Curious what watches people here wear? + watch stories
No real reason of posting this other than the fact that I like talking about watches of all price ranges/categories and especially if bought/received with a special story/circumstance. Hoping this post can start some good discussion amongst us watch nerds.
Curious what your current role is, which watches you own or wear daily, and when/how/why you got it. Also just any general fun/interesting stories.
Thanks for taking the time to answer if you choose.
A SKX-009 or a nice little field watch from a microbrand I like. I've got a friend who buys old rolexes as a hobby and I look at most of them wondering why they're so special. I've got a mid-century seamaster and a 6105 as well, but you'll never see them on my wrist. If it's nice, protect it. If not, beat it to hell..
Oo nice what's the microbrand?
Islander, Specifically this one:
https://longislandwatch.com/islander-automatic-field-watch-with-nylon-w…
Pretty much never on the stock strap though,
Most people know that Rolex is impossible to buy right now, but you should also know that it was hard even before the pandemic. I have been "on the list" with virtually every AD in my city for any Sub or a blue face Milgauss for at least 3 years before any Rolex was finally offered to me.
There is a smaller AD in my city and I call them every once in a while to check their inventory. I called in August 2020 asking about a Milgauss and she told me, "nothing here other than a two-tone Daytona". I agreed to come down and see it but didn't commit to a purchase and she didn't commit to holding it.
Now, for any of you that know Rolex realize that there is a huge price difference between a Sub/Milgauss and all Daytonas. So this watch was quite a bit more than I had in mind, but not an impossible ask for me financially. But, I still went down to the AD as more of a browser than a buyer - it's a big purchase for me so I didn't want to pressure myself into it.
I saw the watch and I fell in love with it. I like the bold white face and it has a nice heavy feel to it. Plus, not going to lie, its a little flashy. The Daytona is such an iconic design that anyone who sees it knows it's a Rolex. Your grandmother, with the cataracts, from 20 feet away can tell you it's a Rolex :)
I decided to buy it. I had to take a deep breath before saying those words to the AD, but I figured that I can swing it and I wanted to reward myself for a good year at work. To be clear here, I make plenty of money so the purchase makes sense. I'm just someone that hates to carry credit card debt - I didn't have my first credit card until well into my 30s. So it's not so much about the price, its more about how quickly I can pay it off.
Fast forward to October 2021. Rolex has only become hard to get, they have even resorted to shipping "model" watches to ADs to keep them from looking bare. I went back to the AD just to say hello. As soon as I walked in, the lady said, "I remember that Daytona, its the last one we sold here". I said, "I was last here more than a year ago". And she replied, "Yeah, that's about the last time we sold any Daytona. My list for a Platona has 12 people on it and all the other lists are 30+ deep right now".
So, I like that little endnote because it validates my decision to purchase it. If I had taken a pass, I would not have a Rolex today and with very bleak prospect of getting any Rolex, much less a Daytona.
The milgauss should be more popular imo it's so fun and unique amongst the rolex lineup but for some reason people don't like it as much (not complaining I'm happy to compete with less people for them lol), but congrats on the daytona man can't even imagine just walking in and picking one up rn haha
Yeah the Milgauss is beautiful, completely underrated as an everyday watch. I know there's one out there for me, I'm just going to stay patient for it. When it comes to big purchases, I don't like to press things - it will happen when I am intended to have it.
For sure getting any Daytona right now is impossible. Like I said, my AD has a long list for the Platona - mind you thats a $75k+ watch, so I can only imagine that a list for any Daytona might be pushing 5+ years? Maybe more??? I consider myself fortunate to have made the purchase (which is also insane considering the price!).
I've been a watch guy since I was a kid. On my 18th birthday, I bought myself a Seiko 5 on Amazon for 100 bucks. It was my first mechanical watch, and I wore it every day until I graduated college. As a graduation present, my parents got me a Longines Hydroconquest which I have worn every day for the past year. Looking to get a dress watch next. Maybe a Nomos Ahoi with the dark blue dial or an Omega Aqua Terra
I love the aqua terras so much, I'm hoping to buy a blue or black dial 38mm within the next few years. the small seconds white dial with blue markers is also soo clean
Small seconds is so nice. Definitely going to go crazy when my bonus hits next year
Just got a blue dial Rolex OP 36 from my AD. Surprisingly only a two week wait with no purchase history.
