So I know this is a bit navel-gazing, but sometimes these posts are helpful to others, so here goes. This post is a little bit SOTC, but it's mostly just my inner monologue whenever I look at my watchbox.

I have a new CW C63 Yellow Sealander incoming, and I am trying to stick to a one in / one out policy. On top of that, I'd really like to get back down to 12 or even 10 watches in my collection. I've also recently realized that after 12 years in this hobby, I want those 12 or 10 slots in my collection to be filled by watches I love, not just watches I am okay with. Using that as a measuring stick, I really do have a lot of wiggle room. It's just a matter of working up the willingness to actually part with some watches and miss them a little bit. So here are some broad categories that put some context to my thinking and where I am right now.

Absolutely Off Limits - Can I Donate a Body Part Instead?
- ALS 1815 Annual Calendar: Wedding watch. Never ever ever ever leaving my collection unless it's being passed on to my child, and even then, he/she better be getting good grades!
- Sinn EZM 13: Fell in love with this one the moment I watched the Worn and Wound Review, and I just love so many things about it. I love that it's built like a tank. I love that it's quirky and asymmetrical. I love that it's all stark contrasts with little splashes of red. I'd have happily paid double for this watch. gwells can tell you how much I fawned over this thing at a Watchbuys event.
- Grand Seiko SBGJ251 (High Beat GMT, Dark Green): Just a wonderful all-around watch. Dressy, a little sporty. Beautifully designed. Dial is not as in your face as some of the other popular GS models, but it's still interesting. When I wear this watch, I feel like I am getting the emotional satisfaction of wearing a Rolex without all the hoop jumping and baggage (and potential risk).

Mostly Off Limits - If the Stars Aligned
- CWL 2009 FLE: This watch means a lot, reflecting my time and friendships made on this forum and my beginnings as a WIS. It'd only leave my collection to go to another member of the Asylum.
- Omega Speedmaster Racing (grey and yellow): Love the fit, love the colorway. Love that it's icon adjacent. This used to be #1 in my collection, but I've already offered to sell it to a friend, so it could go under the right circumstances.
- Towson Watch Company C20 Chronograph: Beautiful, understated, and it was made in my hometown. I think this one only leaves my collection if a family member or close friend wanted it.

Tough to Sell As Is - I'm Clumsy, and I've Dinged Her Up Pretty Good
- Sinn 103SAB: Significant scratches on the top right lug. This is a beautiful and limited watch from one of my favorite brands, and I think I would regret it pretty hard if I sold it. I love that it's such a departure for what Sinn usually does. I don't think you'd have any idea that it was a Sinn until you saw the logo.
- C70 US Quartz (Cunningham Stripe): lots of scratches on the bezel. The battery is currently dead and not really bothered to replace it.
- Bremont Solo (white 43mm): decent size chip in the bezel and some scratches on the crystal. I like it, but it's too big, and there are other, Bremont options that intrigue me.

Ready to Move (I Think)- It's Not You. It's Me. Actually, It's You.
- Tudor Black Bay Heritage 41 mm: Hard to want to hold onto this with the Pelagos 39mm out there now.
- Grand Seiko SBGA415: Probably more interesting Spring Drive options out there.
- Casio G-SHOCK: I feel like I should own one as a WIS, and it's fine, but I don't really wear it.
- CWL C65 Super Compressor: Maybe. I know, I just got you, but that yellow Sealander that I have incoming... some of you may know the meme of the guy, holding hands with his lady, walking down the block but looking back at another woman? Yeah, that's me right now.

If I could instantly re-configure my collection, I think I'd trade the Black Bay 41 for a Pelagos 39, the Bremont Solo for an S300, and I'd probably find good homes for the Grand Seiko SBGA415, the G-SHOCK and the CWL C70 Cunningham Stripe. And then we'd see what happens with the showdown between the C63 Sealander 36mm and the C65 Super Compressor.

Overall, I'm really happy with my collection, and where I am with this hobby. I've got my over-the-top grail piece, and I've got sentimental pieces, and I've got value pieces, and pieces that just make me smile. But I also think there's room to demand more out of these mechanical marvels and to not settle (at least too much). After all, the hunt is a big part of the fun, right? The perfect collection may well be purposefully elusive.

We'll see what the watch box looks like next year!

Anyhow, after all that, I'm curious what kinds of thoughts come to mind most when you all are thinking about what pieces to cull. How do you go about it? Is it just thinking about which pieces you like to wear the most or does it get more involved than that? For me, this year, the idea that I want to love (and not just like) each piece in my collection is the real guiding thought.

This was a really fun read, thanks for sharing. It’s like a little peak into your mind.

Peteo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 8:09 pm - Grand Seiko SBGJ251…When I wear this watch, I feel like I am getting the emotional satisfaction of wearing a Rolex without all the hoop jumping and baggage (and potential risk).

I’m intrigued by this. Can you elaborate on what you mean?

