I was always fascinated by handsome wristwatches. Back in the day, our first watches were usually handed down from our parents. Choices were non-existent. Most middle-class families like ours could buy just one or two watches for an entire lifetime. It was the mid-1980s - my brother and I were presented with a Seiko chronograph automatic and a Citizen automatic respectively, by my dad. We were ecstatic! That was the first time we owned new watches and experienced a chronograph - then a great novelty! Those watches were our sole horological possessions for decades! Tough and rugged, my Citizen withstood the vagaries of daily usage, went out with me in the scorching sun and heavy rain, kept pace at sporting events, 'watched' over me during examinations, all without any special care. It was only a few years ago that I had it thoroughly serviced and restored. It now occupies a place of reverence at home with my late father's Seiko and Ricoh automatics.
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The D'Costa Special Automatics : (L to R) My dad's Seiko 7005-8070 & Ricoh Sakura, my brother's Seiko Chronograph 6138-3002 and my trusted Citizen C818.Â
I could afford to get into collecting watches just over a decade ago - Titan watches stirred my soul and became my first acquisitions. Those firsts are still in my collection in mint condition!
Like all greenhorns, I made a few impulsive wristwatch purchases but fortunately realized early on that such a collection would go nowhere in the long run. It took me a while to build a sustainable focus and trust me, that involved tremendous effort - regular fine-tuning, long hours of self-debate and heart-wrenching self-restraint. The result - I have a well-formed collection today with just a couple of watches that I would part with as the rest have been bought with a specific purpose.
I offer my 'Guidelines For Greenhorns' to those new to the hobby in an endeavour to help align one's heart and mind. Reminiscing, it is easier said than done. But it prevents building up dead stock pushed to the end of a bottom drawer over a period of time - sometimes forgotten, sometimes the proverbial thorn in one's side.
Initially, I was in awe of big luxury brands and yearned to own some of them. However, in retrospect, I think it would have been a bad idea to sink a good chunk of my money in such pursuits. These brands not only require a huge initial financial outlay but more importantly, demand costly service and periodic maintenance.
Enter the homage watch - while many hurl brickbats at these manufacturers, I present them with bouquets! They offer the option (and satisfaction) of owning and wearing a homage to a piece of horological history, without breaking the bank or sacrificing an arm and a leg! Most have strong build characteristics. And are perfectly legal too!
Today, thanks to honest dealer-enthusiasts like Dream Watches, we have a wide array of homage watches available at the click of a mouse!
Homage watches launched a brand-new section in my collection. Guided by my focus and from the many choices available, I purchased those examples that hark back to turning points in horology.
I have been invited to share my reviews on homages available here. Every review also contains a brief on the horological significance of the mentor watch as I believe any collectible has increased significance and heightened value when one is aware of the historical importance it represents.
I wish you all the very best of luck as you create your own history on your wrist!
Best wishes from my wrist to yours,
Neil D'Costa