Thinking about my collection theme (idiotic one for someone of my earning status, lol) and I have thought that to complete (hahaha! good one, huh?) the collection, I need a watch from brands based in the following countries;
Switzerland ✅
England
Germany
Japan ✅
Russia ✅
USA ✅
China ✅
The green checks mean I've accomplished those.
I also wouldn't feel that it is complete without certain complications; a moonphase being chief among those. I'd also like to not focus too much on one brand or country.
With the aim of such a diverse collection, I feel like I'm going to end up with at least 30 different brands.
Right now I have 14 different brands in the collection.
Some of you have been collecting far longer than I and likely have seen more than a few brands in your time.
So I'm curious how many brands do you folks have in their collections?
And how many of you could count without going to your watch box(es)? 😜🤪
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27 brands (7 more if you count those given away) from 10 countries (cheated using my spreadsheet/pivot for the win). I do not have a column for complications, but I do not have a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, or tourbillion.
There are a ton of German watches to choose from at all price points. England could be more tricky but a vintage Smiths, or Liverpool pocket watch should be easy and inexpensive. I'm pretty sure I got all of them covered.
From memory:
United States: Elgin, Clinton, Bulova (4), Gruen, Waltham (3), Jaro, Hamilton, Fossil, Wittnauer, Croton (2), Timex, Benrus, Helbros (2), Santa Fe, Wakmann, Rensie, Sallan, Columbia, Stauer, Milber
Japan: Seiko (2), Pulsar
Germany: Anker, Ruhla
France: Selhor
Czechoslovakia: Prim
India: HMT
U.S.S.R.: Raketa (3), Vostok, Chiaka, Slava, Neva, Start, Poljot
China: Merkur, Dongfeng, Phoibos (HK)
Switzerland: Altair, Britix, Wyler, West End (2), Omega, Sellita, Ellis, Lucerne, Mido, Zodiac, Voumard
Most of the non-Swiss watches actually have Swiss movements (at least the American ones). 48 brands?
From memory:
United States: Elgin, Clinton, Bulova (4), Gruen, Waltham (3), Jaro, Hamilton, Fossil, Wittnauer, Croton (2), Timex, Benrus, Helbros (2), Santa Fe, Wakmann, Rensie, Sallan, Columbia, Stauer, Milber
Japan: Seiko (2), Pulsar
Germany: Anker, Ruhla
France: Selhor
Czechoslovakia: Prim
India: HMT
U.S.S.R.: Raketa (3), Vostok, Chiaka, Slava, Neva, Start, Poljot
China: Merkur, Dongfeng, Phoibos (HK)
Switzerland: Altair, Britix, Wyler, West End (2), Omega, Sellita, Ellis, Lucerne, Mido, Zodiac, Voumard
Most of the non-Swiss watches actually have Swiss movements (at least the American ones). 48 brands?
Wow! Nice!
All of my watches are Japanese. I've got 4 Casio's, 3 Seiko's, and a Bulova (owned by Citizen). I didn't set out to have an exclusively Japanese collection. It just sort of worked out that way. I keep telling myself that I'll add a nice German or Swiss watch to the collection, but I always get sidetracked. I'll most likely be getting at least one more Seiko and a Grand Seiko first before I get around to it (maybe).
There are a ton of German watches to choose from at all price points. England could be more tricky but a vintage Smiths, or Liverpool pocket watch should be easy and inexpensive. I'm pretty sure I got all of them covered.
Yeah, I've got to slow waaaaaay down on the acquisitions, but def want a pocket watch as part of the collection.
Swiss: Rolex, Jaeger Lecoultre, Direnzo
Japanese: Seiko/Grand Seiko
France: Cartier, Charlie Paris
I'm pretty slim in brands and counties (for me anyway) these days.
I've owned about a dozen other past brands across three other countries (China, Germany, USA)
9 brands in hand with some holes to fill....
Swiss: Rolex, Jaeger Lecoultre, Direnzo
Japanese: Seiko/Grand Seiko
France: Cartier, Charlie Paris
I'm pretty slim in brands and counties (for me anyway) these days.
I've owned about a dozen other past brands across three other countries (China, Germany, USA)
You really go for quantity over quality with those. Your beater is the JLC?
