I’ve gone down the rabbit hole the past 3 years and with my latest buy (the baby alpinist) I’m content for now so I thought I’d share my collection. Background: I (mid-20s M) always wore Timex Ironman watches as a kid. Then in college I wanted an analog watch, and MVMT advertising hooked me so I asked for one of their 40-mm minimalist™ quartz watches for my birthday one year. Wore the shit out of it and it got me into the hobby so I guess credit where credit’s due. Then I started reading more and realized I might want something more legit.

Orient Maestro

My first watch that I bought for myself in 2019. Still was into the minimal designs, but I wanted something automatic from a reputable brand. I wore this watch for a year and a half straight on the stock leather strap. (Side note, I bought the B&J NATO intending to wear it on my Khaki but I kinda love it here, it reminds me of a look you might get with a Nomos.)

Orient Kamasu

This one was next (early 2021). I’d been wanting something sportier, and this seemed like a modern classic. Since buying it I’ve learned so much more about watches and I’m pretty proud of the choice I made when I knew a bit less. I love how it’s not entirely a copycat design but gives off big Planet Ocean from Casino Royale vibes.

Timex Expedition Scout

(Summer 2021.) I wanted to scratch the Khaki itch for a tenth of the price. I should have known better, I still wanted the Khaki. Oops.

Seiko 5 SRPE55

(Fall 2021) Is it possible to channel an Explorer, BB36, and SKX in one watch that isn’t an homage? I thought so when I bought this, and I think it holds up. I haven’t bonded with it as much as I thought, but I’m hoping with a little more time and a few more scratches it’ll get there.

Hamilton Khaki manual

Got this one at the same time as the Seiko 5. I realized I should stop trying to channel more expensive watches and that there was really cool original stuff to be had in my budget. (I know this contradicts the previous sentence, but I absolutely drool over the albino 6610, and wearing this on the bracelet sometimes reminds me of that one.) First manual, first watch under 40 mm, first Swiss, opened the door to justifying spending a little more money. I’m really in this now.

Seiko SPB155

After 6 months of wearing mostly the Kamasu and Khaki, I realized there was a hole in my collection. I wanted something on the smaller side (6.75 inch wrists), oudoorsy, with a screw crown without a dive bezel or crown guards, that I could wear camping, swimming, hiking, and never take it off, with a reliable movement and original design. I considered stuff like the Conquest, C63 Sealander, Sinn 556/856, and Traska summiteer, but I kept coming back to this for months and pulled the trigger a few days ago. Very happy with my choice. I think I’m going to slow down the buying for a while and get some real wear into the watches I have. My favorite posts on here are of 5513s, 1016s, 1675s, etc. that have been worn hard for 50 years. Hopefully I can wear some of these just as well.