It sounds to me that you have already decided, just get rid

jkbarnes wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 8:25 pm This was a really fun read, thanks for sharing. It’s like a little peak into your kind.

Peteo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 8:09 pm - Grand Seiko SBGJ251…When I wear this watch, I feel like I am getting the emotional satisfaction of wearing a Rolex without all the hoop jumping and baggage (and potential risk).

I’m intrigued by this. Can you elaborate on what you mean?

I've tried to explain this to my friend Mike, who bought a Submariner before things went nuts and who for whatever reason hasn't taken the plunge with Grand Seiko. I haven't persuaded him.

The best way I can explain it is that most of the time, I like the quiet, private experience of no one else really knowing what I have on my wrist.
But my two GS watches are for the rare times when I want the brand name to do a little bit of the lifting. I think it's a brand that can do that, whereas most of my other watches really can't, not with normal people anyway. GS has found a certain kind of magic and stability within the confines of a rather narrow and conservative design aesthetic. This is a company that is succeeding at producing great watches while innovating, and their history is one that even casual watch appreciators have some connection to. A lot like Rolex. But unlike Rolex, I don't have to get on long wait lists or play the grey market price inflation game or be scared of getting mugged. So YMMV, but my mind, I get a lot of the same satisfaction without the other stuff.

Peteo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 10:38 pm I've tried to explain this to my friend Mike, who bought a Submariner before things went nuts and who for whatever reason hasn't taken the plunge with Grand Seiko. I haven't persuaded him.

The best way I can explain it is that most of the time, I like the quiet, private experience of no one else really knowing what I have on my wrist.
But my two GS watches are for the rare times when I want the brand name to do a little bit of the lifting. I think it's a brand that can do that, whereas most of my other watches really can't, not with normal people anyway. GS has found a certain kind of magic and stability within the confines of a rather narrow and conservative design aesthetic. This is a company that is succeeding at producing great watches while innovating, and their history is one that even casual watch appreciators have some connection to. A lot like Rolex. But unlike Rolex, I don't have to get on long wait lists or play the grey market price inflation game or be scared of getting mugged. So YMMV, but my mind, I get a lot of the same satisfaction without the other stuff.

Ahh, I get it. That makes perfect sense. Thanks for the explanation.

golfjunky wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 8:57 pm It sounds to me that you have already decided, just get rid

Any chance you're in the market for a slightly beat up Bremont Solo?

And just to clarify for me without sidetracking the thread, are Seiko and Grand Seiko separate brand lines within the same company or are they distinct companies in and of themselves?

^^^ They are two distinct brands under the same parent company, Seiko-Epson. Yes, the Epson that makes printers.

Peteo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 10:41 pm Any chance you're in the market for a slightly beat up Bremont Solo?

Is there any reason why a beat up watch shouldn’t be put up for sale? I know we’re used to buying excellent watches on sales corner but so long as the price matches the condition of the watch I could definitely see me buying a beat up watch if it meant the chance to try out a watch I couldn’t afford otherwise.

missF wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 10:52 pm

Peteo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 10:41 pm Any chance you're in the market for a slightly beat up Bremont Solo?

Is there any reason why a beat up watch shouldn’t be put up for sale? I know we’re used to buying excellent watches on sales corner but so long as the price matches the condition of the watch I could definitely see me buying a beat up watch if it meant the chance to try out a watch I couldn’t afford otherwise.

No, and you make a good point, missF. I could definitely put them up for sale, and I think it would be easier to do so in this forum since some of you know me at least a little bit and well, it's a British watch. But generally speaking, I'd have to be willing to take a bigger loss, which means it becomes easier to convince myself to just keep it.

@Peteo
I really admire your analytical approach and discipline toward your collection. "Into the boxes" is easy for me, "out of the boxes" not so much.

Often useful to put it on paper.....will observe with interest what departs!

Peteo wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 10:50 pm ^^^ They are two distinct brands under the same parent company, Seiko-Epson. Yes, the Epson that makes printers.

Seiko's ownership structure is a bit more complex than that. The overall company is Seiko Group from October 2022. Seiko and Grand Seiko are made by Seiko watch group which used to be part of Seiko Instruments but now seems to be a standalone company under the Seiko Group. Orient watches are part of Seiko Epson not part of Seiko Watches. Some of the other Seiko brands such as Alba are still part of Seiko Instruments.
Don't you just love a simple corporate structure...

@Peteo.
Now you are married, surely Mrs Peteo will advise.

That was me. Until I met my wife I was not complete, but now I'm finished.

JAFO wrote:@Peteo.
Now you are married, surely Mrs Peteo will advise.

That was me. Until I met my wife I was not complete, but now I'm finished.

Mrs. Peteo thinks that this is all a bit silly. She wore a quartz watch when we first started dating but the battery died and she never bothered replacing it. I’ve forgotten what brand. Victorinox maybe?

She lets me indulge though and she doesn’t ask very many questions!


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