Collector Insists on Wearing All 43 Watches Simultaneously, Claims Each 'Deserves Wrist Time'

Watch collector and retired orthodontist Gerald Pendleton, 61, has abandoned the traditional practice of rotating watches and instead wears all 43 timepieces in his collection simultaneously, distributed across both forearms using a system of custom extender straps, silicone spacers, and a lightweight aluminum armature he designed himself. 'Every watch in my collection deserves wrist time,' Pendleton explained, extending both arms to display the arrangement, which begins at his wrists and extends nearly to his elbows. 'I was rotating on a weekly basis, but that meant each watch only got worn about eight days per year. That's neglect. These are precision instruments. They need body heat. They need movement. They need love.' The collection includes a Rolex Submariner, a Grand Seiko Spring Drive, a Casio F-91W, and forty other pieces ranging from $20 to $47,000. They are arranged in what Pendleton calls 'chronological order by acquisition date,' which he says creates 'a narrative of my horological journey from left wrist to right elbow.' The combined weight of the collection is approximately 6.2 kilograms, distributed roughly evenly across both arms. Pendleton has developed what his physical therapist describes as 'the forearm musculature of a competitive arm wrestler,' and he credits the collection for his grip strength. Practical challenges abound. 'Airport security takes forty minutes,' Pendleton acknowledged. 'I set off every metal detector. The TSA agents don't believe me when I say they're all mine. One asked if I was a watch smuggler. I said no, I'm a watch wearer. There's a difference.' Pendleton's wife of thirty-four years, Carol, declined to comment in detail but noted that 'Gerald has always been like this about things he cares about.' She added: 'He wore six watches to our wedding. I should have known.' Pendleton is considering adding a forty-fourth piece. 'I have room on the right arm,' he said, pointing to a gap between a Seiko Turtle and a Hamilton Khaki. 'It's calling for a chronograph.'