Have you ever downsized your collection monetarily?
This year I’m most likely downsizing, both in quantity and monetarily. I’m gravitating towards lighter and smaller watches lately. I’m finding my 2 mechanical watches, the Black Bay 58 and GS SBGW231, too big and heavy on my wrist for their purpose (sports and dress). I have a small wrist (6.5 inches) and possible wrist issues from working labor jobs for years now. So they hurt pretty often during the day. A smaller more weight balanced watch is much more comfortable.
Monetarily just because I don’t need that much money in watches right now. I work 5-6 days a week 8-12 hours a day. I wear a beater digital Casio to work and at home during the week and only put on my mechanicals on the weekends and special occasions. To have a ton of money in watches right now just doesn’t make sense for me. Maybe further down the line when I retire I’ll wear them more and itch for something higher end.
So I’m doing a trial run for a few months. I have my BB58 and SBGW231 in their boxes and out of my watch box. I bought a preowned PRX 35 Auto super cheap with a Delugs rubber strap for a smaller balanced sports watch and got a good deal on a preowned Seiko SACM171 for a smaller thinner dress watch. Both look way more expensive than they are. So far I’m loving them (along with a few cheap Casios) and I’m leaning towards keeping them and selling the original 2. Time will tell but I’m definitely more comfortable with less money and weight on my wrist.
Have you done something like this before?
Current collection: Seiko SACM171 Tissot PRX 35 Auto Casio: W800H, F91W, A168WG
I have a similar goal this year. No more highend pieces. I'm not made of money and since acquirinng my grail this early in 2024 I intend to enjoy it fully. I still plan on buying watches but will probably go back to collecting affordable vintage.
I have a similar goal this year. No more highend pieces. I'm not made of money and since acquirinng my grail this early in 2024 I intend to enjoy it fully. I still plan on buying watches but will probably go back to collecting affordable vintage.
Agreed. I don’t necessarily know my realistic grail right now. It was originally the BB58 but I’ve grown to liking the way it looks more than wearing it. Eventually as my life changes I’ll probably change the collection but for now I don’t see the need for the higher end pieces. Affordable vintage is cool! I’m in love with the Seiko Dolce line now that I’ve been doing research on the SACM171. Seiko’s great quartz movements for reliable low cost maintenance and interesting Seiko designs all for way under $500.
I sold my one expensive watch several years ago because it was getting the least amount of wrist time and bringing me the least amount of joy. My new CasiOak is a fraction of the monetary value and a lot more fun.
I have a similar goal this year. No more highend pieces. I'm not made of money and since acquirinng my grail this early in 2024 I intend to enjoy it fully. I still plan on buying watches but will probably go back to collecting affordable vintage.
I’d have to say I’m kind of the opposite and wanting most to stay away from the many lower cost pieces I buy, and focus on just a few higher end ones. Maybe one a year. Two if I can’t stand to wait 😉
I sold my one expensive watch several years ago because it was getting the least amount of wrist time and bringing me the least amount of joy. My new CasiOak is a fraction of the monetary value and a lot more fun.
That’s my issue right now. The BB58 I haven’t worn since getting the PRX cause it’s just much heavier and bigger. I love the way it looks but if I’m not wearing it why have it. The SBW231 I’m not wearing much because I don’t dress up a lot but I’m also finding the case too big and thick as a dress watch for my wrist. I actually wore the SACM171 casually more since I got it than I did with the GS. It’s much slimmer and smaller and just goes with any outfit effortlessly.
Not there just yet. But I am selling off some to make room for new ones.
Yes, I had 12 at one point but realised they had gotten a bit 'samey' and that I didn't wear anything other than my Garmin watch during the week.
Sold on a couple of Tudor (Ranger, Fastrider), a couple of TAG Heuer (Carrera, Aquaracer) a Hamilton Pan-Europ, CW C60 Sapphire and a Montblanc Star walker and took it back to a core of TAG Monza, TAG Monaco, Breitling Superocean along with a changing group of cheaper watches (currently Hamilton Field, Tissot Sideral, Rado Diastar, Ball Moonphase Ohio and a Montblanc Summit 2+).
I'm happier as I feel better about not wearing the cheaper watches than I did about not wearing the more expensive ones, it felt like a bit of a waste. TBH becoming a full time home worker during the pandemic is partly responsible - I no longer have the urge/need to put on a different watch every day.
