Getting rid of the collection.
Discussion
Chrono 24 is telling me that I can probably sell all the watches I have bought in the past 30 years for at least what I paid for them and in some cases a lot more. I didn't MEAN to start a collection, but that is what I have.
I look at the prices of steel Rolexes and wonder for how long values can continue to rise.
I am pondering selling almost everything and keeping one gold dress watch, one sports watch.
Possibly neither of them Rolex.
Why? Because however good they are as watches, I am bored with wearing the most common brand of watch in almost any room.
So, keep all my old and accumulated watches and wear lots of different ones? Or condense everything into a small number of really good ones?
gregs656 said:
If you don't want them, sell them.
It is easy to start thinking 'Maybe I'll keep that one, and this one, and..'
Before you know it you've decided to just keep them all.
The conflict is:It is easy to start thinking 'Maybe I'll keep that one, and this one, and..'
Before you know it you've decided to just keep them all.
But that has sentimental value.
Vs
Perhaps this time next year I won't be able to sell it for as much.
Collections can happen - but if they are merely trinkets that you don't get pleasure in wearing, move them on and be glad.
Cash in whilst you can get out on the up and keep a couple that you wear.
Take stock and then decided what you want to do with that newly regained wealth - perhaps use it for something that will bring more joy.
Louis Balfour said:
The conflict is:
But that has sentimental value.
Vs
Perhaps this time next year I won't be able to sell it for as much.
Sure. It is also easy to think you might get more next year.But that has sentimental value.
Vs
Perhaps this time next year I won't be able to sell it for as much.
Do you have a clear idea what you would buy instead? That would be the deciding factor for me.
Many (most?) collectors find they start buying back in some time after selling. If you time it right that's great, but if you ever have a hankering for any of the watches again and have to pay £XXX over what you sold for it's a bit galling.
So I would say sell anything you don't feel attached to, but hold on to the nicest ones for a little while longer just in case you get seller's remorse!
So I would say sell anything you don't feel attached to, but hold on to the nicest ones for a little while longer just in case you get seller's remorse!
My very modest collection came about because I was searching for watches that I really liked.
Bought quite a few and most of them never get worn. If you have one or two that you really like and the rest just sit in a box making then just sell them.
The older I get the more I realise that having "stuff" is a burden and stresses me out. When I was a bit younger I aspired to owning all these things but now I'd rather have only a few things that give me great pleasure to own.
By way of example I appear to have 9 guitars - and I am not a very good guitar player. Most just hang on the wall, and actually it is one of the least expensive that play the most.
Problem is that I can't be arsed selling them all because it involves dealing with joe public.
These days I only buy things that I REALLY want or REALLY need.
Bought quite a few and most of them never get worn. If you have one or two that you really like and the rest just sit in a box making then just sell them.
The older I get the more I realise that having "stuff" is a burden and stresses me out. When I was a bit younger I aspired to owning all these things but now I'd rather have only a few things that give me great pleasure to own.
By way of example I appear to have 9 guitars - and I am not a very good guitar player. Most just hang on the wall, and actually it is one of the least expensive that play the most.
Problem is that I can't be arsed selling them all because it involves dealing with joe public.
These days I only buy things that I REALLY want or REALLY need.
TorqueDirty said:
My very modest collection came about because I was searching for watches that I really liked.
Bought quite a few and most of them never get worn. If you have one or two that you really like and the rest just sit in a box making then just sell them.
The older I get the more I realise that having "stuff" is a burden and stresses me out. When I was a bit younger I aspired to owning all these things but now I'd rather have only a few things that give me great pleasure to own.
By way of example I appear to have 9 guitars - and I am not a very good guitar player. Most just hang on the wall, and actually it is one of the least expensive that play the most.
Problem is that I can't be arsed selling them all because it involves dealing with joe public.
These days I only buy things that I REALLY want or REALLY need.