Cartier (Swiss+French)
Hamilton (Swiss with American history)
Casio (Japan)
Orient (Japan)
Citizen (Japan)
😂
From the top of my head:
Swiss: Tudor (2), Tissot, Hamilton, Longines, Montblanc
Japan: Seiko (4), Grand Seiko, G-shock (3), Protrek
Germany: Nomos, Junghans
Russia: Vostok (2)
China: Seagull
You really go for quantity over quality with those. Your beater is the JLC?
You know me so well 😀
You're seeing my collection after the great purge of 2018-2019 when eight micro and entry level Swiss/German watch brands were tossed into the great resale storm.
Besides, I wish to forever be known as the idiot who brought a JLC worldtimer with no water resistance to a summer watch fast. If that's doesn't count as a beater watch, I don't know what does.
I think I'll answer this in a different way and maybe put a bend into the thread:
How many watch brands from the major watch groups/indepenents do I own?
SWATCH
Breguet - Yes
Blancpain - Yes
Glashütte Original - No - will get one one day
Harry Winston - No - no interest
Jaquet Droz - No - no interest
Omega - Yes
Longines - Yes
Rado - No - thought about a Captain Cook
Union Glashütte - No - possibly one day
Tissot - Yes
Certina - Yes
Mido - Yes
Hamilton - Yes
Swatch - Yes
Flik Flak - No
RICHEMONT GROUP
Vacheron Constantin - Yes
A. Lange & Söhne - No - but definitely want one
Jaeger-LeCoultre - Yes
Roger Dubuis - No - no interest
Piaget - No - no interest
IWC Schaffhausen - Yes
Officine Panerai - No - no interest
Baume & Mercier - Yes
Cartier - No - but definitely would like to add a Tank Cintree
Montblanc - Yes
LVMH GROUP
TAG Heuer - Yes
Bulgari - No - maybe one day
Hublot - No - never never ever nope
Zenith - Yes
Louis Vuitton - No - no interest
KERING GROUP
Ulysse Nardin - No - no interest
Girard-Perregaux - Yes
SEIKO GROUP
Seiko - Yes
Grand Seiko - Yes
Credor - No
Pulsar - No
Lorus - No
Alba - No
Orient - Yes
FOSSIL GROUP
Fossil - Yes
Zodiac - Yes
Skagen - Yes
MOVADO GROUP
Ebel - No
Concord - No
Movado - Yes
CITIZEN GROUP
Citizen - Yes
Angelus - Yes
Arnold & Son - No - cool watches but not for me
Bulova - Yes
Accutron - Yes
Wittnauer - Yes
Caravelle - Yes
Frédérique Constant - Yes
Alpina - Yes
TIMEX GROUP
Timex - Yes
FRANCK MULLER GROUP
Franck Muller - No - maybe soon
Pierre Kunz - No
Martin Braun - No
CITYCHAMP GROUP
Corum - Yes
Eterna - Yes
Rotary - No
FESTINA GROUP
Perrelet - No
Festina - Yes
Lotus - No
ROLEX SA
Rolex - No - no interest
Tudor - Yes
INDEPENDENT
Alexander Shorokhoff - Yes
Apple - No - never never ever nope
Audemars Piguet - Yes
Ball - Yes
Bell & Ross - Yes
Bovet - No - too ornate for me
Breitling - Yes
Bremont - No - no interest
Carl F. Bucherer - Yes
Casio - Yes
Chopard/LUC - Yes
Chronoswiss - No - but beautiful watches
Czapek - No - but these are really cool watches
De Bethune - No - too far out for me
Eberhard & Co - Yes
Farer - Yes
Fortis - Yes
F.P. Journe - No - but very much would like to own one
Graham - No - no interest
Greubal Forsey - No - way too far out for me
Hermes - No - no interest
Kobold - No
MB&F - No - too far out for me
MesiterSinger - No - no interest
Mondaine - Yes
Moritz Grossmann - No
H.Moser & Cie - No - but very cool watches
Nomos Glashutte - No - no interest
Oris - Yes
Parmigiani Fleurier - Yes
Patek Philippe - Yes
Raymond Weil - Yes
Richard Mille - No - never never ever nope
Tutima - No - no interest
Urwerk - No - never never ever nope
Victorinox - No - no interest
I'm sure I missed a few, but this should cover most of them.
I think I'll answer this in a different way and maybe put a bend into the thread:
How many watch brands from the major watch groups/indepenents do I own?
