What's the strategy?

Literally no strategy at play here.

Buy what I like, as long as it fits nicely and suits my style.

If you collect watches, quit. If you don't collect watches, don't start.

You've no hope of rehabilitation? 😮

😀

The thing is, my way IS the best way.

I’m just not going to tell you what it is.

I'm between categories. I like mostly simple 3 handers with a few styles and complications thrown in, but I don't feel the need to catch one of everything, they are watches not pokemon.

D. I only buy watches that I like the look of (by accident more than design this has resulted in my collection falling into category A, with subsets in B and C)

As an old collector…. I advise buy all your watches about 20 years ago when they were cheap. That is what I did. 👍🏼😂😂😂

Personally, the best way to enjoy the hobby is to keep some distance from social media, especially if you are easily enfluenced, find your own way with careful examination of journals and if possible friendly relationships with some honest persons who earn their livelihood from the industry: watchmakers, persons who sell a lot of different brands, have a sincere connection to the mechanical objects. In my own experience I have found other enthusiasts to have their own value systems that does not necessarily work for me, recently a friend recommended highly that I pick up another Breitling (I have too many already) I suspect mostly because he has developed a relationship with a sales agent who does not object to his prickly personality. That is not a good enough reason to buy a new watch.

My strategy is to impulsively buy watches 👍

I try to go for one watch per brand or one for each style but it doesn’t always work.

D

No desire or need to have one from every category. The others are too limiting.

My strategy: Visual appeal is most important then comfort followed by price. Watch brand or type doesn’t really matter.

I have no strategy, well I don't think I do.

First big hitter was a 1993 Rolex GMT and did a part-ex 6 years later to trade up to a 14060 Sub. Kept that 15 years (sold eventually to buy a paramotor).

Seller's remorse kicked in after a few years and then went hunting for things I liked or had wanted when I couldn't afford them at the time. I now prefer neo-vintage models or something with a military connection; divers, chrono, but not really dress watches or anything too bling.

I have no strategy. I just buy what I like! 😂

Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out why I bought what I bought. The main idea seems to be “discrete excellence”, but not really sure!

Jaeger LeCoutre? Grand Seiko? "Discrete excellence" sounds like a sophisticated plan. ❤

Well not there yet but I like the style!! 🤩😂 let’s settle for a simpler Santos,one of my fav.

I’m kind of a diverse, but the “one of each” kind. I build to accommodate my personal lifestyle and attire. A few dress watches and more dressy sports watch’s (Todur Royal) for the office, divers/ pilot’s watches for the weekend and evenings, and so on 🤷🏼‍♂️

No strat I personally go with the method of taking my time and really thinking about what the next watch will be instead of just buying just to have something new and shiny it really forces me to enjoy what I have and wear my watches and it makes you realize that you don’t need tk have every watch you like it’s ok to like from a distance it’s also easier on my wallet 😅

Honorable mention

I try to stay under 8 watches as well anything past that it seems that watches get lost in the watch box

I’m increasingly coming to believe that the idea of a “watch collecting strategy” is an artificiality created by the watch industry to make us feel like we “need” to buy watches we wouldn’t otherwise want.

I’m gradually realizing I like a certain type of watch, and that’s okay, and there’s really no earthly reason I need to feel bad about “too many of my preferred watches not having applied indices” or some other such drivel.

Feels like I’m becoming @PoorMansRolex 🤣

Diverse me, anything I like the look of/ day of the week/ mood x money minus vicinity of wife 🤦‍♂️

I just like to buy what I like. There isn't an "oh, I need these types of watches" and then force myself to buy watches that I don't really like just to fill that gap. As a result, my collection is fairly diverse, but it's not based on some strategy or anything like that.

No strategy. I like versatile watches so if I like it, I will generally have all bases covered.

So I'd say best strategy is an evolving diverse, you might start off with a driver, chrono and dress watch, but then realise you never wear dress watches, and only like divers

But even in that context of only divers, having different colours, styles, sizes, materials, straps and brands can mean you have a wide range for different wardrobes/scenarios

Found one watch I love (nomos ahoi) and wore that for 9 years. When it went in for service a second time and took 6 months to come back, that forced me to buy a g shock for my beater and a Tudor, which I now also love. Both the Nomos and Tudor took 6 months of searching and trying lots of watches at dealers before I realized they were the ones.

I guess my strategy is to be very picky and deliberate and only to buy what I love.

Just like the others say, no strategy 😂

I do try to stick to a 2-watch “collection” as it keeps me sane to not have to constantly pick which watch to wear on a daily basis.

Though I’m back to 6 watches at this point… ah the watch madness continues 😂