Well, since I’ve just bought my first watch in 2013 I thought it’s a good time to reminisce my journey. It all started in 2005 when I bought a casual watch (omega speedmaster racing) because I’d only a Rolex Datajust then. After the purchase, it kind of triggered my interests and i started researching on watches. Eventually the poison crept in unknowingly in heavier doses over time.
It’s been 8 years. I’d blown away money to own and enjoy quite a fair number of brands/watches. Below is the list:
Anonimo Millemetri, Audemars Piguet RO, Azimuth BIT, BR 02-93, Breitling Chrono Avenger, Chopard GTXL PR, Chronoswiss Kairos, Corum Bubble GMT, Franck Muller Casablanca Jumbo, Frederique Constant Carree Moonphase, Glycine Airman, GP Sea Hawk II, IWC Portofino, JLC Master Control, JLC Master Control RDM, Omega Great White GMT, Omega PO, Omega Speedmaster Racing, Oris TT3, Pam 120, Rolex Datejust X 2, Rolex TT Sub, Rolex YG Day Date, Sinn U1, Tag Heuer Monza, Tag Heuer Carrera GMT, Tudor Heritage Monte Carlo, U-Boat Classico, UN Quadrato GMT and Zenith Defy Classic.
All the above watches were sold at some point in time to make way for new pieces. In 2009/2010, I decided that it didn’t make sense to own 28 watches when some of them didn’t get the attention they deserved. So I went through a painful process of consolidation, selling away many of them to make way for my so called “one watch per brand - perfect” collection. I wanted to have only 15 pieces that will provide me with a good variety and for different occasions.
Grail(s) were moving goal posts frankly. After a Cartier, I wanted a PAM, latest Rolex Hulk, Breguet, an AP ROO then I wanted to own the holy trinity. After the trinity, I wanted a YG dress watch from A.Lange…the disease relapsed again...more expensive pieces that breached mental price barriers after barriers, and more money blown away (senselessly or not). It’s until the birth of my baby girl in September 2010 that it brought some senses to me, gave me a valid reason to exercise self-restraint, to behave more rationally, and slowed the momentum. I bought only 1 watch in 2011 (Hublot Aerobang Skeleton) and a JLC Navy Seal Alarm in 2012. I fared well in areas of discipline.
With only 2 slots left in my watch box (after this new piece), the incoming pieces have to be more well-thought out. I’m planning to call it quits before or when I hit 40 yrs old (I’m 38 now). The last timepiece that lands in the last slot will be something that is meaningful (maybe an Omega because it’s the culprit that started me to craze over watches – notice I don’t have an omega timepiece in my current collection yet?) or something that will WOW myself (maybe a watch from an independent brand – MB&F, RM, HW, Urwerk or etc). I’ll know eventually when the right watch appears.
Oh before the photos of my current collection, here’s a warm welcome to my first purchase in 2013 (possibly the only one?) - a strike-off on one of the watches in my 2013 wish list. A watch with a long history, decades of technical prowess, superb detailing, quality workmanship and possibly a “must have” high-end iconic diver watch in one’s collection.
The Blancpain FF (aka Dark Knight).
Now in my collection are the following pieces:
What’s next to fill up slot 14 before the Grand Finale? Maybe a Grand Seiko or rose gold dress watch that’s lacking in my collection from H.Moser/Harry Winston/De Bethune? The exciting journey continues…
Cheers
James