SWATCH
Breguet - Yes
Blancpain - Yes
Glashütte Original - No - will get one one day
Harry Winston - No - no interest
Jaquet Droz - No - no interest
Omega - Yes
Longines - Yes
Rado - No - thought about a Captain Cook
Union Glashütte - No - possibly one day
Tissot - Yes
Certina - Yes
Mido - Yes
Hamilton - Yes
Swatch - Yes
Flik Flak - No
RICHEMONT GROUP
Vacheron Constantin - Yes
A. Lange & Söhne - No - but definitely want one
Jaeger-LeCoultre - Yes
Roger Dubuis - No - no interest
Piaget - No - no interest
IWC Schaffhausen - Yes
Officine Panerai - No - no interest
Baume & Mercier - Yes
Cartier - No - but definitely would like to add a Tank Cintree
Montblanc - Yes
LVMH GROUP
TAG Heuer - Yes
Bulgari - No - maybe one day
Hublot - No - never never ever nope
Zenith - Yes
Louis Vuitton - No - no interest
KERING GROUP
Ulysse Nardin - No - no interest
Girard-Perregaux - Yes
SEIKO GROUP
Seiko - Yes
Grand Seiko - Yes
Credor - No
Pulsar - No
Lorus - No
Alba - No
Orient - Yes
FOSSIL GROUP
Fossil - Yes
Zodiac - Yes
Skagen - Yes
MOVADO GROUP
Ebel - No
Concord - No
Movado - Yes
CITIZEN GROUP
Citizen - Yes
Angelus - Yes
Arnold & Son - No - cool watches but not for me
Bulova - Yes
Accutron - Yes
Wittnauer - Yes
Caravelle - Yes
Frédérique Constant - Yes
Alpina - Yes
TIMEX GROUP
Timex - Yes
FRANCK MULLER GROUP
Franck Muller - No - maybe soon
Pierre Kunz - No
Martin Braun - No
CITYCHAMP GROUP
Corum - Yes
Eterna - Yes
Rotary - No
FESTINA GROUP
Perrelet - No
Festina - Yes
Lotus - No
ROLEX SA
Rolex - No - no interest
Tudor - Yes
INDEPENDENT
Alexander Shorokhoff - Yes
Apple - No - never never ever nope
Audemars Piguet - Yes
Ball - Yes
Bell & Ross - Yes
Bovet - No - too ornate for me
Breitling - Yes
Bremont - No - no interest
Carl F. Bucherer - Yes
Casio - Yes
Chopard/LUC - Yes
Chronoswiss - No - but beautiful watches
Czapek - No - but these are really cool watches
De Bethune - No - too far out for me
Eberhard & Co - Yes
Farer - Yes
Fortis - Yes
F.P. Journe - No - but very much would like to own one
Graham - No - no interest
Greubal Forsey - No - way too far out for me
Hermes - No - no interest
Kobold - No
MB&F - No - too far out for me
MesiterSinger - No - no interest
Mondaine - Yes
Moritz Grossmann - No
H.Moser & Cie - No - but very cool watches
Nomos Glashutte - No - no interest
Oris - Yes
Parmigiani Fleurier - Yes
Patek Philippe - Yes
Raymond Weil - Yes
Richard Mille - No - never never ever nope
Tutima - No - no interest
Urwerk - No - never never ever nope
Victorinox - No - no interest
I'm sure I missed a few, but this should cover most of them.
What's funny is that I know you missed a few (Titoni, Titus, etc.). But really, that is a fairly exhaustive list.
My collection is a bit Seiko heavy. But I have all those countries covered with Tudor, Swatch, Mr Jones, Sinn, Seiko, Orient, Casio, Vostok, vintage Bulova, Islander, Cincinnati Watch Co., and Seagull. There’s also Steinhart, Timex, Hamilton, Yema, Alsta, Armitron, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some. Hoping to add Omega soon.
