Anyone buy a spare/duplicate of their fave watch?

[JAM35F]

My citizen aqualand JP2000 has become a favourite and I'm toying with the idea of buying a second as a spare and wondered if anyone else does this or am I mad?!

My thinking is that as I have a fair few straps for it I can have each on something different ready to wear. Also the watch is getting relatively rare so it's now or never as it'll soon be unavailable.

Plus I have OCD about damaging watches, I have a beater G-Shock but this gets far too much wear as my fear of damaging a favourite watch means I too often reach for the G. A spare aqualand could serve as a beater (the original 80s versions look great all scratched up).

Or am I mad? My other thinking is I just get a spare bezel/crystal to give the watch a refurb in years to come.

[Ikemi]

You're certainly not alone; I have read of others doing similar, but it's not something I'd do personally ... I'd rather spend the additional cash on another watch! However I'm a bit weird in not wanting 2 watches from the same manufacturer in my collection. I like buying pieces from different manufacturers to see what they're like.

I understand why you'd want to do this, but at the end of the day, you'll just have an additional watch sat as a safe queen, and what's the point in that? However if it's not bank-breakingly expensive and you love it, why not get a second, just in case?

[dom9]

JAM35F said:

My citizen aqualand JP2000 has become a favourite and I'm toying with the idea of buying a second as a spare and wondered if anyone else does this or am I mad?!

My thinking is that as I have a fair few straps for it I can have each on something different ready to wear. Also the watch is getting relatively rare so it's now or never as it'll soon be unavailable.

Plus I have OCD about damaging watches, I have a beater G-Shock but this gets far too much wear as my fear of damaging a favourite watch means I too often reach for the G. A spare aqualand could serve as a beater (the original 80s versions look great all scratched up).

Or am I mad? My other thinking is I just get a spare bezel/crystal to give the watch a refurb in years to come.

You are me AICMFP

I own two Tag F1s (the original style chronographs from 90s), both with yellow faces and one has never been worn! They were my favourite watch, growing up, and when I was old enough to afford my first one (think I was about 20/21) I bought it and then bought the 2nd one a year or two later.

I almost never wear them now (in fact, they are in storage in the UK and I am 8,000 miles away) but will never part with them. In the subsequent decade or so, I have collected a few more watches, yet never doubled up. I have, however, never felt I have wanted to buy something I couldn't afford to replace though I don't fancy losing my IWC or Rolex.

That's a bit sad in a way as I always fancy a Vintage Pre-Daytona but I just don't see myself spending 20k+ without a lotto win as I would be too scared to damage it or lose it.

I apply the same things to cars... I'd love two of everything, one to keep in the garage and polish and one to rag around/ modify.

[Stu R]

I wish.

I've got a couple of duplicates of cheaper watches, but even if I could afford to buy 2 of my favourites I wouldn't, I'd buy another favourite that cost twice as much

[hollydog]

Ive got two breilting crono evolutions. Could make my mind up weather i liked the white or black face so in a moment of madness bought them both.

[kazste]

Oh my yes.
Bought this one in perfect condition just over a year ago


And this one about a month ago which was supposed to be a bit of a beater in order to save the other one. But my lied about the condition telling me it would be fine for use as a beater, whereas in actual fact it's in only slightly Worse condition than the original!!

[kazste]

My friend still can't work out why he's annoyed me by having the watch in a better condition than thought!!

[Nick M]

No, but I don't wear my favourite watch as much as I once did (daily) in order to keep it in reasonable condition - it's a balance of enjoying it as a watch, and not knackering it.

That said, part of the appeal of my watches is that they each have a certain 'patina' associated with things I've done or places I've been with them, so a second 'mint and boxed' watch would seem a little sterile to me. That's not to say I don't look after them - quite the opposite - but I accept that they will end up with certain marks and scratches. Same with my cars, cameras, etc.

As I see it, there are plenty of other collectors out there with a 'perfect' example, so I don't need to do that with mine - I can just enjoy wearing them.

[Miguel Alvarez]

I'd love to. I used to do it with records and to a point trainers but buying two of the same watches is a bit beyond my wallet.

[andy_s]

Wallet aside, I'd love an early generation of my favourite and perhaps one of the unit assigned variations too.

[Y7TSY]

I kind of have the same thoughts as you, I have always had a daily beater and then a few nicer more expensive watches such as breitling and panerai, but only wore the panerai a few times a month, then I decided to buy a replica of my panerai lum base as its by far my favourite watch but couldnt bare to scratch it or even mark the leather strap as it would drive me crazy. So I now end up wearing the replica most of the time, A few people will say the usual words about buying fakes but the way my mind works it doesnt bother me. I would say if you like the watch why not? buy one for every day of the week ha

[kazste]

Sounds to me like you need two panerai's to me! To join the identical tag microtimers I plan on getting a matching submariner but with green bezel to match my all black version and on a slightly different scale I have 2 g shocks identical apart from colour one is blue one is gold.