Messages: 3019 Location: PA
Registered: November 2008
r0gue's SOTC 2017
Sat, 30 December 2017 16:16
I've had a complete collection turn-over this year. With the caveat, I suppose, of the Riki Watanabe which is a watch that had gone, and then returned, everything in my collection is new to me this year.
The "news from the front" reports my weakened resolve which has allowed my well-disciplined purpose-driven collection to grow considerably from the established "Six Watch Treaty". The boundaries at the border to vintage are weakening, and the border to inexpensively-fun watches is lost. Kids heading off to college should do well to reinforce resolve on the modern Swiss border.
My collection back in December was at six watches. For the purposes of WIS, I don't include my Garmin, and my family's vintage pieces which can never depart are truly not mine, but rather I am caring for them for the next generation, as they say.
r0gue's SOTC Last Year --
Out -- This vintage Seiko Quartz came and went.
Boomerang -- The Riki Watanabe departed and returned! I love the layering and the cantilevered indices. A splendid winter watch.
Out -- My GOBleu left to a great TZ WIS pal on trade for a lovely vintage Breitling.
In -- after a brief in-patient visit with Roland.
I hesitate to include this as it didn't leave the house on my wrist even once, I tried to add an AP Jumbo back in February. The single sided deployant and the number of removable links per side just weren't working for my small wrist. It's too cool not to include in the "book report" though!
-- passing a few treats off to my kiddos.
Out -- This Maratac quartz came in March, and I pretty quickly gifted it to my oldest son.
Out -- My HODINKEE Seiko 5 was gifted to my youngest son.
Out -- My Braun Dieter Rams was gifted to my daughter.
-- a few more from prior year's collections that moved along.
Out -- My Heuer Re-Issue left to another good WIS pal from TZ.
Out -- On the fence for years, I finally sold my Zenith El Primero Original 1969.
-- So many Outs and a few bounces. So, what's landed and actually stuCk?
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date -- I thought this would an ideal daily driver for me. But even at 39mm, I'm troubled by the scale against my small wrist. Maybe the original 37mm would have been better. I'm on the fence..., but I doubt this will survive 2018.
Rolex Explorer -- 39mm2.0, -- now redeemed with lumed numerals and longer hands.
This is my second time around for this one. Originally the lack of lume in the numerals and the hand length bothered me. I subsequently sold it, and well, you know.., they fixed that. If there's a current production Rolex for me, this is it. But the pumped scale from 36mm to 39mm has me questioning...
Omega First Ω in Space -- I suppose this one enabled me to finally release my Zenith El Primero. Now I'm on the fence with it as well. It's amazing in every way except for the sapphire crystal. It bothers me that it's not that charming domed hesalite of the Speedmaster Professional. If only they made that option. I think I'd even be in for a mod for that feature.
Seiko "62MAS²" SLA017 -- This one was a surprise to me. When they first announced it, I thought it laughable what they were asking for a non-Grand Seiko. But boy was I wrong. This is tied for my favorite watch of the collection!
In-&-Out -- Undone Panda -- bounced in, bounced out as I realized I've OverDone the Undones.
Undone Skipper -- I suppose I'll be keeping this one. For obvious reasons...
Vulcain Chronograph -- Vintage chrono goodness in a r0gue-sized package.
Zodiac Kingline 36000 Chronometer -- Love at first sight. Having just arrived Thursday, I'm confident that this is the last in for 2017. I believe it is tied neck and neck with the Seiko 62MAS² for my favorite watch-addition of the year.
r0gue's SOTC This Year! --
For next year I predict some reduction in the modern Swiss component and an increase in vintage and manual wound watches within the 35mm - 37mm range.
Thanks for reading all of this. Hope you enjoyed the fruits of my madness. Have a great day!
- r0gue