My FULL Watch Journey - The Good, Bad, and Ugly! 

I missed out two watches 🤦🏼‍♂️ - Omega Seamaster from 1958, annoyingly missed this out. It was best looking watch I’ve owned. - Rolex Submariner 14060m, not sure why I missed this out.

“There’s a lot of situations that are fixed by just having a Seiko 5.” My favourite line of this video!

This is the kind of story telling that puts you ahead of the rest man. For me the journey is just what’s really fun to share, I’m not the biggest fan of state of the collection video’s because most are lacking in the “why” they’ve owned these watches. Loads of wealthy folk own stuff that means next to nothing to them. Keep up the great work Adrian

Up until 2017 I never even gave watches a second thought... At the time I was working as a musician on cruise ships. One night at a crew party (probably a bit too drunk) I water damaged my phone, so I bought a Citizen watch on board literally to just know the time. That watch has since been around the world with me and I grew to love it and still have it to this day. After becoming friends with the jeweller on board I got more fascinated by the art of watchmaking... that's where it all went downhill/uphill and here I am sat here today with an Explorer I and a BB58 in my collection. 😃

This is what it is all about. Really enjoyed hearing about your journey. Thanks for sharing.

What a memory! As a man in my 50’s I raise my glass. Not sure why a timeline of your watch buying history was so compelling. I love the fact that we all have to maneuver around our spouses in this hobby!

I'm impressed you can remember every watch you've owned.

I enjoyed this more than any "State of the Collection" video I have ever seen. The journey is often times more enjoyable than any watch itself. My first was a simple Timex quartz my grandmother gave me in 1988. When I was 16 my mother started giving me a watch every year for Christmas or my birthday (which is Dec 28) and was typically a Citizen. My first luxury watch was in 2003 when I bought an Omega Seamster quartz, the Pierce Brosnan James Bond watch. From there a simple champagne dial Bulova dress watch I got for 5 years at an insurance company that my grandfather was once vice president of and that holds a special place. By then I was infected LOL. Once becoming a watch entusiast I have taken a passion for Seiko JDM's but always admiring anything and everything that catches my eye. Currently I keep the collection at 13 pieces, one to wear and the other 12 in the watchbox. Seiko, Bulova, Tissot, Rotary, and G-Shocks...every one of them has a story. Seriously looking at a Hamilton Khaki next. In the next year I have a daughter graduating college and a 9 year old son so I am looking at saving up for those grails: Tudor Sub, Rolex Datejust, Omega Speedmaster Trilogy 57, and a JLC Reverso but who knows where to road will go. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

I have only just recently started watching your channel within the last year, I have to say I am a fan. I love your no nonsense and up front journey through time. So much that I have gone back and watched all your videos. This one has to be my favorite, why I had to comment this time. Like owning cars over the years it's not just about the car it's about the journey what you remember the first fresh smell of a new car, the Drive-in, the long drives on smooth country road. I have grown up with Casio and Seiko, from my first calculator to my G-shock, to Seiko 5, now my Edifice collection. I sit here now after watching your videos and it's has made me re-think my first luxury watch purchase. I had my mind set on a Oceanus by Casio but, now that Tudor Black Bay is just simply beautiful. Thank you Adrian for sharing your journey, there is a nice simple admiration I can see when you talk watches, way more than some channels I watch. Our journey through time continues. All the best over the holiday's

16 minutes of pure passion for watches! Thank you for putting out this great content 🙏🏼

In the pantheon of great videos I’ve seen on your channel, this one is at or near the top. Awesome work Adrian, you are an exceptional storyteller through and through.

I was a kid in the early 90s with a Timex Ironman. I loved the indiglo so much! Even though I've moved far past digital watches, I still have a soft spot for the Ironman. We had a lot of good times together.

Actually because of your channel and after owning some cheaper watches, i bought a Black Bay 58 last year, but the blue version because it has a feeling of going on holiday to it. I‘m in love with it since day one.

