Starting a collection

[ali4390]

This is my first time posting in here, and I must admit I do not know a huge amount about watches (yet).

I currently have only one watch; an Emporio Armani AR 2022 like

http://www.designerfashionjewellery.co.uk/images/2...

which was a present from my girlfriend last Christmas. I love the watch and wear it every day (I do appreciate it's more of a 'fashion' watch rather than that of a true enthusiast). However, after reading Chrono Magazine (that came free with Octane ) it's set me off on watches, and seeing as I've just got a new job I would like to start a little collection.

What's the best way to go about buying watches? Having read a lot of threads in here it seems that buying off the net and ebay is acceptable?

I quite like classic looking, simple watches and so buying second hand is probably going to be the norm for me. Can anyone recommend a good place to get started?

[Shaw Tarse]

How much can we spend?

[ali4390]

Shaw Tarse said:

How much can we spend?

Forgot that bit.

Let's say upto £200 for the first one(s).

[M888SXY]

A good Seiko auto or something vintage???

[Shaw Tarse]

Have a look at the £50 watch thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The Seiko 5 is popular & yes I did buy one due to that thread

[Miguel Alvarez]

Shaw Tarse said:

How much can we spend?

Lol at the "we" part.

[ali4390]

Miguel Alvarez said:

Lol at the "we" part.

I've been browsing the £50 thread all afternoon and I've seen some nice watches in there.

I presume it's watch dependent but what are the important points to check when buying a used watch?

[Rich n Em]

I was in the same boat not so long ago, had an admiration for a good timepiece but had never bitten the bullet and bought one.

Then I started buying!

I gave myself a £200 budget to start and ended up with a Tissot PRC200 and a Seiko 5 Military, together they were under budget (the Tissot was S/H)

Have a look here:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... humble collection&mid=217741

Warning, it is a very expensive hobby!

[ali4390]

I was reading your thread earlier and I liked the look of your watches, but started to get scared about what I was getting myself into when I checked the price of your last one ! One day I'll get to that level, but I'm sticking firmly in the lower end of the market for now, and I definitely won't be trying to match your impressive acquisition rate.

[Rich n Em]

Lol - the last one was certainly a one-off!

I don't intend to spend much more than £200-£400 on my next buy, the Omega was really intended as a hand-me-down, hence the big price tag!

[ali4390]

It's a really nice sentiment so worth the extra money.

Any ideas on what you're next purchase might be?

[Chicane-UK]

I'm in the same boat as you. I'd love to be in the position of some of the folks on here with 2-10k (or more!) watches but sadly am in the realms of £100'ish for now.

Currently admiring lots of watches on the CreationWatches website, like some of the Seiko and Citizen items... specifically:

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-chro...

Lovely

[Rich n Em]

I'm looking at a Christopher Ward watch next, that or a Tissot Visodate - maybe a G-Shock for the mucky stuff...

The list goes on!

[Miguel Alvarez]

The Tissot's do look very nice.

[P7ULG]

ali4390 said:

However, after reading Chrono Magazine (that came free with Octane ) it's set me off on watches, and seeing as I've just got a new job I would like to start a little collection.

I don't think there is anything under 10K in that supplement !

[ali4390]

There was one for £395 and that was about the only one below £1000! A couple were topping the million mark as well!!! Gives me something to work towards

[rog007]

ali4390 said:

Let's say upto £200 for the first one(s).

Then why not not buy your first five £200 watches and get a £1000 one instead? Simples!

[Miguel Alvarez]

rog007 said:

ali4390 said:

Let's say upto £200 for the first one(s).

Then why not not buy your first five £200 watches and get a £1000 one instead? Simples!

Definitely this. I rationalised my first big purchase by thinking what I spend a month on fun, work lunches when I can be eating sandwiches and so on and it made the big purchase a tad easier to swallow.

From then on its like murder. Once you've done it teh first time the next 50 are easy

(so I'm told)

[sparkyhx]

Look at the Chinese watches from Tao International, Parnis etc. Quality can be rhit and miss but I've now got 5 and none have any issues.

If you go down that route, when you finaly start developing a theme to your collection or get more money, you can offload them at minimal 'loss'. Many are based on Seagull movements that have a reputation for being fairly robust.

Many people have themes - eg single style (dive) or single make (rolex) etc. I have a rule that each watch has to bring something new to the party
I have :
- Chronograph
- PVD
- Deep dive
- Titanium
- Carbon face
- day date
- Tritium Tubes
- GMT
- Tourbillon
- Power Reserve
- Retrograde
- California Dial
- Gold
- Small seconds

Good luck with what you decide

[Miguel Alvarez]

Good shout on the themes. Mine is to have everything Swiss made and one of each major watch maker then I'll start adding to each maker in my collection.