What would YOU do?
I have been toying with the idea of selling a good portion of my collection and limiting myself to a TBD number of watches.
I have been having a blast in the hobby over the past few years and the quality that is being produced by many micros and even some Chinese companies has started to really impress me. Because of this, I have been able to attain quite a large collection of bargain sub $500 and often $300 watches. While I like most of them, some of them have become "meh" over time and the sheer amount (looking at appx. 34 watches at this point) makes wearing them regularly damn near impossible. Plus, the service costs are only going to increase with time for my mechanicals. I say all that to get to my point of maybe it would be fun to narrow that collection and simply focus on specific watches.
Maybe work on finding the BEST sub $100, sub $300, sub $500, sub $1000, sub $2000, and most value for dollar luxury piece. Or maybe some other variation of specific watches. Best quartz digital, best quarts three hander, best mecha quartz chrono, best auto three hander, etc.
What do you all do? For those that have collections that are in the double digits, what are your thoughts?
I have no clue why I have so many of these things …
I don’t know … I am still in denial … I can’t decide … it just keeps growing
I don’t know … I am still in denial … I can’t decide … it just keeps growing
I know! It is wild :)
I can't answer this poll. I would prefer you to be healthy and do what brings you joy.
Only 34? Amature, try 119 🤣🤣🤣
I don’t think I can help answer this for you when haven’t figured it out for myself yet. 🙄
Quality over quantity every time.
Only 34? Amature, try 119 🤣🤣🤣
HOW do you wear them with regularity? Or do you simply like the options? :D
Quality over quantity every time.
This. For example, instead of buying ten $300 watches a year, I'd rather buy one $3000 watch. For me the difference in quality is worth it. 🤪
I picked focus on something else.
For me it was modding/building watches. The only problem with it, it has added to my collection instead of slimming it down. But in all seriousness, it is really fun and rewarding. But more importantly it has given me a greater appreciation for the watches I have in my collection.
I picked focus on something else.
For me it was modding/building watches. The only problem with it, it has added to my collection instead of slimming it down. But in all seriousness, it is really fun and rewarding. But more importantly it has given me a greater appreciation for the watches I have in my collection.
This is actually a terrifying thought. I do like tinkering ... a lot. :)
I personally find that buying less but buying better has been much more satisfying.
I peaked at 18, with prices ranging between $50 and $2000. I made a few mistakes along the way, but now know what I like and why. My stated goal for this year is to sell off another 5 to 7 and to replace those with two upgrades (a Laco Casablanca and a Seiko Alpinist), and at that point I think I'll be good for...a while. I feel like any future purchases will only be to consolidate and further upgrade, the first of which will probably be a diver. If my 2024 plan comes to fruition I'll only have a Duro as my dive watch- nothing wrong with that, but I would like something nicer and on a bracelet.
This is actually a terrifying thought. I do like tinkering ... a lot. :)
Hahaha. Then it may be perfect. Cause now I’m always tinkering with them. Adding straps. Changing dials and hands, etc.
34 watches? I made a list of the watches I wore last year in WRUW. I wore 213 different watches. That is some of my collection. 😂 It's nice having diversity. If I feel like wearing this type, weight, color, make, style, and on and on, I can. I can understand servicing higher end pieces but when it comes to lower end pieces I do them myself. The lubricants used in modern watches last a lot longer than before. I don't worry about that. I have a kit of different sized gaskets that I can change them myself. It's fairly easy if you are mechanically inclined.
I am kind of having the same issue… really impressed from what I am seeing from the microbrands as well. I recently put my watch box on the table and arrived at the conclusion that I have 5 watches I will never sell. Everything else can be moved on to make space for NEW watches to enjoy. I am eyeing the new San Martin with the Turbine White Dial and some others… I say go for it. Do what makes you happy! ✌🏻
HOW do you wear them with regularity? Or do you simply like the options? :D
I used to wear a different watch every day, I'm now doing 2 days per watch. Other than my lucky green Mako II (for fitba) I cycle through every one over the 9 months. I find wearing the same watch too often boring.
