Happy with my collection but stuck. What would you do next?
Hey! It’s been a while since I posted here. My pieces are finally all on properly fitted bracelets and in the same case.
My collection started with the Rolex Turn-O-Graph 116264. I absolutely love that piece.
I then went for the IWC Mark XVIII IW327016, Tudor BB GMT M79830RB, Tudor BB Heritage M79230B, IWC 41mm Chrono IW388102, and lastly the Explorer 124270.
The Tudor BB Heritage was purchased on blue leather and I ordered the rivetless Tudor bracelet from my AD. That thing is a tank.
I’m not sure what to do next. I kind of think the IWC Chrono is going to be sold or traded. It fills a space in the collection, I just hardly wear it. Maybe when summer comes I will.
The way I curated this collection I cover:
- Time only (Explorer)
- Pilot time & date (Mark XVIII)
- Diver no date (Tudor BB)
- GMT (Tudor BB)
- Chrono (IWC)
- Dress/‘Flashy’ (ToG)
Now that it’s balanced and I have a pair of pieces from three brands I’m not sure where to go next.
What would you do?
All of your collections are Swiss, maybe try out different countries? German, High end Chinese, France? Just a thought...
I love this 2x3 into 3x3 idea. I’ve been kicking around a vintage 1986 (birth year) piece for a long time. Chrono24 emails me every day with updated search results. Lately I’ve been eyeing an old Polar.
I do have a trip to Berlin coming up in September that I‘m kind of expecting to come home with something new.
Love these ideas, thank you.
All of your collections are Swiss, maybe try out different countries? German, High end Chinese, France? Just a thought...
I‘d LOVE a Kikuchi Nakagawa out of Japan but alas, that is outside of my budget.
Well there are options other than going for Patek level... Even a GS omiwatari look gorgeous too.
Okay. Hear me out on this.
(Actually, first, that’s an amazing collection already. I’m impressed at the thought that’s gone into it. I don’t know how you just don’t sit and stare at them all day. Awesome.)
Consider a G-Shock. No, really.
You e covered the major mechanical complications, you’ve covered land sea and air, you’ve covered sports and dress.
The next gaps for me would be something meaningfully quartz, or meaningfully digital. Of the digital variety, it’s hard not to put classic/original G-Shock references high on this list, for what they introduced and delivered and their impact on Digital watches. I have more thoughts if that’s interesting.
As for analog quartz, there’s high end quartz, there’s Ecodrive for the novel power technology, and I’d suggest Swatch with a straight face. Again, they maintained Swiss relevance in time by creating pop art icons and a modern brand. And it’s definitely different than your current line up. 🤣
Thats how I think about it. Staying closer to home, the German brands listed above would be great adds.
Well there are options other than going for Patek level... Even a GS omiwatari look gorgeous too.
Fair point. I blame Ed Sheeran for pointing out the brand. Thanks for bringing me back down to earth. That’s a great suggestion. My impulse is to avoid GS because of their case finishing. Almost seems too scratch prone with their polish. Maybe I’m just being naive. The SBGK007 is a beaut.
Okay. Hear me out on this.
(Actually, first, that’s an amazing collection already. I’m impressed at the thought that’s gone into it. I don’t know how you just don’t sit and stare at them all day. Awesome.)
Consider a G-Shock. No, really.
You e covered the major mechanical complications, you’ve covered land sea and air, you’ve covered sports and dress.
The next gaps for me would be something meaningfully quartz, or meaningfully digital. Of the digital variety, it’s hard not to put classic/original G-Shock references high on this list, for what they introduced and delivered and their impact on Digital watches. I have more thoughts if that’s interesting.
As for analog quartz, there’s high end quartz, there’s Ecodrive for the novel power technology, and I’d suggest Swatch with a straight face. Again, they maintained Swiss relevance in time by creating pop art icons and a modern brand. And it’s definitely different than your current line up. 🤣
Thats how I think about it. Staying closer to home, the German brands listed above would be great adds.
Haha this approach is solid. The row of watches (cropped out) below these include a Timex T80, a Casio Calculator watch, and a few Seiko 5’s. I recently bought 4 and returned 4 Swatch pieces. I just couldn’t replace the feeling a Swatch I lost during my childhood.
Fair point. I blame Ed Sheeran for pointing out the brand. Thanks for bringing me back down to earth. That’s a great suggestion. My impulse is to avoid GS because of their case finishing. Almost seems too scratch prone with their polish. Maybe I’m just being naive. The SBGK007 is a beaut.
But so is the mighty Rolex and its 904l steel. They are scratch magnets too. Honestly watches are to be worn, not to worry too much on scratches. IF you can afford those 5k and above watches, surely you can send them service every 5 yrs or so. When on service time, they will polish them like brand new anyway. That's why I always avoid those precious metal on watches, and just stick with the good old steel.
