Early 2015 the collection should be thus in order of preference with some comments.
1. Orient Saturation Diver, the king of my collection, bold, classic, luxury build quality shows compared to my others. I wish I could post a photo of it here but since my Apple crashed, I realized I don't have any photos currently.
2. Seiko Sumo, classic, simple, it points to a refined aesthetic, a very mysterious watch: just when you think it's too plain, it seems stunning in its original design.
3. Seiko Kinetic Diver SUN019: I'm beholden to the huge lume markers; it's my surrogate Breitling; however, I resent its kinetic power, a real pain and a source of anxiety. If I didn't love the huge lume markers so much, I'd sell it.
4. Seiko Tuna on Super Engineer Bracelet, a breathtaking watch with original design, I only wish it were an automatic, not quartz.
5. Benarus Moray 44mm Dart, unique, classic, plays bigger than a 44mm. I wish I wore it more.
6. Citizen Promaster BN2029, so different in looks to any watch I own. It doesn't get enough wrist time but I like having this 53mm beast around as "Invicta insurance" so that if the oversized impulse hits me, I'll be "protected" by the Promaster. Lume could be better for a diver watch. Doesn't get much wrist time.
7. Seiko SBDL021 FlightMaster or FieldMaster on shark mesh, my only chrono, I love its original design, shame it doesn't get much wrist time.
8. Seiko SRP307 Black Monster II on Super Engineer, don't ask me why this is ranked at 8. It's so comfortable and appealing, it gets a lot of wrist time but mostly around the house.
9. Citizen EcoZilla on rubber, this is my first "real watch," the one that started the disease. I wear it as a beater and a swimmer now.
For Possible Sale in 2015:
Deep Blue Depthmaster black with blue dial, love the dial and lume markers, less enthusiastic about the case and bracelet; also I worry the black will scratch. It's flawless right now. Perhaps I should sell it in mint condition.
Invicta Force 4831. I wore this once since I bought it, or I should say re-bought it, two months ago. As I was wearing it, I was thinking it was like getting back with an ex-girlfriend and realizing we had grown apart.
Possible Acquisitions for 2015
I pre-ordered the carbon dial Benarus Megalodon with stainless steel bezel. I assume I'll be getting it, but I'll believe it when I see it.
I've been swooned by the Zixen Nitro LS in black. Jonny owns it. For some reason its charms have hit me lately.
On the Outer Stratosphere
I'm drawn to the black Citizen Promaster Sky BY0084-56E.
I miss my Orient M-Force Beast with black dial, model number EL06001B
Are you going to see if someone can make your dead Mac's hard drive readable, so you can at least get your data files off of it?
I hope you didn't lose any family photos.
Posted by: Gary | December 13, 2014 at 02:02 PM
Did you decide to keep the Citizen BN2029, since it didn't sell on eBay?
Posted by: Gary | December 13, 2014 at 02:03 PM
The one guy who bid on the BN2029 was from Brazil and I was only excepting US buyers. Also, before I knew the bidder was from out of US, I felt sad and a bit conflicted about selling the BN2029, so when I banned the bidder I decided to take the Promaster off the market. It's such a unique watch, a real counterpoint to the more traditional divers I wear like the OSD and Sumo.
A friend is coming over next week to help me start my old Apple. If it's gone, then a lot of family photos are gone though they were posted on facebook.
Posted by: herculodge | December 13, 2014 at 02:37 PM
Keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to get the hard disk to boot in your old Mac in order to get your data files off of it. You can have someone remove it from the old Mac and attach it via a USB adapter to your new Mac. I'd try this before giving up. I'd hate to lose all the data on the old computer.
Posted by: Gary | December 13, 2014 at 05:05 PM
A fun post - I suppose it means I'm a real watch nerd that I enjoyed reading it. I'll post something similar by tomorrow.
Anyhow, a few comments.
1) 11 watches isn't too bad. Still feeling rotation anxiety?
2) I remember at one point you were on the verge of selling the OSD. A good reminder.
3) Zixen in black...do you mean the black bezel? Or he black dial with silver like mine? I really like the black bezel because it has lumed markers and is a "lume fiesta," but a huge part of the Zixen appeal (for me) is that amazing steel bezel. But again, go check them out in the metal.
4) I'm not sure if the gap was intentional, or subconscious, but it seems there's a bit drop-off between 4 and 5. My guess is that you'll eventually sell 5-7 as you find yourself not wearing them. You'll keep the Monster and EcoZilla for nostalgia sake, and as great beaters.
5) Deep Blue is like upscale Invicta. As I think I said to you, there's something candy-like about their watches. They have some fun designs - remember the Abyss I had with that crazy build? - but they're all showers and not growers.
Posted by: jonnybardo | December 13, 2014 at 06:46 PM
The Deep Blue could very well sell in 2015 to help fund the Megalodon. I prefer the SS bezel on the Nitrox but worry about the ETA movement in terms of service costs.
Posted by: herculodge | December 13, 2014 at 07:02 PM
But you wouldn't need it serviced for 5-10 years, and how many watches do you own from 5 years ago? One, I think?
Posted by: jonnybardo | December 13, 2014 at 07:06 PM
Fair point. But since the place is so close to my house, I think I would be well served to go in there and give them a look in person.
Posted by: herculodge | December 13, 2014 at 07:49 PM
Definitely - that's quite convenient. Check out the Trimix as well - I love the orange dial.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f74/new-zixen-trimix-44-1000m-photos-425782.html
Posted by: jonnybardo | December 13, 2014 at 08:27 PM