That Seiko 5 makes me cry. In 1996, I got promoted at my first job after only a few months. My position didn't pay much but my parents gifted me with a gold Seiko 5 to celebrate the promotion. I think it's the same model as the one in your video. It had a black face and gold bracelet. By 2002, I stopped wearing it for some reason. Several watches later, that watch ended up with my dad as his second watch. He passed away early this year while I was out of the country and it was reported to me that the watch was stolen from him (including an expensive gold ring with my family birthstones) either during his long hospital stay or at the funeral home. I wish I could have been there for him. A watch, no matter the monetary value, is a greater treasure in my heart because of the memories. Thank you for sharing your watch journey.

The pelagos changed my watch journey too, went into a local shop to buy a tag, and walked out with a blue pelagos, the same watch the salesman was wearing because he couldn't say enough good things about it and neither could I once I tried it on. Completely changed my ways. And I have since added a tudor black bay GMT to my collection.

Timex with indiglo was definitely the dogs bollocks back In the day. Thanks for sharing your journey with us Adrian!Wishing you a safe a happy holiday season 🙌

My first watch was a Lorus Mickey Mouse quartz from the 1980's, which was lost mysteriously. I was given a Nixon Star Wars edition as a gift from my Brother in law (I appreciate it, but I'm annoyed by its lack of indices). I now own three vintage watches from the 1960's: an Elgin, a Seiko 5, and a Longines-Wittnauer. I recently bought my first diver, the Orient Mako I, an enormous value for the affordable price.

The Tag Heuer Link was my first Swiss watch. The bezel is 18 carat gold. I still have it, though I never wear it. I have to admit the piece is still in excellent condition. Lots of great memories with this Tag Heuer.

I had a hand me down snoopy watch when I was about 4 from my older brother. After that I had a Casio JP-200W digital watch which had a pulse checker that I played with all the time (ha!). I then had a Citizen eco drive as my first proper watch when I was about 13 and for my 18th my parents and Grandparents surprised me with a blue dial Omega 120m Quartz Seamaster which I still wear to this day 23 years later. I am only now thinking of picking up another watch and there is so much choice it's overwhelming! I like the look of Longines Conquest and the Tudor BB36 both black dial variants but I have plenty of time to keep looking and not rush it :) don't want to spoil the fun and pull the trigger too quickly now do I! Thanks for all the videos Adrian, I hope you (and everybody else) have a great 2022 👍

Such a likeable down to earth guy. Genuine watch enthusiast who the average man like myself can relate to. Keep up the amazing work/content. You got me starting my journey with an explorer. Thank you!

I love the very candid "I got in trouble." We've all been there! The dreaded rhetorical question, "You bought ANOTHER WATCH?!"

I think it's pretty cool when someone has their first watch. Mine was a 1964 Ingersoll Mickey Mouse. Every now and then I bring it out and admire what it meant to me and what it still means to me. When there is a connection to a watch it brings out the full pleasure of it. Thanks for the great video!

Adrian, thank you for sharing. All of your fellow watch enthusiasts have made regrettable decisions it’s all part of the journey. Acknowledging mistakes is healthy and helpful for your newer followers. Bravo Mate!

My wife's family are all RAF and when she was growing up her father was head technician for RAF, They too were stationed for a few years in Bruggen, Germany.

Aaaah yeah, that Grand Seiko, which you never wore and sold off quickly again. Truely must have been a great watch.

best watch collection video i have watched so far

Thanks, that has so filled in the background/history etc. My most prized watch is a 1965 'Ed White' 321 Speedmaster, which I've owned since 1978, and has had the dial and hands replaced due to lume/marker degradation etc. However, what I really wanted was a MKII Speedmaster, I preferred the more integrated case bracelet look etc. but I couldn't afford one back then. Now a days the 321 '65 Ed White' is worth far more than the MKII will ever be

This deserved a subscription! The best part of this video is showing how the Gucci watch started you down the rabbit hole. That's why one should never 100% knock the fashion brands, because they can be the "gateway drug", if you will, to the uneducated sleeping watch aficionado. Same thing with wines, btw. Don't knock the selection at your corner Wal-Greens.

Casio calculator watch is the worlds first "smart watch" I loved it when I was in elementary school and I have one in my watch box next to my submariner. A big hello from Texas, hope everyone is doing great!

His love for Seiko and Grand Seiko was a nice suprice. Many overlooks down or downright disrespects them just because...ignorance. Interesting journey. My journey is in the vintage stage right now.

