While there are many collectors who have been at it far longer than I have, there are still some pretty rock-solid observations I’ve been able to make over the last eight years that seem to be ‘truisms’ of horological collecting. For the purposes of this post, I’m talking about the two predominant reactions among collectors to ownership of multiple watches of the same style, though with different dial or strap colors, or even minor modifications that, for the most part, still allow you to recognize that it’s still the same model. These predominant reactions are typically (1) you have all the colors of that model? Jeez, you must be nuts (or a goober, or a geek, or pick and insert your favorite pejorative), and; (2) Wow, that’s cool! I wish I had all of them in my collection!

Okay, so the truth probably lies somewhere between these two poles, but you get the idea. Some people like the style enough that they really do want the full monty of availability, while others, well, not so much. Still, I can’t help but wonder just how many of us really have every iteration of a given model. Of course, I’m not talking about something as popular as the Invicta Subaqua Noma III; I don’t think that even Eyal Lalo knows exactly how many SAN III variants there are…but I certainly could be wrong; it does happen on occasion. Still, for the purpose of this discussion, we can certainly include those models where we have, say, six of the 800 versions currently in release, or even six of six in a smaller release. Either way, we have duplicates, or “dupes,” as I call them.

So, by way of introduction, here is a small set of “dupes” from my collection, wherein I have five out of five color iterations, courtesy of the Croton brand, an old sentimental favorite of mine. It was sold simply as a “dual-time zone watch,” though it had a major difference from other dual-timers: you actually wear two watches on the same bracelet:



It was initially offered with this travel case, which allowed the buyer to carry five watches and a pretty decent number of rings.



And check out them colors!



And here’s a couple shots of each:



This just may be the most amazing blue color out there. (JMHO, though.)





This one always reminds me of the Omega watch with the same color scheme, though there is that extra dial here, though.





This very unusual green really stands out on the wrist; though not quite a “Hulk,” it’s still very cool.





And what’s more “classic” than black and white? It certainly makes for a clean dial.





Finally, this “patriotic” version was released about a year and-a-half after the original four-color series.



Over the years, I’ve emailed David Mermelstein, asking him if he might consider making this watch in still more colors, like an all-red model, or an all-yellow version, or even an all-black iteration. He said he liked the ideas, but explained that it’s tough to break out new colors due to construction costs, color designs and so forth. He didn’t say it was impossible, but he did indicate that it might take a while. (And, for those who might worry, I was very nice and polite to Mr. M; as a fellow MoT, I naturally would be, lest my rebbe kick my keestoi'.)



Now that’s a nice backside, wouldn’t you agree?



Woof!



And they're even more comfortable than they look!







So that leaves us with just one question:



If so, let’s SEE ‘em!



And thanks for looking!



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