For those that have consolidated collections into PM or "Grails"...

[Swaye]

I've been thinking of greatly consolidating my collection for some time. With the two incomings I have on order, I will have 15 watches. I find that many of them I rarely get to wear. I have also wanted to get a set of choice (to me) PM pieces for years. I feel like with the way values have risen on several of my SS watches, that this might be the time to "step up" and really go after some of my grail watches.

Many of my most admired collections on this forum are those with 6-7 watches. Maybe 2-3 PM watches, a couple of great stainless models, and from a few different manufacturers. In short, a smaller, more focused collection including more "grail" type watches.

Has anyone done a significant consolidation to get a smaller, but more PM focused collection? Do you have any regrets? Did you enjoy the new PM pieces enough to take the sting out of losing some of your nicer SS offerings?

Appreciate the advice of those members that have done it. I should say, one of my watches on order is a blue dial WG Daytona, so the first piece in the potential collection transition is inbound. Thanks all.

[Hendrikus]

I have these thoughts all the time. It seems to make sense.... until I look at my collection and select which pieces to let go. There is a reason I bought every one and that same reason holds me back from letting it go!

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by Hendrikus

I have these thoughts all the time. It seems to make sense.... until I look at my collection and select which pieces to let go. There is a reason I bought every one and that same reason holds me back from letting it go!

Yeah, it's a tough call! And which ones would go! Terrible decisions to be made. There are a good 5 or so of these that I could part with relatively easily, but after that, it would get nasty.

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by Swaye

Yeah, it's a tough call! And which ones would go! Terrible decisions to be made. There are a good 5 or so of these that I could part with relatively easily, but after that, it would get nasty.

Well what are the 5 you would sell and what is the #1 watch out there you feel is special or you are missing out on?

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by soicanbefree

Well what are the 5 you would sell and what is the #1 watch out there you feel is special or you are missing out on?

Still working that out. I have long wanted a Ice Dial Platinum Day Date, with diamond markers. The 5-6 to fund that? No idea yet. Still feeling the concept out.

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by Swaye

I've been thinking of greatly consolidating my collection for some time. With the two incomings I have on order, I will have 15 watches. I find that many of them I rarely get to wear. I have also wanted to get a set of choice (to me) PM pieces for years. I feel like with the way values have risen on several of my SS watches, that this might be the time to "step up" and really go after some of my grail watches.

Many of my most admired collections on this forum are those with 6-7 watches. Maybe 2-3 PM watches, a couple of great stainless models, and from a few different manufacturers. In short, a smaller, more focused collection including more "grail" type watches.

Has anyone done a significant consolidation to get a smaller, but more PM focused collection? Do you have any regrets? Did you enjoy the new PM pieces enough to take the sting out of losing some of your nicer SS offerings?

Appreciate the advice of those members that have done it. I should say, one of my watches on order is a blue dial WG Daytona, so the first piece in the potential collection transition is inbound. Thanks all.

IMO there is a sweet spot. After a while there are too many... or too many similiar. In my case I have too many subs.

Probably going to sell the 5512, 5513 + 16610LV to reduce down... myself.

[gttime]

I’m at 15 Omega and Rolex all modern pieces. I love all of them and couldn’t sell any of them. I have sold two and regretted one, still regret it.

I don’t think PM pieces would really give me the variety I enjoy. Although two or three of mine do get most of the wrist time.

I think it’s a pretty stellar collection and will likely. Only add very selectively.

Shorter answer is I wouldn’t do it.

[supacarrot]

I sold my collection when I went back to medical school and bought a YG bluesy sub to consolidate down to one watch. Don't regret it at all.

The only thing that I would do differently is keep a steel watch with crocodile band (such as a Pam) for settings where the gold band doesn't make sense (is liable to be injured with how soft the gold is). I prefer leather bands on steel watches since 1) steel feels casual by default to me 2) I don't have to worry about dinging the leather band with a flailing patient

A YG/WG bluesy sub or a WG/YG/RG Day Date is essential to any collection. Strongly recommend trying a few on at your AD. The hulk is the way to go if you want a stainless sub, although once you own a smurf or gold bluesy you probably won't go back.

If you were looking to consolidate that's what I would recommend. Just know that once you start going gold with Rolex, it's really hard to own steel Rolexes and you end up looking at other brands for steel. My 2 cents

[Swaye]

Good advice from everyone so far. Appreciate it!

[MOOI]

The white gold Daytona is a really good choice if you want to consolidate your collection

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by MOOI

The white gold Daytona is a really good choice if you want to consolidate your collection

Agreed! That one is on order already. I've also been promised first crack at a WG Pepsi (either dial) from my AD when/if they get one (might be two years who knows). So, this collection of mine has to shrink if I want a few PMs. Decisons decisons.

[Cheapside Genie]

Originally Posted by Swaye

Agreed! That one is on order already. I've also been promised first crack at a WG Pepsi (either dial) from my AD when/if they get one (might be two years who knows). So, this collection of mine has to shrink if I want a few PMs. Decisons decisons.

I've been thinking of my own alchemy trade - selling my (unworn) SS white Daytona for either the WG 116519LN or WG 116509. That Steel dial is amazing and the steel Daytona value is crazy now - turning steel into gold...

[huba01]

Enjoy the process, its fun .
I went through the same process to fund my BLNR from a trusted seller with no regrets. The WG pepsi is a dream of a watch

[Vipes]

I would let go: Cellini, Explore II, Blancpain, Omega TinTin, and Milgauss. Platinum DD is a great piece.

