TheSanDiegan Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 10:40 AM, Stealthlobo said: Been together for almost 12 years, but not married. We rent, but are thinking of buying this year (might decide to move to NZ instead). For bills, going out and travel I pay about 2/3rd of expenses, her 1/3 because I make about twice as much as her. The Bump and I have a similar 'fun money' arrangement, tho with significantly lower ceilings. Including (prorated) property tax, utilities, P&I, etc., our fully burdened monthly outlay is about $8K/month just to stay in our home. In addition, we are now more-or-less supporting her parents back in India as well as looking to buy property there. So we are comparably conservative in quantifying both our mutual and respective fun budgets (used for everything from watches to whatever, to vacations to vices, dining, et al). #FirstWorldProblems Out of curiosity - if you don't mind me asking - why haven't you guys tied the knot? Twelve years is a helluva long time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealthlobo Posted October 4, 2022 Author Share Posted October 4, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 11:44 AM, TheSanDiegan said: The Bump and I have a similar 'fun money' arrangement, tho with significantly lower ceilings. Including (prorated) property tax, utilities, P&I, etc., our fully burdened monthly outlay is about $8K/month just to stay in our home. In addition, we are now more-or-less supporting her parents back in India as well as looking to buy property there. So we are comparably conservative in quantifying both our mutual and respective fun budgets (used for everything from watches to whatever, to vacations to vices, dining, et al). #FirstWorldProblems Out of curiosity - if you don't mind me asking - why haven't you guys tied the knot? Twelve years is a helluva long time... As long as you have an arrangement you are both happy with, that's the way to do it. I have a pharmacist friend who wants to travel and makes a lot more than her husband, but their money is pooled and he spends it all fixing his truck. She definitely has a bit of "your spending MY money on bs" feelings. As for not tying the knot, if it ain't broke, why fix it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSanDiegan Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 10:47 AM, Stealthlobo said: As long as you have an arrangement you are both happy with, that's the way to do it. I have a pharmacist friend who wants to travel and makes a lot more than her husband, but their money is pooled and he spends it all fixing his truck. She definitely has a bit of "your spending MY money on bs" feelings. As for not tying the knot, if it ain't broke, why fix it? Pragmatically? It is a greater commitment, in as much as it's a helluva lot harder to break and walk away from. It also provides your significant other rights by default they otherwise wouldn't possess. And it saves you a shitton on taxes. Those are off the top of my head... I'm sure there are others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealthlobo Posted October 4, 2022 Author Share Posted October 4, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 11:50 AM, TheSanDiegan said: Pragmatically? It is a greater commitment, in as much as it's a helluva lot harder to break and walk away from. It also provides your significant other rights by default they otherwise wouldn't possess. And it saves you a shitton on taxes. Those are off the top of my head... I'm sure there are others. Life is amazing right now, no reason to change it with a piece of paper. You hear so many stories of ppl who are together forever and then break up soon after deciding to get married. You're not the first person to give us those argument ( you should see her mother lol), but we're super happy right now and are ok with the extra expense filing as independents. Also we live in a common law state, so we got rights if something does happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSanDiegan Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 10:55 AM, Stealthlobo said: Life is amazing right now, no reason to change it with a piece of paper. You hear so many stories of ppl who are together forever and then break up soon after deciding to get married. You're not the first person to give us those argument ( you should see her mother lol), but we're super happy right now and are ok with the extra expense filing as independents. Also we live in a common law state, so we got rights if something does happen. I can totally appreciate that. My first live-in girlfriend and I were together for over seven years. Similar purchasing habits and I'm guessing similar lifestyles (I was in that relationship when I bought my SS/18K Omega). I said all the same things. A couple thoughts: First, the money you would save filing jointly would negate the need to save for $3K watches (or $10K watches for that matter). Second, I know it's not my place, but I think that bolded statement just might say more about your relationship than you realize. If a relationship is so solid, then why would the act of committing to it permanently by way of codifying the terms of your commitment be a potential threat to it? True story: all my friends who are happily* married will tell you nothing changed after they tied the knot. And without exception, all cohabited with their spouses for a period of time (usually years) before they got married. I would totally get it if you guys decided that, "Hey, let's just enjoy this while it lasts, and when it's no longer fun we just walk." Hell, I would admire that, as that takes f*cking balls. Like giant cannonballs. That's living life putting all your chips on the come line, walking life's tightrope without a safety net. Which might have worked for me in my 20s but wasn't sustainable much beyond that. My bad if I'm getting too personal here... I'm sincerely stoked for the two of you and just as sincerely sorry if I've overstepped boundaries. Just keeping it real and providing feedback through the prism of my own life experience. *A relative term to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealthlobo Posted October 4, 2022 