What is your collecting philosophy?

Hedonistic and emotional.

Shiny!! Me likey…

See something I like, buy something I like. 😀

As the collection has grown, I am being pickier and pickier about avoiding similar watches. IE, I have been more focused on diversity in color than when I started. That said, there are still a few brands I would buy that are not in the collection, and that fall into the monotone landscape, but those are select pieces.

Buy what you like and can afford. The rest is just nonsense.

5 months into the hobby and I believe I have a theme now. For the CORE collection, I want a watch, preferably dress watch but not necessarily, for every decade from 1930s. That makes 10 watches counting to 2020s. Still have 4 watches in that collection to find.

Then the rest, I go nuts and buy what looks good to me and what makes me go oooooh. No real patterns. Duplicates of a type is okay, cheap is okay, expensive if I can afford it is okay, untested brands are okay. Still don’t have a flieger or military watch. Not sure if I will get any. Specific brands I won’t buy unless used and a steal. No more than 1 watch over 1000 USD per year, whether new or vintage.

Those are my parameters.

A more complete update 8 march...

I actually buy any watch I really like IF the masterpiece cost max 280 euro - faster than a crazy cobra...

But at the beginning 1982 to 84 did I buy some amazing Grails, the two finest dreams from Casio's first Oceanus serie and then could no other watch compare (!) so for many many years, did my collection grow very slowly... Because I only bought two dress watches and a lady watch...

Then did I discover 2015 that I could buy fantastic ultra cheap skeletons from China, plus a magnificent classic mechanic chronograph, just to use as home decoration... And I got a very fine Rado Integral copy, as a present... And after that did I begin to buy "alternatives" to my then 25 year old Grails, to use as daily watches... And when I sudddenly found a new CriCat (my now delicious power catamaran) did I also buy a digital beater, for the very tough renovation time... So there have been several very different reasons, behind my collection...

Which became totally 26 wrist watches, including three I will get soon... But I change only between 6 of them, plus 5 dress watches I only use at very special events... Then are 3 reserves, 7 exclusively very interesting home decorations, 4 retired digital Casios and 1 dead lady watch, for girl photos.

But I think 99% of all models (in the market) are very boring and there are also many details I don't like and very little I really like... I like for example almost only black or sunny dials, with some gold details...

And that's why I only have seen 65 different watches I really like (!!) anywhere and anytime... Naturally including many amazing models, that unfortunately are too expensive... Only 15 "amazing" class A watches and I own 5 of them... And 50 "delicious" class B watches and 13 of them are mine... So I actually own 28% of the finest watches I ever seen!

Then have I also seen 46 "interesting" class C watches and 5 are mine... So great watches are simply very very rare, in my highly personal view!

But I have suddenly found and directly bought 5 watches this year (!!!) plus one exceptional digital Casio that become very rare and I had to buy just as a reserve, because the plastic "crystal" look already scratchy on my first one... Grrrumfh!

And yes... I buy even very interesting watches, which I especially use as home decoration and normally never wear... But I will probably use the two finest skeletons, as dress watches...

And this are my 5 latest finds, that I bought this year...

First an amazing Invikta 100m chronograph with Seiko movement, that I got for just 62 euro... But it cost now 130 euro and is still a bargin!

Then a super sexy Chinese skeleton, that I possible will use sometimes...

Then a well made "homage" to Diesels MrDaddy, that did cost just 40 euro...

And the impressive and extremely balanced Fossil I found this week...

Plus the ultra elegant WWOOR that I just bought some hours ago!

I try to "check boxes" that I have a connection to and serve a purpose. I spent a career in the US Air Force and have lived in or visited dozens of countries, love high tech gadgetry and am a space geek to boot. So, watches that have a military/aviation/space connection, are robust and highly accurate, watches from makers in countries I've lived in, and technically interesting/uncommon movements are all represented in my collection. Plus a few odds and ends that just caught my eye despite not fitting any particular "box."

I go for designs that I like and always make sure i can afford any purchase easily.

I have only made 2 relatively larger purchases for milestones; my wedding and a big promotion at work.

