After a recent watch binge, I'm on a purge and during this purge (selling watches on eBay), I've contemplated the three watches I would keep in my collection if all the others had to go.
Here they are: Seiko Tuna SBBN017, Deep Blue Depthmaster Generation II black with blue dial, and Seiko Kinetic Prospex Tuna SUN019.
A watch obsessive realistically can't get his collection down to three. Eight is more realistic. But whatever your number is, lower is better. You bond with your prized watches better. You enjoy your smaller collection more. And you have more peace of mind.
Realistically, I couldn't part with my EcoZilla on Suppa bracelet, Orient Saturation Diver, Seiko Flightmaster SBDL021 on shark mesh, Benarus Moray Dart, Benarus Megalodon (coming in 2015) and Citizen Promaster BN2029.
So I could deal with 9. And if I kept my daily beaters, my Seiko Black Monster second generation and Ecozilla on rubber strap, I'd be at 11. That works for me.
That's a nice "holy trinity" - you've got just about all the major diver qualities covered: silver and black bezels on silver, all-black, blue dial. I suppose the only thing missing would be chronograph, but for that you've got a Fieldmaster.
Three is hard for me to narrow to, although would definitely include my two Omegas. After that, either the Zixen, Oris, or Citizen Signature. Then it would be the Black Monster as a beater. That's seven that I would be happy having and can sell the rest, including the SKA425, and make room for one more watch - an all-black. So I suppose my "watch goals" for the rest of the year are trim to seven (sell six) and add an all-black. Will my collection be complete? Haha.
By the way, your Deep Blue reminds me of my old Tempest Viking. I miss that watch, although it was too big. There's a rumor they're going to do a 42mm version, which would be awfully tempting.
Posted by: jonnybardo | September 22, 2014 at 09:16 AM
Whoops, forgot the Orient Revolver in the list of keepers. But I got the numbers right.
Posted by: jonnybardo | September 22, 2014 at 09:20 AM
I have anxiety even thinking of getting rid of my dozens of my watches to get down to 8 or worse yet, 3. And I disagree with the premise that one would enjoy a smaller collection more. If I had to go down to three watches----the hobby aspect would be over for me. In fact, I believe I'd start viewing the watches as an appliance---then stop wearing them (except for special occasions) and go to my Blackberry for the time on most days. For me, the quantity and search for the next one is what keeps me interested. I love the idea of opening the cabinet each morning to decide which one I'm going to wear and having a big choice to make.
Posted by: Angelo | September 23, 2014 at 04:17 AM
As the saying goes, different strokes for different folks. As I wrote about some time ago on my blog, there seem to be different "collecting temperaments." You and I seem to be at different ends of the spectrum, Angelo.
Posted by: jonnybardo | September 23, 2014 at 04:53 AM
When my collection gets over a certain number, I'm overcome with dread and anxiety, much of which is centered on the feeling that I can't enjoy my Grail watches. It's as if the lesser watches are diluting the power of the Grails. "Dread and anxiety." No one said I wasn't dramatic.
Posted by: herculodge | September 23, 2014 at 06:45 AM
I understand both points you make. And yes, as Sylvester "Sly" Stone observed, "Different strokes for different folks and so on and so on..." And just to clarify----I see a pretty big divide between having 8 or more watches----or only having 3. If I were to get down to 3 watches, particularly if they were 3 watches that had sentimental value or were very expensive (and didn't have enough resale value to make it worth selling them) I'd feel locked in----and might enjoy having them, but the fact is that I wouldn't feel like selling and that means buying would be off the table if I had to stay at 3---meaning the interest in following new watches coming out or trolling on E-Bay for good deals would be over for me too, which is the backbone of the hobby, at least for me. Jeff---I also understand that every day wearing your least expensive and maybe least interesting watch is time taken away from your Tuna. But I square that for myself with a football analogy: Even if I have the best running back in the league, I still want to have a change of pace back and a third down specialist playing behind him to change things up once in a while. I also want some semblance of a passing game too---and by having those other components in place, it enhances my use of that star running back and likely gives him a longer career too!
Posted by: Angelo | September 23, 2014 at 06:56 AM
You bring up a good point, Angelo - which is that the hobby IS collecting, that is, buying and selling. Without that, there isn't a lot of "hobby action." I guess this is the difference between a collector--someone who actively buys and sells (but mainly buys)--and an enthusiast, who might buy a new watch on occasion but at a far slower pace. Perhaps I've fully transitioned from collector to enthusiast (or, if we want to be cynical, from "addict" to "recreational user").
