Many Watches ... or One Special?
Discussion
This question works at many price points! It could be that you have a large collection of Seiko/Citizen pieces, which you could sell/trade for an Omega; or you have a collection of Omegas that you could sell/trade for a Patek Philippe!
However, would you? Have you ever thought of attempting to reach a higher level of haute horology (or obtain a grail piece) by selling the majority (or entirety!) of your current collection? If you have, did you regret it?
I currently have 3 really nice watches - I love them all for very different reasons. All have ETA or Valjoux automatic movements. I also have a forth watch on the way; the new Alpina AlpinerX smartwatch. I've been deliberating whether to sell the 3 nice pieces in exchange for something like ... a Zenith with 1/100th chronograph complication, or a Jaeger-LeCoultre/Glashutte Original of some description. Essentially, moving to something with an in-house movement, or something with an interesting complication. The Alpina would then act as the pub/club/go-karting etc. watch ...
I'm 32 years old and I know there's plenty of time for other watches, but I just wonder whether it might be worth selling the multiples to obtain something that is currently out of my league.
Thoughts?
However, would you? Have you ever thought of attempting to reach a higher level of haute horology (or obtain a grail piece) by selling the majority (or entirety!) of your current collection? If you have, did you regret it?
I currently have 3 really nice watches - I love them all for very different reasons. All have ETA or Valjoux automatic movements. I also have a forth watch on the way; the new Alpina AlpinerX smartwatch. I've been deliberating whether to sell the 3 nice pieces in exchange for something like ... a Zenith with 1/100th chronograph complication, or a Jaeger-LeCoultre/Glashutte Original of some description. Essentially, moving to something with an in-house movement, or something with an interesting complication. The Alpina would then act as the pub/club/go-karting etc. watch ...
I'm 32 years old and I know there's plenty of time for other watches, but I just wonder whether it might be worth selling the multiples to obtain something that is currently out of my league.
Thoughts?
For me it's many watches. I think i have about 8...
My watches are sentimental to me, each with a different story.,.. so the idea of part exing them, in order to get another watch... it's just not something i could do.
I'd rather wait and save up the cash, which in itself i find enjoyable.... and then buy the watch.
Being able to switch from a dive watch, to a dress, to a tool watch ect offers a lot of flexibility, and you can change depending on the occasion.
The other end of the scale are the guys with just one watch who wear it everyday, often scratched and well worn, it has been through everything that it's owner has.
My watches are sentimental to me, each with a different story.,.. so the idea of part exing them, in order to get another watch... it's just not something i could do.
I'd rather wait and save up the cash, which in itself i find enjoyable.... and then buy the watch.
Being able to switch from a dive watch, to a dress, to a tool watch ect offers a lot of flexibility, and you can change depending on the occasion.
The other end of the scale are the guys with just one watch who wear it everyday, often scratched and well worn, it has been through everything that it's owner has.
Without doubt I'm in the "many" camp.
I could chop some of mine in and get something that could be considered to be more top-end however for the £ I have tied up in watches I really enjoy the versatility and having the luxury of picking something that suits my mood and/or activities for the day or evening. Yesterday and today my mocha Sinn 556i, before that was my Stowa Flieger, and before that for a few days a mix of Grand Seiko, Sinn EZM13 and Damasko DA44, and so on.
I'm also not sure how I'd feel wearing something of a considerable greater value on my wrist. I'm not so paranoid as to think I'm going to be mugged for it, more a case of am I going to wack it against something, though I'm sure that I would acclimatise.
I can't see my mindset changing any time soon. If I was to go down to a single watch, or at least a single main watch, I could actually see it being something of no greater value than anything that I have at present.
I could chop some of mine in and get something that could be considered to be more top-end however for the £ I have tied up in watches I really enjoy the versatility and having the luxury of picking something that suits my mood and/or activities for the day or evening. Yesterday and today my mocha Sinn 556i, before that was my Stowa Flieger, and before that for a few days a mix of Grand Seiko, Sinn EZM13 and Damasko DA44, and so on.
I'm also not sure how I'd feel wearing something of a considerable greater value on my wrist. I'm not so paranoid as to think I'm going to be mugged for it, more a case of am I going to wack it against something, though I'm sure that I would acclimatise.
