Building a collection - what number of watches is just right?
This is obviously going to vary from person to person but I wonder how everybody approaches this hobby. Are people very strategic/meticulous in their approach or are they easy going or maybe impulsive: I see, I like, I buy, I repeat?
For me, I’m aiming to set a maximum number (no idea yet 😄) and then fill those positions based on their intended purpose like as if I were building my ideal football team. They all have their respective positions, limits and strengths and just like football there will be a transfer window if needed - shipping in or shipping out a position based on need but always the same number. Just to sound like a cop out - I figure Casios won’t count - they’re like my subs/ squad members - essential to every team 😉.
What’s your approach?
Here to learn and be inspired by all the variety of watches that people share. I love vintage/retro and minimalist designs. I prefer tech to not be intrusive but to be convenient. Time is a luxury. I...
My approach to not go overboard is to cull when I go over 5 in each category Luxury (Rolex, Cartier etc) Microbrands (Baltic, Lorier etc) Mainstream (Tissot, Seiko etc) This keeps me at 15 when I’m disciplined……it’s so friggin hard
Depends on how long I live
All the watches 🙂
I have got way too many and - on reflection - wish I had started one in/one out a long time ago.
I am becoming more disciplined now and trying to reduce.
The key I think is to pick an outside number that you know is ridiculous - say 52 (one for every week of the year) - and a low number that you would definitely be comfortable with - say 7 (one for every day of the week). Now you know your boundaries and can try to find your sweet spot, and that is likely to be a lengthy and hopefully pleasurable journey.
Not sure anyone can determine what’s right for you but I am happy that 7 is erring on the low side and 52 is excessive. My journey now is to find the sweet spot.
I now know:
I want no more than one kinetic
I want relatively few battery quartz watches and ideally only those where I can change the battery myself
I only want as many solar quartz watches as I can keep exposed to light
etc, etc - still learning enjoyable
I buy what I like and try not to over think things. I collect for enjoyment, not purpose.
I don't see myself as a collector, although the watches in my drawer says otherwise. I don't have a master plan or long term wishes, I simply buy when my taste change, for a special occasion or when the missus approves.
If I could, I would limit my collection to 1,000,000. Since I'm not wealthy enough for to have a million watches, I have no limit. I have only 2 criteria for purchasing a watch:
I must really like it
Purchasing it cannot negatively affect my or my family's lifestyle.
So, if my collection grows to hundreds or stays at current 18, it does not matter. I must enjoy each piece.
7 with 2-3 alternates.
I see 6-8 “primary” watches as good number and for me those are all mechanical. I think another 10-12 “secondary” watches would be nice and for me those would be digital or quartz analog watches. Those would be more unique or colorful than my every day watches.
As soon as I fill my 24 slot watch box, it’s time to stop or start liquidating
I buy what I like and try not to over think things. I collect for enjoyment, not purpose.
Oh that nugget - enjoyment!
Over 120 and growing. I like a selection; I'm like a kid in a candy store.
As soon as I fill my 24 slot watch box, it’s time to stop or start liquidating
Or time for another box.
The thing is record/music collectors have no limit and no guilt: bigger = better. Why should it matter for watches, as long as you have food on the table and a roof over your head, right?
I don't really have much of an approach. I just get the watches I like. Do I have watches that overlap in the collection? Absolutely, but those are the watches I like the most. I don't ever want to pass on a watch I really love just because it "doesn't fill a role in the collection." The number of watches in the collection is ever moving up and down, and I don't know that there's a right number. If I'm wearing the watch at least semi-regularly, it stays. If I find myself never wearing it, it goes.
I don't even know how many watches I own. Have given away a lot (Had 20-50+ over time). When in Hong Kong had "Homages" of most of the big brands, few people could actually tell the difference (or were polite, interestingly got 10-15 year old homages that keep near perfect time, I think Micro brands are an extension of this concept but are original, creative, more honest, legitamate and ethical). Never/rarely wore homages to work though. Nice to have at least one genuine "power" watch (don't own a Rolex but if I did would think twice about wearing it in London!), plus occasion watches. I think it's good discipline to keep numbers manageable, I'm not into hand cranking auto.s must fix up my winder again. Wife and kids change the rules of the game, play by your own rules! Remember we can't take them with us so an exit plan is wise. Agree with person that said have fun with it, enjoy the time!
