Hello Everyone,

This is my SOTC for 2024 as well as a follow up to a post I made last year:

general-discussion/i-blame-magnum-pi-i- ... 60977.html

Much of 2023 was spent selling all the watches I collected since getting into this hobby. As I described in my post, I wanted to go in a completely different direction. I wanted this hobby to be more than just buying. I set out with certain guidelines in mind. There were some twist, turns, and surprises along the way.

So, where am I now? I feel I am in a good place. Don’t get me wrong, I still obsess over watches but that has not equaled buying (for the most part). I spend my time like all of you trying to put together the perfect collection, for me. Each of us go down the rabbit hole of this hobby: what kind of complications, how big should my collection be, what brands should I have in the collection, how much I spend, should I buy or not buy this year, what am I wearing the most these day, what new reviews are on YouTube, what’s on instagram, what’s happening on the CW forum, and on and on. I am really trying to stick to my rules. When I say that I am reminded of the line in John Wick, “without rules, we live with the animals.” I feel if I don’t follow the rules which I set for myself I will become some carnivore animal just devouring (buying) watches without even tasting them (enjoying). I will forever be on the hunt for the next meal. My entire world will just be survival. Okay, that is a little too far but kinda true.

2023 was great for me! I really had a good time with the hobby. I sold almost everything and I am getting my collection down to a good size, for me. I reduced my YouTube watching. I really focus on just a few channels: Jeff McMahon, Jody, You’re Terrific, Just the Watch Dave, and a couple of others. I learned to watch and not buy . I enjoy the content but sometimes a watch comes up that I start to obsess over it. I wonder if it could be the next piece. I research and read about it but I don’t take a bite. I want to buy a piece and never sell it. For those selling on EBay you will understand. I sold most of my watches, close to 50. The Casio AMW collection is sold with the exception of 2. Most of the others mentioned in my original post have been sold. I also went to the Worn and Wound show which was held in Chicago. That was a lot of fun. I spent the day trying on watches and talking with everyone there. It was great and I recommend anyone in the U.S. to go. So, what does my collection look like now:
Citizen Eco Drive (Blue Dial) - Was a gift from my wife on our 5 year anniversary cruise.
Seiko Quartz - Belonged to my late father-in- law. I had it completely redone a couple of years ago.
Casio AMW-320 (black dial) - I’ve had this watch for like 20 years now.
Casio AMW-320 (gold dial) - bought a few years ago and I just love the gold dial. Such a retro good looking Casio.
Seaholm Offshore - I love this micro brand watch. Company out of Austin, Texas but these are Swiss made. Just a beast of a watch.
Momentum Sea Quartz - Wife purchased last March for me on our 19th anniversary. I just love this re-issue Magnum Pi watch.
CW Prototype C65 Chrono - I have contemplated selling this watch but love the dial, such a fun watch. Great on a tropic strap.
Casio AE1200 - The madness of watch collecting. I bought a $15 watch and spent another $300 to make this. I bought a Kranio Designs stainless steel case with sapphire crystal ($185). I bought before SKX Mod came out with their products. I had a guy in the UK make this custom strap for me ($160). I also added the color filters. I refer to it as my retro Star Wars watch. I know, it is silly.
Timex Ironman Lap - I bought this year. I am a Casio guy but you can’t beat the visibility of this watch.
Rolex Explorer II - Enough said! The watch is not scratched, it is a shadow.

Shortly after posting my original story, I reached back out to my AD. I made friends with a very nice lady a couple of months prior. We talked for a bit and she asked which Rolex I wanted knowing it would be my first. I decided I wanted the Explorer II. Well, she called me just 3 weeks later and said I have one for you. It is a great watch and I wear it almost all the time.

Well, where do I go from here? Here are my 2024 goals:
1. Enjoy the hobby - I want to continue my journey. I will continue to watch my favorite YouTubers and I plan to attend Worn and Wound again this year (hopefully).
2. CW Forum - I want to post more this year. I did not post much last year and would like to be a little more involved this year.
3. Limit Instagram - I really need to work on this. Those reels are addicting!!!
4. Custom Leather Strap - I want to get a custom leather strap for my Citizen blue dial. I have a CW leather strap now and it is great but want something nicer for it.
4. Casio 50th Year - There are a couple of new releases I am watching this year. Who knows I may add one to the collection. I will not go past 15 watches so it will have to be the right one. The Casiotron leak looks interesting as well as the new AE168WEHB-9A coming out in March.
5. A New Watch - I have 3 empty slots in my watch box and looking at a couple options. I have several 2024 personal goals and if I achieve them I may splurge on something.

