Fun little exercise
Filled some spare time today doing the pictured thought exercise… sorry for the poor picture quality.
I broke out all of the categories of watches I could think of (understanding there is obviously going to be overlap), and built my perfect collection. Each category has an attainable “beater watch”, mid-tier “nice watch”, and stretch “wish list watch”. These are more so just labels and I understand most of those “beaters” aren’t that. Just a way to frame the relative price difference.
I’d love to hear how you all would structure this:
How would you go about filling the boxes with purchases? How would you alter the strategy presented?
How does your current collection fit with your ‘green’ watches?
What’s your favourite category, and which three watches would you slot in?
Just a bit of fun to get you thinking!! (CAD pricing, before anyone asks).
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
TBH I don't do use any strategy. I can understand the pull of having everything sorted into nice boxes but this hobby of watch collecting doesn't push me toward purchase strategies. For example I find the whole concept of a beater watch highly amusing and I think that agonizing over limits, like a 3 watch collection, very puzzling.
That works for me because I prefer to buy a watch that I like without over analyzing why I like it so much, obviously it doesn't work for you in the same way and that's fine if you found your own way to enjoy collecting watches.
Great exercise. I can definitely relate to this because if I bought everything I liked I would end up with lots of watches I don’t like after a while and waste lots of money.
The categories I like the most are dive, field, dress, chrono and pilot. I have a Submariner, Explorer II, Datejust and Speedmaster. I’m missing a pilot but have never found one I like enough to go for. The closest I got was an IWC Pilot Mark XVIII.
I like the thought experiment, will draw up a bit of a matrix for myself tomorrow! My minor tweak might be fewer or different categories
BTW - I request prices on the calatrava and freak 😜
I have done this in my head but never really put it on paper but the only problem with this exercise is that I find for myself is too constricting and gives boundaries and rules… this is just me… watches to me are more emotional purchases, I know I’m nuts to set boundaries on passion and love is no fun for me…then again I also follow what my wallet tells me 😂😜
There is no category for vintage Smiths, why is that?
TBH I don't do use any strategy. I can understand the pull of having everything sorted into nice boxes but this hobby of watch collecting doesn't push me toward purchase strategies. For example I find the whole concept of a beater watch highly amusing and I think that agonizing over limits, like a 3 watch collection, very puzzling.
That works for me because I prefer to buy a watch that I like without over analyzing why I like it so much, obviously it doesn't work for you in the same way and that's fine if you found your own way to enjoy collecting watches.
There really doesn’t need to be a reason or explanation of why you like something, great point!!
I like the thought experiment, will draw up a bit of a matrix for myself tomorrow! My minor tweak might be fewer or different categories
BTW - I request prices on the calatrava and freak 😜
If I inquired I don’t think I’d get a response, lol.
I thought my OCD and list making/keeping was out of control. I was wrong.
I thought my OCD and list making/keeping was out of control. I was wrong.
Hahaha why you gotta out me like that?? Embarrassed to say, I have more…
Hahaha why you gotta out me like that?? Embarrassed to say, I have more…
Let's see them!
I enjoy my hobby.
To ensure that I continue to enjoy my hobby I will NEVER turn it into a job.
I like the thought experiment, will draw up a bit of a matrix for myself tomorrow! My minor tweak might be fewer or different categories
BTW - I request prices on the calatrava and freak 😜
About USD 55k on the 5396G. They have a few annual calendars.
Great idea. I do a much less sophisticated version of this to help me organize my collection and not get into a bias of buying the same stuff. Good categories, but I'd split out your unique bucket as it contains quite avant garde stuff (freak) and fun/playful watches (studio underdog) that might be similar, but different.
(Annual) Calendar watches vs date/day watches? Which is more practical for you?
Now getting a bit too geeky, but you will appreciate once you use GMT watches, ie office vs travel GMT. I'd also lump in here 2nd time zone or even world timers!
How about a crazy category, like high complications (perpetual calendar, minute repeater) or something that's more artwork than watch, like this metiers d'art by VC
Great idea. I do a much less sophisticated version of this to help me organize my collection and not get into a bias of buying the same stuff. Good categories, but I'd split out your unique bucket as it contains quite avant garde stuff (freak) and fun/playful watches (studio underdog) that might be similar, but different.
(Annual) Calendar watches vs date/day watches? Which is more practical for you?
Now getting a bit too geeky, but you will appreciate once you use GMT watches, ie office vs travel GMT. I'd also lump in here 2nd time zone or even world timers!
How about a crazy category, like high complications (perpetual calendar, minute repeater) or something that's more artwork than watch, like this metiers d'art by VC
Love this feedback! Very good points, I’m going to work on adjusting accordingly!!
I did something similar. But my rows were- could buy today, in a year, and 5+ years.
I found I lack the discipline to wait. Instant gratification for me.