I can't see my mindset changing any time soon. If I was to go down to a single watch, or at least a single main watch, I could actually see it being something of no greater value than anything that I have at present.
CardShark said:
I'm not so paranoid as to think I'm going to be mugged for it, more a case of am I going to wack it against something, though I'm sure that I would acclimatise.
The thing is though, they tend to be very robust things with materials chosen for damage resistance that can take a whack without damage (not guaranteed, obviously). I think the mind just associates expensive items with Faberge Egg fragility. The other day i managed to walk past a door and the door handle slipped between my wrist and my IWC. It was a heart stopping moment for sure as i looked down thinking both have i damaged it and, as those around me were asking, how the f
k did I manage that? Having delicately abstracted myself, fortunately it was completely unmarked. Anyway, i'm in the many camp but surely it depends on how attached you are to the watches you currently have? Also whether you think what you could get for them second hand is a reasonable price?
I have 7 watches but in all honesty, they are not worth anything compared to a special watch so I'd not need to trade any in. I have 2 watches I'd happily junk today to make room for a nicer one but I like to have a collection. The only watch I won't get rid of is my daily beater which is a Steinhart OVM Mk2.
I like a different watch for different occasions but if I could have one of my grail watches (of which I have many!) then I'd swap the other 6 and trim the collection down to just the two. Of course I'd have to add to that later on! Different occasions require different watches!
I like a different watch for different occasions but if I could have one of my grail watches (of which I have many!) then I'd swap the other 6 and trim the collection down to just the two. Of course I'd have to add to that later on! Different occasions require different watches!
Snubs said:
The thing is though, they tend to be very robust things with materials chosen for damage resistance that can take a whack without damage (not guaranteed, obviously). I think the mind just associates expensive items with Faberge Egg fragility.
It's more a case of it being less mentally stressful to scuff a bezel on a ££ rather than a £££ watch, for me anyway. The robustness of the movements wouldn't bother me, and the materials used are all generally much the same, hardened steels accepted.Almost a bit of both I guess.
I have five watches (Autodromo Prototipo Brian Redman, Seiko x 2 - diver and chrono, 1963 Omega Seamaster) but wear the special one virtually all the time - 1979 Submariner 1680.
The Rolex was my dream watch so figured I'd wear it all the time and fully enjoy it, only switching to the Seikos/Omega for the when the occasion suits. Never wear the Autodromo - only got that because of the Redman connection.
Cheers,
SS
I have five watches (Autodromo Prototipo Brian Redman, Seiko x 2 - diver and chrono, 1963 Omega Seamaster) but wear the special one virtually all the time - 1979 Submariner 1680.
The Rolex was my dream watch so figured I'd wear it all the time and fully enjoy it, only switching to the Seikos/Omega for the when the occasion suits. Never wear the Autodromo - only got that because of the Redman connection.
Cheers,
SS
I was upto 4 watches back down to 2. Wear one of the 2 99% of the time.
I liked the idea of switching watches but 3 of mine were autos so they'd inevitably run down on power so stuck to wearing the one which I love at the moment.
I'm sort of liking the idea that the one I wear goes through everything that I do, becoming a part of me almost.
Watches are funny aren't they!
I liked the idea of switching watches but 3 of mine were autos so they'd inevitably run down on power so stuck to wearing the one which I love at the moment.
I'm sort of liking the idea that the one I wear goes through everything that I do, becoming a part of me almost.
Watches are funny aren't they!
I have 4 watches which I've collected over the years: Reymond Weil Parsifal (bought with my first paycheck after uni), 2x Tissot PRC200 (black face/black strap and white face/brown strap) in 2013 and Tudor Black Bay Bronze last September as a 40th birthday gift to myself.
My Parsifal is in its box stored away since 2008 as my tastes have changed, then I bought my Tissot which I rotate as my daily wear/beater. One of the Tissot has stopped working so I now wear my Tudor everyday and occasionally use my Tissot as my beater.
I can't really have just 1 watch so will be adding an IWC Pilots Chronograph Le Petit Prince 377714 and Omega Speedmaster when I go to Hong Kong in June for my holiday - my sister works in an AD and can get me the IWC for £2700 and Speedy for £2600. Happy days
From June, my rotation will be fairly rounded off with the Tudor, IWC and Speedy for most occasions.