Thanks to @ChronoGuy for his list. I’ll use it but note only my currents. This includes both me (H) and my wife (W)
SWATCH
Omega - 3H
Longines - 2W
Rado - 2H, 1W
Tissot - 1H, 1W
Hamilton - 1W - a model from 1946
Swatch - 1H
RICHEMONT GROUP
Cartier - 1W
KERING GROUP
Girard-Perregaux - 1H
MONDAINE GROUP
Luminox - 1H
SEIKO GROUP
Seiko - 1H
Grand Seiko - 3H
FOSSIL GROUP
Skagen - 6H - 5/6 pre-Fossil
CITIZEN GROUP
Citizen - 10H, 2W
Bulova - 1H
TIMEX GROUP
Timex - 3W
INDEPENDENT
Alexander Shorokhoff - 1H
Ball - 2H
Bering- 1H
Calvin Klein 1W
Marathon- 1H
Oris - 1H, 1W
RipCurl - 1H
Vario - 1H
Victorinox -1H
Branded watches (not from watch companies)
Swiss movement - 1H
Chinese movement - 2H
Japanese movement - 1H
I collect only one brand. Eclectic! 🧐😜🤪
If you really want an English brand (by the way do you mean British or do you want one specifically from England), Rotary is quite a good choice and one that I’ve got coming but forgot about Spinnaker.
If you really want an English brand (by the way do you mean British or do you want one specifically from England), Rotary is quite a good choice and one that I’ve got coming but forgot about Spinnaker.
I know there's a difference between British & English; not exactly sure what it is though (Bloody Yankee that I am 😉). I THINK British encompasses more than just the nation of England. Or is it the other way 'round?
I know there's a difference between British & English; not exactly sure what it is though (Bloody Yankee that I am 😉). I THINK British encompasses more than just the nation of England. Or is it the other way 'round?
Yeah British means English, Scottish and Welsh the United Kingdom includes Northern Ireland. Increases your choices slightly if you’ve got all the nations. Not hugely as England is a lot bigger than the others but you do get a few more options.
Here goes:
Tag Heuer x 2
Rotary x 1
Seiko x 1
Casio x 1
Nite x 1
Revelot x 1
Phoibos x 1
Getting a Nixon Regulus SS for Chrimbo. There is a gold, but it's way too ostentatious for me.
I have 11 watches. Originally, I only collected watch brands with O in the name (just kidding), but then I bought my Citizen earlier this year. 😂
Seiko - 4 watches
Citizen - 1 watch
Omega - 1 watch
Oris - 1 watch
Casio - 2 watches
E-One - 1 watch
Hamilton - 1 watch
Looking to sell off a couple Seiko's and the E-One. Will eventually buy another Omega, possibly a Grand Seiko and a JLC. But once I get that Reverso, I think I'll be done for quite some time.
that is a nice collection! I am not so sure if all of them are watches, ahahhahah. Jokes a part, I really love how colorfull your watchbox is.
Mine is pretty limited to Swiss and Japan Watches, I have a different way to collect and I am mostly into vintage.
Can't wait to see your WRUW!
Between all of your watches do you have a favourite one?
that is a nice collection! I am not so sure if all of them are watches, ahahhahah. Jokes a part, I really love how colorfull your watchbox is.
Mine is pretty limited to Swiss and Japan Watches, I have a different way to collect and I am mostly into vintage.
Can't wait to see your WRUW!
Between all of your watches do you have a favourite one?
Like "If I could only save one from a house fire, which would it be?"
Tough question. I like them all equally, but for different reasons.
But gun-to-my-head-have-to-make-a-choice-or-die? This one...
Why? First gift my wife gave me when we were dating.
I think I'll answer this in a different way and maybe put a bend into the thread:
How many watch brands from the major watch groups/indepenents do I own?
