Do you keep track of your collection? If so, in a spreadsheet?
I started a spreadsheet for my collection a few months ago because I have terrible memory and was forgetting that I’ve had certain watches. I also wanted to see if in fact this hobby was costing me an arm and a leg. Turns out I don’t actually spend too much because I make most of my money back when I sell, except on my Nomos–that hurt! 😅
I also have a tab for my “wishlist” that either has reference numbers and market values or more general terms for features/complications that I find intriguing like “pointer date.”
Keeping track of all this gives me a weird peace of mind and I’m curious if anyone shares this aspect of collecting!
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Juan Luis Garcia
Creative director, photographer, designer, sports fan, and watch collector–duh!
Los Angeles
Member since
Last active: 4 months ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
I put no but am considering it only because I do track my watches but in Google Keep.
I keep track of a wish list using my phone, especially for brands like Seiko and Orient that use weird codes for their watches.
I use a note in my phone. I hate spreadsheets.
I put no but am considering it only because I do track my watches but in Google Keep.
What’s google keep?
I keep track of a wish list using my phone, especially for brands like Seiko and Orient that use weird codes for their watches.
Nice. What app?
I use a note in my phone. I hate spreadsheets.
That’s how I originally started to do it but quickly switched to google sheets because of how much more robust it is for calculating values and tracking dates (i was curious to see how many days/months/years I had certain watches)
What’s google keep?
It's Google's answer to Evernote.
I keep track of a wish list using my phone, especially for brands like Seiko and Orient that use weird codes for their watches.
Don’t get me started on Omega. Those ref numbers make me dizzy lol
I use the Chrono24 app - it's very helpful for this stuff!
I use the Chrono24 app - it's very helpful for this stuff!
Nice. I’ve seen it (as well as Hodinkee’s) but I don’t spend much time on C24 so I’ve never used it. Seems like you get a lot of value from it…
Nice. I’ve seen it (as well as Hodinkee’s) but I don’t spend much time on C24 so I’ve never used it. Seems like you get a lot of value from it…
I mean in as much as documenting the collection, and a sense of value. It doesn't offer much more value than that 😂
I mean in as much as documenting the collection, and a sense of value. It doesn't offer much more value than that 😂
Gotcha and I mean it keeps you on their app so works out for them lol I spend more time on watchrecon than anything
Photo of all but just for insurance purposes. I dont care about values going up or down, i buy watches because i lkke them
Nice. What app?
Notes
Yes! Not a large collection, and no watches of any particular value, but I do like having a record of when things entered/exited the collection...AND it's a handy at-a-glance place to record dimensions, which is really nice when I get the inclination to buy a new strap, say, and can't remember off the top of my head if a particular watch has a 20mm or 22mm lug width.
I keep an apple note with measurements and reference numbers of watches I own and a few I’m interested in.
No I'm too old & anti tech for spreadsheets, but Mrs got me a book for Xmas that I've yet to fill in.
6 are on my nightstand. 2 are in a bowl in the kitchen. 1 is in the work van, I think, but it's a cheap beater that's too big and I don't like it so I really don't care where it is. The last one is in my tool cupboard at work. If one of them is missing it's because it's on my wrist. This post just became my watch tracker. Does that count?
I have them logged in watchcharts along with a dummy watch for random spending watch related (storage such as boxes and safes, straps, tools, etc.). I also add service cost to the "purchase price". It's a bit scary how much residual spending there is when you add it up rigorously, at least for me, but it gives an additional layer of safety so the spending doesn't get out of hand.
I posted a somewhat similar poll a month back here on WC. You might want to check it out here https://www.watchcrunch.com/honedwatches/posts/how-much-do-you-keep-track-of-your-watches-28986 maybe it might give you some answers you’re looking for. Cheers.
Oh and I do keep an excel file loaded up in cloud. 😉
It is important to have a list or documentation of your collection, especially as you get more advanced. You can use excel or whatever you like for that list but it should be done.
Thanks for sharing this! I'll be back, going to get lost in spreadsheets...
Your welcome
Spreadsheet, just to keep up with it all.
Hasn't helped to slow down my buying though.
I use the WatcheePro app:
Yes! Not a large collection, and no watches of any particular value, but I do like having a record of when things entered/exited the collection...AND it's a handy at-a-glance place to record dimensions, which is really nice when I get the inclination to buy a new strap, say, and can't remember off the top of my head if a particular watch has a 20mm or 22mm lug width.
You should try the WatcheePro app; it records every statistic that you could possibly think of! 🤣
I use the "My Collections" app, which also houses my art collection. I like it cos you configure the fields as you want them and you don't have to fill them all in. I don't think there's a limit to the number of pictures you can store against each, max I've used so far is 10. It can sync to cloud. (I've added more fields but for this watch I haven't completed them)
Hey side question; do you buy/sell/trade art online? I’m looking for forums or exchanges as I have a few pieces I’m looking to move.
Hey side question; do you buy/sell/trade art online? I’m looking for forums or exchanges as I have a few pieces I’m looking to move.
I haven't sold any art. I've bought from eBay or from galleries online, but I tend to know the artist well before I do so. I'd also like to know where art gets re-sold, so that I could pick up more!
I have bought and sold a few watches since I got into this hobby 12 years ago. No spreadsheet, I do enough at work, I just scroll through the pictures on my phone to be reminded of what models have been for a time in my modest collection
I use the Toolwatch app to keep track of all my autos/mechs
I use an app called Evernote in which I've created a couple of pseudo spreadsheets, one with a list of all the watches I've owned with just some basic info about when they were bought and sold and for how much (not shown), another with more detailed information about each watch. The color coding indicates the status of the watch, i.e., blue - owned, green - sold, orange - given away, etc. Not all are shown in the color-coded list.