Anyhow, as far as the running back analogy goes, I basically agree, although an NFL team has, what, only three running backs? I'm guessing a team plays their best guy 70% of the time, their second-best 20% and their third-best 10%. And of course it varies depending upon the gap between the three.
But I have 13 watches, Jeff has 15 (I think), and you have, what, 50? Even just 13 is hard to make time for. I wear just 2 of my watches 80+% of the time, and another 5 or so 10-20% of the time, and then the rest--6 watches--never. I've tried giving them wrist time and always end up back with the others. So it is time to sell. As I said, that would leave me with a collection of 7-8 (depending upon if I buy a new all-black watch). That seems to fit my wearing habits better than 13.
Posted by: jonnybardo | September 23, 2014 at 07:59 AM
Jonny: Yes----I think typically, an NFL team might carry 4 running backs but only 3 see regular action and one might be on special teams duty. But another way of looking at it is that a college football team has a huge amount of guys who dress for the games----many of whom never see action. A "collector" of anything might have some pieces that are considered "dead weight" by others, because they never see the collector using those items----but to the collector, they earn their keep in other ways. I feel this way about some of my radios----haven't listened to some of them for years----but wouldn't want to sell them because they occupy a space in my collection that has meaning to me---a purpose. I'm sure Jay Leno feels that way about some of his cars. As for my watches, I don't think I have 50, but yes, it's into the dozens, "several" dozen. I do wear most of them----obviously, some more often than others. I have a few that need batteries----and perhaps as a couple more end up with dead batteries, I'll have new batteries put in the ones that are currently down and put them back in the rotation and the ones that lose power will sit for a while "on injured reserve!" Keep in mind though----some of my watches are old and have such little value, they're not worth selling. I don't feel bad about not wearing those watches regularly. They don't take up much space at all----so there's not much stress in just keeping them for posterity. When you guys invest several hundred dollars or more----it's a different dynamic. You rightfully want to feel as though those watches are getting wrist time and paying off for you, justifying the investment. If you're holding other watches that are valuable enough to warrant selling----why not sell them? I do get that. A rotation of 10 watches, all of them purchased in the hundreds of dollars----is much different than a collection of 40+ watches----only a dozen of which were purchased in the hundreds, and about 30 of them obtained for far less----under $100.00, at times, $25.00-$30.00. Today, I'm wearing a Croton automatic---stainless/gunmetal with a bright yellow dial. This watch was between $50.00-$60.00 (on sale). I probably wear this one every 2-3 weeks. If I made a commitment to get down to 10 watches, this one would not make the cut. But I have to say----I would really miss it.
Posted by: Angelo | September 23, 2014 at 11:04 AM
It's interesting that two of your three favs are quartz watches. I notice that a lot of watch enthusiasts look down on quartz watches, in favor of automatics. That said, the Tuna and Kinetic Tuna are two of the nicer quartz watches currently available. Personally, I like the "grab and go" aspect of a quartz watch (no need to wind and set it when you want to wear it).
Posted by: Gary | September 26, 2014 at 02:36 PM
Jeff,
Are the Depthmaster and Tuna getting reasonable wrist time, or is the Kinetic Tuna the king?
Posted by: Gary | October 18, 2014 at 04:34 PM
Gary, I wear the Kinetic every day. I wear the Depthmaster once or twice per week. I wear the Tuna once a month. I have no reason why.
Posted by: herculodge | October 18, 2014 at 05:31 PM
The Tuna probably feels sad that it has been demoted. It would probably fetch a decent price on eBay. It seems like it has a cult following. I think the Tuna SBBN017 goes for a higher price new than the Kinetic Tuna SUN019.
Posted by: Gary | October 18, 2014 at 06:09 PM
I would never sell it. It's "me." I'll wear it Tuesday.
Posted by: herculodge | October 18, 2014 at 06:13 PM
My current "rotational frequency":
Blue Seamaster: 2-3/week
Black Seamaster: 2-3/week
Citizen Signature: 2-4/month
Zixen Nitrox: 1-3/month
Oris Divers Date: 1-3/month
Orient Revolver: 1-2/month
Seiko Black Monster: Maybe 1/month
Everything else: negligible if at all
Posted by: jonnybardo | October 19, 2014 at 08:17 AM