The horological landscape has witnessed a significant shift over the past decade, moving from traditional luxury acquisitions toward a diverse ecosystem that embraces microbrands, vintage revivals, and accessible quartz pieces. At the center of this modern collecting movement is Chris, the creator behind the prominent watch enthusiast platform Clicky Bezel. As the collection expands to a robust 47 timepieces, the state of the assembly offers a fascinating cross-section of contemporary horology, reflecting broader market trends, shifting consumer tastes, and the deeply personal milestones that define modern watch collecting.
The Evolution of a Collection: From Humble Beginnings to Grails
The genesis of the Clicky Bezel channel and its accompanying archive traces back to a pivotal moment in contemporary watch culture: the explosive release of the Swatch x Omega Bioceramic MoonSwatch in 2022. What began as a grueling 16-hour campout outside the San Francisco Swatch store ultimately catalyzed a digital platform that now bridges the gap between high-end luxury and accessible everyday wear.
However, the foundation of the collection extends far beyond recent hype releases. Chris’s early introduction to horology was shaped by familial influences—specifically a father and uncle who collected timepieces—before being cemented in college by a modest Casio digital calculator watch initially purchased for a Back to the Future themed costume. Over the subsequent years, the collection has grown methodically, categorizing itself into distinct squads that highlight diverse complications, design philosophies, and price points.
The Dive Watch Squad: Robustness and Utility
Dive watches have long served as the backbone of sports watch collecting, and the Clicky Bezel inventory is no exception, housing heavy hitters alongside quirky microbrand offerings.
The sub-collection is anchored by utilitarian pillars such as the Citizen Eco-Drive diver, frequently styled on a vibrant orange strap that adds a playful summer aesthetic. Japanese manufacturing prowess is further represented by the Seiko Blue Lagoon Turtle on an Uncle Seiko Z199 bracelet—a deliberate choice favoring the robust, pillow-shaped Turtle case over the standard SKX line—alongside the SBDC053, a prized gift from family featuring an Artem hybrid sailcloth strap.
The roster also embraces industrial brutalism through a well-worn first-generation Seiko Monster, praised for its aggressive aesthetic and tactile bezel action. Russian horology finds its place via a trio of Vostok Amphibia models, including the tonneau-shaped 090 case with a customized brushed bezel, the 120 case, and a striking lagoon-green 110 dial that frequently garners public compliments.
Completing the dive watch segment are modern and accessible staples: the Rowing Blazers edition Seiko 5 with its playful colorway, the ubiquitous Casio Duro Marlin Edition, the Blancpain-inspired Squale Corso Italiano on an Artem sailcloth strap, and a cream-dial Seiko 5 paired with an affordable CNS Bands vintage strap for heavy-duty tasks.
Time-Only Champions and Chronograph Corner
Simplicity takes center stage within the time-only and chronograph segments, where historical resonance meets everyday versatility.
The category is anchored by a German Flieger watch acquired in Hamburg during Chris’s student years, serving as a tangible memento of an early horological milestone. High-luxury and sentimental value intertwine through the Rolex Oyster Perpetual reference 166000 with a silver dial—the watch worn during Chris’s wedding—and its modern counterpart, a turquoise-dial OP reference 126000 tailored primarily for his wife’s wrist. Kurono Tokyo also features prominently, represented by the Seiji model designed by Hajime Asaoka, embodying the meticulous craftsmanship of independent watchmaking.
Within the chronograph department, vintage quartz innovation is highlighted by a 1980s Seiko 7A26—widely recognized as the world’s first analog quartz chronograph—acquired for under $100. This sits alongside a WMT 6239 homage piece, purchased to satisfy the aesthetic void of a vintage Rolex Daytona.
GMT Complications and Global Acquisitions
As international travel resumed and global connectivity became a priority for modern professionals, GMT timepieces emerged as a focal point of the collection.
The GMT roster bridges foundational microbrand collaborations with premier Swiss luxury. It begins with the About Vintage 1954 GMT, a significant piece commemorating the 2022 launch of the Clicky Bezel channel. This is complemented by the Seiko 5 GMT with its crowd-favorite orange dial, showcasing the market-wide democratization of the GMT complication following the introduction of accessible mechanical GMT movements.
At the pinnacle of the GMT category sits the Rolex GMT-Master II "Pepsi" reference 126710 BLRO on a Jubilee bracelet. Securing this high-demand sports watch at retail within a remarkably short timeframe remains a defining moment in the collector’s journey, serving as a frequent travel companion through Japan.
The Quirky, Digital, and Plastic Categories
Demonstrating that serious watch collecting does not require taking oneself too seriously, the collection reserves ample space for eccentric designs and accessible digital electronics.
The "Quirky" cohort includes architectural marvels like the titanium CIGA Design Blue Planet and the Richard Mille-inspired Series Z, alongside a vintage Seiko "School Time" watch designed for children—affectionately dubbed a "true baby Grand Seiko." Minimalist design is represented by a vintage 1980s Braun AW50, while accessible vintage flavor is captured through a Timex Weekender Chronograph and a navy-and-orange Timex Q Quartz. The Seiko Alpinist, mounted on a Ranger Green Artem strap, rounds out the eclectic grouping.
The digital segment pays homage to functional nostalgia, featuring multiple iterations of the Casio calculator watch (including a white "Oreo" variant), a rugged Casio DW5600 G-Shock, the cult-classic "Casio Royale" (AE1200), and a vintage Casio "Arnie" alongside a classic Timex digital model on a Speidel stretchy bracelet.
The "Plastic Fantastic" section chronicles the cultural phenomenon of affordable resin and bioceramic pieces. Alongside the aforementioned Swatch x Omega Bioceramic MoonSwatch "Mission to Neptune," the collection includes a first-generation Swatch System 51 and the highly publicized Swatch x Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Scuba—acquired after a grueling 16-hour queue in San Francisco.
International Sourcing: The Japan Haul
A significant portion of the collection’s recent growth stems from acquisitions made during travels to Japan, a premier destination for secondary-market and domestic-market-only (JDT) timepieces.
Sourced from major retailers like Bic Camera and specialized vintage shops such as Fire Kids, the Japanese haul introduces exceptional value and historical depth. Notable pieces include the ice-blue Seiko Spirit chronograph (ref. SBTR027) purchased for under $100, a pristine 1970 Citizen Bullhead Challenge Timer featuring sharp octagonal geometry, and the Kurono Tokyo Old Smith 90-002, acquired directly from the brand’s office in Kyoto.
Special Collaborations and Future Outlook
The collection’s prestige is further underlined by industry relationships, most notably a collaborative project with prominent vintage dealer Eric Wind. This partnership yielded not only professional milestones but also a prized gift: a vintage Vulcain Cricket alarm watch, reinforcing a newly discovered appreciation for mid-century mechanical complications.
Looking toward the horizon, the collector evaluates potential future acquisitions with a vintage-focused lens influenced by industry mentors. Prominent wishlist candidates include a vintage Rolex GMT-Master reference 1675, a Rolex Date reference 1500 featuring unique dials sourced via specialized dealers like Guidetti & Riccardi, and a 1970s Omega Speedmaster Mark II.
As the Clicky Bezel inventory hovers near the 50-piece milestone at 47 watches, the trajectory of the collection demonstrates a balanced maturation—honoring the affordable quartz pieces and plastic novelties that sparked an online community, while steadily integrating blue-chip vintage and independent masterworks.