Dark blue? That piece is so nice, congrats on getting it
Yeah, it's the "bright blue". Thanks, really happy with it.
Congrats man! Such a nice watch hope you're enjoying it, absolutely crazy to me that the wait was only 2 weeks, is your AD in the NYC area or somewhere else? Also was the blue dial your first choice? Or just the first color your AD received?
I'm in TX so I think that makes it a bit easier. First choice was actually the black dial, but when I was offered the blue I immediately jumped on it. In hindsight the blue is much better than the black haha.
I've got the previous gen, 3-6-9 explorer dial. I originally thought the 36mm sizing may be a little small, but it is the perfect size for this style watch. Can't decide if I want to upgrade to the new 36mm explorer or not.
Sea dweller, bought from grey dealer.
Such a nice piece, when did you buy it?
2 years ago.
I’ve been collecting watches for a while now, and the last few years watches have been insane (pricing, availability, and the hype). A few of my favorites:
1) having a custom piece made by one of the big independent watchmakers. Going through the process of picking basically everything about the watch was fun, and getting to go back and forth with a watch maker was a great experience.
2) having a family watch (a patek) passed down a couple generations. Fun to have something with history
3) betting an expensive watch during a game of poker (and luckily, or skillfully? winning)
Which independent?
Weird, thought I had responded a bit ago but don’t see it. The custom one is a Kari V but I also have 2 other independents (Romain Gauthier and Laurent Ferrier) but they don’t allow much customization.
I'd like to hear details on #1. Pricing? Timing? Sounds like something I might want to do.
Price was just above $100k. Took about 9 months once I had allocation (and that took about a year).
Longines Presence, Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra, and JLC Master Ultra Thin Moon. Each watch in my collection was very deliberate and something I wanted for a while. Next is the AP Royal Oak with the navy or graphite face if I can find one but seems unlikely for a while
That JLC is soo nice, which watch do you find yourself wearing the most often? Is the JLC like a special occasion piece for you or do you wear it a good amount?
Dude I wear it with anything. It's technically a dress watch but I find it pairs fine with a shirt and jeans just fine. I don't buy stuff and not use it so I'll get a lot of mileage out of the JLC. Currently have the black alligator strap but swapping to the navy alligator as it's more versatile imo.
I always thought I'd find myself wearing the Omega more given it's a sports watch but after nabbing the JLC I've worn that most of the time.
Same JLC and a tudor blackbay. Just cannot see myself buying another watch as these two work for about any situation. Will probably reconsider few years down the line once my earnings scale and would consider vacheron/patek watches.
Anyone have thoughts on deciding between an omega sea master diver 300 vs aqua terra for a one watch collection. Having a tough time deciding… thank you
lowkey imo it would depend on wrist size. personally I really like both almost equally, but if I had a larger wrist I would rock the seamaster diver 300 white dial, but as of right now the 38mm aqua terra is better on my wrist so I lean that way. if your wrist can pull it off i'd say go with the diver 300
The 41mm aqua terra is my one watch collection. Works in almost any situation, doesn't feel as flashy as a diver. I have a slightly above average sized wrist and it works great, not too big but also has good presence. Tried both on at the Omega boutique and while I liked the sea master diver, it just didn't feel right
JLC and CasiOak
I've found myself wearing a Timex ironman triathlon a lot recently; I love how easy it is to set timers alarms and the chronograph. One of the few watches that actually helps me manage my time more efficiently.
I used to wear an Omega Seamaster and Cartier Santos in the past, but I find them too heavy and clunky.
I picked up a jdm alpinist at the beginning of the year and it hasn’t left my wrist since. Probably my most versatile piece right now. I also have a G Shock, Tissot, Baltic GMT, and a Vostok. Planning to get a spring drive GS next.
My usual go-to is a Vacheron Constantin Overseas, but I have a collection that I like to rotate through. I got the Overseas last year since I had a feeling it was my last chance before they became really scarce. Turns out my hunch was right
I remember turning them down allll the time. Wild how much they went up.
Honestly, the market is pretty dumb right now, but it's hit such a critical mass that I'm not sure if this bubble will ever pop.
I love the Overseas for what it is and don't plan to sell it, but I'm glad I didn't have to pay resale for it. Feels bad funding those gray market knobs that post on YouTube
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