All quiet on The Western Front

I’ve been silent haven’t I? In truth, I’ve been busy, and I have had nothing really interesting to say.

I’m ok. A little tired. I started a new job recently, and I’ve inherited a little bit of a mess, but I’m good at cleaning up messes. Except my own… but that’s life.

There is not really much I have seen watch-wise, which is not surprising given how awful the Summer was for the industry. Most industries have been quiet, especially my own, and it’s been worrying. The human cost all seems to get lost here – a large firm hits trouble, and it’s the staff that lose out. I’ve been made redundant before, in my 20s, and that was difficult but I had time and not many commitments on my side. Couldn’t imagine what it would do to me in my 40s, or to some of my colleagues in their 50s and 60s. On a slight parallel it disappointed me when some commentators practically rejoiced when Bremont released last years accounts (and I stress that it was last years) recently. Vultures. I feel for the 150+ staff and their families if the worst happens. Anything for a couple of clicks, eh?

Nothing really seems to change. TER seems to have the most interesting stuff out there, and I am not at the forefront of that. Ryan seems to be the port in the storm for all movement breakdown hijinks, and Greg is so highbrow that I always feel I need to go back to school. Sherwin might just be the right balance of conveying the agony and the ecstasy of this madness of a hobby we have online, and he’s ours! We also have Celine… we have firepower. Kaysia will return… I know it.

As generative AI is taking all of our jobs, it pays well to appreciate original, human, voices. How long will it take for us to become sanitised and absorbed into the digital cauldron of crap I know not, but if you get AI to roast your watch collection, and it is particularly scathing, I pray it’s venom drawn from my fangs.

Before the inevitable loss of consciousness that derives the narrative, let me perhaps leave some nuggets to fuck with the programme.

Corum are the most overlooked, and interesting brand. I said it. Corum made the first meteorite dialled watch, they have some incredible watches in their catalogue, and they do not take themselves too seriously. If I could buy only one brand, forever, it would be Corum. If I could trade all my non-Corums for Corum, I would do so.

This is my favourite watch in my collection by a country mile. It’s impractical, and garish, but derives me the most pleasure when worn. It is also built like a brick shithouse; the domed crystal is nigh-on indestructible, and it has taken out doorframes, eye-sockets, and wildlife like a turret. Corum are my recommendation to anyone. I regret not purchasing many a model, and my true “grail” (although it is not a term that I easily subscribe to) is a Bubble (and I will not reveal which one, to avoid it becoming a pipe dream). I also desire a Golden Bridge. I left one on the shelf many years ago, it haunts me so…

Speaking of watches I’ve left on the shelf, a Patek Gondola, a Graham Chronofighter and Silverstone combo, an Heuer Silverstone reissue, and a Montblanc Timewalker GMT Southern Hemispheres. Those are the missed opportunities. Those are the shots I didn’t take. I’m currently lusting after a 1960s 30mm Speedking, and I’d wear the fuck out of it, but it’s a lot of cash and I’m not sure it would go down well. I bought a SUF Paroni at source this year to avoid regret, so I’m happy with that one, but I’m technically not allowed any other watches this year.

My favourite purchase this year (other than the Paroni)?

A £45 Seestern Mark XX. Last year I decided not to buy an IWC Mark XX, but it wasn’t a decision I regret (IWC prices are notoriously questionable). This thing looks good, wears well, super-versatile, and has an NH35 so it’s instantly maintainable, even by my standards. I also bought a blue one for £50 a few months before and stuck it on a faded brown strap like a knock-off Petit Prince.

(above on a rubber strap, in the earlier days)

I don’t care it’s an homage, it’s something that just works. You can gnash your teeth, and wail, but you can grow up. Seestern (nee Sugess) make decent watches, and I think are good value.

I did like the Matterhorn I picked up as well. I should wear that more. Again, I feel that even though we get lost in specs, we still (collectively) struggle to see the wood from the trees. How a watch like that is not at the forefront of those who know, I don’t know, nor will I even begin to know. Who knows why mad men do what they do? At the end of the day, we all want bang for the buck, and with the vintage market being particularly volatile, somewhere like AliExpress is a comfortable motel in a strip mall.

Speaking of vintage, 2024 is the year to finally fall out of love with the idea . I’ve not done well this year, as I refuse to pay what the going rate is for certain items. I do stick to the guide I wrote from a few years back, but I would no longer recommend diving in as readily when you have such a healthy selection of retro offerings. I’d avoid it if you could… that does not make me hypocrite, more a concerned guide. Protect your family’s heirlooms, but maybe avoid others…

Watches that have excited me this year? <section left deliberately blank>

That’s harsh – but fair.

It’s not been particularly exhilarating has it. I saw a Bluetooth F91W and thought it was ok… but why? I’m not really liking much else…

Timex seems to really pulling out some numbers. The James GMT collab, and the black quartz chronograph that was the Intelligent Quartz a few years back… even the Marlin Jet was a solidly received piece as it sold out pretty quickly. I guess Timex is for the cool kids now.

I want to end on something positive, but it’s not flowing through my fingers… 2024 has seen a bit of a bump back to Earth for many brands. Consumers also seemingly do not want to swallow the price increases that have been commonplace over the last few years, and as such, are shopping elsewhere. The watch, itself, is no longer the flex it used to be…

This subject is no longer what it used to be…

I’d love to wax lyrical about a certain watch and its appeal, but it is not really what one wants to hear.

No one really wants to know about their vintage watch and the movement inside.

I don’t particularly want to do the same thing over and over again.

They’re just watches. They all do the same thing really, and worse than a smartwatch.

I have just bought a smartwatch.

It arrives next week.

I can customise the display.

It’ll track my stress.

I need a lie down.