It’s been some time since we’ve achieved an editor’s record, and that is one I’ve been fairly enthusiastic about compiling, particularly contemplating the final record was about our favourite additions to our assortment in 2018. I usually get requested what’s my favourite watch or most costly watch, but it surely’s truly not too usually that I’m requested about my first “good” or “costly” watch. When asking the aBlogtoWatch staff about theirs, I deliberately saved it slightly imprecise and open to interpretation by selecting these phrases relatively than including the “mechanical” caveat.
I really like the vary of solutions, which go from typical suspects like Seiko and Tudor to some independents, to 2 very completely different Omega Speedmasters. And, sure, there’s a trend model watch (not spoiling it, you could learn the article). So, with out additional ado, right here is the aBlogtoWatch Editor’s record of our first good watches.
After all, now I’m extra curious about listening to from you all, so share your “first good watch” story (and photograph, if doable) within the feedback.
ARIEL ADAMS: TEMPTION CGK203
I’m probably not certain what was the primary good watch I obtained, however I’ve an excellent story:
By the point I purchased my first over-$1,000 watch on-line, I’d gotten my toes totally moist, having amassed a variety of expertise buying watches sight-unseen by way of the Web. With out that consolation stage, I’m undecided it might have been really easy to accumulate an especially unusual timepiece that I’d by no means truly seen earlier than in individual — particularly for a sum that rocked my checking account on the time. The primary good watch that I bought for myself was already a number of years previous after I obtained it, however was clearly taken care of by somebody like me who actually babied their timepieces. The watch was the German-made Temption CGK203 and, since then, I’ve added at the least two different Temption watches to my assortment.
The Temption CGK203 was additionally the very first watch I reviewed on aBlogtoWatch, which began a legacy that in the present day consists of a whole bunch of printed watch critiques on the positioning. If given the chance once more, I might not hesitate to purchase that Temption watch, and I proceed to cherish it as a prize in my bigger watch assortment.
ZACH PIÑA: TUDOR PELAGOS
I as soon as swore I’d by no means spend greater than $500 on a watch. That quantity would ultimately creep as much as $2000, the place it responsibly held robust for a number of years as my assortment expanded and contracted with numerous dive watches — till the unique ETA-based Tudor Pelagos was launched. Strikingly easy in its austere, monochromatic presentation, however bristling with refined particulars and marked functionality, I used to be hooked. However it wasn’t obtainable in the USA on the time — and as many collectors know, we are inclined to need what we are able to’t have, and I needed to have one. After almost a month, looking the boards stalking numerous worldwide sellers led to a fellow American discussion board member who was awaiting the supply of 1 that he’d imported from a seller in Italy.
If he didn’t just like the watch, he promised he’d flip round and re-sell it to me for what he paid (a beneficiant supply certainly, contemplating the Pelagos was buying and selling above MSRP on the time, as a consequence of its relative shortage). Certain sufficient, after one other agonizing week of ready, he introduced that the watch was too large for him, and was prepared for a brand new, everlasting residence. It landed on my doorstep just a few days later, with all stickers intact, guarantee card stamped from a small mom-and-pop jeweler within the South of Italy, and the remainder is historical past. It’s since been all over the world with me and stays the one automated watch I’ve ever owned lengthy sufficient to service. Sometime, I hope to go it on to a cherished one as a real totem of a life properly lived. And isn’t what all that is actually about?
DAVID BREDAN: EMPORIO ARMANI AR5332
By my very own requirements, my first correctly costly watch buy was the Emporio Armani AR5332. That’s proper. I knew nothing a lot in any respect about watches, however as a result of I’d paid round $180 for it, I assumed that was actually greater than costly sufficient to benefit an automated motion. And so, for the primary few months of possession, I wore the watch in all places, pondering to myself “How cool is that, that it’s wound from the motion of my arm?” For sure, it was quartz, and it had the matching ticking seconds hand to go along with it. It’s an excellent factor I didn’t promote this perception of mine however was solely telling it to myself! Ha!
Nonetheless, I cherished that watch — I even adore it in the present day. It was decently proportioned, had loads of depth and good sufficient variation between its silver surfaces to its dial, good, layered lugs and number of floor therapies. Though the model wasn’t, the watch itself nonetheless appears to have been a tasteful alternative.
RUSSELL NANNEY: SEIKO MARINEMASTER 300 SBDX001
Like lots of you, I’m certain, after I was first entering into watches, I used to be drawn towards Seiko (nonetheless am, to be truthful). I began with an SKX and bought just a few different Prospex watches alongside the best way, however for just a few years, the watch that sat atop the throne of “final watch” in my guide was the MarineMaster 300 SBDX001. On the time, the MSRP of the watch appeared completely out of my vary, so I relished myself to admiring it from afar. As luck would have it, a neighborhood pal & watch fanatic picked one up for an awesome deal and ended up passing it onto me. I wore that SBDX001 almost daily for at the least 12-18 months, at which level Seiko had introduced the SBDX017, which improved upon the 001 in just a few methods with upgraded lume, diashield coating, and many others. So, naturally, I offered off the 001 and upgraded to the 017, which I nonetheless have in the present day.
Whereas I now have watches that I might take into account to be of upper high quality, and whereas the MM300 doesn’t get worn as a lot nowadays, this watch has a very particular place in my coronary heart. The design nonetheless captures my eye each time I pull it out of the watch field, and it represents a very nice high quality for the value level. Seiko has as soon as once more upgraded the MM300 design, lastly including ceramic and sapphire into the combo, however I feel the 017 can be sticking with me for a very long time to return.
KENNY YEO: PANERAI LUMINOR 1950 three DAYS PAM 372
My first large buy was a Panerai. Actually, it’s a Luminor 1950 three Days PAM 372, and I reviewed it on the positioning not lengthy after getting it. I nonetheless have it in the present day, and I’ve amassed a small pile of straps for it. This can be a bonafide strap monster. Curiously, I had my eyes set on the 372’s sibling — the PAM 422 — however after heading to the boutique and seeing the 2 within the flesh, the 372 received out simply. There’s simply one thing magical about its plexiglass crystal and the best way it makes the dial appear and feel. It was additionally this expertise that knowledgeable one among my watch-buying guidelines: at all times see the watch within the steel earlier than deciding.
