Saturday, December 23, 2023

My $300+ three watch rotation…


Although I have / had a collection of over 20 mostly budget / affordable watches, I never really found my grail(s) until recently. It started with browsing Cartier’s website and lusting after a Tank Must solar. After some time, I was algorithmically fed the MQ-27 while watching YouTube. For just $13, I could have a Casio tank. I chose the all black, with Reverso Classic Arabics -the stealth bangle look. But the shouldered rubber strap grated on me. So for $7 more, I ordered a black faux lizard, suede backed from Shopee. The transformation was amazing. I shall be very proud to wear it on dressy occasions and smile inwardly at the bargain price.

Earlier, I scored my grail beater -the Casio MudMan solar golden eye. It was going for $120 on Shopee (as well), the last one on the Gsupply store. The combination of moon phase, tough solar, and compass was too good to pass on. It’s a very beefy watch at 49mm across compared to the 26mm MQ. Just love pressing those rubber encased mud-resistant buttons. There is also large stamping on the inner side of the strap: “shock resist” which is readable despite the buckle holes.

For my sports watch, I planned to get an anadigi Casio in black too but the frugality Mom instilled in me, handed down through Grandpa who grew up poor, made me think twice. I searched my collection and came away with the Citizen JP1060 diver. It is anadigi with orange hands and buttons / crown at 10, 2, 8, 4 o’clock. A very organic looking, sculpted, bead blasted tool watch I had lost interest in and seldom wore as if it were poison ivy. I lit some candles to rebless it (jk) and added it to my main rotation, $175.

This leaves just one final grail, an heirloom piece, probably hand-winding with display back and 37mm case size. Something to admire and hand down to the next generation. I don’t yet have a family at 47. Planning to spend hundreds of $ on it, get it pre-loved and serviced, sometime next year. More later with photos…

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