Came across this piece locally and thought I’d try it out. I often cycle through the secondhand market just to try out new stuff, and I gotta say I’m digging the 2000’s vibe here. Great proportions too.
Who knows, maybe I’ll keep this one awhile!
Interstellar changed me the first time I saw it (late, I know) in 2017.
My love for watches started to bloom shortly before, in 2016.
In 2021, I made my first spreadsheet wishlist of watches I really wanted to own, and the Murph topped the list.
For years, my watch collection and desire ebbed and flowed. Other things took priority—I started a new career, was married, bought a house, a car, had two children.
Last year in 2025, I built ChronoQueue to give myself and other collectors a better way to dream about growing our collections, and still, the Murph was omnipresent.
Today, nearly a decade later, the time was right!
Interstellar changed me the first time I saw it (late, I know) in 2017.
My love for watches started to bloom shortly before, in 2016.
In 2021, I made my first spreadsheet wishlist of watches I really wanted to own, and the Murph topped the list.
For years, my watch collection and desire ebbed and flowed. Other things took priority—I started a new career, was married, bought a house, a car, had two children.
Last year in 2025, I built ChronoQueue to give myself and other collectors a better way to dream about growing our collections, and still, the Murph was omnipresent.
Today, nearly a decade later, the time was right!
At twelve watches, you draw closer to the balance of having lots of rotation choices and collection diversity, while also being able to spread the wrist time around and actually enjoy each piece day to day.
More than twelve, and I start lamenting that I don’t have enough time to wear them all. I regret when pieces sit for weeks or months untouched. I can’t just own and display—wrist time is a major part of ownership for me.
I think high collection quantity, especially in the beginning, can be really helpful for developing your taste, your values, your favorite brands, and your sizing preferences. From there, trimming down to the core collection becomes phase two of the collecting process—first discovery, and then precision in ownership.
I’ve got 3 more pieces in the second photo to move along as I trim my way down to the core 12. I anticipate that I will eventually refine down to 8 as I tune my collection identity further, and consolidate budget pieces into more up-market pieces.
Short term plan:
- Hamilton Khaki Aviation -> Hamilton Khaki Murph (Murph is my favorite, Aviation was a deal of opportunity. Can flip it for a leg up toward Murph)
- Bulova Super Seville in blue-> Super Seville in gold/green (color swap, I’ve been craving gold/green and already have blue pieces)
- Seiko 5, Pagani, Islander, LAD -> Longines Hydroconquest 42mm black dial/blue bezel/mesh (time for another diver, and the HC is such a heavy hitter)
What’s your collection sweet spot?
At twelve watches, you draw closer to the balance of still having lots of rotation choices and collection diversity, while also being able to spread the wrist time around and actually enjoy each piece day to day.
More than twelve, and I start lamenting that I don’t have enough time to wear them all. I regret when pieces sit for weeks or months untouched. I can’t just own and display—wrist time is a major part of ownership for me.
I think high collection quantity, especially in the beginning, can be really helpful for developing your taste, your values, your favorite brands, and your sizing preferences. From there, trimming down to the core collection becomes phase two of the collecting process—first discovery, and then precision in ownership.
I’ve got 3 more pieces in the second photo to move along as I trim my way down to the core 12. I anticipate that I will eventually refine down to 8 as I tune my collection identity further, and consolidate budget pieces into more up-market pieces.
Short term plan:
- Hamilton Khaki Aviation -> Hamilton Khaki Murph (Murph is my favorite, Aviation was a deal of opportunity. Can flip it for a leg up toward Murph)
- Bulova Super Seville in blue-> Super Seville in gold/green (color swap, I’ve been craving gold/green and already have blue pieces)
- Seiko 5, Pagani, Islander, LAD -> Longines Hydroconquest 42mm black dial/blue bezel/mesh (time for another diver, and the HC is such a heavy hitter)
What’s your collection sweet spot?
April had several acquisitions for me, one being the Henry Archer Tidslinje - Lunaris meteorite dial. Lovely watch, and great finishing, but wearing it the most last month helped me realize it’s got some design issues I just can’t swallow! Especially after picking up my new Longines, which has similar case width but is so much more beautifully proportioned and wearable. I couldn’t go back!