Wise words!Bought quite a few and most of them never get worn. If you have one or two that you really like and the rest just sit in a box making then just sell them.
The older I get the more I realise that having "stuff" is a burden and stresses me out. When I was a bit younger I aspired to owning all these things but now I'd rather have only a few things that give me great pleasure to own.
By way of example I appear to have 9 guitars - and I am not a very good guitar player. Most just hang on the wall, and actually it is one of the least expensive that play the most.
Problem is that I can't be arsed selling them all because it involves dealing with joe public.
These days I only buy things that I REALLY want or REALLY need.
Definitely condense them into watches you really like. Pre lockdown I traded in a bunch that I hadn't really worn in years and now have fewer watches which I rotate more regularly because I want to, not because I feel I should.
Even PHs die - it will also make sorting out you stuff easier. Having just sorted out my late father's stuff, and helping my mum downsize - so sorting out 60 years of accumulated belongings, I am going through all of my things, to get rid of stuff I don't use regularly. It's very theraputic once you get into it.
It's even spurred me into getting my Chimaera tidied up, so I use it more!
Even PHs die - it will also make sorting out you stuff easier. Having just sorted out my late father's stuff, and helping my mum downsize - so sorting out 60 years of accumulated belongings, I am going through all of my things, to get rid of stuff I don't use regularly. It's very theraputic once you get into it.
It's even spurred me into getting my Chimaera tidied up, so I use it more!
TorqueDirty said:
The older I get the more I realise that having "stuff" is a burden and stresses me out. When I was a bit younger I aspired to owning all these things but now I'd rather have only a few things that give me great pleasure to own.
By way of example I appear to have 9 guitars - and I am not a very good guitar player. Most just hang on the wall, and actually it is one of the least expensive that play the most.
Problem is that I can't be arsed selling them all because it involves dealing with joe public.
These days I only buy things that I REALLY want or REALLY need.
I dont have guitars but I can really relate to what you say. We are burried under a pile of past enthusiasms compounded by a pile of " might come in useful some day". The money I have spent on yacht bits would buy a decent yacht, and I still have most of them depsite selling the boat.By way of example I appear to have 9 guitars - and I am not a very good guitar player. Most just hang on the wall, and actually it is one of the least expensive that play the most.
Problem is that I can't be arsed selling them all because it involves dealing with joe public.
These days I only buy things that I REALLY want or REALLY need.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Actually, I apologise. I have re-read my post and perhaps I didn't make myself clear.Back when I first bought a Rolex I did so because they were good, tough watches. A bit old-mannish, but I was no spring chicken even then.
Today, Rolex has jumped the shark and they have become the go-to watch for anyone who knows nothing about watches but "Rolex is the best and shows everyone that I am successful". Ergo, in any restaurant populated with middle-aged blokes, chances are that Rolex is going to the the "brand" of choice.
So, I have started dressing in knitwear, I dress my ten year old son identically and I will buy a Patek Philippe.

bordseye said:
Whats wrong with knitwear? I use it all the time except mid summer.
Why does it matter to you what watch other people have? For that matter, whats with the "knows about watches" - what is there to know that is worth knowing?
Knitwear is great. I have lots.
Why does it matter to you what watch other people have? For that matter, whats with the "knows about watches" - what is there to know that is worth knowing?
Edited by bordseye on Thursday 28th October 08:50
Q: Why does it matter to you what watch other people have?
A: Because they generally tell a story, of some sort. Shoes do too.
Q: whats with the "knows about watches"
A: Knows about, cares about. The same is true of cars. Some car choices suggest a disinterest in cars, others a love of them.
But the fact that you have asked these questions suggests that you probably won't appreciate the answer.
If I were lucky enough to have amassed a large collection of higher end watches I'd probably sell and start over with a 3 watch collection. Granted, that's not for everyone but that's what I would do. I wouldn't be too worried about wearing a "common" brand. Don't forget, your Rolex, Omega et al are more common for good reason. They make desirable, classic, iconic and well made watches.