Watches I am looking at:
1. Weiss 42mm Field Watch - I love this watch but wish the crown was screw down. I really love it just don’t know if it is the one.
2. Cartier Tank XL Auto - This is You’re Terrific’s fault. I can’t stop thinking about this watch.
3. Rolex Datejust 41mm, white dial, jubilee - This is a longer term goal. I really like the two tone but probably will stick with the steel.

Thoughts on CW:
I am torn about how I feel at the moment. The releases this year have not impressed me. I feel like they have lost their way. I know, I know, the Bel Canto is awesome but it is just not for me. I don’t like the Twelve. I think they are making things too small (nothing in 41mm). I am hopeful for this year. I would like to see a bigger Sealander, the new Trident Series, and a 41mm straight field watch. I had the Elite 1000 and really like it. I am hoping they do a new version. I don’t think it sold well for them because they are still selling with the old logo.

Anyway, thanks for reading.

Thanks for posting and very interesting journey through quantity of watches and back!

Enjoyed reading your musings on your life through watches, it was funny in places, particularly the way you feel you need to reel your habits in. I really like your CW C65 proto, that's a fantastic dial colour with contrasting bezel. I wouldn't mind betting that there'll be a lot of folks on here wanting to know how you got yourself a Rolex Explorer II after just a 3wk wait!?

Des

ssholloway21 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 12:07 am
2. Cartier Tank XL Auto - This is You’re Terrific’s fault. I can’t stop thinking about this watch.

Good choice. On balance mine is still probably my favourite watch. It would bring a different look to your collection.

A really good read that
Being a casio fan myself I really like the moded world timer however it is the expii I would nick if your back was turned!

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:16 am

ssholloway21 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 12:07 am
2. Cartier Tank XL Auto - This is You’re Terrific’s fault. I can’t stop thinking about this watch.

Good choice. On balance mine is still probably my favourite watch. It would bring a different look to your collection.

I am really considering it. I don’t like the bracelet and would buy on the leather. I buy a bunch of straps for this. I travel a lot and hoping to be somewhere I can try on.

strapline wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 8:23 am Enjoyed reading your musings on your life through watches, it was funny in places, particularly the way you feel you need to reel your habits in. I really like your CW C65 proto, that's a fantastic dial colour with contrasting bezel. I wouldn't mind betting that there'll be a lot of folks on here wanting to know how you got yourself a Rolex Explorer II after just a 3wk wait!?

Des

Thanks! I think the same when I look at the C65 proto. It will most likely stay in my collection. Regarding the Rolex, I have been asked that a lot. I have a couple of thoughts. I first stopped by my AD with a friend a year prior and met the very nice sales lady. We casually walked around and just looked. We asked a lot of questions and at the time I told her we were just looking because I was not ready. Fast forward a year, I contacted her via phone to catch up and asked about availability. She was up front about the hype pieces (sub). I told her I wanted the polar. She said okay I will keep an eye out. I figured I would never get the call. I was shocked when I got the call. I cannot explain or provide any reason just that perhaps it was about this time people slowed their buying and more became available. I do think Rolex is getting easier to get nowadays. The economy is slowing and people don’t have that extra cash to spend. Naturally, sales will slow and they will become available again. I also think there is some watch fatigue going on. We had several years of a white hot watch world. Just my thoughts. Thanks!

A great write up - thoroughly enjoyed reading it thanks. I love the fact that you sold up and started over again. I think it's a great thing to do once you've worn some different watches, made the same mistakes we all make. You will be well on your way to your ideal collection now because it will contain your best idea of the watches you know you will love. And I really respect your views on not getting sucked into a habit that's just about buying

World timer mod and Explorer II for me. If I had to choose one on the way out of a burning building I think it's quite possible I'd freeze in the doorway

My Santos came with leather and bracelet, don't know if the tank is the same.