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v7.3 (A.I. Watch & Collection Reviews)
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6 - Casio / Cartier / Capri / Merci / Gustave and Cie / Swatch - 202310141939
bicenhower
Collector:
Collector Description
We'll dive right in, in chronological order, with this Swatch La Tour Eiffel GK276. This watch was a gift to me from my Uncle who had just returned from a business trip in Paris. I was very young at the time, and loved this watch to death. It was a fun watch to wear as a kid, and I still have fun wearing it a few times a year now. I especially love the strap, which is printed with a map of the area surrounding the Eiffel Tower. Next up, a Casio GW-9010-1. A solar powered, tough as nails Casio that was a Christmas gift from my grandmother when I was in 7th grade. I remember a classmate of mine had this watch and how cool I thought it was. When I opened this watch on Christmas day, I played with it all day - testing out alarms and functions. As a 7th-grader, I loved the black and red color scheme and the almost futuristic look of the exposed solar panel. This watch doesn't get much wrist time anymore, but I still love it nonetheless. The third watch that I added to my budding collection was a black PVD stainless steel diver from Capri Watch. This watch has since been discontinued so I cannot find the exact reference, but it is similar to their 5292. I was fortunate enough to go on my high school's Europe trip in the summer of 2016. We had a half day stop at the island of Capri in Italy. My friend and I stumbled across a small boutique appropriately named "Capri Watch" during our free exploration time. We both walked in, and walked out with two brand new watches to sport for the rest of the trip. This was, to me, my first 'adult' watch. I wore it proudly throughout my early college (university) years. Moving forward a few years, I became more and more into watches. I was also studying french, and becoming obsessed with anything to do with France. This led me to search for a watch that was "fabriqué en France". That is how I stumbled upon Gustave et Cie. I was drawn to the style of their pieces and their philosophy behind offering 12 or 24 hour watches that use a single hand to display minutes and hours simultaneously. Time should not be overcomplicated; seconds are not important. I picked their Georges 12H Moon phase in blue and steel. This watch has probably seen the least wrist time out of anything in my collection. Not at the fault of the watch - I still think it's brilliant - but at the fault of the owner. I moved on too quickly to something else. That something else would be my LMM-01 from Merci Paris. I purchased this watch in 2022, when I traveled to Paris with my childhood best friend. We had a wonderful trip and I knew I wanted to commemorate it with something special that would remind me of it everyday. The LMM-01 was just that. I love the simplicity and wearability of this watch. This felt like my first 'real' watch, as silly as that sounds. It was my first mechanical watch and it introduced me to NATO straps! Every time I wear this piece, it does its job. It reminds me of a great trip with a great friend. Lastly, my most recent purchase was my Cartier Tank Must, which I bought in May of this year. I traveled back to Paris with my girlfriend to show her around my favorite city. On the first day, we went to the original Cartier boutique where I purchased this piece. I slipped it on and it didn't leave my wrist for the rest of the trip. I still wear it daily now. The history behind this watch and iconic Cartier design really drew me to this piece. Reflecting back on my collecting over the years, I think it is pretty clear what influences my watch buying decisions and how my tastes have evolved as I have grown older. Perhaps it is no coincidence that my first and latest watches were from Paris. I'm not sure what my next piece will be, but I do know this. It will be something meaningful to me, and probably also French 😂
https://www.watchcrunch.com/bicenhower/posts/my-humble-collection-7-228364
A.I. Watch Collection Review
7.5
