It’s ok to admit that you have a type.

As per the title, it is ok to admit that you have a type. You have a default goto, you just might not be aware.

I did the classic mistake; whilst the wife was rattling off the latest list of celebrities that she’d happily run off into the sunset with (spoiler alert – no more Marvel movies for her), inevitably she trains the crosshairs on me. “I don’t have any”, I lie, “I barely notice anyone”. “Oh but you like what’s-her-face from that series” (she’s good with names and things – but I know exactly who this is and yes, she is attractive). “I don’t really…” I lie again. My soul is starting to feel heavy. This goes on for about 30 minutes, I will not engage, until I crack… and admit I like a certain actress.

I’ve f*cked up.

“Why her!?”

“She’s funny; she makes me laugh. She reminds me a bit of you. That’s why I like her” (sort of true, but this is like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, except it’s not just bolted, it’s jumped the fence into the next paddock and is fornicating with the sheep).

“You are so predictable, I bet you like <insert other woman who might look a little like original choice> as well! Ugh!” I’m going to Hell, where my nemesis, the goose that lived on the animal sanctuary I used to volunteer at pre-Covid, will be waiting for me. Our final battle for my Soul’s salvation will be glorious.

The couch is uncomfortable as a bed, especially when I have to share it with the cat. It’s true though… I have a type.

Embrace it.

I have unwittingly introduced most watch-people I meet and engage with to the joys of a vintage field inspired watch (and sometime military-field). Typically 1940s or 1950s, the watch in question that usually catches my eye is a “jobber”, made up of a variety of different parts with a decent ébauche, usually an Adolf Schild, with a sub-second rather than a sweeping second, but it does not matter. The case will be steel, or steel-plate, the latter showing varying degrees of wear with the brass coming through. The dial will have “patina” (read: absolutely destroyed). If it has numerals, they will be of an interesting font, but it will not be the main event. The watch will be “cheap”, even by budget-watch enthusiast standards, that’s the main problem here. Christopher loves a bargain.

This is my type. I have too many of this sort of watch, but I will not stop to collect these sort of watches because they resonate with me too much.

Very worn dial, and the case has seen better days. Houses an AS 1130 (Wehrmachtswerk) and marked as having undergone three adjustments. This was a quality watch upon release and cost me only £8. It doesn’t drop a second.

Contains a Cyma-Tavannes movement, which keeps within -2 minutes over 24 hours. The dial has seen better days, but the watch has survived the Edinburgh Festival. £35.

£17, and arrived this week, so I’ve been wearing it all weekend. AS ébauche which, at a push, could be seen to be gaining a minute every 24 hours. Steel case (Dennison-type) with a screw back, this is a solid affair.

At £28 this comes in a full steel Compressor case, which could have seen this sold as a “diver”, and houses a solid AS ébauche that doesn’t drop more than a minute every 24 hours. It’s definitely solid enough to take camping, because I have.

Ok.. slightly more expensive at £55, but this has a shiny AS 1187, Borel-branded rugged steel case, and superb accuracy. “Explorer” style 12-3-6-9 numerals was used in the description to try and sell it to me, but with an all-gold affair, it is what I call “posh-field”.

I’ve seen perfect ones of these go for £500+, but I paid £80 for this one with a <cough> patinated dial. Smiths 27CS movement beats loud and proud, and up to +3 minutes over 24 hours.

£70 well spent here, with its Revue movement keeping pace, and the Borgel-case (with serial number still engraved behind the bottom fixed lug) would ensure this watch could survive all the elements. Acrylic has a couple of cracks, which I would usually swap out, but it’s not bothering me yet, so actually gets worn. I took it to a series of professional meetings a couple of weeks ago, and it looked better than the Hamiltons and smart watches the other participants were wearing. It’s bad enough when in your own industry you are known for your watch game…

You get the idea… this is but a snapshot into the madness, but you should see a pattern emerging. “Cheap” but certainly cheerful. If you have a type – lean into it.

I’m getting used to sleeping on the couch.