The One Watch Collection is a Fantasy
I see lots of posts, videos, etc. which attempt to pick a one watch collection, and I believe that is just a fantasy. Please note that I’m speaking to mechanical/automatic watches and not necessarily quartz. Quartz watches have some issues too, but this post is concerned with mechanical.
Now, I agree one watch, if selected carefully, can be a GADA. But (cover you eyes, I’m going to use a harsh word here ); service will come around! Maybe you are more of an investor rather than collector, and you flip watches so fast service isn’t a problem. But for someone who really likes their watches, service is a thing. I just sent my Girard Perregauz in for service and the estimated turnaround time is three months. That’s not really unusual. My local watchmaker does a basic three hand with date in a month or so, and his turnaround time for chronographs is over six months. My other watchmaker in San Diego, CA has a shorter turnaround time, but still weeks.
So, if you send a watch for service, what do you do in the interim? If you’d just buy a cheap quartz - now you’ve got two watches. If you say, ‘I’ll just use my phone’ I say ‘That still counts as two!’ (Apologies to Gimli son of Gloin for all the LOTR fans).
My contention is that the minimum collection is really two GADA watches. Maybe one skews a bit more dressy and the other more casual. That’s why my pic for this post shows me Christopher Ward Trident and my Seiko SARB033. Each is pretty much GADA, and either can be everyday when the other goes in for service. Then build a collection around those two getting more variety, etc..
Please don’t be someone who’d pitch a watch in the trash in lieu of servicing it and just buy a new one. Diabolical!
Anyway, what do you think? Am I 100% on this? Am I on target? Or do you believe one watch can actually be all someone needs for the long term?
The first watch I remember was a late 1970s automatic diver with a world time bezel. I was taking scuba lessons and my dad got it for me. I ended up with a PADI advanced open water qualification. So I...
Definitionally, one watch may not be a "collection." I usually stop there.
I think you need at least a three watch collection for an enthusiast. Sports watch, Dress watch, Beater.
Simple: Buy 2 Explorers 6 weeks apart and they'll never need service at the same time.
If you’re looking at your phone then; that still counts as two. 😂😂😂
99.9999% of people with a one watch "collection" aren't watch enthusiasts.
The balance that are just have not bought the 2nd watch.
Simple: Buy 2 Explorers 6 weeks apart and they'll never need service at the same time.
One black, one polar. Problem solved.
Simple: Buy 2 Explorers 6 weeks apart and they'll never need service at the same time.
The Explorer would be a great choice, although I’d say purchase them farther apart.
The Explorer would be a great choice, although I’d say purchase them farther apart.
I don't have that kind of time!
I think you need at least a three watch collection for an enthusiast. Sports watch, Dress watch, Beater.
@JJMM1983 thanks for the official confirmation 😁
One black, one polar. Problem solved.
I am all in on the polar. One day. In a galaxy far, far way. It will be 30-ish years old and the dial will have a cream patina.
I am all in on the polar. One day. In a galaxy far, far way. It will be 30-ish years old and the dial will have a cream patina.
I'll never have one, but that one would be 👨🍳💋
I'll never have one, but that one would be 👨🍳💋
I’m being overly optimistic 😂.
I’m being overly optimistic 😂.
And I'm probably over-pessimistic so...
I think you need at least a three watch collection for an enthusiast. Sports watch, Dress watch, Beater.
Done....🤏🏻😅🫣 Now what.....🤔
I have about 4 or 5, 1 watch collections I rotate through.
It isn't meant to be taken literally , its a term that has been used for years and is to describe a decent all rounder before the term GADA came about.
I own the same two watches, they aren't my only 2 though 😀
If you’re looking at your phone then; that still counts as two. 😂😂😂
By that logic the people who only have a phone and don't own a watch are the people with one watch collections
Sorry dude but this ain't it chief. A watch is a clock you wear. Phone, PC, wall clock, sundial or anything that isn't worn (ie wrist watch or pocket watch) isn't a watch. Me asking my friend for the time doesn't make him my watch
Yes I agree. My SM300 had its first service at the start of the year - £480+ 4months, but came back like a brand new watch (it's a 2015 model) and it's next recommended service is 10 years time....
Definitionally, one watch may not be a "collection." I usually stop there.
You beat me to it. Where's the 1000% emoji?
@JJMM1983 thanks for the official confirmation 😁
Good collection there Simon B. But some might say that the Aragon is too big. I say not.
If this example doesn't finally end the whole "one watch 'collection' " thing, then there's no hope.
You’re correct: a one watch collection is a fantasy simply because there’s no such thing; by definition a collection is a curated *group* of things. One watch is an item. Two, a pair (and arguably not a collection). Three or more, a collection.
If a collection is a curated *group* of things, then two is a collection. By definition, a group is two or more.
Two watches are the smallest collection a person can have but it is indeed a collection, and as you say, one watch is not.
true! ONE watch collection is a fantasy. that is why i have a swiss pieces mechanical collection, a seiko only collection, a swatch collection and of course a gshock square collection 😆
A collection collection!
Good collection there Simon B. But some might say that the Aragon is too big. I say not.
To them I say, Big Boys do Big Boy things 👍🏾🤣
To them I say, Big Boys do Big Boy things 👍🏾🤣
That's hilarious! Yes, and with an Aragon and the way they're built, you can do those things for a long time.
That's hilarious! Yes, and with an Aragon and the way they're built, you can do those things for a long time.
They are built like armored trucks and I love it.
Ten ain't even enough dog 🤣😭
If a collection is a curated *group* of things, then two is a collection. By definition, a group is two or more.
Two watches are the smallest collection a person can have but it is indeed a collection, and as you say, one watch is not.
Agreed 💯 in principle (and by the definition of the word). My saying ‘arguably’ is because from other enthusiast communities (fashion and music for example) two is seen as the beginnings of but not quite a collection. But either way you look at it, one watch is not a collection by any definition, else everyone out there that owned one watch — even those with no interest in the hobby — would be a collector; yet another misappropriation in the watch community, the other being ‘homage’.
That's good stuff 1901. And I use "copy" or "knock-off" instead of 'homage'. Those words are more accurate. The word 'homage' expresses honor or respect. Taking someone else's idea as your own is not honor or respect.
'Homage' is just a euphemism, nothing more. We already have far too many of those around.