I’ve found it fun to periodically export all my data from WristLog and drop it into ChatGPT. I ask it to analyze and provide insights with interactive graphs. Dumping in the manual accuracy measurements, wrist checks, and the timegrapher data allows it to compare across those datasets as well.
Here are a few interesting screenshots.
I’ve really enjoyed collecting these watches and getting to know them. I don’t have any watch nerd friends, so I will share my thoughts with all of you. I’ll group them into a few categories — favorite, love it, solid, it’s fine, regret, and newcomers.
Grand Seiko Katana Spring Drive - I love this watch. Since day one, I am always struck by the gold sweeping second hand. I am mesmerized. I love the case, the bracelet, the polishing (!) and the dial (which actually isn’t as dark as the photo shows). This is my go-to watch when I just want to grab something I love and head out the door.
Omega Speedmaster Professional - My favorite bracelet of any watch I have. This is a classic, of course, and I think this watch wears the best of any in my collection. The steel one was my first premium watch. I got the gold reverse panda recently. Love them.
JLC Polaris Perpetual Calendar - There is so much detail with this watch: the gradients in the dial, the indices, the hands. The details just come together so perfectly to present a coherent design, so much so that it’s easy to miss the details; almost like you don’t even need to look at the details because they’ve come together so nicely. As an engineer, I also appreciate the technical prowess to have developed and to manufacture the perpetual calendar movement.
Breitling Top Time - This is another of my go-to watches. Love it. Just looks so sharp. The case is the perfect thickness. Very glad I got this one.
Nomos Ahoi Neomatik - Such a clean dial. I love the simplicity and “flatness” of everything with this watch, like there’s not much dimension but it makes it look so smart and clean. This is another frequent wear.
Omega Renaissance 1894 — What a looker. This watch is a limited edition from 1994 in rose gold. The dial reveals so much depending on which direction you’re viewing it from. It’s not a versatile watch to me, so I don’t wear it often; but when I do, it’s stunning.
Grand Seiko White Birch Spring Drive — This was one of those watches I couldn’t get out of my head. I saw pictures and reviews of it, and I had to wait a while before my dealer got one in. Once I got it, I was mildly disappointed that the dial looked more silver than white in most lighting, but the watch as a whole is beautiful, especially with a blue strap. I do find it less versatile than I originally thought it would be. There’s just an overall light, washed out look at quick glance from the white dial and steel case depending on what clothing you’re wearing.
Farer Lissom - I love how much you get for the money with Farer. The details and dimension of the dial are so chic. It doesn’t keep good time, but since it’s a manual watch, I just set the time when I wind it. Such a looker.
Rolex DateJust - This was a gift, a DateJust that was manufactured in the year of my birth (1980s). It’s such a classic. I often think about previous owners of this watch and where they lived, what they did, how often they wore it. I don’t wear it too often (just how cliché Rolex is that kinda turns me off).
Nomos Club Worldtimer — I was so excited about this one. I got it shortly after W&W last year in one of the original, limited colors (Magma). Technically it’s a wonderful watch. But I never felt a connection with it. I don’t like the bracelet or clasp; not a fan of a chrome-like shine.
IWC Portugieser — This was an impulse buy. I didn’t really know what I was looking for that day; for some reason I just ended up bringing this home. Besides the case thickness that ideally would be a bit slimmer, there really is nothing to complain about here. Beautiful finishing, amazing crystal clarity, pretty movement. But I never developed a connection with it.
Brew Super Metric — I was so excited to get this after I ordered. It’s so different, and it feels cool on the wrist, like it has traveled in time. But immediately I was bothered by the “plastickiness” of the dial and details. I just feel like they could have done a better job with the finishing.
Zenith Chronomaster Open — Another impulse buy. I think this was at a time when I was trying to diversify my collection and add to the number of watchmakers. I think I was just mesmerized by the ability to see into the movement from the front. I’ve learned from that mistake. I never connected with this piece, at all. I wear it occasionally just to feel less guilty for having bought it.
Xeric Timeline Retrograde — Such a cool concept with the flyback hands. I feel like Xeric is one of the few watchmakers who do a great job with photography on their website. This piece was beautiful on the website, but not so much in real life. I was just disappointed when it got here. The cyclops has a super weird, cloudy look that makes it difficult to read the date. It’s very heavy, and I don’t like the case — too shiny.
Porsche Design — Yawn. Too thick and bulky. I never wear this anymore.
Omega Speedmaster Gold Reverse Panda — Well, the steel version of this watch is one of my favorites. I just got this gold version to treat myself for an important milestone. I’ve always wanted a fully gold watch. I love the Rolex Day Date, but I just can’t quite get over the cliché-ness of the brand. And then this Omega was released. Love at first sight. We’ll see how I feel about the extra weight, and whether I feel comfortable wearing it outside of a group of close friends.
Louis Erard Fil d’Or — Incredible detail in the dial. Kinda thick. Only worn it once, but I think it’ll make it into my regular rotation.
Farer Curtis — Just got this one. Again, I think Farer punches above its weight for the money. A bit more tool-like in person, but I’m sure it’ll make it into my rotation for very casual outings.