Page 1 of 2

SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 2:54 am
by jkbarnes
After almost four years on the forum, I finally feel ready for a SOTC post! Why so long? A few reasons... it’s not until the last couple of months that I’ve actually felt like I have a collection. By that I mean a number of watches that I actively cycle through. Prior to August I was essentially a one watch guy who happened to have some other watches that he never wore.

The other reason is the very modest nature of my collection compared to some of the “big guns” on the forum. My collection has neither the breadth & scope, nor the value of some of the more impressive collections on this forum.

But that’s OK because I love the watches I have, and they all have meaning to me. And did I mention I just got a watch box? So here you go:

560963C7-8D72-4AC6-A7FD-759B916106B1.jpeg
l to r: C65 Trident Vintage, C65 AM GT LE, Seiko SNZF17 Sea Urchin (modded), Seiko SNK809, Seiko H239-5060

This was my introduction to CW and higher end watches. A wedding gift from my wife, this has been my daily watch for the last four years.
D414F58A-D42A-4EAC-907A-F65D497DF775.jpeg
C65 Trident Vintage

This was a 50th birthday gift earlier this year from the whole family. I managed to secure #259 to commemorate my birthday of 25 September
A3CE9563-354B-4902-8816-B29943E31EC2.jpeg
C65 AM GT LE

The Seiko Sea Urchin was my second automatic. I was looking for a diver that wouldn’t break the bank. This was before discovering CW and this forum and reorienting my idea what constituted “break the bank.” At the time, this was not an inexpensive watch to me. The problem was I liked it but didn’t love it. In October I finally took the leap of faith to get it modded, and now I love it!
A1D74222-A182-4C5F-97A0-67B447270F84.jpeg
Seiko SNZF17 Sea Urchin with aftermarket bezel insert, domed sapphire crystal, and hand set

This is the watch that started it all, my first mechanical watch!
730375E6-045C-4A90-A3C0-EC5B26EC013E.jpeg
Seiko SNK809

And finally, a little piece of my childhood. This was my first proper watch, a gift from my parents in middle school. After years of scanning eBay, I finally tracked down a decent one this fall.
A0CC4372-BC8E-4582-9119-65B188E4007B.jpeg
Seiko H239-5060

And finally...
7F235FD2-258C-42A7-8FD8-42F70AD85F62.jpeg
...a gratuitous lume shot with my new UV flashlight to charge the lume!

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:09 am
by Bident
Thanks for posting, Andrew. You have a fine collection and I really enjoyed reading about each piece and what they mean to you. I really love the modded Seiko in particular.

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:41 am
by Viognier
Well done Andrew and I have to say the C65 Vintage is my fave! Enjoyed the post

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 10:49 am
by Amor Vincit Omnia
Thanks for sharing your collection, Andrew. SOTC posts should never be competitive, and the most important thing is that you have a collection that suits you and that you enjoy. You clearly do, so all one needs to say is – enjoy it!

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 12:01 pm
by StrapMeister
That's a nice collection Andrew 8)
I agree with Steve's post above :thumbup:
...the most important thing is the meaning to you and enjoying what you have.

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 1:42 pm
by Kansas City Milkman
Thanks for posting.

The sea urchin looks great. What did you have done?
[edit: ignore, I’ve just seen the description #-o ]

Loving the lume shot, by the way. I’m still playing with my torch :)

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 3:28 pm
by rkovars
Great collection Andrew. :thumbup:
It is a nice feeling reaching into the box, not for a watch, but a memory!

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 3:58 pm
by jkbarnes
rkovars wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 3:28 pm ...not for a watch, but a memory!
Perfect description! I’ll be honest, having them all in a box has really changed my perception of them. Before they were somewhat loosely scattered across a bookshelf. The box seems more respectful of the watches, if that’s the right way to put it.

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:27 pm
by downer
It's a great collection. There's something about Sekio 5's - and what they represent. At one time in the UK they became a touch more difficult to source (I think Seiko UK abandoned the 5 sub-brand?) and the prices went north. These days they are more available - and tempting.

As for the C65 Trident Vintage... it's a classic watch. :thumbup:

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:32 pm
by A1soknownas
Great collection. The (modded) Seiko diver looks quality. I am probably most intrigued by the digital Seiko on the bond nato! Probably the least expensive but maybe the most history.

I can tell that you like a black dial! I agree i am also drawn to black too as it seems more versatile to me.

Looks like you have a spare slot. Any ideas...

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:42 pm
by jkbarnes
A1soknownas wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:32 pm I am probably most intrigued by the digital Seiko on the bond nato! Probably the least expensive but maybe the most history.
I wish I could say that Ana-Digital was the original one I got from my parents, and therefore loaded with history, but it’s not. I actually threw out my original watch sometime in my 20s, if you can believe that. I found this one on eBay. It’s on the NATO because of a strap mishap a few weeks ago. It just started flashing last week, so I think I need a new battery.

A1soknownas wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:32 pm I can tell that you like a black dial! I agree i am also drawn to black too as it seems more versatile to me.
That didn’t even register with me until I had them side by side in the watch box!

A1soknownas wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:32 pm Looks like you have a spare slot. Any ideas...
That’s where I’m storing some extra straps for the C65 AM GT LE. No plans to fill it...honest....I don’t need any more watches...my collection is complete. :lol:

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:43 pm
by Thegreyman
A nice selection you have Andrew. My favourites are the C65 vintage (another strap magnet of a watch that I used to own myself) and your modded Seiko Sea Urchin that looks all the better for the changes.

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 1:48 am
by Soporsche
Lovely collection you have Andrew, the 65 vintage is very classy and I'm liking the modded Urchin.
I remember putting mine in a case/box for the first time, may sound silly but it felt like a personal horological milestone.

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 2:23 am
by Thunder1
Bident wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:09 am Thanks for posting, Andrew. You have a fine collection and I really enjoyed reading about each piece and what they mean to you. I really love the modded Seiko in particular.
+1...and I especially like your CW Vintage :)

Re: SOTC - Jkbarnes January 2021

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 12:00 pm
by Tortoise
Great post Andrew - thanks for sharing the collection and the sentiment behind it ..
I think my favourite is the upgraded Sea Urchin for it's unique mods. :thumbup:
cheers