Dividing the Collection into Two Tiers: State of the Collection, August 2014

The collection (notice not “watch collection” but the more ominous, protean “collection,” which I envisage as a breathing, huffing, puffing cloud) has changed as of late, its most striking changes focused on my recent inclination to upgrade watches with new bracelets. These activities are often called “mods” in the world of watch idiot savants. Another thing I noticed is that the collection has divided into two tiers, Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Here are the watches in each Tier with a brief comment after each:

Tier 1

1. Seiko Tuna SBBN017: irresistibly toolish with on the Super Engineer II, makes me feel I’m a character in a James Bond film. Also I can’t stop staring at those giant lume dots.
2. EcoZilla with modified Benarus Suppa bracelet:  It’s amazing how the bracelet completely transforms the watch.
3. Orient Saturation Diver with Endmill bracelet: Thank God the new bracelet grew on me and ended my search for the OSD’s perfect bracelet complement. Just for fun, though, I’d like to experiment with a shark mesh.
4. Benarus Moray Dart: The watch’s open bezel design and long lume “darts” make the 44mm Moray Dart play like a 48mm on the wrist.
5. Citizen Grand Touring: This makes me think I’m wearing a low-maintenance Panerai for under $750. I just wish I were skinnier as the CGT doesn’t wear as well on a beefy dude.
6. The pre-ordered Benarus Megalodon 04 with carbon dial, due sometime early in 2015. It’s called a Megalodon. Isn’t that enough? If it isn’t, then look at those teeth.
7. Seiko SBDL021 (due in a month and will take off the rubber strap and replace with a Strapcode Super Engineer II). This is a lost love that is coming back home.

Tier Two

1. Citizen EcoZilla on rubber strap: This was my first watch love, the gateway drug to the disease. It’s the only watch I wear when I go swimming.
2. Citizen Promaster BN2029: Fun to wear once in a while but rubber strap and busy dial keep it in Tier Two. Still a keeper, though.
3. Orient M-Force Beast with blue dial: This is a gorgeous watch with a subtle shade of blue that gets more vivid blue in sunlight. I’d put it in Tier 1 except that Tier is full for now.
4. Orient M-Force with orange dial on a Super Engineer II. I’m sour that I stripped the crown just a few months after owning it. But it still works. Just don’t get it wet.
5. Seiko Black Monster SRP307 on a Super Engineer II. I wear this more than any watch, yet I still put it in Tier 2. What gives?

Any watches on the horizon? I’m still looking for decent priced Seiko Sawtooths, especially the blue dial. I may want to get a Seiko SRP441 Land Monster and mod it with a shark mesh bracelet, which I have lying around. The Deep Blue second generation Depthmaster with black case, black bracelet, and sunray blue dial looks very compelling. As soon as I get those, my collection will be complete.

Final Thoughts:

I'm surprised to say this but if I could only own 2 watches from the collection it would be the Seiko Tuna and the EcoZilla on the Suppa. Neither have sapphire.

 

 

Related articles

Benarus Accepting Pre-Orders on Their 2014 Megalodon

Thank You, Benarus, for Your Understanding

Pulled the Trigger on a Benarus Moray Dart 44 with Black Ceramic Dial

No Reservation Slots Left for 2014 Benarus Megalodon

First Look: Benarus Moray Dart with 44mm Bezel

Comments

[jonnybardo]

So you pre-ordered the Benarus Megaladon? Nice - it seems right up your alley. Did you pre-order the 04, I take it? The one with carbon dial cross-hatch?

[herculodge]

I wanted the noncarbon version but it was taken. However, the carbon version will be fine. I don't have any such dials in my collection.

[Angelo]

Sometimes things happen for a reason----the carbon version adds a new twist to the collection. It's like building a football team----if you already have two good north/south style running backs because you like playing that style of offense----it doesn't mean a third version of that RB is needed. Maybe a 3rd down specialist---change of pace speedy/shifty back compliments the team better.

[jonnybardo]

Jeff, I noticed the rather conspicuous absence of the Sumo in your tiers. Does that mean you sold it (again)?

[herculodge]

Yeah, I'm over the Sumo. It would be great in a 4 watch rotation but as it is it was a job to wear it. Time to move on. The Sumo is selling on eBay as we speak.

[jonnybardo]

Three strikes and you're out.

The Sumo is in my "pile" of watches to sell, but I've been avoiding the hassle of it. It is too similar to my black Omega, which gets precedence.