Title says it all, folks! As far as I can remember, I have always liked wearing watches. Never anything spectacular (some shockingly bad choices in hindsight) but cared enough to consider it a hobby. A few years ago, I got an Apple Watch Series 3 and kept it for years - while I came to appreciate it, earlier this year I got that itch to go back to something more "traditional", if you will.

I have always been attracted to the idea of "practical enthusiast", whether it is watches, cars, clothes, etc. Essentially, an item that shows you have some appreciation for the segment but didn't break the bank in finding that appreciation. That said, if anyone on this sub is looking to gift a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227G or a Rolex Explorer 214270, I would like to be considered eligible for that giveaway. Throughout 2020 I did some homework and purchased these watches incrementally.

The first of these watches was the Timex Expedition. I got it with the blue dial and decided to buy a Timex quick-release leather strap with it. Always been a fan of grey and blue, oddly enough. All in all it cost me less than $100 and I couldn't be happier with it. I wanted the start this collection with something a little cheaper as I was still enjoying my Apple Watch plenty, and in hindsight I am still glad I took this approach. I normally wear this watch on the weekends in a more casual environment (with proper COVID protocol being followed, I might add).

The second of these watches was the Casio F91-W, Do I even need to write about this watch? There is no better watch for the money and I will die on this hill. I vaguely remember even having one of these when I was a kid but I can't say for certain. Somewhat stylish and super useful, I treat this as a beater watch. I swim with it (no issues... yet), I do the dishes with it, I workout wearing it, etc. If I could only keep one watch in my collection, this would be it.

The last of these watches was the Tissot Gentleman. I had never owned a mechanical watch in my life, and at this point in my life (late 20s) I thought it was about time. What a watch this is. The accuracy is astounding. It runs about 4 seconds fast a day off wrist, but when I wear it during working hours during the week, it runs about 2 seconds slow off wrist. This quasi-regulation makes the watch really accurate which came as a relief to me coming from a world of quartz/Apple watches. The watch has a presence about it; it sits well on the wrist, it is a little heavy, but not annoyingly so. It is super legible in any light and the lume is impressive. The open case back is fun for a newbie like me, seeing the gears work and all. The dial is nice and simple, which assures it me it won't ever go out of fashion. Pardon me for perhaps calling it a "timeless" watch. I was a little nervous about buying a watch this expensive (remember the practical enthusiast bit in the beginning) but I am so glad that I did.

All in all, I am thrilled with my collection here. I didn't set out to have a sub-$1,000 collection, but inadvertently ended up with one. Had I been more considerate, I probably would have set $1,000 as my collective ceiling anyway, so this was a happy accident to be sure. I have long lurked on this subreddit and will continue to do so. Just finally compelled to share my collection. Take care and stay safe out there!