Isn't it funny that on eBay you have a 'watch list', obviously mine mainly has actual watches saved to it, it was made for us watch enthusiasts. It's just me then that smiles at that every time I add another watch. I may even have added a wish list to my amazon account called watch list. I am what I am, and it is what it is, a mild obsessive, cause for concern, and reason to see a psychiatrist. Actually the list I'm referring to in the title is a different one, which I just realised means I have 3 separate watch lists, with different watches on them. The third is my general one, so every time I see a nice watch on instagram or the web somewhere, if it really grabs my fancy, I will add it to the list. The list currently has, wait for it, around 90 watches on it, from Casio to Seagull to Breguet, it's still a work in progress. Am I going to buy all of them? No, of course not (would I if I had the money, maybe 25% of them), and it does change, sometimes I'll add one and take 3 off, other days I'll add 7, then add 2 more, so it's loose and doesn't really mean anything, like my ex. It's both fun and frustrating, but if a watch stays on the list for a reasonable amount of time and I can find a deal on it, then I might just pull the trigger. Oh I just thought of another list, but we're not even going to touch on Chrono24 this time (that's 4 lists)...
The divisive Seagull Tourbillon, it's on the list, but whether it's a buy is to be determined, as always by the deal. From what my research is telling me, if the price is right, it will be worth a punt. I am a fan of ALS but I might have to get the dial modded once it's in my hands.
I'm not the first person to ask themselves this question, and I won't be the last, I'm asking you as well though, how many watches is enough damn it? How many watch lists is too many for that matter? It depends doesn't it, what the methodology behind your list making is. So is it by brand, country, colour, platform, price, or complication, it's not complicated. Then again you might not be the spreadsheet lover that I am. Saying that, I haven't updated my owned watches spreadsheet for around a year, will get around to that this weekend (5 lists).
So, the answer is, the right number of watch lists is the number of watch lists you have. It's a virtuous circle; you take the time to do the research and make a watch list, you buy the watch and now you can tell the time, you are happy, and so you can continue to add to you watch lists and make more watch lists, and buy more watches. Happiness abounds and you are content with life. In addition you are supporting the economy, the electricity company, the big data gatherers, the watch shops and websites. It is natural law and the way the of the universe. I'm sure you've heard of the famous saying, 'a watch in time saves nine'...(1)
This Raymond Weil Toccata I've only worn a handful of times but it was a bargain at less than £300 and is my only real dress watch. It was opportunist buy 2-3 years ago, and I still really like it. It was a random find, but an opportunity that ticked a few boxes. Job done, am I supposed to deny finds like this, I don't think so, though I do prefer having a seconds hand sooo...
Oooh that's a good deal, it's a steal.
In this age of work from home, go nowhere-ness, who needs house insurance anyway.
I would be robbing myself if I didn't buy it, I'll take it. I think this is a pretty common occurrence in the wider global watchfam, whilst you have a watch or a few in mind and are saving, there inevitably are those watches that are better value and fall into a bracket of immediately available. There is a logic to be applied here, if you are saving for a Rolex Sub at £8000 prelurved, then buying an Orient Bambino II for £99 won't really make much of a difference to the Sub fund. In this case, the watch in time, the Bambino, as in you bought it in time to satiate your watch-need, and it hardly did any damage to the wallet. In comparison, you could have bought a Raymond Weil Freelancer for £1000, which would have done material damage to your attempt to save, that watch in time, saved nine, £900 to be exact.
There are other ways to scratch that itch as you save, and the current pandemic situation may have brought us some positives here. You can offset the cost of a watch purchase by making some tactical and logical risk-based decisions. Bad examples would be downsizing a gift for a significant other, or your kids birthday present. A reasonable idea might be delaying your house insurance renewal for a month or two. In this age of work from home, go nowhere-ness, who needs house insurance anyway. This is perfectly logical, as you don't lose anything, but you gain a new watch. Thank me via donation when I add the button.
I think I need some ointment
It scratched the itch for <£60, but then I have bought 4 other watches in the last few weeks so the itch might be more like a rash, a chronic, debilitating rash.
Sometimes I'll be minding my own business reading a review on a watch, browsing a world famous watch website or blog, or buying a book or toilet roll, only to be sabotaged by my browsing history and my least favourite type of cookie (double choc chip with almonds is my fave). Oooh a sporty looking Casio Collection timepiece, with a compass and thermometer, it will match those adidas hiking boots I've got as well. It's a steal for a watch that ticks so many boxes, a watch that I've never seen before just now. Did I mention it has a thermometer and a compass? So cool, so useful. Never mind the 80+ watches on my list, this one is cheaper than almost all of those, it's a steal. In the basket and delivered the next day. I'm actually wearing that one as I right this, just his the illuminate button, pretty sweet full screen light, but doesn't stay on for long enough. It was bloody hard getting the light on shot, and yes it was late last night I was writing this article, I am a dedicated artist and wordsmith don't ya know!
Casio Collection SGW-100-2BER. I like it a lot, It scratched the itch for <£60, but then I have bought 4 other watches in the last few weeks so the itch might be more like a rash, a chronic, debilitating rash.
This is all well and good, there is no harm to anyone but to my potential collection. This watch has just taken a space, the place, of a watch list watch, and it has disrupted the flow but I like it. I will wear it, I'm happy with it, it didn't break the bank, it was a watch stitch in time, and that's all that matters.
