My 6562
Over the last year I've shrunk my collection from around 50 watches to less than ten. Out went AP, PP, VC, UJS, PF, DR, Rlx and more. I retired my main watch social media profiles and am now happy doing other things.
This 1960s Vacheron & Constantin ref. 6562 stayed. It's a beaten-up steel reference with a sunburst champagne dial. It has a pronounced date window (I like them at 3 or 6 or not at all). The watch is 35mm in diameter and fitted here to a pebble grain grey calfskin strap. It has a matching Maltese Cross steel pin buckle.
Beating inside is the formidable Calibre K1071/1. This was supplied by Jaeger-LeCoultre and is made of 18K gold with guilloché engraving on the outer circumference of the rotor. We won't see it because it's hidden behind a solid case back. As with watches so with life: be excellent, but don't be too showy about it.
Living the quiet life far from the madding crowd.
Please tell us how you were able to make a clean break! We could start a program to reform watch addicts. My dream is to own three watches and desire no more. Congratulations to you and gorgeous watch! 🌈
Please tell us how you were able to make a clean break! We could start a program to reform watch addicts. My dream is to own three watches and desire no more. Congratulations to you and gorgeous watch! 🌈
It’s a process.
In my case it wasn’t going to happen from any watch-centric reasoning. It had to be external stimulus. In other words, other things became more important and something had to give.
I set a nominal target of 20, so I sold more than 20 and gifted another 10 or so to family. After a year I was ready to sell half of what I had left. I used the exercise to buy one or two that made better sense for me: modest watches that I can knock about. I did it all without regret because I had made up my mind before I began, and just executed the plan at a pace that worked for me.
Basically I had reached a stage in life where I had more stuff than I wanted. All this stuff was distracting me and preventing me from growing. You kind of have to know when a groove becomes a rut. So offloading watches was part of a larger cull and refocusing of energy. I still collect and I still enjoy beautiful things, including watches, but I don’t need so many any more. 🙂
It’s a process.
In my case it wasn’t going to happen from any watch-centric reasoning. It had to be external stimulus. In other words, other things became more important and something had to give.
I set a nominal target of 20, so I sold more than 20 and gifted another 10 or so to family. After a year I was ready to sell half of what I had left. I used the exercise to buy one or two that made better sense for me: modest watches that I can knock about. I did it all without regret because I had made up my mind before I began, and just executed the plan at a pace that worked for me.
Basically I had reached a stage in life where I had more stuff than I wanted. All this stuff was distracting me and preventing me from growing. You kind of have to know when a groove becomes a rut. So offloading watches was part of a larger cull and refocusing of energy. I still collect and I still enjoy beautiful things, including watches, but I don’t need so many any more. 🙂
You have reached Nirvana. Very happy for you
It’s a process.
In my case it wasn’t going to happen from any watch-centric reasoning. It had to be external stimulus. In other words, other things became more important and something had to give.
I set a nominal target of 20, so I sold more than 20 and gifted another 10 or so to family. After a year I was ready to sell half of what I had left. I used the exercise to buy one or two that made better sense for me: modest watches that I can knock about. I did it all without regret because I had made up my mind before I began, and just executed the plan at a pace that worked for me.
Basically I had reached a stage in life where I had more stuff than I wanted. All this stuff was distracting me and preventing me from growing. You kind of have to know when a groove becomes a rut. So offloading watches was part of a larger cull and refocusing of energy. I still collect and I still enjoy beautiful things, including watches, but I don’t need so many any more. 🙂
Thank you so much for taking the time to write an excellent and thoughtful reply! I appreciate you 🌈
Absolutely lovely watch. 😍
Enjoyed this post and I’m drooling over your “beaten-up” watch 😁
Enjoyed this post and I’m drooling over your “beaten-up” watch 😁
Much appreciated.
Absolutely lovely watch. 😍
Thanks much.
Amazing watch. Would it be possible to know which are the other lucky ones that survived the chopping block?
>UJS, PF, DR
What do these acronyms stand for?
>UJS, PF, DR
What do these acronyms stand for?
Urban Jürgensen and Sønner, Parmigiani Fleurier and Daniel Roth. I had one of the first, four of the second, and three of the third. All beautiful watches that I enjoyed.
It’s a process.
In my case it wasn’t going to happen from any watch-centric reasoning. It had to be external stimulus. In other words, other things became more important and something had to give.
I set a nominal target of 20, so I sold more than 20 and gifted another 10 or so to family. After a year I was ready to sell half of what I had left. I used the exercise to buy one or two that made better sense for me: modest watches that I can knock about. I did it all without regret because I had made up my mind before I began, and just executed the plan at a pace that worked for me.
Basically I had reached a stage in life where I had more stuff than I wanted. All this stuff was distracting me and preventing me from growing. You kind of have to know when a groove becomes a rut. So offloading watches was part of a larger cull and refocusing of energy. I still collect and I still enjoy beautiful things, including watches, but I don’t need so many any more. 🙂
My goal too🍻. And that’s a gorgeous VC you’ve kept. Great choice and you have excellent taste.
My goal too🍻. And that’s a gorgeous VC you’ve kept. Great choice and you have excellent taste.
Thanks. I had one other VC - this WG JDM world timer from 2001. It's a gorgeous little thing but no longer needed.
