Stacy would approve:
    Product Cartoon Font Hat Art
But in its defense, Steinhart clearly follows the Taco Bell school of parts bin design and Taco Bell is delicious. That is not nothing—only almost nothing.
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Aquavette
Weetabix said:
OK. Time for a bash. The Steinhart Ocean 3 Blue has been on my radar for quite some time. Checking my bookmarks, it's the only one I have bookmarked on my office computer.

What do I like:
  • Steinhart - been wanting to try one for quite some time, but don't like Mercedes hands. Some of the Ocean models seem to be all that don't have those.
  • Snowflake hands
  • 12mm thick
  • Blue

Not sure about the bezel. It looks similar to the bezel on the Orient Mako II that was hard to turn and led to its dismissal.

www.olko-watches.com

Ocean 3 Blue

The price is net and does not include the VAT .For deliveries within Europe the resonsible VAT of your country will be added during the checkout. The sporty exclusiveness of the „Ocean 3 blue " makes it stand out from other diver watches. Its solid design guarantees highest resiliance as well as...
www.olko-watches.com www.olko-watches.com
Click to expand...
Very underwhelming.
Printed dial, muted blue, Tudor wannabe.
If you're going to buy a watch 4 days into WPAC 2023, maybe raise the bar a notch or two?
;)
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J
Haven’t been here for a while, even on WUS in general. Went nuts this Summer and bought a crap ton of watches most of which I have sold off again (and then some). Down to 13 right now. Minus 8 ish for the year, so that’s a result in itself. Tons of money back in the slush fund and the plan is to buy a Rolex here relatively shortly. It cost me about 10 watch sales to fund it, but it’s a long term goal vs. 10 “pretty good watches” so I think it’s a fair trade. Once that is done, I’ll sit back for even longer (right now it’s been roughly 170 days since I last bought a watch) before doing anything else. The collection had a decent amount of repeats and overlap but now I’m at a point where every single watch is special in its own way and gets worn.
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Hornet99
Weetabix said:
If I can rock a 54mm Invicta, I can rock this one, baby!
Click to expand...
Yeah, this is a look you rock baby......




























Watch Analog watch Clock Watch accessory Everyday carry
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Hornet99
Lee_K said:
I have a 7-1/4" diameter wrist so the so-called flat lugs (they really aren't flat -- see picture below compared to a Seiko Sumo -- but they don't curve down as far as some would prefer) weren't an issue for me.

View attachment 17134026
Click to expand...
Blimey, that lug to lug comparison against the Sumo is crazy, I thought the sumo was a big watch!
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Mr. James Duffy said:
One of the most important things I learned in my experience in Alcoholics Anonymous is how I went from hearing and sharing stories about my addiction to hearing and sharing stories about my recovery, including all the successes and failures. I went from seeing abstinence as shameful punishment, a metaphorical self-flagellation, to eventually learning that abstinence was just the beginning, that it was a means to have clarity of mind and give myself opportunity to make smarter, safer decisions. Abstinence was not a whip or chains, it was a mirror and a touchstone—a safe space from the chaos of addiction. This is how I came to embrace WPAC in the last few years and reduce my watch buying and hoarding. This is "my program," to use AA parlance, and it did not happen overnight. Addiction recovery never ends but it changes with sobriety and time. Hearing how others have employed the ideals of WPAC gives me new tools to add to my toolbox and it helps me continue on a path to becoming a more conscientious watch enthusiast instead of just a watch collector.

I am planning several purges throughout 2023 and budgeting to have a handful of them serviced before deciding on their fate. My hope is that reducing my collection size would give me greater clarity about where I want to go in this hobby. As for buying, my guiding principle today is to have a more interesting collection rather than more variety, and I am hoping an overall smaller collection will bring additional clarity.
Click to expand...
I just thought I would comment on this. I can see that addiction to alcohol as well as addiction to drugs and gambling can all be very destructive to a persons life.

I didn't and don't see WPAC aimed at curbing activities that are potentially unhealthy. At the upper reaches of this hobby you might conceivably get into financial problems by excessive spending.

However I don't think WPAC is predominantly concerned with that, but more concerned with just excessive watch acquisition within affordable limits. If I spend as much as say £5000 on one or several new watches that I don't need, but would enjoy owning, fortunately I would not be depriving myself of £5000 that I and my family need to survive.