And this video is why B&J is easily one of my favorite YT channels: topics not just watch after watch after watch. Great content, excellent to see your journey. Keep it up and thanks! Enjoy your Holidays!!!

Awesome journey!

Oh… that iron man. I had that on my wrist for years. Loved it. I used to double click the start / stop so quick to see how fast I could do it. Competing with my sister of course.

A very genuine story of your watch journey and it's all not high end or luxury but starts from your childhood and includes a nice mix of tool watches. Thanks for the story. From Korea (South).

I just found your channel and I’m devouring your content. The informal sit down and chat style with the brilliant production value and information puts you ahead in my opinion. Great stuff

In my opinion the most beautiful one you showed here is the Omega Constellation. I tried to find that exact model, but couldn't find it, it is gorgeous

We have a remarkably similar upbringing. My folks were also stationed in Germany in the 90’s and dad was in Turkey around the same time period. I think we’re about the same age as well.

I had a Timex Ironman throughout high school. Took it on school camp, swimming, running, playing sports and of course exams. Loved that watch.

As a German I love to watch your videos, but even more I love the absolutely understandable language and I still learn something at watches and in the language.

I started my watch collection with a very much classic Tissot Le Locle, then going up with even more classic look with Oris & Longiness, adding many technically useless complications such as chronograph, moonphase, etc. There is one time I went flamboyant with a Hamilton Jazzmaster open-heart, just to realise showing off an ETA movement is just similar to a teenage girl showing off her skin in a crop-top. My latest watch is a Tudor BB58 and it changes my whole perception of watches. Having no date function means I don't need to check on pull the crown twice, and its look as a tool watch is in fact the most classic yet iconic

Very good. I can relate to this video. I'm at the point with 2 Tudors I have my name down on a Rolex ( that's after about 20 watches over 20 years ) I have a photo of each one so thinking of making a big framed collage

Oh this video just sparked JOY! I freaking loved this! ❤️✨

Great video Adrian. Excellent content as per usual. My first foray into the ‘luxury’ watch world was a Tag Heuer Aquaracer having won a Vegas Jackpot and then deciding to commemorate it with a watch purchase. The latest addition has been the 116900 which you reviewed a while back. A superb every day watch that is massively underrated by the community. Still got my eye on the new 126610LV but, even in Singapore, you get laughed out the ADs when asking for their availability. Thanks again Adrian and look forward to the next video.

That's a good journey, and love the polar explorer 2. The Explorer 1 and 2 could be all you would ever need.

New subscriber here, great to hear about your watch journey, Swatch started me off back in the mid 80's , owned many Casio's including about 4 G-shocks, two CWC, three Traser, bought a nice Seiko chronograph that looked similar to a Speedmaster back in 2005, wife bought me a Seiko military chronograph on our honeymoon in NY 2009 then things got expensive. I hit 40 in 2013 and bought myself an Omega seamster 300 blue face (I always thought of this as a classic), wore the watch everywhere except work (G-shock's etc for manual work), a truly wonderful watch that still makes me smile when I wear it. Last year I decided to treat myself to a new watch, It has to be another Omega , I really don't care for any other brand around that price range so I bought a Speedmaster moon watch sapphire sandwich on a bracelet, I bought the manual wind as it was what Ernest Jones had in stock that day and for the first few months it got on my tits as I kept forgetting to wind it, the Seamaster is an automatic and wearing it every evening and on weekends meant that I rarely had to wind it, jump forward a few months and I wind up the speedy just before I put it on most evenings and I also wind it before I put the Seamaster on. I've been wearing a Citizen echo drive royal marine watch to work for the last 5 years and I must say it's an excellent watch , I'm going through a strap a year. 50 next year and I'd like my wife to get me an Aqua terra white or green on a brown leather strap, this is how I found your channel looking at videos of the watch, it was going to be the Railmaster but I think I'll get a second hand Railmaster for work when the Citizen eventually dies . I'll be catching up on some more of your videos, I also have a channel but it's quite different from yours , I'm an outdoor type that reviews knives mainly, now knife collecting is a whole other story.....

You were right when you started out. Too many rolex channels on YT. Between this and Jenni Elle you cover the entire Rolex catalogue.

There's always a wonderful story behind owning every time piece ever, well told! Instant sub!

What a great “flash history” story! Different angles in different times, views change, mature and then there’s the must haves!