# 6 Watches - Casio (33%) / Cartier (17%) / Gustave and Cie (17%) / Merci (17%) / Swatch (17%) ## Collection Type by Style: Sport: 50% Casio G-shock Mudman Tough Solar, Capri Diver, Merci LMM-01 Dress: 17% Cartier Tank Must Avant-garde: 17% Gustave and Cie Georges 12H Moon Phase Vintage: 17% Swatch Titi Parisien ## Collection Type by Movement: Quartz: 83% Casio G-shock Mudman Tough Solar, Cartier Tank Must, Capri Diver, Merci LMM-01, Swatch Titi Parisien Other: 17% Gustave and Cie Georges 12H Moon Phase ## Overall Collection Rating: 7.5/10.0 This collection showcases a diverse range of watches, primarily focusing on sport and casual styles, with a notable inclusion of a dress watch. The collector appears to appreciate functionality and unique designs, with a mix of well-known brands and avant-garde pieces. ## Breakdown by Watch Collection Metrics: - **Brand - Rating 8.0/10.0 (Weight: 10%)** - The collection features reputable brands like Casio and Cartier, known for their reliability and design. - **History & Innovation - Rating 7.0/10.0 (Weight: 10%)** - While Casio is recognized for its innovative technology, the collection lacks historical depth compared to luxury brands. - **Rarity - Rating 6.5/10.0 (Weight: 10%)** - Most watches are widely available, with the exception of the Gustave and Cie piece, which adds some rarity. - **Material - Rating 7.0/10.0 (Weight: 10%)** - The materials used are standard for the categories, with some higher quality in the Cartier. - **Movement - Rating 8.0/10.0 (Weight: 10%)** - The quartz movements are reliable and well-regarded, though not particularly complex. - **Versatility - Rating 7.5/10.0 (Weight: 10%)** - The collection covers a range of styles, making it suitable for various occasions. - **Complications - Rating 5.0/10.0 (Weight: 10%)** - Most watches feature basic complications, with the Gustave and Cie offering more complexity. - **Functions - Rating 8.0/10.0 (Weight: 10%)** - The Casio G-shock is particularly noted for its durability and functionality. - **Dials & Design - Rating 7.5/10.0 (Weight: 10%)** - The designs are appealing, especially the avant-garde Gustave and Cie. - **Cohesiveness - Rating 7.0/10.0 (Weight: 10%)** - The collection has a coherent theme of functionality and style, though it spans multiple categories. ## Collection Strengths and Potential Ways for Improvement **Strengths:** The collection is strong in functionality and includes a good mix of styles, appealing to both casual and formal occasions. The inclusion of unique pieces like the Gustave and Cie adds character. **Improvements:** To enhance the collection, consider adding more rare or limited-edition pieces, particularly in the dress category, to balance the overall rarity and historical significance. ## Watch by Watch Summary 1. **Casio G-shock Mudman Tough Solar (8.0) - Price Estimate: $400.** - Brand (8.0), History & Innovation (7.5), Rarity (6.0), Material (7.0), Movement (8.5), Complications (5.0), Functions (9.0), Dials & Design (7.0), Versatility (8.0), Cohesiveness (7.5) - A rugged, solar-powered watch designed for durability and outdoor activities. 2. **Cartier Tank Must (9.0) - Price Estimate: $3,500.** - Brand (9.0), History & Innovation (9.0), Rarity (7.0), Material (8.0), Movement (8.0), Complications (6.0), Functions (7.0), Dials & Design (9.0), Versatility (8.0), Cohesiveness (8.0) - A classic dress watch known for its elegant design and historical significance. 3. **Capri Diver (7.0) - Price Estimate: $200.** - Brand (6.5), History & Innovation (6.0), Rarity (5.0), Material (6.0), Movement (7.0), Complications (5.0), Functions (7.0), Dials & Design (6.5), Versatility (7.0), Cohesiveness (6.0) - A functional diver's watch suitable for water activities. 4. **Merci LMM-01 (7.5) - Price Estimate: $650.** - Brand (7.0), History & Innovation (7.0), Rarity (6.0), Material (7.0), Movement (7.5), Complications (5.0), Functions (8.0), Dials & Design (8.0), Versatility (7.0), Cohesiveness (7.0) - A stylish watch with a unique design, blending modern aesthetics with functionality. 5. **Gustave and Cie Georges 12H Moon Phase (8.5) - Price Estimate: $250.** - Brand (8.0), History & Innovation (8.0), Rarity (8.0), Material (7.0), Movement (8.0), Complications (7.0), Functions (7.0), Dials & Design (9.0), Versatility (7.0), Cohesiveness (8.0) - An avant-garde piece featuring a moon phase complication, appealing to collectors of unique designs. 6. **Swatch Titi Parisien (6.0) - Price Estimate: $90.** - Brand (6.0), History & Innovation (6.0), Rarity (5.0), Material (5.0), Movement (6.0), Complications (5.0), Functions (6.0), Dials & Design (6.0), Versatility (6.0), Cohesiveness (6.0) - A fun, casual watch that embodies the playful spirit of Swatch. --- ### Footnote "A.I. WatchMetrics Review v. 6.20"