WHO TO FOLLOW: See what happens when music and watches collide with @vinylsanddials
Ricardo SimeIt’s been nearly a decade since this bug of collecting watches bit me. In that time, I wish I could tell you that was the only hobby slowly assaulting my wallet. However, photography also became another passion of mine (had to kick Lego off the bus to make room). Interestingly, carrying multiple hobbies and interests is something commonly found among collectors. That’s why for this week’s follow, I chose someone who shares both her loves with the world. Say hello to @vinylsanddials
Kristen, the lovely lady behind @vinylsanddials, is a new member of the watch fam. She was slowly pulled into this wonderful web of watches by her good friend Kelly, (@on.her.on.time). With Kelly’s influence, Kristen has grown to appreciate the hobby and the community that surrounds it. And as her love for watches and presence on Instagram grew, she realised something. She wanted to also share her other love. Something very near and dear to her heart. And that is a love for music, specifically vinyl records.
That love is something that echoes throughout Kristen’s page. From the album cover shots to the song quotes, the love is palpable and everpresent. So, I had to ask Kristen more about how these two passions came to interconnect in her life.
“I purchased my first watch when the pandemic started,” she explains. “Working in healthcare I needed something durable that could be washed repeatedly. I started off with a Swatch and shortly caught wind of G-Shock. I loved the fun style of the brands and how eye-catching they were. My husband bought me the rose-gold face, transparent band G-Shock for Christmas that year. From there I went a little G-Shock crazy and bought a handful of the GA-2100’s, including the famous bright red “wax stamp” GA2100, which I love! If you know me, then you know that when I like something I need it in every colour!”
“Soon enough the power of social media caught my attention and it was the Casios. Fun, little retro beauties they are. An iconic brand that we can all share some sense of nostalgia for. I mean, I think we can all remember seeing a calculator watch for the first time and thinking, ‘Dang that’s cool.'”
What about the music? Where did that come from?
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“Music is something we can all relate to and understand. It brings people together and it helps you remember moments in time that were special to you. This is much like watch collecting. I love hearing the history and stories behind watches and why a watch is important to someone.”
“Like watches are for some, music is something I share with my dad. I love talking music with him and relating to the genre I love most, 70s rock n roll. He does like to make little jokes about some new age stuff I like such as ‘Slim Shady’. It’s special to hear him laugh and it’s something we can bond over.”
Listening to Kristen made me think of why and how I first got into this hobby. There is a sense of joy there as she talks about getting into watches and falling down the rabbit hole. It’s a joy that we sometimes lose but get back when we see it in others. Add to that how refreshing it is to see her also share her love for music. It’s a reminder that there is so much more to all of us then just watches and it’s why I think @vinylsanddials is a great follow.