How do people use their collections?
This is undoubtedly a topic that has been brought up a lot on this forum, but hey I’m new and haven’t seen that many posts yet. I know that there are some people that purchase watches as an investment, some people like to collect horological marvels and study them, some people collect really nice expensive watches in order to show them off, which I think is fine, if you can afford that go for it.
For me I like to have watches that are different and that I can use in different occasions, this means that some of my watches get more use than others: my Swatch is my training watch, my Seiko is my weekday wear it to work piece, the black Casio is my beater, and the G-shock is one I wear at the weekends and with the kids. This means that those four get the most use and the Certina is used mostly as a dress watch and the pocket watch is used just when I’m wearing a kilt. I will be adding to this I want to get a dive watch, and thanks to @Timearch90 I’m narrowing in on the Orient Kamasu for that and as a big Titanium fan I’m going to also look at that.
But getting back to the point how do you guys see your collections? I know many of you have dozens of watches, do you wear them all? Have some for display/tinkering and wear a select few? Do you change your collection out regularly so you’ve always got something new and fresh? I’m just curious, and new to this world so no judgement from my side, I don’t know enough to judge.
Based in Stockholm Sweden, always been interested in watches recently began taking a special interest in more independent watch brands.
The certina looks gorgeous !!
I guess I have some core tenets:
1. Buy what I love and don't settle for less
2. Whatever I buy, I wear
3. If I stick to 1, then value retention is a 'nice to have', not an essential
All of my watches get wrist time, but some more than others (my everyday watches are a Sinn 556 and a Serica 4512 California). Some I've bought primarily because they are fantastic pieces to look at, both in person and under a loupe and I just love their styling (eg my Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer and my Oris Diver 65 with "Archer" font numerals). Some have sentimental value (eg Rolex DJ 16030 Buckley Dial - my dad had a similar watch) and some I wear on those special occasions or just because (eg Cartier Santos). Other than these, the rest of my collection are Casios and G-Shocks, for those occasions I need to work in the garden or move stuff around the house.
I don't have a checklist of complications, brands or case sizes/shapes I'm striving for. If anything, as my taste in watches evolves and matures, I've become more judicious about what I want and as such, am less likely to pull the trigger on pieces just to "settle" (hence 1).
The certina looks gorgeous !!
Thank you
That's a solid collection, and I am too a Kamasu fan (will be getting one soon for the summer)
My collection will be growing more this year and I see myself getting at least two watches for every occasion; I think that allows for great balance and gives the change to play a little with extra choices.
I guess I have some core tenets:
1. Buy what I love and don't settle for less
2. Whatever I buy, I wear
3. If I stick to 1, then value retention is a 'nice to have', not an essential
All of my watches get wrist time, but some more than others (my everyday watches are a Sinn 556 and a Serica 4512 California). Some I've bought primarily because they are fantastic pieces to look at, both in person and under a loupe and I just love their styling (eg my Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer and my Oris Diver 65 with "Archer" font numerals). Some have sentimental value (eg Rolex DJ 16030 Buckley Dial - my dad had a similar watch) and some I wear on those special occasions or just because (eg Cartier Santos). Other than these, the rest of my collection are Casios and G-Shocks, for those occasions I need to work in the garden or move stuff around the house.
I don't have a checklist of complications, brands or case sizes/shapes I'm striving for. If anything, as my taste in watches evolves and matures, I've become more judicious about what I want and as such, am less likely to pull the trigger on pieces just to "settle" (hence 1).
Thanks for your reply that’s really interesting. How big is your collection now?
That's a solid collection, and I am too a Kamasu fan (will be getting one soon for the summer)
My collection will be growing more this year and I see myself getting at least two watches for every occasion; I think that allows for great balance and gives the change to play a little with extra choices.
I like that idea as it might give a you more options and allow your collection to grow more.
My goal with watch collecting is to buy watches that provide some variety in looks, but that are still likely to be something I will enjoy the look of for many years. I also tend to buy what I will wear regularly, so my collection is heavy on tool watches rather than dressy watches.
I have 12 watches, but only 5-6 get regular use, and what particular 5-6 get regular use is seasonal.
I wear my Damasko DS30, CW C63, and now Marathon Navigator pretty much all year.
I wear my CW C65, and Vaer D5 more in the winter, and I wear my two CW C60s more in the summer(too thick to fit under jacket/glove cuffs comfortably).
My other watches get worn off and on throughout the year, but less frequently than the others.
I mean man, I buy what a like and definitely wear what I buy.
