Criteria of Rolex Collection!!!

[Rolex Lover]

I love watches, specially Rolex and would love to have all its models oneday. I have a question and please folks don't take it as I'm trying to be involved in someone's business. I saw many posts of our friends Rolex collection, and what surprises me that some of them have repeated models in the collection!!! I don't mean that a person has a GMT pepsi and coke, but some have same of the pepei and same of the coke. Even the bracelet is the same and the model year is not more than one year difference!!! For me, if I want to buy two GMT II pepsi and coke, I will put for example a Jubilee bracelet on one of them. I have a SS Sub, and I won't think of re buying the same model unless Rolex changes something sinificant in the watch, ceramic bezel for example. May be some of our friends with bigger collections have thei own reasons or criteria and will love and highly appriciate if they share their thoughts.

Thanks,
Ahmed

[Subexplorer]

Hi Ahmed! Interesting question.
A bit difficult to explain in few words and little space.
As a matter of fact, many books have been written about collecting, its true deep sense, and the internal personal reasons which actually dictates the behaviour of a collector.
After all, collectors have existed for centuries!
There are also books covering collections of many objects, and the usual "rules" which govern the gathering a true collection.

In my personal point of view, whichever is your interest in collecting, from stamps, knives, guns, art pieces or watches, you should distinguish between accumulating pieces, and real collecting.

True collectors usually gather pieces with a connection or story in common. A collection "must tell something" which connects the pieces together. It usually requires speciallizing
in a variant, or model.
A collection "tells a story" to the viewer: the story of a development, the different models of certain brand, the evolution of a particular model, etc.

Speciallizing has its strong points.
It let´s concentrate your budget focused in one direction, instead of spreading in other objectives. Available money never seems to be enough and helps to use it well!

Speciallizing helps also to center your attention studying efforts, reading, etc. in one specific area. Studying books, reading and knowing well your object of desire, is of superlative importance to a true collector.
Helps to recognize and find pieces, its variants, to detect fakes, and also to know about market values.
Specializing allows you to concentrate efforts, budget and attention, and also allows to more profitable use of your time and hard work required.

As an example of difference between collection and accumulation:

You could get a collection of Diver´s watches of many brands.
Or a collection of divers´ watches from Rolex, from the first models to the last ones.
You could collect Rolex "Bubblebacks".
You can specialize in Rolex GMT variants since its introduction up to day models.
You may wish to collect "chronographs" of different top end brands made under certain period of time.
Any of these could be called "a collection".

Now, accumulating, means buying what you see, what you like and can afford, without paying any real attention to follow "a line".
The pieces of your accumulation do not follow "a string" and says nothing to an occasional viewer, except telling which was the course of your fancy when you bought such or such watch.
You can buy different watches of many brands, or any of the several models of same brand (e.g. Rolex) just to satisfy your desire and own personal "gusto".

This is nothing bad IMHO, but not collecting, just gathering.

Of course, every true collector brakes from time to time, the rule of buying only what it´s related with his serious collection, and buys something his fancy dictates.
There is no Law prohibiting that! So you can brake the rules. Aren´t they made to be broken anyway?

I´m not watch collector, though Rolex is my favorite brand, and like Rolex dive watches in special, but I got some other brands which I really like, and other Rolex models I love.

By the other hand I´m an antique gun and knife collector, and know this branch of collecting very well, as well as having connections with collectors world wide, and the rules are similar to what I have written here.
Also know well other objects collectors (stamps collectors, electric train collectors, pen collectors, etc.) and this general division between true serious collectors and accumulators, always apply.

I guess most important thing in collecting or gathering, is enjoying what you do, and enjoy what you buy, and feeling happy with both your pieces, and the sharing of the experience with other fellow collectors. This human connection, is always rewarding, and help to make more enjoyable this activity.
Feeling happy oneself, is also a final goal in pursuing your collecting (or just gathering).

Hope this personal point of view helps a little to answer your question, and I´m sure other TRF friends will bring here their own views, and experience.

Best kind regards, Abel

[Rolex Lover]

Originally Posted by Subexplorer

Hi Ahmed! Interesting question.
A bit difficult to explain in few words and little space.
As a matter of fact, many books have been written about collecting, its true deep sense, and the internal personal reasons which actually dictates the behaviour of a collector.
After all, collectors have existed for centuries!
There are also books covering collections of many objects, and the usual "rules" which govern the gathering a true collection.