Awesome to see how you got to where you are. My last watch purchase was a Swatch Coeur de mangue 34mm that I bought to remember my grandmother, she loved swatch watches and collected them, she'd get a new one on every trip my grandparents took. I think my one cousin has the collection now. Figure with how flashy it is and the fact she's from Jamaica and loved mangos it seemed fitting. My watch purchase before that was a Seiko SRPB41 that I got in a package deal with an SRP839 for my wife and we wear those on date nights etc. My daily is an eco drive AT8020-54L Blue Angels world chronograph and it does everything I could possibly want, atomic time sync, world time, 200m WR, sapphire crystal etc. For the $500 Canadian I paid I'm happy with it. I'm debating saving up for a vintage air king that my watchmaker has in his safe he wants $3200 Canadian but that's serviced with warranty from him. Would be a heck of a nice understated watch for smart casual wear, the Seiko while nice is far too formal for most casual wear (that said I still wear it with jeans and a t-shirt occassionally lol)

I can’t believe someone else owned that bench watch. I had it, I loved it. Don’t know why. Can only assume it was a brown/orange thing. Fascinating video. Thank you.

Watching this video made me realize how long I've been following your watch journey! Keep up with the amazing content!

Great video as always ! my Journey is pretty whacky lol as well, most recent watch is the Rolex AK which I fell in love with after thinking the Explorer was a must. Ad surprised me with both and once I out the Airking on...that was it! My modest collection is now My first Citizen eco drive, a Swiss army that I purchased for my brother and I being march babies, Oris Arteiler comp (first "luxury") 1968 Omega Seamaster KL6068 (which got me into Full sets), 78' Rolex 1500 (my favorite daily) and the latest AK! Much more to be owned and enjoyed!

Man, you're great ! They way you talk with passion about watches.

I really enjoy the journey and the quality of you video, as we all know the journey to seek a watch is always the funniest part as to owing it

Thank you for candidly sharing your journey with your followers. Very impressed you can remember watches from 25 years ago.

Cool Journey. Looking forward to your pending IWC adventures in ‘22 and beyond.

Loved this video!

Thank you for sharing your watch journey - It is so cool to see someone else path and compare similarities (transitioning from a watch wearer to a watch collector) and differences.

I was a product manager at Timex Canada around the time you had your Ironman. I remember that watch and color way well :-). GREAT video and narrative! I really enjoyed learning about your journey as I’m re-starting my own after a decades long break. Please keep up the fantastic work. Love your content. Cheers.

I have the Timex Iron man, never wore it, it is a part of my now (mostly thinned out) Space watch collection. I have 2 G-shocks, never wore them either (space watches again!) the DW5900 and the Mahoosive G-Shock Riseman! I had the Speedmaster Reduced Automatic Red 'Schumacher' edition, but it wasn't really 'me'. That was alongside four other Speedies, a 1968 321, a 1969 861 Speedy 'franken' (specially made for me with an early 70's Italian market cream dial, Pulsations bezel and Alaska project hands) and an FOIS all of which I still have and an Alaska Project, which I (mistakenly?) sold on. I also have a standard dog-leg lugged 1950 Connie, nothing special but still lovely. I have three CWCs as this was the watch I wore in the Army. A 1980 an '83 and a 2012 G2000, I also have the almost identical issued Precista 'sister' watch from 1982. I have a Black Bay (the standard Maroon coloured model with the ETA motor) Horrible brick like slab of a watch.. need to sell that on for sure! I used to have a 1968 1975/3 GMT Master Nipple dial but I part ex'd that for a 1950 Bubble back Ovettone and a wedge of cash. I have a 93 Omega Seamaster quartz, the smaller 36mm (?) model.. marvellous tool-watch its been in the Baltic, the Aegean, the Med, the Atlantic and last month the gulf of Mexico.. ideal for knocking around in and one of my favourites. I now have 189 watches, mainly military issued and these are the ones I tend to wear the Most, a bunch of WWW's a brace of Lemanias and a shedload of issued Omega's amongst others. My favourite watch is a toss-up of 3, the IWC Mk XI from '52, a Smiths W10 from '69 and a Lemania RN Dive Supervisors watch from 1968. Love your videos by the way, so informative keep on making them mate!

