Another year is about to end, and once again I’ve started to reminisce about how the horological side of the year has gone.

I produced the same topic the last years and loved to see which arrivals the members here were excited about, so with another year gone, let’s see what’s new.

Which ones are your favorite new arrivals? Have you found a grail, either new or vintage? What was your surprise-of-the-year purchase? Share as many as you like.

My personal choice:

1. The "deluxe" 2853 / 7077

Completely over the top, gold on gold on gold and a box in solid Sterling silver, and yet there's an elegance to those... I'm very happy to have found one and it gets more time on the wrist than I would've expected. It's a little flashy, but definitely classy.



2. The 18k WG 14381

Bit of a contrast to the 2853 above, admittedly, but I've always been intrigued by the understatement of white gold watches, which are simply steel to almost anyone out there. I am very thankful to @TheGreekPhysique for his support, without him I wouldn't be the happy owner of this lovely example:




3. The black "golf ball" 2577 Seamaster

My passion for this particular reference has grown massively in the last year and I hesitated of only including one in my personal top 3, but, this one just has to be in their. A special thanks to @Rudi99 for his support with the purchase, without him it wouldnt have been possible. Black dial, rose gold furniture, and that golf ball structure and those fonts are just so freaking funky. Makes me smile everytime I see it.



Enjoy the holidays, whatever kind of occasion you might be celebrating.

 

Beautiful watches! It will be hard to match your list in terms of rarity and focus. I’m all over the place in terms of what I buy.

Here is my top three 2023 purchases based on what I end up picking to wear each day - all purchased from other OF members:

1. Omega Museum Collection 1938 Aviator Reedition


2. Rolex Explorer


3. Omega Constellation 14393


Happy Holidays to everyone!

 

Definitely my Tudor Black Bay Heritage;

 

One in only

Zenith El Primero A386 50th anniversary 18K RG
Love the iconic colorscheme and movement, added bonus I'm set for the next 40+ years with regard to warranty and services

 

Bought Cintree this month and it qualifies for a grail watch to me..

 

Hehe, the annual greatly amusing thread… Thanks for starting this one, @MtV ! As to the big arrival; here’s my major one, which the OP also had a hand in. Love it!

Full set 105.003-63

(Thanks to @MtV)

Speedmaster Trilogy

(Thanks to @iamvr)

And a few more, which I’m happy to share later. But first; cooking time.

 

Pocket watches permitted? My 18-size, 13 (yes, 13) jewel, Waltham 1877 model in hunter case. Bought it from someone who was anxious to divest himself of it. Glad to help. Movement engraved for Royal E Robbins, the force that took a struggling watch making company to the force in the industry that it became.

 

I only bought one watch in 2023 (as far as I recall) for myself. That was an Ebel Sportwave Classic. Love it. The bracelet pulls hair like a m#%$€{£=+#%€ and is a real pain to size but love the watch.

 

My #1 this year is my Hamilton 946, American watch making at its finest.

 

After circling around it for easily 3 or 4 years, I finally found a good reason to pull the trigger. Needed a matching watch for my sneakers

A 16613 from 1991. Two-tone.. my wife hates it, I adore it..also for its Slava Ukraini vibe!

 

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/986506

Since there is no icon for envy, I’ll use the love icon. Dam that is great! I think I recall three OB members that have these. With total production of over 10,000 of this grade, surely there must be one out there for me!

 

I bought way too much this year, but my favorites are:

Seiko 6105-8000



A Heuer Flyback Regatta



And, this Seiko 5126 "Kamen Rider" that needs some love from the watch maker in the new year:

 

These watches are all this year, I think … There were probably others but after lunch, three helpings of pudding, cake (and a fair bit of fizz and wine) it’s all I can recall tonight ….

 

I like your Seikos @Dsloan . I have an on again off again relationship with Seiko myself, and just picked up a 6139-6002 a couple of weeks ago. It's my final purchase of the year and was also pat on the back for finishing my second masters degree. It was supposed to be serviced before I bought it but in the shipping the day wheel got bumped about, and it will need to go see my watchmaker after the new year.

 

Yeah, I've been in a ridiculous Seiko kick this year. I think I've picked up 12+ Seikos (got 2 more in the mail right now). Next year, I'm on a hunt for 6105-8110 but I'm trying to be patient and find an all original one.

Those speedtimer chronographs are also very tempting. Sorry to hear yours needs to time at the spa before you can enjoy it.

 

Thanks @Canuck . This one is the pride of my collection.

 

2023 was another good acquisition year for me. So off we go …

Only One Modern Addition
But it’s quickly becoming a favorite. The Seamaster 300 Heritage with a sandwich dial.


The Restorations
Both of these were acquired pre 2023, but the restorations weren’t completed until this year: my Seamaster 14761 with a curtain dial and my Constellation 14381 with the special order factory luminous package.


The Black Dials
Next we have two original unrefinished black dials, a Constellation 14393 with gold furniture and a Seamaster 2577 with a honeycomb dial and Breguet numerals.



The Hobnail Dial
I’ve wanted one of these for a long time and many thanks to MtV for pointing me to this Seamaster 2577.


The Seachero
I picked up this nearly mint example of a Seachero from a seller in Sweden.


Two Unusual Seamasters
A reference 2635 with a honeycomb dial and Breguet numerals that was an eBay find and a reference 166.009 with arrowhead markers that I picked up from a pawnshop in Tokyo.



The Crown Jewel
And the final purchase of the year was this lovely first generation Globemaster 2652 with a two tone honeycomb crosshair dial with gold arrowhead markers.

 

2023 saw three watches enter the small collection.

 

Matt, all I can say is WOW and DIBS!!!

 

IWC R1205, Cal. 401
Gold Capped '61 Pie Pan