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Collection Challenge: Build an Epic Collection for Under $5k

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The Main Thing

An Entire Collection < $5K

One of my readers issued me a challenge. You know who you are. Can Ian create an entire watch collection for under $5,000? To that I say...

I think I can get 5 watches. But first, a few rules.

Rule 1: I'm using website price. No taxes, shipping etc. Let's keep it straightforward.

Rule 2: Each watch will fall into a category. These are categories of my choosing.

Rule 3: I'm trying to pick watches that I would actually own and wear. (This is called Own the Watch)

Rule 4: I cannot pick more than one from the same brand.

Rule 5: You can disagree with my picks.

Rule 6: I am allowed to not care about your feelings.

Let’s get into it.

GMT
Christopher Ward - C63 Sealander GMT ($1,090)

The first watch I ever remember falling in love with was the Rolex Explorer II. I can't get that in this challenge, so I went with the CW C63 Sealander GMT.

I've been eyeing this English brand for a while now. Christopher Ward brings you quality watches for reasonable prices. This C63 Sealander is no exception.

Like the Explorer II, the 24-hour bezel is stainless steel. This watch is powered by Sellita SW330-2 GMT movement, so you can track another time zone. It also gives you a 56-hour power reserve.

Some Specs

  • Case: 39 mm

  • Lug to Lug: 45.8 mm

  • Thickness: 11.85 mm

  • Strap Size: 20 mm

  • Water Resistance: 150 m

The orange GMT hand pops against the black dial. The 39 mm size makes it easy to tell time at a glance and your friends may just think you're wearing an Explorer II.

CW gives you 60 days of free returns, along with 60 days of movement protection. I would 100% own this watch.

Budget remaining: $3,910

Diver
Certina- DS Action Diver 43 Titanium ($1,135)

I came across this in my research. I never knew this watch existed until now. It's almost identical to one of my dream watches, the Seamaster 300 Heritage. Or even hints of the James Bond edition. And it's less than 20% of the price!

Where else can you get a titanium diver with ISO 6425 certification for this price? I've never seen it, and I spend a lot of time looking at watches.

Some Specs

Case: 43 mm

Lug to Lug: 51 mm

Thickness: 13.1 mm

Strap Size: 21 mm

Water Resistance: 300 m (ISO 6425 certified)

It's a robust timepiece built for aquatic adventures. It has a polished black ceramic bezel insert, and Super-LumiNova markers on the dial. Pair that with a flat AR-coated sapphire crystal.

This makes it easy to see and durable. I love the back of the case. the iconic turtle shell design adds a distinctive touch of craftsmanship.

Certina, take my money.

Budget remaining: $2,775

Field
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto ($995)

As I started my watch collecting journey, Hamilton holds a special place. The Khaki Field Auto was the first "fancy" watch I bought. I love this brand.

They have a tie to the military and I'm in the military (yay). I love how many of their watches have a 24 hour clock. AND, they used to be made in Lancaster, PA. About 20 minutes from my childhood home.

Some Specs

Case: 38 mm

Lug to Lug: 52 mm

Thickness: 11.45 mm

Strap Size: 20 mm

Water Resistance: 100 m

Let's talk about the Field Titanium Auto. The dial-color combo makes this thing stand out. With the smaller (38 mm) dial, it's still easy to read. While it does not have a date function, you're getting TITANIUM and 80 hours of power reserve. 80 hours! You can pick this up after three days and it still is in time.

From first hand experience, I can tell you that Hamiltons can take a beating. Not only is this a field watch, but you can wear it with almost anything.

Budget remaining: $1,780

Casual
Nomos Glashutte- Club Campus 36 ($1,500)

This is another brand that I'm not too familiar with. I've heard about them, mainly from Teddy, but never looked into them. Nomos is a German watch brand founded in 1990. While I tend to prefer conservative colors, this electric green dial is appealing.

Some Specs

Case: 36 mm

Lug to Lug: 47.5 mm

Thickness: 8.2 mm

Strap Size: 18 mm

Water Resistance: 100 m

Their "bilingual" numbering configuration gives the dial a nice touch. The orange second-hand is the right amount of color contrast. The Club Campus also has a 43 hour power reserve.

The leather gray strap adds a nice touch and completes the watch. This is about as "modern" that I'd wear, but I'd totally own this thing. It’s a great conversation piece.

Budget remaining: $280

Beater
G-Shock- GAB2100-1A ($150)

This watch is legendary. God-tier to some. (IYKYK)

Perhaps it's the most unbreakable watch on the list. It's by far the cheapest. Of course, it's none other than the Casio G-Shock.

Some Specs

Case: 45.4 mm

Lug to Lug: 48.5 mm

Thickness: 11.9 mm

Strap Size: 20 mm

Water Resistance: 200 m

For $150, you get a watch that can do everything you need. Some of its features are: tracking 38 time zones, stopwatch, alarm functions, the list goes on and on. It even has a "find my phone" feature.

It's battery powered but the battery lasts for about three years. Want to test this thing? Give it to your 7 year old and see what happens. My bet is that it will still work.

If you're starting your collection journey, this is a great watch to buy.

Budget remaining: $130 (so let’s get another G-Shock)

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Answering Your Questions

Q&A

Q: What’s your holy grail watch?

A: It used to always be the Rolex Explorer II. I like the GMT function and I LOVE white dials. Now, it’s probably the Explorer I because of its simplicity. Or maybe the Omega Seamaster 300. Again, those white dials…

Q: Why do you even like watches?

A: I’ve always been obsessed with time. I’m never late and it really pisses me off when people are. I probably have undiagnosed things I need to address. In a world where everything seems to be digital, an analog way to tell time just hits different. We need more analog in our lives.

Q: Who’s your favorite band/singer?

A: I’m damn proud of this. .05%!

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Out Of Time

Signing Off

I’ve been working my ass off with these newsletters. I used to just worry about pumping them out. Weekly. Honestly, they were shitty. I didn’t even want to read them.

I had a “come to Jesus” moment. I could continue to write shitty, low-value content for you and continue to bitch and moan that this thing wasn’t growing. Or, I could study how to write interesting shit about an often boring thing.

I hope you noticed a shift in my voice. My goal is to be up front and keep things simple. My goal is to write this at a 4th-grade reading level. And so far, so good.

Reply with your comments and tell me how much you like this. (or how shitty I am). Feedback is a gift!

Timelessly Yours,

Ian

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