Refine , rejoice , remember to pay the the bills :)

I have my core collection. I have chronos, divers, dress, conversation pieces and family. I now buy one watch a year.

Budget 1500.00 usd

Cheers!

Is it a watch? Yes? I want it!

I decided a few years ago on the brands I liked then researched a lot to decide the watches I wanted. My rules are fit within my budget, a timeless design so I can wear it for many years and no more than 5 watches total so I will wear them all regularly.

I look at a watch and try to how i can get one with the same movement for cheap. Like a VK63 chrono for under 70 bucks CDN, or a powermatic 80 for $170.00 USD. NH35 for $65 bucks CDN.Ronda 505 for $40 bucks.

If it ticks buy it.

I try to buy different case materials - I have watches for yellow gold, rose gold, titanium, resin, bronze, Damascus steel, ceramic, and am waiting to buy forged carbon, white gold, platinum, and tantalum. I also try to buy watches with different dial material or finishing - meteorite, mother of pearl, flinqué (guilloché on enamel), laquer, porcelain, and am looking to buy aventurine and grand feu enamel. I also don’t buy more than one watch per brand and have at least one of each category: field, dress, flight, racing, GMT, diver, digital.

I buy what I like it don’t have to be Swiss or the best movement or a grail just a good looking watch turns me on!!!!

Philosophy is probably too strong a word. Tendency probably fits better. (The longer this answer is the more like a philosophy it will appear.)

A decade ago I had 5-7 watches, about half vintage and half quartz beaters. I decided that I wanted to explore the defunct American watch industry and try to understand why it had failed. The usual "Quartz Crisis" explanation did not fit with what I saw. I started acquiring examples of as many American brands as I could. Along the way I also became fascinated with the Soviet watch industry as a Cold War counterpoint: State run vs. capitalistic. I started waiting months to receive little packages from Eastern Europe.

Because I actively collect the history of the brand and watch as well as the actual watch, it occurred to me that having owned a watch brand was as fulfilling as owning a particular watch. Having owned a Clinton it was possible to see that it did not fit in any sartorial aesthetic that I wished to project so I sold it on.

The collection isn't getting any larger in total. Like many of you I am concentrating on reliability, accuracy, and legibility. I also want to have options for all occasions. I need things that can function as "dress" watches five days a week. This necessitated buying modern divers and chronographs. (Vintage divers rarely can be used near water and vintage chronographs are a minefield.) I also agree with those who wait and ponder watches. This has kept me from more than a few ill advised purchases. (I had a Laco flieger in a cart for about six months without buying it. No disrespect intended for the brand or style of watch, but I would look ridiculous in something as big as most of those are.)

Interesting. Many of the watches I like are from 1957, so I wouldn't get very far by your paradigm 😀

I have a few simple rules then some tendencies lol.

1) Don't go into debt to buy a watch (or anything else if you can help it).

2) I have an 8 watch watchbox and 3 watch travel roll giving my collection an optimum number of 8 watches and a maximum number of 11 watches. So when I reach those numbers I will then have to sell something to make room, this makes me consider if I REALLY want it or not.

3) Wear what you buy, if I won't wear it I don't buy it. (doesn't keep me from admiring it from a distance 😂).

Those are my hard and fast rules.

My tendencies are to run a wishlist or "virtual collection" on watches I think I may want to purchase. I am always fiddling with that list adding watches or removing watches from it. If a watch stays on it for 3 months to a year then I will consider buying it (if market availability and finances allow).

I almost always have to save up for my watches so it gives me time to ponder.

Last but not least I do look to diversify my collection to give me different choices and actually buy watches for a reason such as atomic timekeeping, GMT complication, different movements, or a style of watch I don't currently own such as a field watch. No 2 watches in my collection are basically the same and since I'm very picky on what I'll buy based on watch sizing (because I actually wear them) color, date location (or no date), styling ect what I like enough to buy becomes rare.

Just my .02 😉

Edit: PS I don't discriminate against quartz vs mechanical I have both and like each for different reasons 🙂

I do it for two reasons. The main one is just buying things that I like that also happen to make me feel more attractive and sophisticated. The other reason is that I do it to keep chunks of the past alive.