SWATCH
Breguet - Yes
Blancpain - Yes
Glashütte Original - No - will get one one day
Harry Winston - No - no interest
Jaquet Droz - No - no interest
Omega - Yes
Longines - Yes
Rado - No - thought about a Captain Cook
Union Glashütte - No - possibly one day
Tissot - Yes
Certina - Yes
Mido - Yes
Hamilton - Yes
Swatch - Yes
Flik Flak - No
RICHEMONT GROUP
Vacheron Constantin - Yes
A. Lange & Söhne - No - but definitely want one
Jaeger-LeCoultre - Yes
Roger Dubuis - No - no interest
Piaget - No - no interest
IWC Schaffhausen - Yes
Officine Panerai - No - no interest
Baume & Mercier - Yes
Cartier - No - but definitely would like to add a Tank Cintree
Montblanc - Yes
LVMH GROUP
TAG Heuer - Yes
Bulgari - No - maybe one day
Hublot - No - never never ever nope
Zenith - Yes
Louis Vuitton - No - no interest
KERING GROUP
Ulysse Nardin - No - no interest
Girard-Perregaux - Yes
SEIKO GROUP
Seiko - Yes
Grand Seiko - Yes
Credor - No
Pulsar - No
Lorus - No
Alba - No
Orient - Yes
FOSSIL GROUP
Fossil - Yes
Zodiac - Yes
Skagen - Yes
MOVADO GROUP
Ebel - No
Concord - No
Movado - Yes
CITIZEN GROUP
Citizen - Yes
Angelus - Yes
Arnold & Son - No - cool watches but not for me
Bulova - Yes
Accutron - Yes
Wittnauer - Yes
Caravelle - Yes
Frédérique Constant - Yes
Alpina - Yes
TIMEX GROUP
Timex - Yes
FRANCK MULLER GROUP
Franck Muller - No - maybe soon
Pierre Kunz - No
Martin Braun - No
CITYCHAMP GROUP
Corum - Yes
Eterna - Yes
Rotary - No
FESTINA GROUP
Perrelet - No
Festina - Yes
Lotus - No
ROLEX SA
Rolex - No - no interest
Tudor - Yes
INDEPENDENT
Alexander Shorokhoff - Yes
Apple - No - never never ever nope
Audemars Piguet - Yes
Ball - Yes
Bell & Ross - Yes
Bovet - No - too ornate for me
Breitling - Yes
Bremont - No - no interest
Carl F. Bucherer - Yes
Casio - Yes
Chopard/LUC - Yes
Chronoswiss - No - but beautiful watches
Czapek - No - but these are really cool watches
De Bethune - No - too far out for me
Eberhard & Co - Yes
Farer - Yes
Fortis - Yes
F.P. Journe - No - but very much would like to own one
Graham - No - no interest
Greubal Forsey - No - way too far out for me
Hermes - No - no interest
Kobold - No
MB&F - No - too far out for me
MesiterSinger - No - no interest
Mondaine - Yes
Moritz Grossmann - No
H.Moser & Cie - No - but very cool watches
Nomos Glashutte - No - no interest
Oris - Yes
Parmigiani Fleurier - Yes
Patek Philippe - Yes
Raymond Weil - Yes
Richard Mille - No - never never ever nope
Tutima - No - no interest
Urwerk - No - never never ever nope
Victorinox - No - no interest
I'm sure I missed a few, but this should cover most of them.
Its interesting you mentioned Festina. I never heard much about them until I found one at a thrift shop in a bag of "junk" watches. Its from their older Swiss line. 18K gold chronograph.
Victorinox had better stuff 8 to 10 years ago. The new stuff doesn't interest me much either. Seems like you have a nice collection.
Like "If I could only save one from a house fire, which would it be?"
Tough question. I like them all equally, but for different reasons.
But gun-to-my-head-have-to-make-a-choice-or-die? This one...
Why? First gift my wife gave me when we were dating.
Interesting choice!
Its interesting you mentioned Festina. I never heard much about them until I found one at a thrift shop in a bag of "junk" watches. Its from their older Swiss line. 18K gold chronograph.
Victorinox had better stuff 8 to 10 years ago. The new stuff doesn't interest me much either. Seems like you have a nice collection.
Thanks!
I did a write-up on the history of Festina here if you are interested...
Let's talk about Festina! | WatchCrunch
Beware of frankenwatches with the Festina name on the dial from India and Turkey.
Without going to my watchbox, 🤣
Citizen, Seiko, Bulova, Orient, Hamilton, Casio, Armitron, Timex, Tissot, Islander, Vaer, Bertucci, Bering, Fossil, Diesel, Sanyo, Texas Instruments, Vostok, Relic, Yema, Sea Gull, Skmei, Pagani Designs, Starking, Mathey-Tissot, Ochstin, and I believe it is Vasiily.
Countries include the US, Switzerland, Japan, France, Sweden, Russia, and China.
I would recommend looking at Rotary for England and Laco for Germany.
Dude I am loving the Phantom Menace promotional watches
Also without going to watchbox....
Hamilton, Sinn, Oris, Nomos, Seiko, Smiths, Farer, Baltic, Paulin, Brew, Traska, Clemence, Laco, Nivada Grenchen, Christopher Ward, Sea Gull, Studio Underd0g (I'm sure I'm missing some...oh yeah: Dan Henry and Serica)
I'm definitely over-indexing on micro-brands currently - something I intend to partially correct before the year is out...