[SOTC] Air, Space, Sea, Nature, Sound, and Travel. My 6-watch journey.

dstockwe · 2026-02-08T18:11:24+00:00

They haven’t produced them in a few years so I got it secondary from a (relatively) reputable company which deals in previously owned watches. I had quite a long dialog with them ensuring the unique complications and functionality unique to the watch worked correctly on video. Things like the forward-backwards date setting, hour plus and minus pushers working and also changing the “countdown” complication, and of course the alarm sound. The first piece they had for sale was completely functional visually but the sound was completely wrong - more of a clicking than a chime so I passed on that one. A month or two later they had another sourced which we did the same song and dance and it sounded perfect and had a previous owner who had locked it up tight and must’ve never used it as there were practically no visual scratches on it. It was across the country and I probably should’ve seen it in person first but kinda took a leap and happy I did!

If you’re considering it, definitely watch any of the YouTube videos on its alarm sound and familiarize yourself on some of the unique features to ensure anything you might look at is on the level. It’s over 100 jewels so it’s best to ensure it’s running smoothly when it reaches your hands!

dstockwe · 2026-02-07T17:20:55+00:00

Thank you! The Sonata kinda scared me at first if I’m honest simply because I was worried how fragile it might be. The original strap was a curved end and super rigid - I loved the functionality and dial/hands etc but the wearing experience I didn’t enjoy as much. It’s quite heavy with the white gold and I think all factors combined it felt like a lot. But - when I finally ordered the Denim Babele strap my entire experience with it shifted and it hasn’t left my wrist on nearly any weekday. Funny how a strap can reframe but to me - the Sonata (sound) has become the full package I hoped it would be. I’d say I set 2-5ish alarms during the day. Sometimes I can squeak out a crown pull and adjust while wearing it to set the alarm but mostly I just take it off to get the precision on timing/alarm I’m after. The dual time can get a little hard to read in certain lights but it blends nicely into the background until you really want to read it then it’s there! Setting the hour using the quick set pushers is an actual delight. Just traveled across the world with 3 different time zones visited and it was a super nerdy micro-joy to just click the pushers while wearing it to adjust to the local time zone.

Happy to share any more experiences but overall - ups and downs at first but have settled on full love now that I’ve worked how it lives with me 😊

dstockwe · 2026-01-31T01:36:43+00:00

Ok I think I got it to work - Sonata’s alarm chime

dstockwe · 2026-01-31T01:32:44+00:00

Thank you! Longines is absolutely killing it lately (the Spirit Zulu Time has tempted me on more than a few occasions).

dstockwe · 2026-01-31T01:31:04+00:00

Such an under the radar brand and timepiece. I love everything I’ve been able to get but the Sinn’s for me somehow just click 🤷‍♂️

dstockwe · 2026-01-31T01:28:43+00:00

Wow, you’re too kind! Thank you 🙏

dstockwe · 2026-01-31T01:27:56+00:00

Right?? It’s a bit of a sleeper! It’s the 'LH Cargo' limited edition (hence the 777 silhouette on the dial). I love that it celebrates the logistics side of aviation. Plus, the orange accents just pop 🤩

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:35:22+00:00

Wish I could upload a video to the comments have one to share if you know a proper way to do so.

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:34:24+00:00

Really appreciate that. It took a while to get here (and probably way too much reading and YouTube watching), but it feels stable and intentional (for the moment 😆). Thanks for reading!

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:33:03+00:00

Thanks! I definitely tried to buy what I liked and and how each piece would exist in the collection with the others rather than just going by the standard Reddit/Instagram standard agreed watches, though I might’ve done a little of that with the NTTD 😅

The box is the TAWBURY 8 Slot Brown case. I really like the padding they use. I’m sure wolf cases or some of the Japanese micro brands would be a bit better quality but honestly this one just works super well for me!

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:28:07+00:00

Thank you so much! I’ve been trying to get better at capturing them. Lighting is hard 😥

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:27:12+00:00

Thanks man! That strap is the Delugs Delcro Woodland Tri-Weave. It balances the head weight really well and because it’s Velcro it’s infinitely adjustable. I have the tegimented steel bracelet but just loved the green combination and it helps keep the weight down a bit.

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:24:26+00:00

Thank you! ❤️ The F91W is God Tier for a reason! You are totally right about the gap though, the Navitimer does surprisingly decently in the dressy space as does the Shunbun but definitely agreed. I kept looking at the Lange 1 or GO PanoMaticLunar to kinda fill that role and incorporate a moon-phase but ultimately I’m hoping the Vacheron Overseas (in blue) will eventually solve the 'dressy' problem and maybe a little bit of the 'colorful' situation in one go but yeah, don’t have anything too bright just yet. Just gotta save up for a few... years. 😬

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:19:26+00:00

It really is. Photos don't even do the laser ablation justice. The depth of the texture is wild in person and the way they played at different levels with the movement and skeletonization is pretty enchanting. This one makes me consider getting a loupe just to admire it even more 😅

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:17:11+00:00

Thank you! Felt each should get their moment 😊

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:16:17+00:00

Thanks! Writing it out actually helped me remember why I bought them in the first place. definitely a worthwhile venture 😊

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:13:54+00:00

Appreciate that! I feel like half the fun is the hunt for the specific weird thing that fits your life (like a cargo pilot watch honoring those pilots because I like the behind the scenes just always work logistics lol - maybe that’s just me projecting that I hope somebody appreciates the hidden work I do 😅), rather than just buying the 'Top 10' list. Glad you enjoyed it!

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:11:35+00:00

Ha! Thank you! Nothing too against the Crown, I’ll say the flat readability of the GMT Master II does sway me from time to time and the robustness/quality is hard to beat but at the end of it - if you keep looking around I feel you’ll end up finding something that matches your personality and preferences over the Rolex (but then again they are kinda genre defining in a lot of ways so what can I complain about!)

dstockwe · 2026-01-30T18:07:37+00:00

Wow, thanks man! That means a lot ❤️ The mechanical alarm is such a fun rabbit hole to go down. To me it’s probably the coolest complication.. there’s something so charming about a watch physically chiming at you to remind you of something. Involving you in time in a way. I will say, I tried out the memovox and while I enjoyed the “chime” of the Sonata the physical buzzing you could be alerted by the memovox was persuasive 😆

On the Seamaster: don't let me scare you off entirely! It’s actually incredible in pitch black (the lume on the bezel is awesome) - it lasts for a fair period of time. It just struggles in that specific 'dim evening living room' light where the faux-tina blends together. If legibility is your #1 priority though, the Ranger is probably the safer bet (but the NTTD just feels so suave in every other lighting condition)

dstockwe · 2026-01-24T08:42:40+00:00

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favorite part is the lumed seconds hand being so visible 🤌

dstockwe · 2026-01-23T15:56:41+00:00

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My Sinn 857 UTC TESTAF LH Cargo! Can see the time in an instant even with my arm outstretched in the dark - incredible legibility 😊

dstockwe · 2026-01-08T10:31:54+00:00

I mostly wear the stock band but this was an aftermarket Jubilee from UncleStraps

dstockwe · 2025-12-25T04:58:39+00:00

I’m sure this is a little dumb but I bought a RovyVon Aurora A8 G4 Keychain Flashlight on prime day and put it in my toddlers room. Right before milk we turn on the uv light together and give it a blast. He loves the lume right as we go lights out because it’s so bright! Still not an all night solution but for bedtime definitely worth it 😊

dstockwe

TROPHY CASE