Have you ever considered a collection reset?

I have revisited "old friends" from time to time - its like getting a new watch; and sometimes a watch you don't like turns out to be a great watch.

Yes; my collection has evolved from;

Evolution 1) Soviet Watches (not worn); modern Luch One Hand and Slava Tank worn presently.

Evolution 2) Entry Level Watches (worn as beaters presently - Dive watches and citizen especially so - they really cannot go out of a collection)

Evolution 3) Luxury Watches (worn as daily wearing watches all the time)

Evolution 4) Now that I know what I like; and I know what I am looking for; I am very particular. I won't go back to 1 or 2; and then I will be selective about 3. I can wear all those entry level watches I purchased with impunity and enjoy the daylights out of them.

Potential additions via evolution 4 include GS tough quartz; Cartier Caliber Du Cartier; Piaget. It's really a thinking game at this point.

Evolution 5 - Really thinking about purchases in terms of strategy; details; and value. I want to buy a watch where 70%-125%+ can be recouped and to do that you are in a very few brands and a few models within the brand.

Fuzzy Wrist Shot (Its hard to take the next step after a "grail" which was purchased super-super efficiently).

I think the VC is beyond most of the watches in my collection a GO is close, Rolex is identifiable by others but lesser. There are other real values in my collection like Hermes H08, most/all Omega, and Oris.

Based on my journey I say to others - just buy an Omega or an Oris as an entry into Luxury watches (and perhaps turn Teddy and the marketing Off).

Since the "grail" I have found a few good watches to add into the collection but I am looking for a "grail ++" and the air is rare-a-fied. My grail+ is a H Moser.

I said no to an AP Code 11.59, and on the waiting list for an Overseas, passed on a JLC Polaris. I am thinking Cartier Rose gold Caliber Du Cartier.

The watch below, my current grail, was purchased at 75% of the current trading price; with papers, box and time on the warranty., the grail+ (an H Moser) was purchased with the same economics in mind, with papers, box, full warranty.

A recent temptation was a Zodiac ceramic for $999 - but I know it is the type of watch that will go into the collection easily, get little or no wrist time, but never go out because to go out 1) I would take huge percentage haircut 50% 2) I have to dedicate time and effort to get the watch out of the collection.

I can take a high-end watch to a dealer and if it is bought efficiently and thoughtfully it can return 75% to 125% of the price paid. I am basically using my grail and grail+ watches for free.

My journey is one of learning; but now I have a method, rules, and philosophy. So what you are thinking about; well that is a very good thing in a hobby that is very addicting.

Considered it, never done it.

After kind of working my way up the ladder, I now think I could be perfectly happy with these three.

Not really. My collection in many ways reflects my history of finding and falling in love with what I have. I don’t want to just throw that out. It’s part of me and I still like them all.

Thank you, Bill!

That's a very good point to consider on the journey aspect. I've had a fair few come and go through the years. Still have the photos at least!

This year I want to reduce down to a few only - but the thought of when I was a "one watch guy" had been rattling around in my brain.

That one was the Seamaster SMP pictured here.

Food for thought, thank you!

Wow!

That's a heck of a 3 watch collection there! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you!

May I ask, what's held you back?

Sentiment or connection to the watches? The hassle of a sale en masse?

Thank you for sharing!

I appreciate the journey you've been on and can see a little of how it evolved to where it is now pursuing your grails.

Thanks!

I think what a "grail" does is it sets a benchmark for reaching the ideal watch in your collection. The idea (ideal) of finding that 100% watch can never really be found. There is no perfect watch.

I want to add a purple watch.

Catching my eye; The Phoibos is a fine watch; it is nicely designed, it has a great dial; a Seiko movement, and Islander has a great reputation. It could easily be someones grail or a prized possession.

$360 why not just buy it?

For me, It would not compare to the 95%+ high-mark that the grail has set; or the 98% my grail++ has set.

The $360 spent might prevent me from buying the Laine that might set the benchmark.

Strategically - small purchases prevent finding that grail.

IMHO an Omega Seamaster is a core watch - it has an amazing amount of "elements" of a grail, enthusiast, or highly desirable watch.

Elements might be - Dial, Movement, Brand, history, Hands, Bezel, Quirk of the Helium Relief Valve

Finding out what you like and appreciate is a subjective and highly personal journey.

The sad part is we only have two wrists and one less dominant arm (the watch arm - which keeps watches out of harms way). Octopus would have less of a wrist time challenge.

