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Seeing as it’s the last day of 2021, I thought I’d post the state of the collection heading into 2022. This is my personal collection after roughly a decade, and I’ve had a lot of fun along the way. I’ve also learned a lot. I’ll start things off with my first “good watch” and first real love, a Valjoux 7753-powered automatic chronograph.
Okay, so it wasn’t technically my first “good watch” – I owned a Hamilton Jazzmaster before this watch. But it was the first good watch that I purchased after careful research to make sure I actually wanted it (versus the Jazzmaster Open Heart, which I purchased on a whim). My “grail” at this time, as well as ever since I can remember, was an Omega Speedmaster, and I always loved the look of chronographs.
Baume & Mercier Capeland Chronograph
I decided my first big purchase would be a chronograph, but one that would be able to exist alongside a Speedmaster if I did end up obtaining one someday. An automatic chronograph with a white dial fit the bill. Plus, this model (reference 10061) also comes with a telemeter for measuring distance, along with the more common tachymeter for measuring speed. I thought this would be cool (even if it’s something I’d never actually use). The white dial also appealed to me, because it meant that the white date window wouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb, either.
I also found the idea of owning a Valjoux 7750 appealing (or in the case of my Capeland chrono, a 7753 – which mostly just means the subdials are arranged in a different layout than the traditional 7750 where they’re placed at 12, 9, and 6). Some have even gone so far as to call it the world’s greatest chronograph movement by far. Sure, it’s a pretty common movement and it’s not a column wheel chronograph movement, but there’s a reason pretty much every brand has utilized it at some point (or still does).
I still enjoy owning this watch, and I’m actually a fan of the infamous “rotor-wobble” that the Valjoux 7750-based movements are known for.
This one’s definitely in the “never sell” bucket, not only because it was my first true love, but also because it was my wedding watch, as well as the watch I wore in the hospital for the birth of my first child. I must admit, I don’t wear it as often as I used to though, because it’s a big, heavy watch, and my tastes have gravitated towards slimmer watches in general. I’ll get around to reviewing this one eventually.
Oris Diver’s Sixty-Five
I already posted an in-depth review of this watch here. It’s also probably my favorite watch that I own overall. My wife gifted me the watch on our wedding day, complete with the date and our initials engraved on the back.
This is my daily wearer in the summer, and I have a hard time taking it off once I put it on my wrist, especially when it’s on its bracelet. It’s just a great watch, and I could see it being my “only watch” if I could only keep one.
Omega Speedmaster Professional
This one was my grail watch, and I told myself it would be my last watch once I finally got my grubby hands on one. Jokes on me. It definitively wasn’t my last, but it’s still one of my favorites.
The Speedmaster is my daily wearer in colder months. I did purchase a new 3861 bracelet for it, but I’m of the opinion that it looks best on straps. The Speedmaster is a certified strap monster, so pretty much any straps will look good – I’ve even tried wearing it on a tropic strap. I always seem to come back to the oem alligator strap, however, and that’s what I’m wearing it on now.
IWC Mark XVI Spitfire
I always thought IWC was a cool brand, and I love its history. The Mark series watches specifically always interested me. Once I had the Speedmaster, I kind of dismissed the Mark series because I thought a black-dialed tool watch would be too repetitive. That was before I first laid eyes on the Mark XVI Spitfire, though. I knew this one was right up m alley pretty much instantly when I came across it randomly on a watch forum. It took time to find one in decent condition for the right price, but it was well worth the wait.
I already reviewed this watch in-depth here, and I still think it’s one of the most unique fliegers money can buy. The dial on this watch is truly special.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
I wanted a field watch to round things out, and the Hamilton Khaki Field fit the bill. I thought that it might end up being a “stepping stone” until I upgraded to a Tudor Ranger, but after owning the watch since October – that’s not the case anymore. This one’s a keeper.
I already had black and white dial watches at this point, so I decided to go with something a little different. I chose the brown “tropical dial” version with tan NATO, and I’m glad I did. The dial on this watch is great, and it really turns chocolatey-brown in the sun. It also goes great with the coloring of the faux-lume. My previous review of this watch can be read here.
Wrapping up the “core” collection, next I’ll move on to my Seikos.
Seiko SKX009J
I’ll start with the classic SKX, which was my first dive watch. I chose it because I wanted a Pepsi bezel diver, and this one wouldn’t break the bank. I never considered buying a dive watch until a trip to Hawaii.
The SKX at the time was cheap, robust, and well-regarded – so I bought one and never looked back. It’s still one of my “go-to” watches if I know I’ll be swimming in a pool, the ocean, or maybe even a river. It’s just a great low maintenance, dyed-in-the-wool tool watch that’s easy to wear – especially in summer.
Seiko SRPB55 “Samurai”
I bought this one as an upgrade to my SKX, but I somehow managed to keep the SKX as well. I love the bezel on this one – it’s the same coloring as a can of Guinness.
The gunmetal case and sharp angles are unique, which is what initially caught my attention. A more in-depth review can be read here. Despite the 44mm case, the short lug-to-lug allow the watch to wear much better than the paper specs would suggest.
Seiko 5 Sports SNZG
This was my first field watch, and I still think is one of the best “starter watches” money can buy. The printing on the dial is crisp, and the applied Seiko logo looks great
I usually grab my Khaki Field when I go hiking now, but this watch still gets wrist time every now and then. It’s also got twice the water resistance of the Hamilton – coming in at 100m. I struggle to find a better value field watch, considering I only paid a little over $100 for this one. The only odd feature of this watch is the fact it doesn’t “hack”. Kind of strange for a military inspired watch, but then again, the 7S26 movement powering the watch doesn’t have hacking capabilities.
Seiko SARB065 “Cocktail Time”
I recently re-acquired a NOS example of this watch (the serial number indicates a production date of 2017). I flipped this watch awhile back before it was discontinued, missed it, and then thought I blew it when prices shot up. When I was able to grab a new one at a reasonable price, I had to jump on it.
I’m currently wearing it on a navy ColaReb strap, which I think suits the watch’s ice-blue dial. A longer review of the watch can be read here.
Seiko SARB035
I recently reviewed this watch, which is technically my wife’s. This is one of the most wearable watches I’ve ever come across, the case dimensions are perfect.
I love the dial and applied indices on this watch, and the subtle sheen of sunburst on the cream dial is really great. It’s a shame that it’s been discontinued, in my opinion.
Oris Big Crown
This is my wife’s watch that I gave her on our wedding day, s we both had an Oris on our wrist on our honeymoon in Europe.
It’s served her well, and has 100m water resistance, as well as a screw-down crown. The dial is an almost enamel like white, with small diamond markers at the edge of the dial, and the lack of the date keeps the overall symmetry intact. I like the knurled bezel as well.
The Pocket Watch Collection
My collection of pocket watches is a simple three watch collection. It consists of watches from Hamilton, Waltham, and Omega.
I’d like to maybe add an Elgin one day, and possibly a stop watch from Heuer or Minerva. For now, this is it though. I love pocket watches, but because I can’t really wear them on my wrist, acquiring more really isn’t a top priority.
Wrapping Up My State Of The Collection, And What’s Next
Heading into 2022, I’m pretty content with what I have. If I was going to add a new watch in 2022, it would be a triple calendar – but that’s a big if. A Baume and Mercier Clifton Complete Calendar would be nice (a triple calendar with moonphase complication), but I think I’m actually done adding new pieces for awhile (at least that’s what I tell myself). I’m thinking 2022 will be a year more focused on learning more about watchmaking history, which is a journey that I plan to share along the way with some new posts (and cool vintage ads, of course). Happy New Year everyone!