I have a confession to make....

"Z_Stig" (Z_Stig) 02/09/2014 at 18:01 • Filed to: None

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A confession about what, you say? Well allow me to explain.

I've always been a keen automotive enthusiast, in addition to being a huge WIS (Watch Idiot Savant.) There is a few comparisons to make between our timepieces and our cars. Cars and watches say quite a bit about who we are; our likes and dislikes. I also appreciate the inner workings of a fine mechanical wrist watch, much in the same way I'm extremely fond of manual transmissions, two technologies rapidly disappearing in our ever increasingly digital world.

Yet, it was these two shared passions that got me thinking.

For starters, I've never been fond of huge private car collections.

I always think to myself: "Really? No one has time to drive every car in a 100-vehicle collection, let alone fifty, twenty-five, even fifteen!" I hate the idea of cars becoming static display pieces, considering their only reason for existence was to go places, do things, and keep the wheels turning. It especially doesn't make sense when one guy owns multiples of the same car. I often think there is many more people who would cherish these cars and make sure they were on the road, where they belong.

Unwittingly, I had become this way with watches. See, I had gotten to the point where I felt my collection was becoming too big. So every time I obtained a new timepiece, I would give one to my younger brother. Still, that left me with more watches than days of the week. My collection is modest by most standards, but my favorite watch is my Omega Speedmaster.

Out of my ten watches, this is the one I wear the most. Many times, I put it on subconsciously, and when I'm running late for work, appointments, and the like, I usually grab my Speedy since its already wound and ready to wear. The vast majority of my watches are either mechanical or automatic, so they need to be wound to keep time. Otherwise they don't beat. (Only quartz watches tick :P) One could say, their 'wheels' aren't turning.

This reality hit me hard. I was a huge hypocrite, not wearing my watches that were meant to be worn; in fact there was no difference in between me and folks that own many cars.

After much contemplation, I came to this conclusion; since watches and cars are such an expression of who we are, there is no reason to limit ourselves and restrict our personality. All of us have dream cars, and some of them could be considered 'grails.' But once we get one, we usually have another dream car to tick off the list. My Omega was my grail, but it wouldn't make sense to limit myself to just one example of a watch I like. In the same way I neglect to keep all my watches wound, I understand the unique situation of trying to keep one hundred cars in running condition. That would be a monumental task, and would leave less time for the enjoyment of one's collection.

All I can say now is, keep collecting! And hopefully one day I'll have a car collection to rival my collection of timepieces.

I hope you enjoyed this. I suck at writing so I don't attempt it much - LOL

Brian Silvestro > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 18:05

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I always think to myself: "Really? No one has time to drive every car in a 100-vehicle collection, let alone fifty, twenty-five, even fifteen!" I hate the idea of cars becoming static display pieces, considering their only reason for existence was to go places, do things, and keep the wheels turning. It especially doesn't make sense when one guy owns multiples of the same car. I often think there is many more people who would cherish these cars and make sure they were on the road, where they belong.

This paragraph needs to be framed and put on a wall.

I love you but I've chosen hooning! > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 18:07

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What's that? Hublot?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 18:08

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I have two watches, and I find that too many. I like both the same amount, one is a digital touchscreen, another is a sports-oriented analog with a chronograph.

My father has 4 road vehicles in his name, two are cars. That's the upper limit of what you need.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 18:09

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I'm with you. As long as you're actually enjoying your collection, not just letting them sit in a locked box / garage / whatever. That seems like a shame.

For automatics (watches, not cars) I've had good luck with Orbita winders, btw.

Z_Stig > I love you but I've chosen hooning! 02/09/2014 at 18:12

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Autodromo

I love you but I've chosen hooning! > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 18:13

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Oh god.... they make sun glasses too. Fuck my wallet!

Z_Stig > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny 02/09/2014 at 18:14

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Lately, I've been making a conscious effort to wear more of them. Thanks for the tip btw.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 18:15

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You're welcome. And I don't think you suck at writing.

will_kern > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 18:33

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Well put. I feel my choice of watch reflects my taste in cars almost perfectly. The watch I have had for the last several years is inexpensive, versatile, and works well for what it was designed to do, despite the abuses of daily wear... qualities that I appreciate in any automobile or collection.

Boxer_4 > will_kern 02/09/2014 at 18:47

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I love both of my Casio Wave Ceptors. Not quite sure what that says about the taste in the cars I like.

I do wish I would have gotten the black version of the first.

MountainCommand > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 18:53

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Im glad there are a few watch people out there who still prefer mechanical. Even though i will wear one more than the others, each watch is special, and has a unique story to its inclusion in my growing collection. Only then do you start to understand collecting, and why people do it.

anyways. Get yourself a kinetic! Its mechanical and quarts, so when you wear it charges a battery reserve via a mechanical rotor. As much as i love the Hamilton (im always afraid of dinging it) and my yellow automatic broke its strap (its had a hard life) =( my kinetic has been my go to at the moment. And the chrony, i actually havent worn that in over a year, cause its battery operated...

There is something about being able to put your wrist to your ear and listen to all those gears spin away in a melody unique to itself.

desertdog5051 > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 19:01

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A 20 year old+ Timex. Classic looks and "takes a lickin' and keeps on ticking".

Joe_Limon > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 19:02

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I am a one at a time watch/shoe/car guy.

Leadbull > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 19:06

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I could only own like five or six cars, tops.

Also, you don't need to proclaim how sucky a writer you are. You're not bad, and this is oppo...you don't exactly need a freaking Pulitzer prize to post here.