The List
Below I have the watch list, the big one the separated top section is the cut off, the watches in that section are first on the list. Don't judge me on the list, some watches I can't remember putting on there and wonder how they got there, maybe after a night on the wine, but I left it as is for authenticity in my journalism, it's all about integrity at the end of the day! The Baltic that is first on the list offers some great customisation options including glass case back for a view of the Seagull movement. This then puts it up against the Seagull 1963 which is its older cousin with the same movement and glass case back, sooo, decisions, decisions. Also they are a French company which appeals to a demi-Frenchman like me. It's all about the details and the story and the deal.
My 5 watch lists are just the right number, like the universe my they continue expand, whilst simultaneously dividing and multiplying like single cell organisms with a sole cause, to feed my insatiable appetite for time, which is of course relative, subjective and always entirely logical.
Baltic Bicompax 001 / Grey
Bulova 96A194
Seiko Casual Watch SPL057
Zenith El Primero Chronometer Open Chronograph 03.2040.4061/69.C496
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Geographic Chronograph Q1718470
Frederique Constant World timer FC-718NWM4H6
Seiko Prospex Alpinist/ SARB017 - NEW SPB121J1 / SPB123
Seiko SARB033 / 035
Sea Dweller 126600 / Red Line or 116600 40mm
Amfibia Reef 080481
Grand Seiko SBGJ001/201/213
Marathon Search & Rescue
Nth Devilray
Luminox A.8832.MI Recon Analog
Rotate North Arctic
Surefire 2211 Wristlight
Louis Erard Excellence Regulator 54230AA41.BDC02
Louis Erard Excellence Skeleton
Louis Erard 1931 Open Balance 32217AA31.BVA32
Seagull 1963 / Sugess Tourbillon
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 1861 Professional Chronograph manual wind
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme LAB2 Q203.T5.40JLC / 1558421
Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second 8018420
Hublot Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Paris Saint-Germain 413.NX.1129.LR.PSG15
IWC Aquatimer GST Deep One IW352701
Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle 628.5240 / 628 4112
D.Dornblüth & Sohn - caliber 99.9 power reserve
A. Lange & Söhne Double Split 404.032
Stowa Marine Original Roman White
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Full Open Skeleton
Cartier Santos-Dumont Skeleton Watch
Breguet 3355pt/00/986
Chopard LUC Full Strike
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Skeleton 15305ST.OO.1220ST.01
Piaget Altiplano 910p
Arnold & Son TB88
Arnold & Son Time Pyramid
Breguet Watch Classique 7727BB/12/9WU
The Breguet Tradition 7077
Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine 40 - 263-55-7
Muhle Glashutte Watch 29er
Mondaine Stop2Go
Omega Speedmaster 38 Co ax - 324.30.38.50.01.001 / Moonwatch 311.33.42.30.01.001
Rolex Milgauss - Green glass 116400GV
Rolex Date 1500
Benzinger Regulator White
Garrick Regulator
MeisterSinger Watch N. 01
Oris Translucent 01 734 7684 4051-07 5 21 71FC
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Full open 38 - 03.2153.400/78.C813 -
Cartier Must 21 2424 Chronoscaph
Baume et Mercier Clifton Baumatic
Montblanc Timewalker
Montblanc 1858 Small Second 113860
Longines Heritage Column Wheel Chronograph L2.750.4.96.0
Bremont ALT1-B / ALT1-C
Eberhard Extra-Fort Grande Taille / White face or Panda
TAG Heuer Monaco 69 CW9110-0- (( Mark Worthington Jewellers / Chrono24))
Longines Legend Diver
Longines Conquest VHP GMT L37184966
Longines Heritage L2.791.4.72.0
Breguet Marine 5817
Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity MP6118-PVB01-130-1.
Maurice Lacroix Skeleton Chrono MP6118-PVB01-130-1.
Junghans Form C - blue
Bell & Ross BR03 GMT
SINN 910 SRS / SINN 104 SA
Breitling Navitimer 1 38
Chronoswiss - Sirius Chronograph Retrograde / opus
Frederique Constant Slim Line Classic FC-306MC4S36
SEIKO SARY057 / SARB033 / SARB 065 / SRPB41 / SNKL23 / SSA343J1 - Presage /
Seiko SARY081 / Prospex mini turtle SRPC39K1 / Monster Model: SRP315K2
Seiko H558 - Arnie
Bamford Mayfair - orange detail
Ball Spacemaster / Engineer Chronometer Watch DM2036A-SCAJ-BK
Panerai Luminor Marina PAM00111
Girard-Perregaux Laureato EVO3 80180-21-611-FK6A
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Chronograph 146.8.25 Q1758470
Jaeger LeCoultre 1538530
Chopard L.U. Chopard Pro One GMT Cadence 158959-3002
Schwarz Etienne La Chaux-de-Fonds Tourbillon Millennium
Bell and Ross Radar / Compass
Bulova Moon Watch 96B251
Tissot T-Classic Mens Watch - MODEL NUMBER: T0064071603300
1) for the those who aren't familiar there is a saying that goes, 'a stitch in time, saves nine.' This means that if you do something in good time/when required, it will save extra work in the future.