I'd have a daily, something gorgeous on the wrist but not too valuable that can be worn, enjoyed and not worried about too much. (Say a BB58)
I'd get something a bit nicer that you can put on for a night out or just for a change (maybe a Moonwatch or Navitimer)
Then I'd spend more on a higher end watch for special occasions. (Something dressier from my favourite brand A Lange & Sohne) That way if you are somewhere nice, you're probably not going to be wearing a brand that everyone else in the room is wearing.
Of course, I'm just living out my own fantasy from your situation but that's what I would do. We're all different though.
I'd have a daily, something gorgeous on the wrist but not too valuable that can be worn, enjoyed and not worried about too much. (Say a BB58)
I'd get something a bit nicer that you can put on for a night out or just for a change (maybe a Moonwatch or Navitimer)
Then I'd spend more on a higher end watch for special occasions. (Something dressier from my favourite brand A Lange & Sohne) That way if you are somewhere nice, you're probably not going to be wearing a brand that everyone else in the room is wearing.
Of course, I'm just living out my own fantasy from your situation but that's what I would do. We're all different though.
Edited by toon10 on Thursday 28th October 09:31
toon10 said:
If I were lucky enough to have amassed a large collection of higher end watches I'd probably sell and start over with a 3 watch collection. Granted, that's not for everyone but that's what I would do. I wouldn't be too worried about wearing a "common" brand. Don't forget, your Rolex, Omega et al are more common for good reason. They make desirable, classic, iconic and well made watches.
I'd have a daily, something gorgeous on the wrist but not too valuable that can be worn, enjoyed and not worried about too much. (Say a BB58)
I'd get something a bit nicer that you can put on for a night out or just for a change (maybe a Moonwatch or Navitimer)
Then I'd spend more on a higher end watch for special occasions. (Something dressier from my favourite brand A Lange & Sohne) That way if you are somewhere nice, you're probably not going to be wearing a brand that everyone else in the room is wearing.
Of course, I'm just living out my own fantasy from your situation but that's what I would do. We're all different though.
There is an argument for having just one watch.I'd have a daily, something gorgeous on the wrist but not too valuable that can be worn, enjoyed and not worried about too much. (Say a BB58)
I'd get something a bit nicer that you can put on for a night out or just for a change (maybe a Moonwatch or Navitimer)
Then I'd spend more on a higher end watch for special occasions. (Something dressier from my favourite brand A Lange & Sohne) That way if you are somewhere nice, you're probably not going to be wearing a brand that everyone else in the room is wearing.
Of course, I'm just living out my own fantasy from your situation but that's what I would do. We're all different though.
Edited by toon10 on Thursday 28th October 09:31
The sensible option being a smart watch of some sort. The emotional being something like a Datejust (Yay, Rolex).
However, what I am PLANNING to do is have a smart watch / HRM for exercise or casual wear. I have a stainless dress watch for work and I may buy a gold dress watch for evening.
That's the PLAN. Tune in again in 12 months and I will fill you in as to my extensive new collection.

I’m thinning out the collection but as most of my watches would be considered ‘s
tters’ by most watch snobs it’s not that big of a deal.
Anyway, I plan to end up with
Glycine Combat Sub as a dressy diver
Longines Conquest 43mm
Omega Deville Quartz for concerts
Seiko Samurai ‘Padi’ Pepsi for holidays




(The Omega belonged to my wife’s late grandfather. Her cousin got his weekend watch, a PP Calatrava)
tters’ by most watch snobs it’s not that big of a deal. Anyway, I plan to end up with
Glycine Combat Sub as a dressy diver
Longines Conquest 43mm
Omega Deville Quartz for concerts
Seiko Samurai ‘Padi’ Pepsi for holidays
(The Omega belonged to my wife’s late grandfather. Her cousin got his weekend watch, a PP Calatrava)
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