Wearing the Chase-Durer Pilot Commander XV today. I’d wanted one for a long time, and scored this one on watchexchange for $75 last month. These late 90s/early 00s, pre-Invicta Chase-Durers have a ton of character. It’s become my go-to watch in the cockpit.
I wear this watch every day, but I also wore it today. Happy 4th of July everyone!
Picked up this late 80s/early 90s Gruen 257-2105 for $25 a few years ago. I wore it a handful of times, but then it ended up tucked away and completely forgotten. I came across it again today, so while I was dropping off my girlfriend’s watch at a local watchmaker for a service, I had them put a new battery in this one too.
It’s hot as hell but at least my watch is cool.
Recently got the battery replaced in this Fossil FS5923 and have actually been wearing it around the house lately. It’s so light and comfortable that I barely notice it. Before that, it had been sitting dead in a drawer for a couple of months.
I don’t really wear it out, but I’d never get rid of it. My brother gave it to me almost five years ago after I mentioned I wanted an alternative to the Apple Watch I’d been wearing every day. He even had the caseback engraved, so it’s extra special.
I’ve picked up nicer watches since then, but this one still has a place in the collection. I also think it’s one of Fossil’s better looking designs. Just a clean, simple design, and the 42mm case fits my wrist well.
Who else owns a watch they never wear but they’d never sell for sentimental reasons?
This watch is my favorite in the collection and absolutely dominates my wrist time. Got me wondering, what watch gets the most wear in your collection?
I was cleaning out my camera roll and came across some old photos of my collection over the years. It’s interesting to see how some of my tastes have evolved while others have stayed pretty much the same. Thought it would be fun to share a few of them. To think it all started with a Tag Heuer, a Fossil, and a Seiko.
Photos are chronological from oldest to latest.
Wearing my favorite watch today, as usual. Every now and then I make an effort to give some of my other watches some wrist time, but I always end up coming back to this one. I’d even go so far as to say I miss it when I’m not wearing it.
Does anyone else have a watch they always come back to, despite their best efforts to rotate their collection? Or are you the type who wears a different watch every day?
Let’s see em!
I have an affinity for steel sports watches, and I’ve built two mini-collections within my collection: pilot watches and dive watches.
As a pilot, it’s only fitting that I’m drawn to pilot watches. I know a watch isn’t necessary in the cockpit, but I love the romantic aspect of wearing a pilot’s watch while flying. Currently, I own three: the Lorier Merlin, Hamilton Pilot Day Date, and Chase-Durer Pilot Commander XV.
My second love is the sea. I’ve always lived near the ocean. As a kid, I was at the beach almost every weekend, and I still go whenever I get the chance. Plus, my dad wore dive watches, so they were one of the first styles I was introduced to. I own three divers: the Lorier Neptune, Sheffield Allsport 1A, and Momentum Sea Quartz 30.
It took over three years but I finally realized that I love monochrome steel sports watches on bracelets. In the past I tried to branch out into more colorful watches but I always ended up selling because I never wore them. Some of you might consider it boring, but i’m quite happy with my collection as it stands.
I love my steel sports watches but every once in a while it’s nice to change things up to something a little more classy and understated. Wearing my Noah Moonphase to the office today. I love how sharp it looks on this plain navy leather strap I had laying around.
Swipe for a surprise photo of my furry son and I matching this past weekend.
I don’t wear this one too often, but I love how sharp it looks. Wearing the Timex x Noah Moonphase at the office today.
When I first got into watches, I thought collecting meant checking boxes. That mindset led to purchases that weren’t well thought out, and many of them eventually got sold.
Eventually, I realized I’m not buying watches for anyone but myself. Once I stopped worrying about what a collection was “supposed” to look like and just bought what I genuinely liked, I became much happier. I spend a lot less time chasing the next purchase and more time appreciating what I already have.
This is where I’ve ended up over three years later. I have a thing for monochrome steel sports watches, and I’m quite happy with that.
I love sports watches in general (as you can probably tell from the second photo), but pilot watches are easily my favorite “genre.” I’m a pilot myself, so they just resonate with me. I know watches aren’t essential in the cockpit. I could just wear a Casio, or no watch at all. But that’s not the point. I enjoy the romantic aspect of it. After all, isn’t that what this hobby is about?
The Merlin is inspired by the Weems watches worn by Allied pilots in WWII. The Hamilton is like a modern interpretation of a classic B-dial flieger. The Pilot Commander XV oozes ’90s charm.
I have a few others on my shortlist, but for now i’m just enjoying what I own and i’m not in any rush to add anything else. I won’t fill the box with only pilot watches either, because I do enjoy some variety.
Before anyone mentions the lack of color: No, I probably won’t add something colorful. I’ve tried more colorful dials in the past and I never wore em so I ended up selling. I’m quite happy with the monochrome thing.
Has anyone else found their favorite niche/style? Or are you the type to build a collection by “checking boxes”?
Absolutely love this watch. It was with me through a big chunk of my private pilot training and was on my wrist the day I passed my checkride and earned my license.
Ever since I bought it, I’ve worn it on a mesh bracelet, but I recently decided to try something that felt a bit more period correct. A Bonklip style bracelet seemed like the perfect fit, and it looks even better than I expected.
Very pleased with my collection as it stands. All $600 or less except for the Hamilton, which was a gift.
I love sports watches in general (as you can probably tell from the second photo), but pilot watches are easily my favorite “genre.” I’m a pilot myself, so they just resonate with me. I know watches aren’t essential in the cockpit. I could just wear a Casio, or no watch at all. But that’s not the point. I enjoy the romantic aspect of it. After all, isn’t that what this hobby is about?
The Merlin is inspired by the Weems watches worn by Allied pilots in WWII. The Hamilton is like a modern interpretation of a classic B-dial flieger. The Pilot Commander XV oozes ’90s charm.
I have a few others on my shortlist, but for now i’m just enjoying what I own and i’m not in any rush to add anything else. I won’t fill the box with only pilot watches either, because I enjoy some variety.
Before anyone mentions the lack of color: No, I probably won’t add something colorful. I’ve tried more colorful dials in the past and I never wore em so I ended up selling. I’m quite happy with the monochrome thing.
I love sports watches in general (as you can probably tell from the second photo), but pilot watches are easily my favorite “genre.” I’m a pilot myself, so they just resonate with me. I know watches aren’t essential in the cockpit. I could just wear a Casio, or no watch at all. But that’s not the point. I enjoy the romantic aspect of it. After all, isn’t that what this hobby is about?
The Merlin is inspired by the Weems watches worn by Allied pilots in WWII. The Hamilton is like a modern interpretation of a classic B-dial flieger. The Pilot Commander XV oozes ’90s charm.
I have a few others on my shortlist, but for now i’m just enjoying what I own and i’m not in any rush to add anything else. I won’t fill the box with only pilot watches either, because I enjoy variety.
Before anyone mentions the lack of color: No, I probably won’t add something colorful. I’ve tried more colorful dials in the past and I never wore em so I ended up selling. I’m quite happy with the monochrome thing.
I’d love to hear if anyone else has settled on a favorite watch style. If there are any pilots here, I’d especially love to know what you’re wearing in the cockpit.
Heading into the weekend with none other than my favorite watch. Got my favorite jeans on, my favorite boots, and some cold beer waiting for me at home after work.
What’s everyone else wearing today?
Had a nice relaxing XC flight from Miami to Venice Beach this morning for breakfast. Having the Pilot Commander XV on my wrist seemed fitting!
What’s everyone else wearing today?