My watch collection.

Why have I started to collect watches?  Well the main reason I like watches and like any collection that is why I started. I use to have a very small collection years ago of 4 or 5 watches that I would wear. I then sold most of them leaving only one watch. Which I regret doing as with a year my final watch got stolen. One of these watches was my first watch I was given as well as my first watch I bought for myself. After that I just stopped wearing a watch. However I have regained that joy of wearing I nice time piece on the wrist.


However a few years back I decided I wanted a smart watch to wear to work… for those that don’t like smart watches…now hear me out. I work in a loud noisy workshop and I couldn’t hear if my phone was ringing or text message from the boss when he was out and about. So to combat that I got smart watch that links via bluetooth to my phone and I can now feel the vibration a lot better on my wrist when there is a phone call or message. I also use it to track steps and all the other stuff that smart watches do.I also sometimes wear noise cancelling earbuds which also connects via bluetooth, to watch and phone so all three are talking to each other, and I can quickly answer my phone call from the boss with out having to drag my phone out of my pocket, and accidentally hang up on the call.

But all that did was spark my love of watches again… So I am now desperately trying to replace my old watches especially the one that got stolen all those years ago. (Though I know I will never get the original back I do know what the watch was.

I currently only have three watches with a fourth on my radar very soon. My current watches are;

Brand

Model

Cost NZD

Link

Note

Magrette Moana Pacific Waterman GMT – Titanium $1500.00 https://magrette.com My current go to watch. But that will change over time.
Fossil Coachman Chronograph $320.00 https://brentweatheralljeweller.co.nz I bought this watch as a EDW (every day wear) or hack watch so if I scratch it or beat it up I am not to bothered.
Belmoto Trackday SBB – Matte Black $841.00 https://www.belmoto.gt/
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 $399.00 (now 1/2 that) https://www.noelleeming.co.nz As I said got this for work and track steps (which now I don’t really bother as much)
Casio
W-59-1V $59.00 https://www.showcasejewellersmosgiel.co.nz
Pure nostalgic…
My very first watch given to me as present when I was a kid growing up in the 80’s and it is still produced today.

Now I have a 7-1/2″ to 7-3/4″ wrist which means I can wear most watches comfortably, just the not the extreme smaller or extreme larger watches. This actually makes it easier buying and wearing watch.

Moana Pacific Waterman GMT Titanium. – This is a limited edition of only 300 units. I have unit 148 of 300. It has the Miyota 9075 movement.

Coachman Chronograph. – I bought this watch as a EDW (every day wear) or hack watch so if I scratch it or beat it up I am not to bothered. The movement is not the best, the alignment of the movement is also not the best the illumination is not that great either. But it tells the time and is surprisingly comfortable.

Belmoto – A sub brand from the New Zealand Micro brand Magrette.

Samsung Smart Galaxy Smart Watch Active 2. – I wear a smart watch sometimes to work or when I am walking to track steps etc. At work it helps in the noisy workshop answering phone and text etc as I can fell the vibration on my wrist where as I can’t feel it or hear my phone normally.

Other watches that are on my radar include Seiko 5, Alpina Start Timer Pilot, Tissot, Hamilton, Christopher Ward and even Citizen Promaster, Timex, Casio – G Shock etc.

Am I wanting a to get any of the luxury brands like Rolex, Omega etc… well first off luxury is relative and it is very subjective, it is in the eye of the beholder. Some people will say my Megrette watch is luxury, where as I don’t. So my short answer is “No” however I am not going turn down one if an opportunity comes my way get one that I afford. They are just currently not on my radar. I am not a watch snob and don’t care about the price of watches, I a not one of these people that say an affordable watches are not real watches or I am not going to say “I got my first real watch” meaning Omega, Rolex etc… I already have four real watches they all tell the time (Including the smart watch)

Pure nostalgic… the Casio W-59-1V

Here are some of the watches that are on my radar;

Brand Model Movemnt Cost NZD Link Note
Belmotto Tourer -GBG – Rose Gold Miyota 9015 with hacking seconds $1180.00 https://www.belmoto.gt/ Love the style of this watch.
Alpina Startimer Pilot AI-372 Caliber, Quartz $1750.00 https://www.christies.co.nz/
Seiko Coutura 8T63, Quartz $1051.56 https://cambridgejewellers.co.nz/ Love the dial and the carbon fibre look.
Seiko Solar Divers $950.00 https://cambridgejewellers.co.nz/ Bit of a classic look dive watch.
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 POWERMATIC 80.111 Automatic $1325.00 https://www.christies.co.nz/ Stylish dress watch.
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Automatic $1290.00 https://www.chrono24.co.nz/
Citizen Promaster MX Eco-Drive technology $850.00 https://preciousmetals.co.nz/

In general I do like the chronograph style of watches and I do tend to gravitate towards them. I also prefer a strap either leather or NATO style over a bracelets. However that does not mean all my watches will be or will have chronographs. Also I am not just a automatic or manual or quartz person and I will buy a watch based if I like the looks of it.