28 Watches Later: A Watch Collectors Journey
I still remember the day I signed up for my first watch subscription. I didn’t know what to expect—just a vague hope that maybe I’d finally start dressing like the man I wanted to be. One watch, I figured, couldn’t change much. I was wrong.
That first piece wasn’t a Rolex or anything Swiss-made. It was a modest dive watch—clean design, automatic movement, luminous hands. I wore it out that night, and something about the weight of it on my wrist made me feel sharper. More intentional.
Now, 28 watches later, I look back and realize this wasn’t just about timepieces. It was about becoming someone new.
From Casual to Collector
At first, I didn’t even know the difference between quartz and mechanical. But as the months passed and more boxes arrived—each one a surprise—I started learning. I’d Google each brand, read watch reviews, compare specs. I became obsessed with terms like “skeleton dial,” “chronograph,” and “sapphire crystal.”
I found myself talking to strangers about lug width and power reserve. I even started a little watch Instagram (don’t judge—#WristCheck is addictive).
Swiss Timepieces and Everyday Heroes
Over time, the watches got better. A Swiss-made GMT from Glycine. A bold pilot watch with a sunburst dial. A minimal dress watch that pairs perfectly with a blazer. Each one felt like it unlocked a new version of me,whether I was traveling, interviewing, or just out to dinner.
People noticed. I went from never wearing a watch to being the “watch guy” in my group of friends. They’d ask, “Where’d you get that?” or “What’s the best watch under $500?” I’d light up every time.
More Than Just Accessories
Each of these 28 watches carries a memory now. One saw me through a breakup. Another was on my wrist when I got promoted. There’s one I wore on a beach in Tulum that still has a faint scratch from a rock my favorite kind of imperfection.
Watches don’t just tell time. They mark it. And this collection, accidental as it started, tells the story of my past two years better than my camera roll ever could.
What Comes Next?
I don’t know what watch #29 will be—but I know I’ll be just as excited as I was for the first. If you’re thinking about starting a watch collection or joining a subscription, do it. Don’t wait. Time moves fast—but it feels a little more meaningful when it’s ticking on your wrist.