Bandit > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 19:14

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I only have poor person watches and cars :( A couple Swatches and a self winding Kennith-Cole they compliment my '81 Trans Am and 2000 Blazer base model.

Roberto G. > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 19:17

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I had MANY watches in my life: mechanical, quartz, cheap and pricey... included a Zenith chronograph that I diposed by desperation, since it was not waterproof as declared and got water inside also after washing the hands. But then I did find the PERFECT watch: a Citizen Eco-Drive GMT Worldtime, really waterproof to 200 mt (I'm no scuba, but when I'm on vacation I never rimove my watch) becuse the case is one piece only. No bottom lid. And no fucking batteries to replace or spring to wind, since it's charged by a solar cell that works also with the lamps light. In the beginning I was a little afraid of the duration of the battery, but lo and behold it's now ten years old and still running. My next watch will be another one like this for sure.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 19:30

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I've become the same way with guitars. At least they don't decay if you don't use them. Unless it's a Fender.

Z_Stig > Bandit 02/09/2014 at 20:09

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Hey, Swatch owns many of the heavy hitters in the industry and Trans-Am's are awesome!

The Enigmatic Zer0 > Z_Stig 02/09/2014 at 20:51

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I have about 12 watches myself. If I'm not spending money on cars I am spending it on watches. My three go to watches are a Panerai Luminor, a Lucien Piccard with a tire tread band, and a 50th Anniversary Rolex with a green bezel and face, which I actually almost traded for an E30 a few years ago. Actually very glad that I didn't. I inherited the watch collecting from my father who's collection far exceeds mine.

Benzed92 > I love you but I've chosen hooning! 02/09/2014 at 21:59

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I just got the Veloce model watch for Christmas and I love it, they are a little pricey though. But oh boy are they pretty!

Z_Stig > The Enigmatic Zer0 02/09/2014 at 22:20

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That is a fool proof go to list. Very nice man

stuttgartobsessed > Benzed92 02/10/2014 at 01:08

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I really want (need?) the Veloce. Especially because it matches the gauges in my car. :P And their mesh-backed driving gloves. I need some summer driving gloves.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Z_Stig 02/10/2014 at 08:33

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Fossil may not be as exclusive a brand in the price range some of you guys may be looking for in watches, but I'm on my second in 12 years and I have adored both of mine. Here's the one I have now. Carbon face FTW

Benzed92 > stuttgartobsessed 02/10/2014 at 11:26

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Definitely need. ;) And those driving gloves sound wonderful, I have fireproof racing gloves but they are way too hot for summer. $125 isn't too bad for them either.

thebigbossyboss > Z_Stig 02/10/2014 at 12:28

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I agree with you. I would never want more than about 5-6 cars, because otherwise how could you truly enjoy each car? I am not saying you have to have the same 5-6 cars for years, by all means rotate, go through phases, where they are all land rovers, then all old muscle cars, then all malaise era boats, do whatever. I always just think it's sort of selfish for one owner to own 100 cars. I respect people's right to do what they want and own 100 cars, but i don't have to approve it, and I don't.

Mikey > Z_Stig 02/13/2014 at 23:02

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They're pretty, but I thought this article was about mechanical watches? From what I gather, the watch in the picture is quartz movement... but please let me know if I'm wrong, because they aren't as expensive as I thought they'd be.

Mikey > The Enigmatic Zer0 02/13/2014 at 23:15

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I don't know much about watches, but some quick googling has me enticed with Lucien Piccards now. Compared to your other two watches, they seem very affordable! I'd like some advice, if you're willing to give it - any suggestions of model? I like the look of the Domineer, Treviso, and Rioja. Are they really as inexpensive as I'm finding???? This could be a bad thing, because they're on that border of being affordable enough to buy a bunch, but a few of them is the same cost as a lot parts to get my turbo e30 running again...

Z_Stig > Mikey 02/14/2014 at 10:38

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Some Autodromos are mechanical, but the one pictured is quartz. It was the only picture I could find that worked as the opening image.

Mikey > Z_Stig 02/14/2014 at 18:23

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and it's a good picture

The Enigmatic Zer0 > Mikey 02/22/2014 at 19:13

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I'm sorry for the super late response as I was out of state for the past week. If I'm not too late, I'd simply tell you to get the one you like the most or you will wear most often. Also, they are as inexpensive as you're finding them which is one that that's great about them. Intro to watches if you will. You should get one or two at first just so you have something for now. Watches last a lifetime and most of them come with a lifetime warranty, I know Lucien Piccards do. They are typically rather weighted watches that don't feel flimsy which is what I love about a watch. It feels like a little bit of extra power on your wrist. I hope I was able to help. Cheers.

Mikey > The Enigmatic Zer0 02/23/2014 at 18:31

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Thanks! I just ordered an Orient Star Retrograde a few minutes before seeing your reply. Seems like I got it for about half of what it normally goes for... http://www.discountwatchstore.com/Orient-DE00002…

The Enigmatic Zer0 > Mikey 02/23/2014 at 20:54

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Oh, that is a very nice looking watch. I am very big on multifunctional pieces. I used to also be very big on dive watches such as my Omega Seamaster as I used to dive a lot. However since I now have a gastric pacemaker I cannot dive below 30 feet so any water resistant watch will do for me as I still do enjoy regular recreational swimming. I hope you're satisfied when you finally strap it on. Enjoy.

Mikey > The Enigmatic Zer0 02/23/2014 at 23:49

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Thanks a bunch for the inspiration! I can't wait till it gets here. I'm going out of the country on Wednesday and I hope it arrives before then :)