Is it almost mandatory for everyone to have one expensive watch in their collection?
I can’t help but notice at times no matter how much someone’s collection is worth or how many watches they have, there’s always at least one expensive watch. Now this begs the question are we talking about MSRP? Or what someone actually bought it for? I usually try to stay between that $150-500 range sometimes going under the $100 range if I happen to find something I like. My most expensive watch I bought was my (Shinola Runwell) for little over $530 usd back in 2015 I should have waited because a couple weeks later the jeweler was marking them down by 30% to make room for their new store. But if I’m talking about a watch/es that retailed for more money than I paid for would have to be my Orient Star GMT, Glycine Airman Base 22 GMT and Farer Flyback Spilts Seconds Quartz Chronograph. But what about you?
Hi Everyone Im just your average watch collector I wouldn’t say I own or even have anything “Expensive” I usually collect brands like Citizen, Seiko, Mostly Invicta and other brands. Besides watches I...
No, but, a billionaire would have a different definition of expensive, compared to a pauper.
Definitely not mandatory imo to have an expensive watch in the collection (or vice versa for that matter :).
I guess you're right though in observing that most people do have one or more special / higher priced watches in their collection. Often watches bought for a wedding, anniversary or other special occasion. Me personally, I love having a wide spread - where the cheapest watch (beater/leisure) is 1% of the price of the most expensive one (50th birthday). And I like and regularly wear both watches.
People always aspire - especially in collecting. The next watch, book, pair of shoes, comic, baseball card, stamp, pocket knife, etc.
Not unique to watch collecting, more a aspect of human nature. At least this is my subjective take.
Nope. Price is relative to each watch collector's situation.
My most expensive piece is $400ish. Most of my stuff is cheap, that fine for me, it makes me happy, I can wear them anywhere without worry. Pinch that penny until Abe Lincoln screams out.
Expensive as a term is relative. And no, it’s not mandatory. I love watches in every price range.
Depends on each person's finances - often related to age, and there's a lot of us older types with less financial commitments and therefore higher disposable income to spend on the hobby.
Plus it's human nature to aspire to "better".
But no it's absolutely not compulsory, I can learn as much from someone who collects Vostok's as I can a collector of the big 3, often more.
I just love watches, like all of you reading this.
I paid $133 for my most expensive watch!
All of mine cost just about the same.
I'm cheap so spending a couple of hundred dollars on a watch would put me in hospital 👍
There are literally no rules whatsoever when it comes to watch collecting (other than that you should presumably be buying and collecting watches lol)
None of my watches were that expensive but I won't rule out getting something in the future
It’s a good observation. And it is often the case I agree. Mandatory? Certainly not. Am I guilty of this? Oh yes. Cheap good value watches to an enthusiast are a delight. Expensive watches perhaps feel more special. I like my money to go on a watch that’s built well and will last long enough for my children to inherit. I plan to engrave my daughters name on the back of my reverso and give it to her one day. Can’t realistically do that with a Hamilton or Seiko
Why yes.
This is a mandatory requirement.
Failure to comply will see your watch-wearing papers revoked.
I think everyone in the hobby feels the allure of wanting to try the luxury watch experience at least once, there are some 1-3k watches I came very close to purchasing and am very glad I didn't. My most expensive watch retails for $700 (though I paid less at the time) and it killed the desire for me
Not only is it pretty much perfect for me, but tbh, at over twice the price of my next most expensive watch (not including my smartwatch) it wasn't twice the watch. Its just a watch. Between that and handling some luxury pieces I realised I just don't need those in my life, and that I don't need to own a watch to like it
Since then I've massively downsized so I'm glad I found happiness relatively early and affordably
This is an impossible question to answer, because expensive is relative. Even if you frame it as a relative question, it's hard to answer. E.g.: "Do most collectors have one watch which is as least twice as expensive as any other watch in their collection?" What if they have two? How about three? Very hard to draw a definitive line.
For me, for a given budget, I prefer multiple watches to one "super-watch". That is my preference, and I know that not everyone feels the same way. Hence, I believe that answering your question boils down to "it depends".
One of the richest guys that I know wore nothing but cheap Rolex knock offs that he bought in Miami when he and his wife spends their winters there. Quite a few years ago he offered to buy a Breitling Avenger Seawolf from me for less than $2500 cad which might have been what I paid for it. I said that it would never make him happy since he has a Rolex itch. Two summers ago he had the watch serviced offered to sell the watch back to me. I was not interested but found him a buyer, paid roughly what he asked for. Of course he cannot buy a Rolex without paying a premium so the most expensive watch my multi millionaire friend presently owns is a 18usd quartz Rolex knock off “Pepsi” watch.
I have had watches from the 150 to 7000 USD and have realised that:
I prefer the perceived value/quality above actual cost
I did not wear the 7000 USD watch simply because I was afraid of scratching it
Watches are a bit like art, you decide yourself what you like and how much you are willing to pay (aka sacrifice) for it.
Right now my favourite watches is a vintage Eterna Centenaire 61 found for less than 130 USD and a Hamilton Khaki Mechanical that retails for 600 USD.
Not necessary but nice to have. Geeking out on watches can and does happen on all levels and all price points. That is the way it goes for me anyway.
Yes, Article 45, Section IV of the Watch Code. If you don't comply you will be fined by the Hodinkee Watch Police. 👮
Everyone that has a watchbox has a little cushion with an imaginary watch on it . Price doesn’t matter if its a Casio or Czapek , Pagani or Patek , Journe or Junk , there is always an imaginary watch on a cushion in your watchbox . I’d say price is an arbitrary situation when the desire is in the heart for something.
Hey Joker, good observation! It’s not so much mandatory but we all have a natural tendency to aspire for better things and quality and price do tend to go together (but not always, this is why us watch enthusiasts don’t particularly care for fashion watches).
But it’s not economically feasible for most of us to have a box full of Omegas and Rolexes. We probably could stretch for it but we would also probably not be able to retire if we did 😅.
Personally, I like the idea of 1 luxury watch that will stay with me for life. Be my 1 (most of the time XD) watch collection. But I have my doubts whether I can pull it off haha.
One of the richest guys that I know wore nothing but cheap Rolex knock offs that he bought in Miami when he and his wife spends their winters there. Quite a few years ago he offered to buy a Breitling Avenger Seawolf from me for less than $2500 cad which might have been what I paid for it. I said that it would never make him happy since he has a Rolex itch. Two summers ago he had the watch serviced offered to sell the watch back to me. I was not interested but found him a buyer, paid roughly what he asked for. Of course he cannot buy a Rolex without paying a premium so the most expensive watch my multi millionaire friend presently owns is a 18usd quartz Rolex knock off “Pepsi” watch.
That’s how rich people become rich 🤑 100% can see this scenario…
That’s how rich people become rich 🤑 100% can see this scenario…
Funny thing about my buddy, his older brother was a long time politician, a socialist aligned with communist parties and social platforms, lots of fun when the two brothers met at rallies etcetera. As far as I know he will never pay for a real Rolex, haha.
Buy what you can afford and don't get into debt for a watch!
I think you buy what you're comfortable with and not worry about what everyone else is doing...like cars you can drive yourself nuts trying to keep up with folks in other tax brackets...
$500 IS my expensive watch.