Profession
‘Chino’, a nickname that has been used for over 2 decades, is a New York City Police Officer and has been serving for over 6 years. Originally working in a variety of restaurants and bars, Chino knew he wanted to do something that meant more, both for himself and his community. While not the main reason, the steady paychecks, paid vacations, as well as health and retirement benefits were also a deciding factor when making the occupational transition to being an NYPD cop. Chino currently works in a special unit that provides assistance and resources to victims, while still having the ability to apprehend offenders.
When discussing his position in the department he told me that this particular assignment is very heavy onpaperwork. Each interaction, whether it be victim or offender, needs to be documented. He later went on to say. ‘I’m constantly checking times and dates for various reports, and so I’m never without a watch for this exact reason. It has become as important as any other piece of my equipment, and one of the most frequently used’. Whether he is conducting an interview, apprehending an offender, or completing a background check, Chino always has a timepiece on his wrist.
'Chino' has been in the NYPD for 6 years, and has perfectly integrated his love for watches with the purpose they find as an on-the-job tool
Preferences
It comes as no surprise that an active-duty police officer needs a durable and reliable timepiece. Walk into your local police department and you’re bound to find G-SHOCK’s and Garmin’s on most wrists. While these are wonderful watches in their own right, there are some representatives of the Thin Blue Line that seek a timepiece with a bit more craftsmanship and tradition. Chino happens to be one of those individuals.
Before entering Chino’s collection, each timepiece must have the following features; above-average lume, sapphire crystal, minimum of 100 meters water resistance, an easy-to-read dial and a reliable movement. When asked what watches he likes to wear on duty, Chino told me that he has always been partial to dive watches. He was initially drawn to them because of his experience with G-SHOCK’s and liked the feeling of a sturdy watch that could take plenty of bumps and knocks. Like many enthusiasts looking for an affordable, yet reliable, automatic dive watch, Chino stumbled upon Seiko, saying “I love how solid they feel and the history of the brand. I believe that Seiko watches have done more cool things in cool places than any other watch brand in the world, that includes Rolex, Tudor, and Omega,”.
Two things that will see you well in 'Chino's profession, a reliable sidearm and a solid Seiko tool watch
The Collection
To kick things off, Chino told me about his Omega Seamaster Professional 2254.50.00. He acquired this piece upon reaching the highest pay tier in his agency, no doubt commemorating the years of hard work it took to get there. With its 300 meter water resistance, C3 Super-LumiNova, and COSC-Certified Chronometer, the Omega Seamaster starts off the collection strong and fits perfectly into Chino’s pre-requisites for a watch. Although the Seamaster currently receives the most wrist time, Chino can’t help but think about the costs, both financially and in turnaround time, if something were to happen to it during a physical altercation, whichis a reasonable concern that most enthusiasts can empathize with.
Another piece that is frequently worn while on duty is the Seiko SRPE93 “Turtle”. If Seiko is referred to as the ‘Toyota of watches’, the Turtle is the Toyota Land Cruiser. To be quite honest, this timepiece is a few, shortsteps away from being considered a tank. Regarded as one of the greatest affordable dive watches on the market, the Turtle meets every one of Chino’s requirements and then some, going so far as to say “The Turtle comes close to being perfect, except for my preference for steel bracelets while in uniform”. While every other watch we’ve discussed is an absolute monster and can take whatever you throw at them, Chino saved his favorite on-duty watch for last, the Seiko SPB143 “62MAS Reissue”.
Released in 2020, the Seiko SPB143 captured the hearts and minds of many Seiko diver enthusiasts, Chino was not immune. After acquiring this piece in the summer of 2023, it soon became a favorite to wear while on duty. The size, specifications, and classic design make this piece practically perfect for Chino. “I personally love the look of it, and think it complements the uniform perfectly without being too ‘blingy’,’’ said Chino. The patented DiaSheild coating on the case and bracelet has come in handy quite a few times. After being in more than a few physical altercations and covered in various bodily fluids during a rescue job, the SPB143 has come out none the worse. Chino boldly stated, ‘If I had to get rid of everything and keep one watch, it would be the SPB143’.
When asked about what timepieces he would like to eventually add to his collection, Chino mentioned the Tudor Pelagos 39 as well as the Rolex Sea-Dweller. However, he is currently more focused on acquiring Neo-vintage Seiko’s. He hopes to acquire a ‘Birth Year’ watch, specifically a Seiko 6309 Turtle, to complement his 7290 ‘Slim Turtle’. He also gave me the inside scoop that he currently has a Seiko SKX031, also known as a Seiko Submariner, waiting to be opened at home.
In the city that never sleeps, a watch like a Seiko 62MAS makes complete sense
Honorable Mentions
Although On the Clock is focused mostly on the watches worn while on duty, there are some noteworthy,sentimental pieces in Chino’s collection. The first piece mentioned was his Tissot Chrono XL, a gift from his wife who thought that he needed a nicer watch to wear when getting dressed up. This piece has made it to several special occasions, including his own wedding. Although this watch doesn’t get much time on the wrist it will always have a special place in his heart.
Enthusiasts often develop a sentimental attachment to their first automatic watch, and for good reason. Time:a mundane concept used to measure the sequence of events of our lives, is suddenly more interesting and more beautiful as you watch the seconds hand sweep across the dial. The intricacies of gears, wheels, and springs keeping nearly perfect time is mind boggling and impossible to not appreciate. The Seiko SRPD55 introduced Chino to the world of automatic watches, and for that reason will never leave his collection. This piece was a gift from his wife and his daily driver before getting the Seiko SPB143. Reflecting on his time with this piece he said, ‘This watch has probably taken the most abuse of any piece I own and still runs more accurately than 90% of my other watches’. Chino plans on having his friend modify this piece to match some older Neo-vintage Seiko’s. Chino was excited, saying, ‘Once that’s done, it may replace all my other watches for a while because it will truly be one of a kind’.
Gun and badge. Don't forget the Seiko
Advice
When asked what advice he would give to those that are thinking about joining the Police Force, he said, “Talk to as many CURRENT cops as possible within the department of your choice. Don’t take any one opinion over another but consider all as important perspectives’. He went on to stress that depending on the area, your duties could be radically different, ‘A deputy in a rural area will have to do things I’ll never have to’, says Chino, ‘just as a busy urban cop will handle situations that would never happen in the suburbs’. Just like all professions there will be a mix of individuals, each going through their own experiences. The rookie might be regretting his decision a few months into the force, while the officer with 30 years wishes he could take some years back and do it all over again.
With professional advice taken, I asked him to give me some pointers for collecting watches. With a wink and a smile, he said, ‘Get yourself a nice Seiko for an academy graduation gift and be done with it. Don’t join watch forums or follow watch pages on social media, because you will soon be infected with the sickness that we all suffer from’. Unfortunately, this is a piece of advice that I cannot follow, I’m terminally ill with the Watch Bug.
To see more of Chino’s incredible collection, follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/chinostime/.
About the author
Jonathan Wigington is a Marine veteran, writer, and watch enthusiast. To see more content, you can follow him on Instagram on his page at: https://www.instagram.com/quartzandauto or check out his personal blog at https://quartznauto.wixsite.com/quartzandauto.
On the Clock is a series of interviews and stories from professionals all over the world. Each article explores a new collection of timepieces and, more importantly, a look into the person wearing them. Featuring professionals from various backgrounds and locations, each article captures the diverse perspectives on the significance of time, the role of watches in their lives, and engaging stories behind the specific watches they choose to wear.
- Jonathan Wigington (@quartzandauto)