It's very cool to see a Turn-O-Graph!!
If you want to replace the IWC chrono, I would go for chrono from JLC, Glashutte Original, Sinn, or even a Grand Seiko with some kind of complication. That change would ruin your 3 brand themed collection, but it will add even more class to it (it's already a very good collection 👌🏻).
This opinion is probably not going to be popular, but what would I do? I would replace the Tudor Pepsi or the Explorer (I love Rolex but I don't like Mercedes hands and neither GMT watches) instead of the IWC Chrono. And I would go for an everyday-casual-dressy piece from JLC, GS or Nomos (my favorite brand, probably another unpopular opinion, but if you like the design and you manage to get a Lambda in steel... What a watch!).
Let us know what you end up doing!
I would be looking for a bit of diversity -
Great collection!
Nice collection. Most of them are at the larger end of the spectrum, so I expect that’s what your wrist loves. If you kick out the IWC chrono, you are missing a chrono. I would recommend you a Speedmaster Pro. That’s a complete new design for your collection, it is as large as your BBs but wears smaller and it is an icon.
If you want to think out of the box and see what’s completely missing in your collection we end up at a dress or dressier watch. Even the Turn-o-Graph is a sports watch. How about a Cartier? Tank would a super dress watch and a Santos would be a super dressier watch without leaving your sports watch theme.
Omega or cartier for sure.
A santos will give the collection a variety. However, you should maybe get a vintage santos they a simply classic.
you can also go with an Omega, maybe an aqua terra with nice colored dial like the one below. It is also a really fun watch and you should definitely get it with a rubber strap.
Great collection! Maybe a dress watch could add to your collection: some recommendations are JLC reverso, or any GS like the omiwatari
I would probably try and incorporate some diversity. Get rid of one of the IWCs and look towards a Tank, Santos or Reverso. Perhaps a Zenith Chronomaster Original or one of their cushion-cased revivals. Or as some has already suggested, go for a basic beater like a GSHOCK, on top of what you have currently.
Field watch?
You should add a breitling maybe a navitimer. I suggest also the Superocean heritage II.
https://www.breitling.com/pt-en/watches/superocean-heritage/b20-automatic-42/AB2010121B1/
Sinn UX GSG9. Probably the single toughest tool watch of all tool watches..... And the most stunning oil filled grab and go you'll find anywhere. A very special watch
I hate to recommend these, because they are SO over-recommended by watch enthusiasts and it feels utterly brainless and unoriginal, but here I go.
I think to 1) Add some color, 2) Venture outside of Swiss watches, and 3) add a very interesting movement unlike anything you have, I would suggest a Grand Seiko, spring drive, in one of the gorgeous nature inspired dials.
I would go with the zenith chrono next. It's looks great size is good.👍 nice collection
A Zenith Chronomaster Sport would fit in beautifully in your already awesome collection
Nice collection! I noticed that you have the two brand theme in addition to the theme you mentioned. I too am working on a two brand theme, but I find that I like so many watches it would be quite hard for me. I didn't see any Grand Seiko's. That could be a great addition.
Well done. I would be happy with that collection if I were you too. I would either go with a gold dress watch, like a Cartier Tank. Or something bright, colorful and fun like a Doxa Sub!
When I’m happy with my collection, I stop buying watches and just enjoy looking at other people’s watches.
I think you win the most sensible suggestion award. This really is what I should do.
Mr Jones is not something I’d ever think of. That one is really cool.
Nice collection. Most of them are at the larger end of the spectrum, so I expect that’s what your wrist loves. If you kick out the IWC chrono, you are missing a chrono. I would recommend you a Speedmaster Pro. That’s a complete new design for your collection, it is as large as your BBs but wears smaller and it is an icon.
If you want to think out of the box and see what’s completely missing in your collection we end up at a dress or dressier watch. Even the Turn-o-Graph is a sports watch. How about a Cartier? Tank would a super dress watch and a Santos would be a super dressier watch without leaving your sports watch theme.
Cartier is a theme I’m noticing. Thanks!
Ladies, gentleman, I thank all of your for your thoughtful suggestions and kind words.
I think where I’ve landed, for now, is to sit back and enjoy what I have until either:
A. Something really excites me.
B. I go to Berlin, where I’ll likely shop for a Glashütte Sentor or another fun German brand.
C. My AD calls and it‘s something I’d be foolish to turn down.
I will revisit this thread when I need to go down a watch rabbit hole. Cheers!
I love your IWC btw.
I think your planned choices are pretty much nailed on, don’t overthink it and just see what happens.
Great collection! i think a white dial GS would fit perfectly. Potentially with a spring drive movement.
Get another watch box and start a Japanese / German collection lol great pieces btw…