I'm actively in that phase right now. I have watches that I'm just not wearing and haven't bonded with - despite them being costly and pretty great watches. So I'm moving them on. Some I'll replace, but others will result in downsizing my collection.
I've been finding that I've been getting more joy - likely due to carefree wear - from my humble SKX than my expensive Swiss COSC divers. It seems that the more modest end of the rice tiers suit my lifestyle and new career better, so I'll adjust my watch box accordingly.
The challenge I'm enjoying now that I'm aiming at between a 4 and 6 watch collection, is having the "right" watches. I'm zeroing in on that...
I will hang on to my Omega. It's been with me for so long and has so much history tied to it. But for the rest, Casio and Seiko will be king :-). More to follow
That’s my issue right now. The BB58 I haven’t worn since getting the PRX cause it’s just much heavier and bigger. I love the way it looks but if I’m not wearing it why have it. The SBW231 I’m not wearing much because I don’t dress up a lot but I’m also finding the case too big and thick as a dress watch for my wrist. I actually wore the SACM171 casually more since I got it than I did with the GS. It’s much slimmer and smaller and just goes with any outfit effortlessly.
I enjoy my BB58 when it's not on the OEM bracelet; I've been using sailcloth, rubber, canvas and really enjoying it. When I brought the BB58 to Asia and my hand swelled up from humidity throughout the day not having T-Fit really upset me haha
I’d have to say I’m kind of the opposite and wanting most to stay away from the many lower cost pieces I buy, and focus on just a few higher end ones. Maybe one a year. Two if I can’t stand to wait 😉
That makes sense. It's just that for me, I have the JLC Reverso, which is a serious watch that renders the rest of the collection moot, a Cartier Tank that's the epitome of a dress watch, and an Omega Speedmaster for my GADA. I can upgrade them to "better" editions I suppose but why? I also have a box of really cool vintage watches, expensive for what they are. And like I said I'm not made of money. So I really don't think I can afford any more expensive watches and I don't know that I want more. I'm never gonna be able to afford an A Lange or a Trinity so pointless saving for those. I'm very happy with my highends as they stand, no need for adjustments or expansion.
Agreed. I don’t necessarily know my realistic grail right now. It was originally the BB58 but I’ve grown to liking the way it looks more than wearing it. Eventually as my life changes I’ll probably change the collection but for now I don’t see the need for the higher end pieces. Affordable vintage is cool! I’m in love with the Seiko Dolce line now that I’ve been doing research on the SACM171. Seiko’s great quartz movements for reliable low cost maintenance and interesting Seiko designs all for way under $500.
If you only like the look of the BB58 and not how it wears, I suggest selling it and buy something you will love to wear. You can always buy a giant poster of the BB58 if all you want to do is look at it.
Yep, in the process of selling some now
I enjoy my BB58 when it's not on the OEM bracelet; I've been using sailcloth, rubber, canvas and really enjoying it. When I brought the BB58 to Asia and my hand swelled up from humidity throughout the day not having T-Fit really upset me haha
I like the bracelet but I actually wore it mostly on a rubber strap. It was comfortable but I had to keep it pretty tight to balance the watch head and still it looked a bit too big for my wrist.
If you only like the look of the BB58 and not how it wears, I suggest selling it and buy something you will love to wear. You can always buy a giant poster of the BB58 if all you want to do is look at it.
This is so funny actually lol. I’ll stick to instagram posts 😂
I have downsized but I put all that money and more right back into new watches.
The SACM171 is an amazing little watch. Big fan. On my list and was very tempted to straight up but the silver one on Gnomon watches, but alas, I didn't pull the trigger.
The SACM171 is an amazing little watch. Big fan. On my list and was very tempted to straight up but the silver one on Gnomon watches, but alas, I didn't pull the trigger.
I got mine just a few days ago. It shipped from Japan to the US in 2 days and came well packaged. Just the watch but was a great price. It’s very small at first, but I squeezed on a 18mm thicker strap and it wears really well. I wore it all day yesterday and I fell in love. So classy and high quality for the price. It’s a baby Cartier in my eyes for way cheaper.
I'm working on downsizing my collection this year, too. Quantity and monetarily, as well.
I've committed to no new watches in 2024. I've begun selling some of the pricier pieces in my collection that I simply don't wear often enough.
The money is going right into savings.
I'll measure success by getting down to a small core collection of watches that I love. And then I'll only purchase a watch once in a while, if there's something that really strikes my fancy.