The short answer to “what’s new in the watch box” for 2023: not much. In fact, the both G-SHOCK Mudmasters (the GWG-100 and GG-1000) were sold, and so was the ProTrek PRW2500-1, because when you have a GW-9400 Rangeman, you don’t need another option for trekking. I spent more time & effort during the past year on making the collection better, not bigger. Watch modification is a great way to inexpensively improve already nice watches, to provide a connection with the watch that makes it truly “yours”. It also makes things simple when you break a strap or need to replace a battery, if you have the tools and experience to handle the job yourself – this can save a lot of time and money, with the bonus of ensuring the job is done right.
So what mods did I do this year? A domed sapphire crystal for the Casio Duro, making a great little watch so much better, sapphire being unlikely to scratch, and the curving dome sloping perfectly with the bezel and case; changing the dial in my Steeldive “Captain Willard” homage, which might be controversial to some, but I don’t care, it improved the look of the watch over the Steeldive dial, and “it’s my watch I’ll do what I like with it”; another dial change for my Steeldive “Tuna” homage, a big improvement, as the Steeldive’s printed dial is it’s only shortcoming. Along with getting into watch modification, there were a few new straps and a couple on-the-fly adjustable clasp upgrades for bracelets.
That isn’t to say there were no new additions. Early in the year, I received a late Christmas present of a “Curren” watch, a brand I’d never heard of. I was a bit scathing in my critique, and I stand by every word, even nicknaming it “the clown” – and yet, at the same time, I’ve come to not hate it. Despite how bad it is on most levels, with the jangling bracelet, it wears nicely. Gifts are great for getting out of your comfort zone, and this is a perfect example.
The Addiesdive 1000m “Puck” homage is a ridiculously fun watch with incredible presence and even better lume, it’s only matched in size by my G-SHOCK GXW-56-1BJF “The King”.
The final two are both G-SHOCKs, which arrived at roughly the same time (coincidence), and yet couldn’t be more different. I’d been eyeballing the DW-5900-1 for weeks, being retro cool and a design I really like; on the other end of the spectrum is the super-techy GBD-200UU-9, which I only picked up because it was local to me, a slick color, the best display ever, and “the right price”.
Three sold, four acquired (and one of those was a gift). It might be the collection has found it’s limit! I wonder what may happen in 2024, if I will pare it down a bit, or will something grab my attention? As I thought last year, the collection is in a good place, I feel like I have a nice mix of retro and modern, a couple workhorses, one or two rarer examples, and a few that are simply fun, and I’m enjoying them all.