But is it a Dad watch?

I look for something a little unique. I love the Beaubleu Steel also Straum has a beautiful dial watch. Definitely something a little out of the ordinary but not gimmicky.

Targeted and controlled, with occasional relapses.

Personally, I buy a watch to signify a milestone in my life, college graduation, first job, first promotion etc. It keeps me from impulse purchases and gives me enough time to refine my taste and get something I truly enjoy. It’s also an amazing feeling to open up the watch box and have timeless moments ( pun intended) to flash right through. Cheers

I want to buy watches with different coloured dials. The style doesn't have to be too different. I've noticed that I lean towards GADA dressy sport watches. If possible, different colours ALONG with different dial texture 😆 The colours I want are Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Purple and maybe brown? So far I've only got the Red 😆

If you're like me it's unlikely.

Great question. I guess I try to have some variety, so I'd probably fit into the "check off the boxes" category. But I also try not to over-think it, and buy what appeals to me. If there's something that I think is cool but I don't have anything like it (that type of watch, dial color, brand, etc), then that does factor into my decision somewhat. And lately I'm trying to slim down the collection, since I just have too many watches. It has not been easy.

My OCD wants to tick the boxes, but also my OCD wants to set up some way of “perfect number” of watches. The same system I’ve applied with my guitar pedals - 8 pedals max (because I have power supply with an 8 sockets, so it’s a natural limitation), 1 fuzz, 1 boost, 1 drive, 1 modulator, 1 multifunctional delay, 1 reverb and a nice bonus pedal - something quirky and fun, but still usable. (Last socket reserved for any outboard stuff like tuner of looper)

Same thing with watches - I want 1 sports chrono, 1 diver, 1 sports GMT, 1 GADA on a bracelet, and then all this watches but on straps - dress chrono, dress gmt, field watch (or a diver with internal bezel) and well, dress GADA, which is basically a dress watch.

But problem is, watches are not functional items only, like FX boxes. Watches are about emotions, about stories: watch could be a reward, mark of achievement, watch could be a present from someone you love, it could mark a new chapter in life, it could be a reminder of people we once loved, of someone we lost, of dead and of newborn. So it’s hard to apply the “tick boxes mentality”. It’s easy to go on a shopping spree and buy all the affordable box-tickers, but would you stop on that?

I know my theme - I like vintage, neo-vintage, vintage inspired and modern watches with traditional “boring” (or someone would also call it “iconic”) designs. Would watch look good with a distressed denim jacket? Tweed jacket? Knit sweater? (Yeah, I live in place where it’s 9 month of autumn). Would my father of grand father wear it? If so - yeah, it’s great. But the reason to buy a watch and the experience of getting it - maybe it’s even more important. I absolutely love my Murph 38, it’s class, it’s elegant, it’s very old-fashioned, but what I also love, is that shop owner sent me a postcard telling that their team is super grateful that I bought the watch and supported their business in this trying times.

So my philosophy - live the life. Experience things. Wear watches. Write the story. And when it’s time - grab another one. Don’t force it, don’t buy it just to buy a watch, be patient. Wait until it feels right. And then wear with pride and joy.

When I first started I’d been lucky to come into a bit of cash and went b*lls out trying to buy what I considered the icons. However, a few years later and sitting on some lovely watches I’ve realised that there’s a hell of a lot of great watches that aren’t the obvious ones. It’s more fun to do the research and learn about brands and models that are amazing but don’t necessarily get the hype…

And ironically, the most important watch is the first one - an omega SM300 that my wife brought for me for our first anniversary. No Rolex or Patek comes close. For me it’s the ones with the stories that mean the most. (So… am I an idiot for going further after the Omega!? )

Hello all: just thought I would add a concept that I think about with my nicer watches is wanting to get pieces that my children will enjoy wearing. I’m thinking I will give them away before I die but I’m hoping they will be as meaningful to them as some of the “artifacts” I have from my grandparents. Cheers, Steve