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by Vipes

I would let go: Cellini, Explore II, Blancpain, Omega TinTin, and Milgauss. Platinum DD is a great piece.

Appreciate the advice. Funny how different opinions can be. The FF > any Rolex diver not named Kermit to me, so I wouldn't let that go. And every collection needs a Speedy imho, so that's a keeper. Milgauss yeah. Cellini yeah. Both certainly on the chopping block. Probably the DEEPSEA as well, and possibly the no date sub. 16710 Pepsi as well since I am looking to pick up a WG Pepsi eventually.

Decisions decisions. Thanks again!

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by Swaye

Appreciate the advice. Funny how different opinions can be. The FF > any Rolex diver not named Kermit to me, so I wouldn't let that go. And every collection needs a Speedy imho, so that's a keeper. Milgauss yeah. Cellini yeah. Both certainly on the chopping block. Probably the DEEPSEA as well, and possibly the no date sub. 16710 Pepsi as well since I am looking to pick up a WG Pepsi eventually.

Decisions decisions. Thanks again!

Sounds good. Keep us informed. Interested to see the new pieces

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by Vipes

Sounds good. Keep us informed. Interested to see the new pieces

Will do buddy!

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by Vipes

I would let go: Cellini, Explore II, Blancpain, Omega TinTin, and Milgauss. Platinum DD is a great piece.

Double post.

[srvrf]

I went from this



To this




I really have no regrets. I did love each watch I purchased but now I have two watches that alternate that cover pretty much all situations. I have been tempted to get a GMT or dual time watch for travel purposes (maybe even yellow gold to round out the collection) but I don’t see going more than three anymore.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by srvrf

I went from this



To this




I really have no regrets. I did love each watch I purchased but now I have two watches that alternate that cover pretty much all situations. I have been tempted to get a GMT or dual time watch for travel purposes (maybe even yellow gold to round out the collection) but I don’t see going more than three anymore.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Both of your collections are fantastic!

[zjd168]

Originally Posted by srvrf

I went from this



To this




I really have no regrets. I did love each watch I purchased but now I have two watches that alternate that cover pretty much all situations. I have been tempted to get a GMT or dual time watch for travel purposes (maybe even yellow gold to round out the collection) but I don’t see going more than three anymore.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Great move

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by srvrf

I went from this



To this




I really have no regrets. I did love each watch I purchased but now I have two watches that alternate that cover pretty much all situations. I have been tempted to get a GMT or dual time watch for travel purposes (maybe even yellow gold to round out the collection) but I don’t see going more than three anymore.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I think you did a great job in consolidating. I’ve been considering consolidating two SS pieces for either a DD or WG GMT.

OP, I think you’re on the right track with a ‘less is more’ approach. I think an ideal number is between 4 to 5. Otherwise, they just don’t get the wrist time they deserve.

[Navarino]

Originally Posted by srvrf

I went from this



To this




I really have no regrets. I did love each watch I purchased but now I have two watches that alternate that cover pretty much all situations. I have been tempted to get a GMT or dual time watch for travel purposes (maybe even yellow gold to round out the collection) but I don’t see going more than three anymore.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Well played! Agree that GMT would make for a strong candidate to add to the collection.

[peterpl]

Once you hit 7 or more watches I personally found that is a waste.

Some of them never get worn and the ones that are in regular rotation are only once per week if you rotate them evenly.

I used to have 25+ watches in my collection at one stage in my life. I only now have 5. You get to a point and think to yourself more is less. Better to have 5-7 watches on regular rotation than having many more and some not getting worn for months and months at a time.

Now is the perfect time to trade the SS pieces. In a more normal market buying 5 PM pieces will be over $100k most likely gray prices. With some hot SS pieces and if done right you could attain a 3-5 piece PM collection for ALOT less if you cash in now.

[a_plus1234]

Once you strap on a gold piece, you’ll understand. I traded in/sold all my SS for PM. Trying to distribute wrist-time for 15 SS is not my preference. Many won’t get any/very little wrist time. To me, an idle watch does me no good. I don’t care about resale. I care about wrist time

[mactruck]

I wish I could consolidate my Omegas down to one Rolex but the resale values. Ugh.

[charlitos]

less is more

[AK797]

At one point I had over a dozen watches covering 7 different brands but I knew I wanted to eventually focus down on a grail collection, and now I have it - 2 SS Rolex, 1 PM Rolex, 1 SS Patek, 1 PM Patek, 1 PM AP, and I haven't felt the need to add another in quite a while.

[jb335]

I have never had a 15 watch collection so I can't answer your question exactly, but I have a 5 watch collection with 2 PM (both YG) and am very happy with that size. I may even shed one of the 5 and stick to 4.

I would rather have a smaller collection with more grail pieces than a much larger collection without any truly grail-like pieces. So yes, I would go in the direction you are considering.

[Swaye]

This is a great thread and I truly appreciate all the opinions expressed. I won't answer everyone individually, but I greatly appreciate all of this.

I am very nearly convinced to at least start the process. As previously mentioned, I do have my first PM piece on order with the AD, but did no consolidation to get it. I am now seriously considering moving a half dozen of my lesser worn SS pieces to get a platinum grail. That would leave me with 2PMs that I have desired for ages, and about 8 SS when all the dust settles and my Fifty Fathoms comes in this fall. So I'd be down net 5 watches, and still plenty of room to whittle that down some more to fund another PM piece in the future.

Still have some noodling to do but I do appreciate hearing everyone's experience with the "watch collection is so large I can't wear most of them" dilemma I am in.