For a figure of £500 or even £100 the equation is even less dramatic. Granted that the critical amount is different for everyone.

It's also not a case of managing an addiction for one (more) watch or one (more) day. at a time, although the WPAC may like to couch it in those terms. WPAC is not for me a wagon off which I dare not slip. Am I missing something here?

The interest in watches itself is probably a bigger time thief, as time spent on WUS and other forums, without spending a penny, is time I don't spend on other useful pursuits. :D
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K
After misplacing my birthyear Speedmaster (I am still upset) within the last year, I think I'll keep it modest and slow till I recover. I think a new (cheaper) daily driver in the form of a Timex or if anyone has some recommendations. Looking forward to the new year!
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bth1234 said:
I just thought I would comment on this. I can see that addiction to alcohol as well as addiction to drugs and gambling can all be very destructive to a persons life.

I didn't and don't see WPAC aimed at curbing activities that are potentially unhealthy. At the upper reaches of this hobby you might conceivably get into financial problems by excessive spending.

However I don't think WPAC is predominantly concerned with that, but more concerned with just excessive watch acquisition within affordable limits. If I spend as much as say £5000 on one or several new watches that I don't need, but would enjoy owning, fortunately I would not be depriving myself of £5000 that I and my family need to survive.

For a figure of £500 or even £100 the equation is even less dramatic. Granted that the critical amount is different for everyone.

It's also not a case of managing an addiction for one (more) watch or one (more) day. at a time, although the WPAC may like to couch it in those terms. WPAC is not for me a wagon off which I dare not slip. Am I missing something here?

The interest in watches itself is probably a bigger time thief, as time spent on WUS and other forums, without spending a penny, is time I don't spend on other useful pursuits. :D
Click to expand...
I was only drawing from my experience. We all have a different approach to watches and WPAC. I am a habitual impulse buyer and it is a very short path between ideation and a purchase for me. I choose to apply what I have learned in addiction recovery to my spending habits of which a large proportion have been watches. I am a recovering alcoholic. I probably have a shopping addiction. I am a life-long collector and occasional hoarder with an addictive personality. Sparing everyone some personal details, there are aspects of my life unrelated to watches that require constant maintenance and I recognize how it is all intertwined with my interest in watches and buying watches. I do see my watch buying as an addiction, one that is likely part of a larger unhealthy addiction to shopping, and I envy those who think or know differently about themselves.
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Mr. James Duffy said:
I was only drawing from my experience. We all have a different approach to watches and WPAC. I am a habitual impulse buyer and it is a very short path between ideation and a purchase for me. I choose to apply what I have learned in addiction recovery to my spending habits of which a large proportion have been watches. I am a recovering alcoholic. I probably have a shopping addiction. I am a life-long collector and occasional hoarder with an addictive personality. Sparing everyone some personal details, there are aspects of my life unrelated to watches that require constant maintenance and I recognize how it is all intertwined with my interest in watches and buying watches. I do see my watch buying as an addiction, one that is likely part of a larger unhealthy addiction to shopping, and I envy those who think or know differently about themselves.
Click to expand...
Seriously, thanks for explaining. That's very helpful. :)
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Hornet99
Mr. James Duffy said:
I was only drawing from my experience. We all have a different approach to watches and WPAC. I am a habitual impulse buyer and it is a very short path between ideation and a purchase for me. I choose to apply what I have learned in addiction recovery to my spending habits of which a large proportion have been watches. I am a recovering alcoholic. I probably have a shopping addiction. I am a life-long collector and occasional hoarder with an addictive personality. Sparing everyone some personal details, there are aspects of my life unrelated to watches that require constant maintenance and I recognize how it is all intertwined with my interest in watches and buying watches. I do see my watch buying as an addiction, one that is likely part of a larger unhealthy addiction to shopping, and I envy those who think or know differently about themselves.
Click to expand...
I think that I've got shades of addiction in my personality, but surprisingly it's only really manifested itself in buying watches. In other hobbies (climbing, hiking, biking) this has never been a problem with buying "gear". I think that is why I personally don't see watches as a true hobby, with my other hobbies the "gear" is simply need to do the actual hobby, whereas I don't actually do anything with watches (other than wear them and tell the time....).
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