Author Share Posted October 4, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 12:27 PM, TheSanDiegan said: I can totally appreciate that. My first live-in girlfriend and I were together for over seven years. Similar purchasing habits and I'm guessing similar lifestyles (I was in that relationship when I bought my SS/18K Omega). I said all the same things. A couple thoughts: First, the money you would save filing jointly would negate the need to save for $3K watches (or $10K watches for that matter). Second, I know it's not my place, but I think that bolded statement just might say more about your relationship than you realize. If a relationship is so solid, then why would the act of committing to it permanently by way of codifying the terms of your commitment be a potential threat to it? True story: all my friends who are happily* married will tell you nothing changed after they tied the knot. And without exception, all cohabited with their spouses for a period of time (usually years) before they got married. I would totally get it if you guys decided that, "Hey, let's just enjoy this while it lasts, and when it's no longer fun we just walk." Hell, I would admire that, as that takes f*cking balls. Like giant cannonballs. That's living life putting all your chips on the come line, walking life's tightrope without a safety net. Which might have worked for me in my 20s but wasn't sustainable much beyond that. My bad if I'm getting too personal here... I'm sincerely stoked for the two of you and just as sincerely sorry if I've overstepped boundaries. Just keeping it real and providing feedback through the prism of my own life experience. *A relative term to be sure. No worries. It's interesting hearing different people's points of view. I also think today's younger generations just aren't as worried about marriage, I have so many friends and family who aren't married and been together long periods of time. Hell my sister has 2 kids wllith her bf of 10+ years. We are seriously looking at moving to NZ in about 18 months, and if we don't both get offered jobs/work visas, then we'll end up having to get married anyways. Just in no rush and need to do it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSanDiegan Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 12:42 PM, Stealthlobo said: No worries. It's interesting hearing different people's points of view. I also think today's younger generations just aren't as worried about marriage, I have so many friends and family who aren't married and been together long periods of time. Hell my sister has 2 kids wllith her bf of 10+ years. We are seriously looking at moving to NZ in about 18 months, and if we don't both get offered jobs/work visas, then we'll end up having to get married anyways. Just in no rush and need to do it now. Just make sure you both marry Kiwis that are cool with you two still seeing each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealthlobo Posted October 5, 2022 Author Share Posted October 5, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 7:25 PM, TheSanDiegan said: Just make sure you both marry Kiwis that are cool with you two still seeing each other. Heh, gotta start getting some cool accessories for my key chain... Seriously though, she's a ER nurse with super skills in injection therapy and training in barometrics right now. She's a 'top tier needed profession'. If I can show off my badassness as well and get an offer, no need to get married. If not, well maybe we can get some extra cash from the parents because we won't be having a wedding =D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSanDiegan Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 Idk how many of you recall but a few years ago on Amazon Prime Day, a pricing error resulted in a $13,000 telephoto lens getting sold for $94. Every single one of those orders was fulfilled. So fingers crossed after jumping on this bandwagon this weekend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSanDiegan Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 For anyone looking for an inexpensive mechanical field watch with some heritage, Bulova's 38mm Hack - originally supplied to the US Army in WW2 - can be had as a refurbished model for less than $120 after applying a promo code (correction - you have to buy two items to get the extra 20% off, but there are options priced for a song). Link In my limited personal experience, validated by crowd reviews on watch forums, these "refurbished" watches more often than not are brand new but come without a factory warranty or factory packaging. A gamble for sure on more expensive watches, but worth the risk when the price of admission is a Vostok. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSanDiegan Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 $377 seems like a really good deal for a LE JDM Seiko. Only 500 of these were made. I've bought from these guys before. I'm guessing this will be a $1000 watch within five years. Link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSanDiegan Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 Here's one more bone I'll throw. Meet Citizen's NY-0040, the Marina Militare, so named as it was the standard issue watch in the Italian Navy for about twenty years. These and Seiko's SKX used to be in the same price range. To find one at old school price of $189 is ridiculously cool. Only one available. Looks like it comes in the Citizen scuba tank as well. Link I would argue it is the best sub-$200 watch on the market. I really dig on mine - wearing it as I type this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smltwnrckr Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 The Timex fanboy in me is now drooling after the first Chronograph they've released through their Q line. I know they are using famous vintage designs, but I really think these are great looking watches. And timex usually does a little extra to add their own aspects of design. The other Q's and the other chronographs they've released over the years have come down a little bit over time, so if/when I see one with a bracelet for between $100 and $150, I may jump on it. 2 Quote Planning is an