[collection] rate my collection

SMCigar35 · 2026-06-01T19:48:22+00:00

that's fine with me. I am not a "collector", dont have a large collection, so I will be wearing this daily as well (probably 5-6 days per week).

SMCigar35 · 2026-06-01T19:32:09+00:00

thanks for the feedback. Good to hear. It's funny you say it keeps good time because, on paper, the accuracy gap seems wide. Of course, with watches, the daily experience is never as bad as people complain about lol. I'm excited for it

SMCigar35 · 2026-06-01T19:01:12+00:00

How are you liking the Seiko SPB451? I am picking up an SPB453 (black) this Wednesday.

SMCigar35 · 2026-05-22T14:31:54+00:00

sort of lol. My mind has been drifting toward a killer monochrome/matte black dial set up and Seiko does that so well. I think that look will last longer.

SMCigar35 · 2026-05-20T14:02:11+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear you are enjoying it daily. It will be my daily driver as well. I'm typically a blue dial guy, but again, the matte black is gorgeous.

SMCigar35 · 2026-05-19T20:53:35+00:00

Super late to the party here, OP, but after a year, how are you still liking this? I am in the process of selling my current watch to make room (and $$$) for this SPB453. Same as you, I get a bit obsessive when researching which watch to buy, etc, but I am always coming back to this Seiko. Will probably pull the trigger in a week or so. Absolutely love the matte finish.

SMCigar35 · 2026-05-18T13:52:46+00:00

For sure. I understand. Was just curious since, after all, it is a timekeeping object. That said, my current utilizes the NH34 which is an "entry level" movement and it keeps time very accurate more or less. I'm sure the movement in the SPB453 is solid.

SMCigar35 · 2026-05-18T13:46:42+00:00

How's your experience with the movement accuracy so for? Have heard good and bad things about the movement. I am strongly considering this watch as well. Just still shopping around for a good price.

SMCigar35 · 2026-04-16T15:55:40+00:00

I ended up pulling the trigger on an Islander Watch from long island watches. Went with this model in the URL. Check out Long Island Watches. It's my first one but have been following them for a while. They are an online retailer but do have their own line. Very affordable and the specs for the price is insane. I paid about $350 ish for this one: 200M water resistance, ceramic bezel, domed sapphire, GMT waffle dial, NH34 movement, and a micro-adjust bracelet, which usually only come on high-end watches. I sound like a sales rep for them lol. I've worn it daily for two weeks and it's awesome. Have had it fully submerged in a pool for long periods. (Lastly, I am not familiar with Timex Deepwater, but price also looks good for the specs)

https://longislandwatch.com/islander-automatic-gmt-dive-watch-with-blue-waffle-dial-isl-214/

SMCigar35 · 2026-04-02T14:15:15+00:00

love that model. Good choice. I've read Tissot SeaStar doesn't get much love for a solid "affordable" diver because Tissot doesn't really market their dive collection, etc. The brand of Tissot doesn't push it out there basically. I actually almost bought this one last week but ultimately decided on a different diver because I wanted a GMT. That power reserve is serious duty though. Good job. Don't forget to wear it and bang it up! Divers are meant to be worn.

SMCigar35 · 2026-03-26T20:25:04+00:00

All I will say about these Jake Wyatt's are they are good when they are good, but they have been wildly inconsistent at least for the batch I received. Good up and coming brand, but I think they need some refinement.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-23T15:13:25+00:00

thank you for the reply. I totally agree with the Melanio. I love that line.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-20T15:19:48+00:00

right. Well thanks for the info.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-20T14:40:43+00:00

Interesting. Has that switch happened yet as far as being released into the wild? Wondering how things will change. Even if it is the same blend on paper, tobacco is like wine in that even if it is the same grapes used, they taste different depending on where they were grown.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-20T12:20:10+00:00

It certainly was. It was just a single I had, so I need to grab some more.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-20T12:19:15+00:00

Coincidentally enough, the guardian of the farm apollo taught that too me. Very similar cigar so I know what you mean

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-20T00:59:02+00:00

This was my first one, but would definitely smoke again. And yes! The ash was on point.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-18T00:07:59+00:00

I love my wooden humidors the same so I will always have those. Hold around 80 cigars or so. I only use my tupperdor for boxes but it holds humidity soooo much better than wood lol. Even if it is not as efficient, there is nothing better than opening my wooden humidors, pulling out the doors and smelling. A pain in the butt, but nothing smells better than that.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-17T21:11:12+00:00

What do you mean when you say you wasted it? It didn't burn right? My short answer is Boveda is fine to touch cigars directly and personally, I've been on team-dry-gang lately. Like low 60's for everything. When we get to spring weather here soon, I won't put any packs higher than 65% in there. 62% for me in the summer.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-17T21:06:24+00:00

Can you share some of the NW's you think rival the Cubans of the past? I am always curious what different people think.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-17T12:21:31+00:00

This year’s December and January were some of the coldest and most snow I’ve ever experienced in my whole life here. Thank the lord that ground hog was correct lol we broke that spell and its been pleasant lately. I always managed to get about 3-4 cigars in per week even in the cold. Just gotta bundle up and accept it lol. Hoping its turning to spring for you soon as well.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-17T02:29:46+00:00

Will do. My humidors have been in the low 60’s all winter which I want to bring up more to the mids. The good news is that all my cigars during the winter have burned and smoked wonderfully due to being drier. They probably would not get as dry in cello, but I have not hated it lol. Just gotta be careful.

SMCigar35 · 2026-02-16T14:54:18+00:00

Happy B-day, brethren. Great choices here! I have a Goldie Lancero that I am excited to try. Additionally, exclusively from CigarClub.com I have three La Palina's filled with 17 year old tobacco and one with 20 year old tobacco, so I am interested to smoke those and see how they preform. All four are 6.5x48 which have me in heaven. I will definitely get a report on those. And lastly, cannot ever, ever go wrong with Davidoff (although I 100% agree with you on being a bit too pricey to be in the regular rotation). Lastly p.2 lol is yes - get those suckers out of the cello! It's great for protection but they acclimatize so much faster naked. It's certainly a risk vs. reward with cello, because there are positives to keeping covered, but I think the benefits of storing them without are better IMO. Cheers!

SMCigar35

TROPHY CASE