Watch Brands? How Many?

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)? 😜🤪

Reply
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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.

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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.

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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?

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Aurelian

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!

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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).

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SurferJohn

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. 

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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)

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9 brands in hand with some holes to fill....

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Edge168n

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?

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Cartier (Swiss+French)

Hamilton (Swiss with American history)

Casio (Japan)

Orient (Japan)

Citizen (Japan)

😂

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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

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Aurelian

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.

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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.

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ChronoGuy

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.

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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. 

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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

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I collect only one brand. Eclectic! 🧐😜🤪

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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. 

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Matt84

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?

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UnholiestJedi

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. 

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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.

Image
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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. 

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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?

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Luca_WTC

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...

Image

Why? First gift my wife gave me when we were dating. 

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ChronoGuy

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.

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UnholiestJedi

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...

Image

Why? First gift my wife gave me when we were dating. 

Interesting choice! 

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BaldOne

 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.

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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.

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Dude I am loving the Phantom Menace promotional watches

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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...