Watch Collecting Rules You (try to) Follow
Is there a set of rules you try to follow to have a more deliberate collection?
Prior to acquiring my honeymoon watch (a his and hers pairing with the wife), I thought I would stick to the rigid criteria of only acquiring time-only watches. I started with the Hamilton Khaki Field as my daily wearer (owned it for over 2 years now), and then bought the Longines Master Collection Small Seconds for my wedding.
I wanted to get myself and the Mrs. a his and hers watch on our honeymoon that met this criteria but couldn't really find any from the usual suspects that was a fiscally responsible choice for newlyweds. My wife spotted this elegant Orient Star beautifully partnered with a blue leather strap and we both were in agreement that it would make for a great choice. I'm enamored with it for it's looks, the sizing, and that domed crystal is a beaut. Bonus is that I'm still safe from having a date window on a watch. Of course I love it also in large part because my wife picked it for me and her and it's gotten her into mechanical watches as well.
There goes my rules for watch collecting then.
Would love to hear (and see) from folks who've stuck to their set of rules in collecting!
If you have any stories about that watch(es) that are exceptions to your rules, please comment away as well!
And do you have any his and hers watch to recommend that would fit my time-only criteria?
A young professional making (and still trying to earn) his way in the watch world.
I buy what I like. No rules as such other than a £1000 limit. And that's only a guideline. 😁
Tudor 1926 has always struck me as a good his - hers 36mm and 39mm respectively.
Pretty much echo Clive as above, I have haphazard 'rules' in my head, the main one being £££, I buy what I like.
I do have a couple on my list that are evading me at the moment because of their price, I have better things to do with £5K than on a watch I know I'll be swapping out for a G-Shock in a week or so when the novelty has worn off! Hahaha.
So, if anyone has a GS Spring Drive or a U-Boat Capsoil Chrono they're bored of and want to chuck them my way for £500 each, I'm your man! 😂😂🥴
I don't really have a specific rule like yours. But yes, I do use a set of criteria when considering, and then ultimately adding, a timepiece to my humble collection. These are: Versatility, Adaptability, Comfortable Profile, Reliable Movt/ Robust Build, Beautiful Design Elements, Price/ Affordability, and X-Factor.
Whenever I see a watch I like, I just run through my criteria and assess. This helps ensure I don't give in to hype, initial bling, acquisitiveness, and the undue influence of others. The exception to my criteria are watches given to me, and those passed on to me by my parents.
Unfortunately, I can't think of any his/hers time-only timepieces at the top of my head. Perhaps Tissot, Seiko Presage, and Timex would be a good place to start. Since you got a dress style watch together, your next piece will depend on what kind of watch you decide to get this time, e.g. everyday, sporty, GADA-esque, diver, chrono, etc.
Use/wear whatever I buy or am gifted as often as possible.
Don't buy unless it's been on the wishlist for at least 3 months, and remember to compare it to others on the list in the same price bracket. This just stops the impulse buys.
Don't buy unless it's been on the wishlist for at least 3 months, and remember to compare it to others on the list in the same price bracket. This just stops the impulse buys.
That sounds faaaaaaar too sensible! 😄 Live on the edge LOL
No rules.
I must be able to afford it. No loans and no begging.
It must be interesting. Granted, all watches are interesting in their own right.
It must be at least somewhat different from something I have in my current collection.
All watches need to sit and ferment in my mind for at least two weeks.
It must be a quality item.
None of these apply to my dustbin finds or neglected watches that I fix up, although those are scarce.
Don't buy unless it's been on the wishlist for at least 3 months, and remember to compare it to others on the list in the same price bracket. This just stops the impulse buys.
Omg a 3-month wishlist. Wish watches of yours have passed the test? 😁
Very prudent! What's the size of the collection if you don't mind my asking?
I must be able to afford it. No loans and no begging.
It must be interesting. Granted, all watches are interesting in their own right.
It must be at least somewhat different from something I have in my current collection.
All watches need to sit and ferment in my mind for at least two weeks.
It must be a quality item.
None of these apply to my dustbin finds or neglected watches that I fix up, although those are scarce.
Absolutely agree. It's never crossed my mind to borrow or take out a loan to acquire a timepiece. I would be too uncomfortable to wear it out in public if I did!
Nothing makes a hobby a chore like rules.
🔥
One in, one go
Condition, condition, condition
Buy to wear
Be mindful of the price
Probably will add more as I learn further from my collecting experience in the future.
Only run rule.
Don’t go bankrupt 🫠
I don’t like to have any more than one watch of any brand. The only exception is Casio and Citizen and that’s only because they were pieces acquired before I became a collector.
So fond of the elegant look since the longines 190th anniversary release.. Too bad I have already bought one this year... Maybe next year I will have it in my collection 😭
Don't buy unless it's been on the wishlist for at least 3 months, and remember to compare it to others on the list in the same price bracket. This just stops the impulse buys.
I agree with this but don't have a set time for the wish list. The hunt is as important as the watch. The only impulse purchase I made is a great watch, good specs and well made, and I have no connection to it.
Rule 1: Buy what I really like.
Rule 2: No price limit as long as I have the money in the bank to pay the card back off once the charge hits.
(I haven’t carried a balance on a credit card in decades).
Like cars, never buy anything new. Exception permitted if it's so heavily discounted that it's lower than recent ebay sold prices.
Rule 1: Buy what I really like.
Rule 2: No price limit as long as I have the money in the bank to pay the card back off once the charge hits.
(I haven’t carried a balance on a credit card in decades).
Great habit of using a credit card essentially like a debit card (with points) 🤝
Like cars, never buy anything new. Exception permitted if it's so heavily discounted that it's lower than recent ebay sold prices.
I haven't bought used yet. As a budding collector, I know it's only a matter of time, but I just haven't taken that plunge yet.
Great habit of using a credit card essentially like a debit card (with points) 🤝
3% cash back card and that money goes into a 5% savings account. Win-win 😜
I only buy what makes me gasp when I first see it. I love quirky and interesting and for me, personally, that rules out divers and other watches that are highly sought after but that leave me cold. I don't look at whether or not they hold value, but I often shop the secondary market to let someone else take that depreciation hit. The theme of my collection is "things I truly love and happily wear" and there isn't another defining feature. I'm the type who will wear a dress watch with leggings from Target so your mileage may vary.
One and only one for each brand
my rules, just a few? buy what you can and wont hurt you financially; of course, but what you want :) then wear the hell out of it... find your stride in what you want or what style speaks to you (size etc.) and try to hold your purchases, research well, and try not to go on a shopping spree!
my rules, just a few? buy what you can and wont hurt you financially; of course, but what you want :) then wear the hell out of it... find your stride in what you want or what style speaks to you (size etc.) and try to hold your purchases, research well, and try not to go on a shopping spree!
I also am in the camp of wearing my watches. The more frequent, the more utility derived from the piece!
I also am in the camp of wearing my watches. The more frequent, the more utility derived from the piece!
and this is where we get the chemical defect and weakness of human beings: being sentimental; memories to cherish! :)
No rules.
There are indeed no rules, but we like to pretend there are.