Won't be adding any more until I get the call from my local AD to pick up an SS Daytona black face and Hulk Sub which can be anytime from now till 2020
My Parsifal is in its box stored away since 2008 as my tastes have changed, then I bought my Tissot which I rotate as my daily wear/beater. One of the Tissot has stopped working so I now wear my Tudor everyday and occasionally use my Tissot as my beater.
I can't really have just 1 watch so will be adding an IWC Pilots Chronograph Le Petit Prince 377714 and Omega Speedmaster when I go to Hong Kong in June for my holiday - my sister works in an AD and can get me the IWC for £2700 and Speedy for £2600. Happy days
From June, my rotation will be fairly rounded off with the Tudor, IWC and Speedy for most occasions.
Won't be adding any more until I get the call from my local AD to pick up an SS Daytona black face and Hulk Sub which can be anytime from now till 2020
I once started a thread "what type of collector are you". This thread is pretty much the same as mine. There is no right or wrong. Some collectors will only have luxury brands, others may have 1000+ watches with no interest in brand names, and one in particular loved old inexpensive watches that looked cack. I have about 35 watches with a total value of about £7k, would I swap them for one watch with a high value, NOT A CHANCE IN HELL. My personal enjoyment comes from owning watches I love the look of, and knowing they represent great value for money. If I can buy a watch with a 316L well finished case, a sapphire window, a decent movement, and a comfortable quality strap, for a £100 (which I can) why would I want to spend £5k. Of course, I appreciate anyone's right to think and do otherwise.
TiggerBits said:
I have about 35 watches with a total value of about £7k, would I swap them for one watch with a high value, NOT A CHANCE IN HELL..
Completely the opposite, I have If I knew back before collecting what I feel now I'd just have waited and saved for the 'grail' watches .... Of course I appreciate all my watches and bought all of them because they "called to me"
Cautionary tail ...
Having gone over 30 watches, I'm now selling off a bunch of them to keep a select number.
Would never settle on one or two watches, but less than I have now. That said, there's a lot of joy to be had from less expensive pieces. I love my skx and I'm planning on buying another in another colour.
Would never settle on one or two watches, but less than I have now. That said, there's a lot of joy to be had from less expensive pieces. I love my skx and I'm planning on buying another in another colour.
Many.
Too many in fact
I tried a bit of consolidation several times, but never down to one watch.
I then see another cheapish watch & convince myself "it doesn't really count" and before I know it, the numbers are back to where they were but I've put more ££ into the collection.
It's an illness I tell you.
Too many in fact
I tried a bit of consolidation several times, but never down to one watch.
I then see another cheapish watch & convince myself "it doesn't really count" and before I know it, the numbers are back to where they were but I've put more ££ into the collection.
It's an illness I tell you.
I'm new to the hobby in any 'serious' way where I'm doing quite a bit of research on what I like and am taking note of things like movements etc. I started off my collection with 2 80's Russian pieces, a Raketa and a Vostok, really like them both and they're both on NATO straps.
My taste has now changed toward almost exclusively Seiko. I have a skx007j on order and really really want an snzh57 ff mod. I'm looking down the barrel at around 4/5 Seikos, nothing more than say £800 for a Ripley but I'm conscious I could save up for a Sub or GMT, something to pass on to the next generation (no that a Seiko couldn't be) but I really like the thought of having a 1 make collection.
Also, even with a few watches I think straps can really change the look/feel of the piece for separate occasions. The skx will have a miltat super oyster, a NATO & a De Griff tan racing strap. Dress, every day and driving looks covered.
I may also get the skx cerakoted..
£££
My taste has now changed toward almost exclusively Seiko. I have a skx007j on order and really really want an snzh57 ff mod. I'm looking down the barrel at around 4/5 Seikos, nothing more than say £800 for a Ripley but I'm conscious I could save up for a Sub or GMT, something to pass on to the next generation (no that a Seiko couldn't be) but I really like the thought of having a 1 make collection.
Also, even with a few watches I think straps can really change the look/feel of the piece for separate occasions. The skx will have a miltat super oyster, a NATO & a De Griff tan racing strap. Dress, every day and driving looks covered.
I may also get the skx cerakoted..
£££
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