exercise of power, and in a modern state much real power is suffused with boredom. The agents of planning are usually boring; the planning process is boring; the implementation of plans is always boring. In a democracy boredom works for bureaucracies and corporations as smell works for skunk. It keeps danger away. Power does not have to be exercised behind the scenes. It can be open. The audience is asleep. The modern world is forged amidst our inattention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSanDiegan Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 On 10/12/2022 at 12:43 PM, smltwnrckr said: The Timex fanboy in me is now drooling after the first Chronograph they've released through their Q line. I know they are using famous vintage designs, but I really think these are great looking watches. And timex usually does a little extra to add their own aspects of design. The other Q's and the other chronographs they've released over the years have come down a little bit over time, so if/when I see one with a bracelet for between $100 and $150, I may jump on it. Solid, classic, good looking design. Any idea if they use hybrid movements (i.e., smooth sweep) for the chronograph seconds hand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smltwnrckr Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 On 10/12/2022 at 1:28 PM, TheSanDiegan said: Solid, classic, good looking design. Any idea if they use hybrid movements (i.e., smooth sweep) for the chronograph seconds hand? Since it's the Q line, I assume it's a quartz movement. But a commercial shows that the big second hand (which I am assuming is the chrono seconds movement) shows somewhat of a sweep, or at least a few ticks per second. Quote Planning is an exercise of power, and in a modern state much real power is suffused with boredom. The agents of planning are usually boring; the planning process is boring; the implementation of plans is always boring. In a democracy boredom works for bureaucracies and corporations as smell works for skunk. It keeps danger away. Power does not have to be exercised behind the scenes. It can be open. The audience is asleep. The modern world is forged amidst our inattention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSanDiegan Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 On 10/12/2022 at 1:36 PM, smltwnrckr said: Since it's the Q line, I assume it's a quartz movement. But a commercial shows that the big second hand (which I am assuming is the chrono seconds movement) shows somewhat of a sweep, or at least a few ticks per second. Damnit... those few frames of the chronograph seconds hand make the old-skool cable box non-squiggly moments on the Playboy channel seem like a feature length film. But from what I could gather, yeah, I'd consider that a hybrid, in that the IC processing the electrical impulse in the quartz crystal is driving a gear that turns that central chronograph seconds hand at a frequency greater than 1Hz - I'm guessing 3Hz from the snippets of video, which is equivalent to a automatic beating at 21600 vph - the same as the Swatch Group's Powermatic 80 movement as well as a whole lot of Japanese automatics. Cool watch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSanDiegan Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 For anyone interested in an entry-level dive watch, the Casio Duro is considered by many to be the best watch under $100. Even if you don't have a need for 660' of water resistance, the enhanced engineering that goes into producing a watch with 200m WR makes it ruggedAF. Never owned one until now - I mean, for $34? For a 120-click dive bezel and applied indices?? C'mon... I'll probably give it to my friend's son as a birthday or Christmas gift, or take it back to India on my next trip and give it to someone there. Fun fact: Casio only uses the marlin logo on analog watches with ≥200m of WR. Courtesy of the MoT Head's Up! deal thread: Link 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealthlobo Posted October 14, 2022 Author Share Posted October 14, 2022 New TAG Heuer Mario Kart watches! I used to be an avid player of the SNES and N64 versions. https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/here-we-go-tag-heuer-floors-it-with-two-mario-kart-formula-1-les-including-a-super-mario-tourbillon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smltwnrckr Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 On 10/13/2022 at 2:22 PM, TheSanDiegan said: For anyone interested in an entry-level dive watch, the Casio Duro is considered by many to be the best watch under $100. Even if you don't have a need for 660' of water resistance, the enhanced engineering that goes into producing a watch with 200m WR makes it ruggedAF. Never owned one until now - I mean, for $34? For a 120-click dive bezel and applied indices?? C'mon... I'll probably give it to my friend's son as a birthday or Christmas gift, or take it back to India on my next trip and give it to someone there. Fun fact: Casio only uses the marlin logo on analog watches with ≥200m of WR. Courtesy of the MoT Head's Up! deal thread: Link I have one of these. Slapped a silicone strap on it, and I wear it probably more than any other watch. 1 Quote Planning is an exercise of power, and in a modern state much real power is suffused with boredom. The agents of planning are usually boring; the planning process is boring; the implementation of plans is always boring. In a democracy boredom works for bureaucracies and corporations as smell works for skunk. It keeps danger away. Power does not have to be exercised behind the scenes. It can be open. The audience is asleep. The modern world is forged amidst our inattention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrofade Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 On 10/14/2022 at 9:57 AM, Stealthlobo said: New TAG Heuer Mario Kart watches! I used to be an avid player of the SNES and N64 versions. https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/here-we-go-tag-heuer-floors-it-with-two-mario-kart-formula-1-les-including-a-super-mario-tourbillon Okay, now that is super cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