I was quite active on other fora and had wonderful conversations about my decision with fellow collectors. Many found it hard to understand and I recognised the headspace from which they spoke. Others of, shall we say, a similar life stage, understood. One or two had already done the same.
It prompted some thinking. The first thing I recognised was that I've always collected things, and would continue to do so. Collecting stuff is a human trait and we've been doing it for millennia.
The second thing was learning by doing. Once I took the decision, I approached the sale like a project with a prospectus, circulated it, and announced a bidding window, and then communicated allocation. Most watches went to fellow collectors in the first three months. A couple sold through auction after that. The rest went as gifts to family.
The third phase took the longest. I was left with about 20 watches. This became a cooling off period, I suppose. It would have felt like cutting into the bone had I tried to move them on sooner. So I got on with other things and waited it out until head, heart and gut lined up. About a month ago I felt ready, so sent them off on consignment: less hassle that way.
I'm now at the point where I can enjoy and study and follow watches and timekeeping, with the odd one here and there for my own use. :)
I totally agree that we collect and this lead to clutter and all sort of unnecessary fuss and worries. Haha I guess this is what hobbies were meant to be. Now I’m down to just a few watches for me which I find more meaningful wearing them and I get to enjoy them more. Before it was being proud of my collection (not big but still more than average person needed😅) and admiring them even though it didn’t feel all that right on the wrist. They didn’t get the wrist time plus the constant reminder by my better half than why do I need so many watches, I decided to trim the collection.
Like you I still read up, follow a few YouTubers and try on watches now and then but I’m more clear on the type of watches I want to buy? Of course the rule is if I were to get a new one, an existing one would need to make way.
Now I need to trim the straps 🤣
Amazing watch. Would it be possible to know which are the other lucky ones that survived the chopping block?
Hi. "Chopping block" sounds so severe!
My objective was to change from a lot of expensive watches to fewer less expensive ones. It was a fun journey but it had become a bit too much. So, in addition to the watches mentioned above, I also let go of Glashütte Original, Franck Muller, Habring2 (x2), IWC, Kudoke, LUC, Massena Lab, Omega, Zenith (x2), and some others.
Interestingly enough, the task also became one of pivoting to simpler and hardier watches. So out went a total of 18K gold watches (x16), perpetual calendars, annual calendars and chronographs, and in came modest diver, a GMT and three handers. I didn't want a Rolex Sub or a Rolex GMT-Master - they're fantastic machines but overkill for me. Tudor leaves me cold so I kept looking for interesting watches from smaller, interesting companies.
As of now, I've kept that VC, a 2000s Omega De Ville, a 1970s Lip Montre Diode (quartz LED), a Yema Superman 500, a Formex Essence 36, and last but not least a Monta Skyquest 2 (pepsi/gilt). That's six. There are also some G-Shocks, a Farer and some other watches stuffed into the bedside drawer, but they are going to be gifted sooner or later.
A long-winded answer but hope this helps. :)
I totally agree that we collect and this lead to clutter and all sort of unnecessary fuss and worries. Haha I guess this is what hobbies were meant to be. Now I’m down to just a few watches for me which I find more meaningful wearing them and I get to enjoy them more. Before it was being proud of my collection (not big but still more than average person needed😅) and admiring them even though it didn’t feel all that right on the wrist. They didn’t get the wrist time plus the constant reminder by my better half than why do I need so many watches, I decided to trim the collection.
Like you I still read up, follow a few YouTubers and try on watches now and then but I’m more clear on the type of watches I want to buy? Of course the rule is if I were to get a new one, an existing one would need to make way.
Now I need to trim the straps 🤣
Ah, straps... While I was selling watches, I've said to the buyer, "here, have these three extra straps" or something to that effect. I spent more on made-to-order straps than I care to remember right now. Eesh!
Hi. "Chopping block" sounds so severe!
My objective was to change from a lot of expensive watches to fewer less expensive ones. It was a fun journey but it had become a bit too much. So, in addition to the watches mentioned above, I also let go of Glashütte Original, Franck Muller, Habring2 (x2), IWC, Kudoke, LUC, Massena Lab, Omega, Zenith (x2), and some others.
Interestingly enough, the task also became one of pivoting to simpler and hardier watches. So out went a total of 18K gold watches (x16), perpetual calendars, annual calendars and chronographs, and in came modest diver, a GMT and three handers. I didn't want a Rolex Sub or a Rolex GMT-Master - they're fantastic machines but overkill for me. Tudor leaves me cold so I kept looking for interesting watches from smaller, interesting companies.
As of now, I've kept that VC, a 2000s Omega De Ville, a 1970s Lip Montre Diode (quartz LED), a Yema Superman 500, a Formex Essence 36, and last but not least a Monta Skyquest 2 (pepsi/gilt). That's six. There are also some G-Shocks, a Farer and some other watches stuffed into the bedside drawer, but they are going to be gifted sooner or later.
A long-winded answer but hope this helps. :)
Great post. Thanks for the explanation! Yes I also have seen that I prefer to buy watches that I consider great value, as so not too pricey but that I really enjoy to wear, and don't need to babysit l or be worried about.
The formex seems indeed a great watch.
That's an excellent watch, very nice 👌