They’re just watches, buying something for value in my opinion is too risky and dumb, better off buying stocks. Almost all of us (I suppose) buy our watches through the eyes, we love to see them and wear them
I mostly have G Shocks, so I wear them all the time. Same deal with my Invicta pro diver. The only watches I don't wear to work is my Seikos, a chronograph, and a SNK807, and my weird Casio Illuminator diver, but even then I'll wear those when I'm running an errand, going out, or just hanging out.
I try to give all of my watches some wrist time, so I rotate them a lot. Some I count now as mistakes, and those I hardly wear at all. In terms of different watches for different occasions: that plays only a small part. When I'm travelling, the GMTs will come into play, but that's not that often. Some of my watches lack GADA status, so they get benched more than others.
I like to have watches of different kinds, different complications, to explore what is out there. That even includes some watch styles I am not particularly fond of (e.g. divers), just to keep an open mind. I am not someone who tries to impress, so flexing expensive watches is not me.
I have 4 watches and 2 of them are heirloom pieces that I only wear on special occasions. When I have more watches, I feel bad about not wearing them as much. I don't like to have to rotate watches so they get equal wrist time or something like that.
So, I have a Hamilton Intramatic 40 mm as my daily watch and a Nezumi Baleine as my go-to watch when something water-related/gardening/doing jobs around the house is involved.
Thanks for your reply that’s really interesting. How big is your collection now?
My collection sits at 10 at the moment. Hoping to keep it at that number. Looking at giving away some of my G-Shocks and other "knock about" watches to family/friends to clear up some space for some long-lusted pieces.
hey man i agree with you, i use my collection of watch depends on my activity
g shock, laco aachen, seiko srpg for work
orient kamasu for holiday and weekend
orient bambino for formal occasion
smartband for cycling and running
👍
As of today I have 38 watches, I categorize them into 4 categories, divers, sport, dress and chrono I usually change watches every day, sometimes up to 3 times a day if I go gardening or repairing something then out to dinner etc. The ones I bought I got because I liked them, and the ones I got gifted I keep because of sentimental value. I also try to not wear a watch from the same category 2 days in a row, except when I get the urge to wear one specific watch. I guess we all have our quirks 🤷♂
I have a core collection of about 5-6 that all have a specific use case and as such get a majority of wrist time. Beyond that I have many watches that I rotate through when I don't need one of my core watches. Usually those are bought because I like their design or color or history and I refer to them as "horological fashion watches" as they still have decent movements but were bought because essentially, they are pretty.
When I got seriously (read: could afford) into this hobby, my first watch was an Omega DeVille to commemorate a career advancement/milestone. This is my only three hander with date dress watch and very understated. From there, I decided that I will stick to one watch per brand and one watch per complication.
Well I've found that this self imposed rule is very difficult to uphold.
There are so many great watches from each brand that it is very difficult to stick to just one. However, I am sticking to this for now as it limits my collection size. I can see me breaking this though sometime in the future.
The one watch per complication is not doable. For example, almost all my watches have a date complication. So I've made a diversion from this rule slightly and the rule became one watch for each purpose or uniqueness. So, I have a dress watch. I wanted a chrono so I decided that the Zenith El Primiro was the one for my collection but it easily could have been the Speedy. But since I had an Omega already, the Speedy was off the table. I have a one hander (Meistersinger), a mechanical alarm (Panerai), a GMT (Grand Seiko), a diver (Seiko-this one's almost a cheat due to the GS but these are my rules ;->), a rectangular (JLC), the value piece (Tissot) and a digital (Casio).
Nice, this sounds like what I’m trying to do, maybe with different rule, but you’ve gone more upmarket then me 😉. I might start looking at brands like GS, Panerai and Tissot once the kids are less destructive. 🧨
its all affordable 😂
That makes it better in my opinion. 👌
Nice, this sounds like what I’m trying to do, maybe with different rule, but you’ve gone more upmarket then me 😉. I might start looking at brands like GS, Panerai and Tissot once the kids are less destructive. 🧨
It took me awhile to get here! I'm likely a bit older than you as my kids are all out of highschool now and one's almost done with university. I'm sure you'll get here too around the same timeframe. Enjoy the ride
It took me awhile to get here! I'm likely a bit older than you as my kids are all out of highschool now and one's almost done with university. I'm sure you'll get here too around the same timeframe. Enjoy the ride
Thanks man it’s been fun so far.
samtimes i changed 3 watches per day🤦🏻♂️so all of them have wr time))
Interesting question. I'd say that I generally look for what I like and is within the budget. Many of the watches I've accumulated are either pieces I may have seen in a movie, on someone's wrist, or that I genuinely thought was cool. There are, however, a few characteristics that I'm generally drawn to...
