I currently have three watches. One was a wedding gift, one was bequeathed to me, and one I purchased. Lately, and I don't know why, I've had an itch I just may need to scratch, and I want to buy myself a really nice watch.
1. 41mm Tag Heuer Link WT5110 Automatic from around 2000. This was a wedding gift and it's been my go-to daily watch for 23 years. It's been serviced twice, keeps time like a champ, it has been with me through thick and thin, and I love it for its nostalgic value to me but I'm kinda bored with it.
2. 36mm Rolex Datejust Black Dial Thunderbird Model 16253 from 1987. This was bequeathed to me from my FIL who had three girls and only my wife is married. It was pretty beaten up when I received it and I sent it to be serviced. The bracelet is in particularly bad shape (super stretched) but it was $4k for a new bracelet. The crystal is also acrylic (I believe 1988 is when they went to sapphire) and it scratches very easily. The band also just barely fits me and I get a little carpal tunnel if I wear it too long. This obviously has sentimental value to me and I tend to only wear it on special occasions for short periods of time. Weirdly, it doesn't feel like MY watch. My FIL and I had a great relationship and while I'm honored (if that's the correct term?) by the bequeath because he loved this watch, I kind of feel like I'm just a steward charged to take care of this watch until one of my three boys, my FIL's only grandsons, are old enough to care for this watch. To me, that seems like a better home being passed from grandfather to grandson.
3. 43mm Citizen Eco-Drive Sapphire WR100 E111-S070856 Calendar Date Black. I think I paid $150 for this watch and it's super comfortable, it keeps time accurately, just needs to be worn in the sun every 6 months or so, and from a bang for your buck POV it is a super solid watch. Clearly doesn't feel built to the same standards as the Tag or Rolex but a great watch.
Lately, I've become obsessed with Grand Seikos - not really but I really like them. I think they're absolutely gorgeous, my understanding is they are built like few other watches, and while they may not have the same name recognition as Rolex or Breitling or Omega, amongst watch people they seem to have a great reputation. The contrarian in me likes that they are great quality but also not as mainstream as other watch brands. I want something awesome but not necessarily flashy. Does anyone know anything about Grand Seikos? If yes, what's your opinion of GS? Below is a picture of my dream GS but I have not made up my mind. This is a little out of character for me to even think about spending this kind of money but hey, I can't take it with me, and I can at least leave each of the children a nice memento to remember me.
1. 41mm Tag Heuer Link WT5110 Automatic from around 2000. This was a wedding gift and it's been my go-to daily watch for 23 years. It's been serviced twice, keeps time like a champ, it has been with me through thick and thin, and I love it for its nostalgic value to me but I'm kinda bored with it.
2. 36mm Rolex Datejust Black Dial Thunderbird Model 16253 from 1987. This was bequeathed to me from my FIL who had three girls and only my wife is married. It was pretty beaten up when I received it and I sent it to be serviced. The bracelet is in particularly bad shape (super stretched) but it was $4k for a new bracelet. The crystal is also acrylic (I believe 1988 is when they went to sapphire) and it scratches very easily. The band also just barely fits me and I get a little carpal tunnel if I wear it too long. This obviously has sentimental value to me and I tend to only wear it on special occasions for short periods of time. Weirdly, it doesn't feel like MY watch. My FIL and I had a great relationship and while I'm honored (if that's the correct term?) by the bequeath because he loved this watch, I kind of feel like I'm just a steward charged to take care of this watch until one of my three boys, my FIL's only grandsons, are old enough to care for this watch. To me, that seems like a better home being passed from grandfather to grandson.
3. 43mm Citizen Eco-Drive Sapphire WR100 E111-S070856 Calendar Date Black. I think I paid $150 for this watch and it's super comfortable, it keeps time accurately, just needs to be worn in the sun every 6 months or so, and from a bang for your buck POV it is a super solid watch. Clearly doesn't feel built to the same standards as the Tag or Rolex but a great watch.
Lately, I've become obsessed with Grand Seikos - not really but I really like them. I think they're absolutely gorgeous, my understanding is they are built like few other watches, and while they may not have the same name recognition as Rolex or Breitling or Omega, amongst watch people they seem to have a great reputation. The contrarian in me likes that they are great quality but also not as mainstream as other watch brands. I want something awesome but not necessarily flashy. Does anyone know anything about Grand Seikos? If yes, what's your opinion of GS? Below is a picture of my dream GS but I have not made up my mind. This is a little out of character for me to even think about spending this kind of money but hey, I can't take it with me, and I can at least leave each of the children a nice memento to remember me.