And here I was wearing an automatic Omega Seamaster in 1999...yet here we are. Someone has a great RU-vid watch channel and I don't :). Great trip down memory lane!

What a great video. I had a top career moment just before the lockdown and my Rolex Dealer called and said they had a Rolex 14060 in stock. I dropped everything and now wear that with several over field watches. I wish I had the Omega Speedmaster white dial I had in 2007 back in my collection. Great channel

I had some blue diver style watch when I was a kid and it's the first watch I remember, but have no clue what it was now. Probably a Casio or something cheaper end. The watch that I grew up with, was a pulsar quartz chronograph. I don't know the model no. But I still own it now, many years later. It saw me through highschool and college and I got it when a family friend passed. My godmother ( their mother) said "here is £50, buy something lasting". Since then my knowledge has grown. I've modded some Seiko's and built a watch from Seiko parts. Currently saving for a 60-70s seamaster. Watches are amazing, and I hope to have a job related to watches one day soon!

I am 41 and also had a Timex Indiglo, I loved that watch as a kid haha. One of my ex girlfriends bought me a Guess watch many years ago which has long disappeared. I then decided to get a nice watch for myself and initially went with a Gshock MTG S1000BD, then upgraded to a Tudor Blackbay GMT and then sold that to purchase a 2020 Submariner Date from an AD. I’m now on the hunt for a Rolex GMT from an AD but understand it may never happen.

In the mid 90s I was working my butt off as a teen at a Chinese restaurant. I took a good chuck on my paycheck and bought a Seiko Kinetic (Kinetic Sport 100 5m42-OB09).... that feeling you mentioned of the rotor moving was so special to me then. I bought three of those sorts of Siekos over the next few years and they meant a lot to me. I just ordered a BB58, so my enthusiasm has peaked for the moment.

I just discovered you holy hell what an amazing video. I too fell in love with watches mine was my Papa who instilled in me the love of a mechanical watch from a young age.

First video I've watched on your channel, absolutely loved it! ❤️

Really looking forward to the Explorer 2 video!

This watch journey feels legit and reachable for a everyday hard working lad… not like some other watch people out there showing off their 100k per watch collection

Sounds very similar to my journey, obsessed with Timex Indigo as a kid, moved on to Bulova, Oris, Tudor and now a 126613LN Sub. Great video!

My dad loves eco drive and he got me one when I turned 13, now almost a decade later I still wear my eco drive cause how much it reminds me of him. Thanks for the vid Adrian

Timex IronMan, off course. In class, all day long, I was hitting the start-stop chrono button as fast as I can. I think my record was 0.08 sec and I tried to beat that for months!!! Great video, loved it. My watch journey is more modest but I'm not finished.

I used to live in Adana, TU and am very familiar with the Incirlik Village marketplace outside of the base. A favorite shop of many tourists was Mr. Rolex, right down the "alley" before the tracks. Cool video of your watch journey.

Really enjoyed your watch ride. All of us have one, but only get to thinking and reminiscing about it when we hear someone else tell theirs. I wanted to interrupt you so many times to interject my experience in the "rabbit watch hole". I still enjoy herology to this day and realize I still have a lot to learn.

Lovely video. Surprised how young you are! I thought mid forties 😁 picked up my third Rolex of the year yesterday. Love collecting and watching your vids.

I love that you said it felt weird not wearing a watch for a couple of weeks, because it does!

my very first watch was a casio lw 200. And now this watch is 11 years old. And i love this watch still today. Right now Im 19

I wish other channels put as much passion into a simple premise like this rather than making overly fancy videos with very little depth. Always enjoy your videos Adrian. Cheers for the content and for always remaining grounded.

Seiko 5 SNXS77 was the first mechanical watch I bought. I still have it. And I still love it.

Love it! I consider horology and collecting watches a journey of discovery. Your tastes change more and more when you start digging into cases, movements, bracelets….I love you authenticity. Thanks for sharing.