April had several acquisitions for me, one being the Henry Archer Tidslinje - Lunaris meteorite dial. Lovely watch, and great finishing, but wearing it the most last month helped me realize it’s got some design issues I just can’t swallow! Especially after picking up my new Longines, which has similar case width but is so much more beautifully proportioned and wearable. I couldn’t go back!
So if anyone wants the meteorite in excellent shape, hit me up! 😆
April had several acquisitions for me, one being the Henry Archer Tidslinje - Lunaris meteorite dial. Lovely watch, and great finishing, but wearing it the most last month helped me realize it’s got some design issues I just can’t swallow! Especially after picking up my new Longines, which has similar case width but is so much more beautifully proportioned and wearable. I couldn’t go back!
April had several acquisitions for me, one being the Henry Archer Tidslinje - Lunaris meteorite dial. Lovely watch, and great finishing, but wearing it the most last month helped me realize it’s got some design issues I just can’t swallow! Especially after picking up my new Longines, which has similar case width but is so much more beautifully proportioned and wearable. I couldn’t go back!
So if anyone wants the meteorite in excellent shape, hit me up! 😆
Master Collection Power Reserve L2.708.478.6
I have admired the brand for years. I’ve actually been planning and saving for a Spirit Pilot or the new Hydroconquest, while always admiring the Master Collection. This was a pure buy of opportunity.
I’ve watched this piece sit on my local FB Marketplace for a couple weeks while the price slowly dropped. Today, it hit a new low that was simply too good to pass up. I was at his door in the hour.
Full box set in excellent condition and still under warranty.. I couldn’t believe the deal I was getting—and, I couldn’t be more thrilled with the watch! It’s stunning.
Now that I’ve got a taste, I’m even more eager for my goal Spirit/Hyrdo down the road.
Specs and link to this ref are here in my collection if you’re interested: https://chronoqueue.app/c/120b21e2-640b-4acc-a5e0-b7cea18929a8
Master Collection Power Reserve L2.708.478.6
I have admired the brand for years. I’ve actually been planning and saving for a Spirit Pilot or the new Hydroconquest, while always admiring the Master Collection. This was a pure buy of opportunity.
I’ve watched this piece sit on my local FB Marketplace for a couple weeks while the price slowly dropped. Today, it hit a new low that was simply too good to pass up. I was at his door in the hour.
Full box set in excellent condition and still under warranty.. I couldn’t believe the deal I was getting—and, I couldn’t be more thrilled with the watch! It’s stunning.
Now that I’ve got a taste, I’m even more eager for my goal Spirit/Hyrdo down the road.
Specs and link to this ref are here in my collection if you’re interested: https://chronoqueue.app/c/120b21e2-640b-4acc-a5e0-b7cea18929a8
My favorite carry combo: the Victorinox Companion Slim Alox, and the Higo No Kami 90mm knife.
The Companion gets so much done, in the best form factor. It’s got the essential tools for opening anything it comes across, and nothing else. It’s the perfect sidekick to a folding knife—in this case my new Higo No Kami. Ultra slim, ultra simple, ultra sharp.
The separation of knife and multitool opens up many options, pairings, and configurations. It allows you to leave a blade behind when prohibited, and still be prepared. It puts less bulk and clutter in your palm when you’re focused on a single task.
The Hide and Drink leather wallet brings all my carry together. No clanging around in the pocket, no loose tools falling out, no remembering to grab a certain item in the morning—it’s all there.
I’m really enjoying my current state of the collection. The Laco, Hamilton, and Henry Archer are the newest and I’ve loved each of them.
At 12 watches, I fear the collection size is already a little more than I enjoy owning, as it gets hard to spread the love to each piece. Owning a variety, especially the inexpensive yet high value Chinese pieces, has helped me define my tastes and cycle through many styles on a budget.
The next stage for me is to trim down from the second set of 6 and save for my first Swiss piece in the $2-3k range (likely preowned in great condition). I’m looking heavily at Longines (Spirit, Conquest, new HC), I’ve always loved Oris (Propilot, Pointer Dates), and Mido seems like a sleeper.
Would love recommendations for moving forward! My current tastes are in pilot or dive style, clean and simple designs, and often tool watch oriented. Although, this Presage has really given me a hunger for another dress watch. Moonphase is a complication I would love to own. I enjoy wearing 38mm-42mm pieces, preferred under 50mm lug to lug.
Thanks in advance!