Yes, there are some sentimental pieces that otherwise wouldn’t make the cut. The selling process doesn’t bother me.

I went from having over 30 to just these... having fewer is better!

That's amazing!

I love how 2 of these are SKXs! The 007 and 015, right? That's a fantastic and well rounded collection you have there as well!

By many standards I already have a very modest collection, but there's someting to be said for having a very focused few that you put a lot of love into...

That's sort of where I'm headed I think.

The sentimental few that really can't leave the watch box. Then maybe just a few fun Casios to keep it fresh, and most importantly, cheap!

I distain the selling process though...

Very true, my friend!

That SMP has been with me for a lot of years so it's going nowhere.

Maybe a tight collection around it... We'll have to see how that unfolds. Right now I'm still debating the idea

Ahhh, I gotcha!

I was considering a 015 build actually, from OEM and/or aftermarket parts. My 007 is amazing and I love it, but was thinking about the smaller form factor might be nice. Probably end up stolen by my wife or daughter lol

Wow, that's an interesting approach.

It seems like you often refresh your collection! Which three did you keep? Have any of the core few watches lasted through the two "resets?"

Nice!! 12 must allow for quite the variation !

What are your core pieces? Or are those 12 the core?

Just 2 made it through all the refreshs. My Seiko Willard SPB151 and my Grand Seiko SBGW231. The 3rd watch during the first consolidation was a Speedy Reduced. Sold that to buy a Speedy Pro, then sold that to buy a Carrera.

Those are solid choices for sure!! I've considered a speedy so many times... Maybe one of these days.

My tastes seem to be drifting away from the luxury end though. I left a career where such things were important considerations, so not sure if it would fit with my lifestyle now... 🤔

Speedys are excellent watches. That’s why we see so many of them. Only you know if the watch fits your lifestyle. Personally, if you can afford it, I see no reason not to try one out one day!

I have a rule set.

Gifts are always a keeper

All homage have gone (trying to get real ones)

Do I wear it/will I wear it?

Do I have 2 almost the same & which one do Iike best?

Can I get something like my money back?

Core: Sub, Speedy, Pam, Datejust + 3 G-Shock + 1 dress (bambino 38) + 4 Toys

Yes, I recently did this. I sold off 12 watches and then took the money and bought two better pieces. To be honest, I don’t miss anything I sold…..it’s weird. It’s kind of purging and exciting to know that I can start collecting different pieces.

I still have the watches given to me as gifts, but everything else I still like or one day may be expendable! 🤣😂

They’re just watches at the end of the day, I like this hobby, it’s fun, but really…..this is a first world problem for most. So I stay humble and realize that they can come and go, but I’ll still have fun hunting them down. 🍻

I've found the same with watches I've sold - even ones I really liked for some time - I just haven't missed them at all.

The purge can be cleansing for sure. Reignite the hunt as the watch box fills up again!

But you're bang on - this is really a first world problem...

I have my Wristy 60 coming up, maybe I should calm this hunt and do each remaining Wristy milestone rotating in one of my watches at a time? 🤔

I completely turned over my collection since summer 2021 but it wasn’t my goal when I started. Started as a consolidate up type of thing and in the end moved them all. Honestly I don’t regret selling anything before as I don’t see myself selling any of my current ones. Most of these I wanted for a long time not just a impulse buy. Makes a difference.

Sold a Sinn 104, Halios Fairwind, GS SBGV245, Brew Retrograph, Seiko SPB147, Seiko Gold Turtle, Tudor 41mm Black Bay Black diver, Oris Divers 65, Tudor Ranger and Stowa Partitio.

What’s left. Tudor Black Bay 58, Nomos Club Neomatik, Sinn 144, Fears Archival as my core 4. And then I have my Skx and a tag Carrera that I inherited that are my sentimental pieces.

I've considered it but never gone through with it. It has been nice to part with a few impulse buys that didn't click and replace them with ones that have. Giving away one or two has been nice too. Getting it down to 2 or 3 though sounds tough. 4 or 5 I think I could do.

Dam, hell of a job. 👏 I'm slowly starting down that same path with similar brands in the core and sentimental lists.

Thank you! It’s hard usually to see half the amount of watches in the case but it’s the best getting the core down where you don’t feel the need to chase the next one

I have thought much the same. I grow sentimentally attached to my watches, especially the affordable ones. The money isn’t the issue, so gifting appeases the sentimentality.