1.) I'm a sucker for a diver
2.) I love a good chronograph even though I don't have a need for them
3.) Detailed dial/specs
4.) Exhibition case back
Now with that being said, each piece in my collection does not meet all of the above requirements but they do meet at least two.
I wear my watches because I like staring at them, how they feel on wrist, and knowing my why. I could care less about other peoples opinions on my pieces. I'm always down to talk watches and like motorcycles, there are pieces/additions that are not something I'd be interested in but would still think are cool.
Interesting question. I'd say that I generally look for what I like and is within the budget. Many of the watches I've accumulated are either pieces I may have seen in a movie, on someone's wrist, or that I genuinely thought was cool. There are, however, a few characteristics that I'm generally drawn to...
1.) I'm a sucker for a diver
2.) I love a good chronograph even though I don't have a need for them
3.) Detailed dial/specs
4.) Exhibition case back
Now with that being said, each piece in my collection does not meet all of the above requirements but they do meet at least two.
I wear my watches because I like staring at them, how they feel on wrist, and knowing my why. I could care less about other peoples opinions on my pieces. I'm always down to talk watches and like motorcycles, there are pieces/additions that are not something I'd be interested in but would still think are cool.
Thanks for your input. It’s interesting to hear about your requirements I normally just go into the shop and go for what catches my eye and is unlike the watches I have. Having said that now that my collection is starting to take shape I have made a couple of requirements for my next two watches. I want to get a diver something I’m sure you’ll get, and I want to get something in Titanium.
Thanks for your input. It’s interesting to hear about your requirements I normally just go into the shop and go for what catches my eye and is unlike the watches I have. Having said that now that my collection is starting to take shape I have made a couple of requirements for my next two watches. I want to get a diver something I’m sure you’ll get, and I want to get something in Titanium.
Sure thing! Those requirements developed over time, I started with watches I saw (one in particular I'm still trying to source), and then I found the theme.
For your next two watches you'll have plenty to choose from. So many great divers and titanium watches and some that are both (i.e. Tudor Pelagos). Good luck in your search and make sure to let us know what you land on.🍻
Sure thing! Those requirements developed over time, I started with watches I saw (one in particular I'm still trying to source), and then I found the theme.
For your next two watches you'll have plenty to choose from. So many great divers and titanium watches and some that are both (i.e. Tudor Pelagos). Good luck in your search and make sure to let us know what you land on.🍻
Will do thanks mate.
Many kinds of watches, for many kinds of activities/occasions /moods/clothe’s…
It all depends on what I'm looking for at the time. I'll think what I absolutely need is a solid versatile every day piece, then what I REALLY need is a tough digital beater, then I'm thirsting after an art deco dress watch, then I get nostalgic and put on my first watch I got at age 12. Now I'm grail shopping and hoping ten grand will fall out of the sky 🙏
It all depends on what I'm looking for at the time. I'll think what I absolutely need is a solid versatile every day piece, then what I REALLY need is a tough digital beater, then I'm thirsting after an art deco dress watch, then I get nostalgic and put on my first watch I got at age 12. Now I'm grail shopping and hoping ten grand will fall out of the sky 🙏
Good luck with that I’ve been hoping for that forecast for years now. 😉
I rotate my watches and don't normally wear the same one two days in a row. I'm also prone to changing my watch twice a day...
I rotate my watches and don't normally wear the same one two days in a row. I'm also prone to changing my watch twice a day...
How many watches do you keep in your collection for that?
I think everyone’s approach/relationship to this hobby is different, I do feel it’s pretty universal that collections will evolve (and grow) the longer you are in this game.
I currently own 18 watches and when I think about how I arrived at that number, it doesn’t feel all that crazy. I started on the more affordable end, slowly learned what I loved/disliked, and as my buying-power increased, I purchased new watches that in my mind would serve as replacements/improvements. These new pieces would address the things I disliked and expand on what I loved.
Of course, that’s a very simplistic way of looking at it, going from point A to point B, when it reality there is always more twists and turns. I’d say my current watch count is also in part due to me having the luxury/privilege of never having to have sell an older piece to fund a new one. And I do my best to put the older pieces in my rotation occasionally if only for that sense of nostalgia.
This hobby also coincides with another of mine - photography. So it’s nice having different models to photograph 😂
I thought the same as you about how everyone’s approach would be different but I’m actually seeing a fair amount of overlap although there are enough differences to keep it interesting which I like. I definitely agree that collections will evolve and grow as the collectors do and fashions change.
I am right at the start of my collection making it very easy to keep all my watches in rotation.
It’s interesting to hear about your other hobby. Me growing my watch collection coincided with me learning about edc and I’ve started photographing my collections and carries they’re not great just now, I need a bit more work. 😉