My Watch Life - 2024 Review

This year has been full of firsts for me. While watches have been a long-standing passion, 2024 marked the beginning of a deeper dive into the hobby. It was the year I decided to step out of my comfort zone and engage with the watch community in new ways. Starting an Instagram page and joining the WatchCrunch community were two big leaps. My goal was simple: to learn and engage in meaningful conversations about watches. YouTube had been a great source of one-way learning, but I craved dialogue. For me, the magic of this hobby lies in the back-and-forth exchanges, which create a genuine sense of connection and community.

Starting a watch-focused Instagram was daunting at first. I admired all the stunning photos and videos out there, yet I had no idea how to create content of that caliber. Thankfully, the watch fam came through, pointing me to decent editing apps and sharing tips along the way. I’m far from being a great photographer, but my skills have certainly improved since the start of the year. That growth wouldn’t have been possible without inspiration from so many of you watch enthusiasts who post incredible shots daily.

This journey has also led to the growth of Watchcology, my Instagram handle, which has become more than just a platform for sharing photos. It’s a reflection of my voice in the watch community, tying together my writing, photography, and reviews. Nearing 2,000 followers, it has been amazing to see the support and engagement from the watch fam. Posts that spark conversations or resonate with others are always the most rewarding. Watchcology has become a space for connection, and I’m excited to see where it will take me in the future.

Another big step was pursuing a long-held admiration for watch publications. I wanted to contribute to the world of watch journalism but wasn’t sure where to start. Conversations with folks like Tony Traina, Andrew McUtchen, Chris Antzoulis, and Ripley Sellers gave me the insights I needed. I launched this Substack as a personal project—writing to hone my craft and share stories I felt passionate about. Writing about the familial and emotional aspects of collecting comes most naturally to me, and interestingly, those articles tend to resonate the most with readers. Once I started attending meetups with my “wuddies,” the writing became even more inspired and relatable.

From Substack, I found my way to A Blog to Watch, thanks to Ripley’s encouragement. Seeing my name in the byline of an established publication was an incredible thrill. Every article I publish still feels like an honor—a chance to be part of the broader conversation in a hobby I love. Writing for a major publication has also taught me the importance of balance: tailoring my voice to meet the platform’s style while still keeping it personal and relatable. It’s been a learning experience that has sharpened my skills as a writer and deepened my understanding of the industry.

This journey has also allowed me to connect with some incredible brands. One standout was writing about the Baltic Aquascaphe, a piece that combines vintage-inspired design with modern performance at an accessible price. I also reviewed the Tudor Pelagos 42mm, a watch that exemplifies tool-watch perfection with its lightweight titanium build and remarkable depth rating. The Maurice Lacroix Aikon was another highlight, showcasing the brand’s expertise in creating a contemporary sports watch with a striking hobnail-pattern dial and impeccable finishing. Each of these pieces gave me a chance to dive deep into the design, history, and craftsmanship behind the watches, which is something I truly enjoy.

Supporting microbrands has also been a rewarding part of this year. Brands like Lorier, Baltic, and others are bringing fresh ideas to the watch world, often at accessible price points. I’ve loved giving these smaller companies visibility, helping them reach a broader audience. Microbrands often offer something unique that larger companies don’t, and it feels great to play a small role in their success.

Podcasting has been another new frontier. I wrote an article earlier this year about my favorite watch-related podcasts, including The Grey Nato, Fratello’s podcasts, OT: The Podcast, Hairspring Podcast, and The Real Time Show. Each of these podcasts offers a unique angle on watches, from in-depth storytelling to lighthearted banter. They’ve been a major inspiration as I ventured into podcasting myself. With James’ guidance, I recorded my first podcast and got a firsthand glimpse into the challenges and rewards of audio storytelling. Sharing ideas through this medium has opened up new opportunities to connect with the community and explore watch journalism in a fresh way.

Borrowing the Circula ProTrail through The Real Time Show family was another highlight of the year. Alon’s idea to share the watch among the group exemplifies the camaraderie within this community. Experiencing the ProTrail firsthand was a unique opportunity and a reminder of how collaborative the watch fam can be.

This year also deepened my appreciation for the role of AI in the watch industry. Tools like ChatGPT have been instrumental in helping me write, research, and refine my articles more efficiently. AI is slowly shaping the way we approach watch journalism and even watch design. It’s exciting to think about how brands and writers alike will continue to integrate this technology in the future.

As for collecting, this year has brought new personal favorites, like the Brew Metric PVD gifted to me by my “wuddy,” Corey (@enthuseddad). It’s a piece that holds special meaning, highlighting the friendships this hobby fosters. I’ve also enjoyed vintage pieces from my family and continue to grow my collection with a mix of modern and classic designs. Like many of you, I have a long wishlist and a budget that keeps me (happily) constrained. While I impatiently wait for the next piece to join the collection, I find joy in learning and talking about watches in every format.

I’m not sure where this journey will lead, but I know I’m here for the long haul. Whether it’s writing, podcasting, or partnering with microbrands, I’ll keep exploring this hobby and finding new ways to share it with all of you. It’s been a big year—full of firsts, growth, and connection—and I’m excited to see what 2025 has in store.

Thank you for reading, subscribing, sharing all of these! I really appreciate you taking a look and helping make this successful!