I have just too many but 10 might be an intelligent number to allow excess and variety.
I think the ideal. Collection is either 3 or 6 watches
Relatively meticulous in why and what. However, I'm interested in different ways people measure and track time on their wrist. There is a lot of variation there.
This has led me to collect watches that have different power technologies (e.g. Kinetic, Solar, Automatic, Manual), different complications (e.g. moonphase, chronograph, alarm projector (is your collection really complete without a SpongeBob Projector wach), different colors, different case materials, various size (as long as they fit on my wrist), different eras, different display technology (e.g. analog, digital, ana-digi, LED, LCD, EPD).
Its leading me to a pretty large collection.
FYI, slender wrist had an article on why one might prefer a smaller collection. Here is a summary and my personal rebuttal. YMMV.
1. You don’t create a meaningful connection with your watches
One creates meaningful connections with human beings, not bits of metal. Of course, some watches have more meaning to me than others. But, that is because of what they represent (e.g. grandfather's watch), not the specific watch.
2. You get disposable watches
The discussion focuses on buying watches and flipping them. I haven't ever sold a watch.
3. You don’t actually wear something you are proud of
Umm...I don't take pride in wearing a watch anymore than I take pride in wearing underwear.
4. Unboxing a new watch doesn’t feel great anymore
Nope. Still feels great.
5. You rush to get your fix
I'm not doing it for the "fix". I like the research as much if not more than the aquistion.
6. You don’t appreciate the history of your watches
Since I did the research and documented it, I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't appreciate the history.
7. It makes choosing the watch you’ll wear for the day very difficult
Pretty much the definition of a 1st world problem and as problems go, pretty easy one to live with.
8. You won’t enjoy looking at your watch as much as you could
From the article, the idea is you would second guess your choice of watches to wear for the day (Chooser's remorse). Well, not for me. Who has time to think about that kind of stuff...next question.
9. You won’t give your offspring a meaningful piece
I don't have offspring.
10. You’ll forget that you have some watches
Well, I'm getting older but...so far, not having a problem with that. Plus, there is a database to help me out.
11. It takes up space and looks messy
Of course watches take up space, but not really as much of a problem as if you collect cars :).
12. It’s expensive to buy
Well, they do cost money. However, unless your not fiscally responsible or you feel you need to buy a watch in place of something else you would rather have, I don't see the issue.
13. It’s expensive to service, too
It's why I'm learning to service watches. Some will need to go back to the mothership for service but I know that going in.
14. You’ll argue with your partner all the time
We do argue. So far, never about watches.
15. You just don’t need them
Survey says....wrong answer.
Solid points and hilarious!😆
Solid points and hilarious!😆
This guy is a comedian 🫡
I don't see myself as a collector, although the watches in my drawer says otherwise. I don't have a master plan or long term wishes, I simply buy when my taste change, for a special occasion or when the missus approves.
You had me until you you said "or when the misses approves".... 👋😂
I’m a minimalist but also enthusiast with the ability to admire without the need to acquire. A true student of the game. That being said I have a ONE watch collection 😂. Having too many choices causes me anxiety.
I admire your minimalism - even more minimalist than the ultimate minimalist - Steve Jobs who had three watches:
Seiko Quartz Three-Hander
Seiko D031
Baume and Mercier
I want to limit myself to no more than 5 watches—if I buy another one, I have to get rid of one. I like to wear my watches often and know them well, so any more than 5 would make that goal harder.
Also, I like to think that whatever I have, I’ll keep for a long time, so maintenance costs are also a factor. Given how pricey it can be to service a watch, I find the idea of owning a lot of them to be pretty impractical.
For me I have set a limit of not more than 1 watch per brand. Which makes me think twice before pulling the triger. Most likely will eventually break the rule with Omega 😂 Currently sitting at 6 watches + 1 on the way.
Thirty is a good number for me. Today, anyways.
I just keep buying more. I don't sell any of them and keep adding.
10-12 for me.
N+1
Over 100, 5 in shipping, 4 graial waiting budget and hundreds of sighs every month
I'm sitting at 5 not including a gifted watch and a display gag which for me is the perfect balance