For me, I sat down and asked myself what watches suits me best based on existing pieces and future pieces.
Don’t necessarily have to be a conversation starter piece, main criteria is I like it and see myself wearing it. Then I limit to around 8-10 pcs in my list.
I’ll sell those that I don’t see myself wearing anymore or as often. Then start striking off the list of those that’s on my “target” list. 😉 Of course that being said, it’s still not easy to fight off any urge to buy new releases. But for me at least, that’s the direction I’m headed towards.
For me, I sat down and asked myself what watches suits me best based on existing pieces and future pieces.
Don’t necessarily have to be a conversation starter piece, main criteria is I like it and see myself wearing it. Then I limit to around 8-10 pcs in my list.
I’ll sell those that I don’t see myself wearing anymore or as often. Then start striking off the list of those that’s on my “target” list. 😉 Of course that being said, it’s still not easy to fight off any urge to buy new releases. But for me at least, that’s the direction I’m headed towards.
This is sort of where I am. But just like you mentioned, the new drops are hard to ignore. 😅😂
This is sort of where I am. But just like you mentioned, the new drops are hard to ignore. 😅😂
One way is to look through your current watch collection and identify if there’s any piece similar to the new releases. I find it works most of the time. Then again, sometimes if a deal pass by where you simply can’t reject, then I’ll say go for it first. Since you anyway won’t lose much selling it later if you fall out of love with it. A good example is my Pam 111…I got it at like 15-20% below secondary market in Singapore. And gosh am I crazily in love with it. Never thought I’ll like a pam this much.
One way is to look through your current watch collection and identify if there’s any piece similar to the new releases. I find it works most of the time. Then again, sometimes if a deal pass by where you simply can’t reject, then I’ll say go for it first. Since you anyway won’t lose much selling it later if you fall out of love with it. A good example is my Pam 111…I got it at like 15-20% below secondary market in Singapore. And gosh am I crazily in love with it. Never thought I’ll like a pam this much.
A fantastic watch 💯
I have personally settled on a "high-low" strategy, and it's worked for me for a few years now.
Basically, I only buy:
Grail-level watches. Pieces with impeccable quality and brand that almost anyone would love to own. Very low chance of disappointment, and even if I am they'd be easy to resell. A good example would be my JLC Reverso.
Fun affordable watches. My definition of affordable is basically: if I don't end up liking the watch, I wouldn't feel too bad about giving it away as a gift rather than reselling it. For example: my older G-Shock Mudman. If it's automatic, it has an NH-3x or Miyota 8xxx, so servicing is just a cheap movement swap.
Trim and consolidate. Quality over quantity. Be an enthusiast, not a hoarder with a buying addiction. 👌
For me it is fairly simple. I've never been a hardcore collector. I do like too many different watches,so I end up constantly selling and buying. But I have recently settled on 4 must have watches: a diver, a GMT, a Chrono, and a pilot or field watch. That's it! Now I occasionally spend money on "out of the ordinary" stuff, like my Orient Sun&Moon, a Stauer Dashtronic, or this Xeric Halograph III Automatic. This way I keep it between 8 -10 watches, which is manageable!🤣
Quality over quantity everytime
I would alter B:
Curate a small collection of your favorites.
I dont collect to start conversation.
I buy watches that I like to wear.
If it’s sub £500 or in excess of £5000, if I’m not loving it and wearing it then for me I’m selling it on.
Just get watches that you really really like.
And keep the ones you really really love
Really think about your goal before doing anything drastic. Some reorganization can be a good thing for sure. Think distillation, not liquidation.
My suggestion is to keep the ones you wear the most. That makes more sense to me than a certain number from each category. No one cares. All that matters is what you like.
I only collect watches that have sentimental value or that I’ve earned in some way… I may buy a watch outside of those parameters, but I don’t have a problem selling those.
I‘d just sell those that you dont wear anymore, and that have no emotional value. And then buy more. 😂