First 5 Watches

A Citizen Diver, 2 Hammys, a Unimatic, and a classy dress watch (can’t tell what brand that is). Looks like you’re off to a great start.

There’s no right answer to your question, only what’s right for your collecting journey.

A watch box can be bought on Amazon for $50 that can hold up to 12 watches so that might be a small investment to give you some flexibility.

Is there a certain type of watch that calls to you? Are you saving up for the next rung of luxury watches? Another option is to buy some extra straps that’ll change the look and feel of each watch. It’s almost like a new watch without the commitment.

Think about a bracelet for the Citizen Diver or a NATO for the Hammy Field would be a good starting point.

Thanks for your response... good food for thought.

The last watch is a Cortebert Envoy from 1962 (I think).... The Cortebert and Hamilton Khaki don't get much use due to either not wanting to damage (Cortbert) or not loving the Quartz movement in the Hamilton but I won't be selling either due to sentimental value. Wear time should factor in to the non sentimental ones though... I'm reaching for the Unimatic 90% of the time as its the most unusual. Perhaps I'll chop in the jazzmaster and seek a rival to the Unimatic. I do like the style of chronographs, and a more modern dress watch appeals to me.

The straps point you make is really good, I do have a few other straps for variety but rarely get round to changing them. I have a bracelet for Jazzmaster that it came on so I'll give it a last try on that!

To be honest I would not really sell. Selling couple of affordable pieces and getting 80 to 200 USD is really not worth the hassle of shipping and paying ebay. I would not say get bigger/expensive pieces but buy watches you really want. If you find a watch that's wayyyy out of your price range there's always an affordable watch that looks just as nice. Is all about the hunt.

I really like this Alpina vintage. Cost like 3k and is out of my price range for my taste.

I found this Casio for 150:

I really wanted this watch. Cost like 4k:

I got this instead for under 200USD

So there's tons of both affordable and expensive alternatives.

Love the blue unimatic it’s on my list lovely watch! 👍🏻

You can never have enough watches so keep collecting and see you collection grow.

You're gonna need a bigger boat.

Welcome to WatchCrunch

I’d actually recommend an exercise such as the #1wc - I do it annually in the actual challenge on here, which is fun (I’m having fun, right? Guys?) but it helps to solidify your relationships with your watches. Give a watch your attention, see what gives, and maybe then consider expanding or adjusting your collection. Sentimental watches though, don’t get rid… seriously, you will regret it.

So… I’m having a lot of fun with this watch right now, I’ve had it on the wrist solidly for a month, it’s getting daily wear, and I’m close to making a decision as to what to do with it long term… it’s tough live like this that helps define what you like and what you want from your collection.

Wearing one watch for a month seems like a huuuuge challenge for me as I've only been collecting for 4-5 months. It's probably sensible but who wants to be sensible? I'm just approaching the end of a 2 week holiday where I only took one watch and I'm itching to swap it! @porthole that watch looks lovely! Panerai?

Nice collection! No nasty metal bracelets, good diversity; something for every occasion. My advice, for what it's worth, would be to stick to these five for a while. You said you got to this collection quite quickly; give yourself time to really get to know the pieces themselves - and to get a solid grip on what would really make you happy in addition. Would another diver, field watch or dressy one really make a difference? Or perhaps save up for a manufacture - i.e. create the difference in mechanical quality and finishing instead of another (sub)type of watch. But hey, I am also just starting out, so no real idea what I am talking about 😂

“Panerai” - it’s filling something that doesn’t technically exist in that it’s trying to be a vintage “Luna Rossa”. It’s scratching an itch that would only be resolved by purchasing an actual Luna Rossa, or a Radiomir.

I have far too many watches, and the full is imminent. I did the #1wc last year with a 1991-issued British military issues CWC G10 and our relationship improved dramatically. This years “Panerai” is trying to ascertain whether having a Panerai as a daily is (a) doable (yes), and (b) satisfying (yes). It’s also a curveball in that this watch is kind of fun to wear and gets lots of questions and compliments. It’s almost a shame I cannot obtained a destroyed tropical dial Pan in Luna Rossa colours, as that would basically result in a very excited @Porthole

The trouble with having too many watches is the disconnect. I would establish connection, it actually helps control the descent down a very slippery slope.

Btw - I wrote a vintage guide, if it helps…

I don’t know if you’re having fun, but I’m having fun at your expense. And that’s what really matters.

schadenfreude is not a good look for you

try as I might, it’s difficult to hide the contempt I have for the #1wc right now

I think it’s a great look for me, it goes well with my spiteful, bitter nature.

Mostly I’m just mad I didn’t get rewarded for wearing a watch as long as I did last year. As you know, #1wc leaves scars. Good luck.

This looks like a great way to start you watch collecting experience! The reality is that your journey through watch collecting is your own. When I started I def fell into the "if there's a spot, fill it" mentality. The result was that I have a number of watches that while I enjoyed them at the time, are currently just sitting in the box with little to no wrist time. For me, patience became something I learned. Learning about individual pieces, what I like and don't lie, and what I want my next piece to be became part of the fun!