Great stroy of your journey with watches there! I tried to get my father into the rabbit hole of a hobby with me last year by getting him a Hamilton automatic, he never wears it. " Has to have a light" lol. I do remember seeing the grand seiko dissappear from your collection awhile back. Really like the look of that one but it's very hard to find with its limited number produced. Cheers

This video has made me a permanent sub. I love this timeline and why and how you got the watches

My first real watch was a classic 39mm Movado which had just the hands and dot on dial with sports bracelet. That really got my passion started with watches. I still own all my timepieces and so far none have been sold. It’s very addictive to say the least

Awesome story!! I bought and still have that omega speedmaster moonphase Broad arrow...still love that watch!

Amazing journey!!! Been following you for about 3 yrs now (im guessing…). Love your reviews and your watch collection. Even though we have a little pond between us we’ve got the same taste for watches.

Love your watch journey, I really desalinated why I don’t keep my first watch that my mom bought me (Seiko Mickey watch). it was not nothing special but I remembered how special that watch for me back then.

Thank for a great look into your watch journey....I also had the Timex Ironman.....had it for years of great service.

Ah, Gucci. For me it started with Casio and Skagen. Then I read an article about Junghans. Then I fell in the hole, and I'm still falling lol. Great journey, Adrian. Really appreciated it!

Great journey Adrian! Thanks for taking us with you!!

My interest in watches also comes from my dad. Growing up, he has always worn a watch. Whether he was going to work or having a day off - it was on his wrist in the morning and off at night (on the dresser) - nothing fancy… just anything that we can afford at the time. Even when he retired (sometime after 2013), he received a Bulova watch as a retirement gift (from his employer) and he really cherished it. He is a shell of what he used to be now… but that’s life I guess… in any case… I was not exactly like my dad. I wore a watch when absolutely needed (for work) but not all the time and when I had to dress up (for a wedding or some other event). I have a few fashion watches - nothing uberly expensive (tissot [gifted], fossil and nautica) - I don’t think I will ever sell or throw those away cause they have sentimental value behind them (got them as commemoration around my engagement, wedding and reception - it was a journey too).

The CWC just looks stunning on your wrist , and it’s rare and very unique as well

Adrian, clearly, hands down, the best video you've ever done. The more of yourself that you place in the videos, the more I like them. I realize the production quality is super high polish, and I appreciate that as well, but it's you and your journey that engages me...and I suspect that's the case with many of your 180K subscribers. I've been a subscriber since pre-Batman...but I'm not sure how long before that. Happy Holidays, mate! Cheers!

nice diverse collection having a refreshing look at some not so heavy hitting but tasteful timepieces within my budget as well. great progression and value timepieces

New subscriber here. Fascinating to hear your watch journey that’s spanned multiple years as I’m just now getting serious about mine. Cheers

Time line scarily close to my own! From the Ironman (must be an army child thing) right trough to the Tudor black bay. Even the years or trading animal watches and straps bring back fond memories. Bizarrely sat here with the Tissot chrono in the mail and deciding between the Rolex explorer 2 which you e just mentioned or the much more cost effective (and I love an underdog) Oris calibre 400. Always a great viewing when I stumble over your video, keep up the good work :6

Good stuff. Made me think about my own watch journey. Started with Seiko, ”had to” try some Rolexes, now back to Seikos.. My everyday watch is a Grand Seiko quartz and my favorite piece is a 5KX..

finally someone talks positive about the blue pelagos, i love it. I remember seeing it for the first time, i was on a plane and someone a couple rows ahead was wearing one, i didn't know what it was but i just couldn't stop staring at it... it's funny how everyone talks about black bay but this one kinda stays under the radar

Great video, Adrian! I really enjoyed this video, as it made me think back at all the watches I've owned and what I started out with. I've also loved watches since I was a kid, and I believe my first serious watch that I can remember owning was a G-shock, then like you, I had a long run with Citizen Eco-Drive watches, of which I still own my first two, which still run great after 12 years. My first auto was a Bulova "Marine Star". Never had a Rolex, but I have a Breitling Colt Ocean and a Zodiac 53 skin, I've owned and sold several Seamasters, Tags, Oris, etc. Now I'm more into microbrands, as I find there's a lot of smaller start-up companies that are coming out with interesting new designs and excellent build qualities. I just love the hobby!

One of your best videos in my opinion, because it seems to resonate with my own journey. I like how you describe the First Luxury Watch experience. Thanks.

The Timex Expedition (similar to the Ironman) was my daily wear for over 30 years and wear it to this day for messy or sweaty activities