In my personal point of view, whichever is your interest in collecting, from stamps, knives, guns, art pieces or watches, you should distinguish between accumulating pieces, and real collecting.

True collectors usually gather pieces with a connection or story in common. A collection "must tell something" which connects the pieces together. It usually requires speciallizing
in a variant, or model.
A collection "tells a story" to the viewer: the story of a development, the different models of certain brand, the evolution of a particular model, etc.

Speciallizing has its strong points.
It let´s concentrate your budget focused in one direction, instead of spreading in other objectives. Available money never seems to be enough and helps to use it well!

Speciallizing helps also to center your attention studying efforts, reading, etc. in one specific area. Studying books, reading and knowing well your object of desire, is of superlative importance to a true collector.
Helps to recognize and find pieces, its variants, to detect fakes, and also to know about market values.
Specializing allows you to concentrate efforts, budget and attention, and also allows to more profitable use of your time and hard work required.

As an example of difference between collection and accumulation:

You could get a collection of Diver´s watches of many brands.
Or a collection of divers´ watches from Rolex, from the first models to the last ones.
You could collect Rolex "Bubblebacks".
You can specialize in Rolex GMT variants since its introduction up to day models.
You may wish to collect "chronographs" of different top end brands made under certain period of time.
Any of these could be called "a collection".

Now, accumulating, means buying what you see, what you like and can afford, without paying any real attention to follow "a line".
The pieces of your accumulation do not follow "a string" and says nothing to an occasional viewer, except telling which was the course of your fancy when you bought such or such watch.
You can buy different watches of many brands, or any of the several models of same brand (e.g. Rolex) just to satisfy your desire and own personal "gusto".

This is nothing bad IMHO, but not collecting, just gathering.

Of course, every true collector brakes from time to time, the rule of buying only what it´s related with his serious collection, and buys something his fancy dictates.
There is no Law prohibiting that! So you can brake the rules. Aren´t they made to be broken anyway?

I´m not watch collector, though Rolex is my favorite brand, and like Rolex dive watches in special, but I got some other brands which I really like, and other Rolex models I love.

By the other hand I´m an antique gun and knife collector, and know this branch of collecting very well, as well as having connections with collectors world wide, and the rules are similar to what I have written here.
Also know well other objects collectors (stamps collectors, electric train collectors, pen collectors, etc.) and this general division between true serious collectors and accumulators, always apply.

I guess most important thing in collecting or gathering, is enjoying what you do, and enjoy what you buy, and feeling happy with both your pieces, and the sharing of the experience with other fellow collectors. This human connection, is always rewarding, and help to make more enjoyable this activity.
Feeling happy oneself, is also a final goal in pursuing your collecting (or just gathering).

Hope this personal point of view helps a little to answer your question, and I´m sure other TRF friends will bring here their own views, and experience.

Best kind regards, Abel

Abel, I appreciate your very kind clarification. I like your way of illustration

[mike]

Originally Posted by Subexplorer

Hi Ahmed! Interesting question.
A bit difficult to explain in few words and little space.
As a matter of fact, many books have been written about collecting, its true deep sense, and the internal personal reasons which actually dictates the behaviour of a collector.
After all, collectors have existed for centuries!
There are also books covering collections of many objects, and the usual "rules" which govern the gathering a true collection.

In my personal point of view, whichever is your interest in collecting, from stamps, knives, guns, art pieces or watches, you should distinguish between accumulating pieces, and real collecting.

True collectors usually gather pieces with a connection or story in common. A collection "must tell something" which connects the pieces together. It usually requires speciallizing
in a variant, or model.
A collection "tells a story" to the viewer: the story of a development, the different models of certain brand, the evolution of a particular model, etc.

Speciallizing has its strong points.
It let´s concentrate your budget focused in one direction, instead of spreading in other objectives. Available money never seems to be enough and helps to use it well!

Speciallizing helps also to center your attention studying efforts, reading, etc. in one specific area. Studying books, reading and knowing well your object of desire, is of superlative importance to a true collector.
Helps to recognize and find pieces, its variants, to detect fakes, and also to know about market values.
Specializing allows you to concentrate efforts, budget and attention, and also allows to more profitable use of your time and hard work required.

As an example of difference between collection and accumulation:

You could get a collection of Diver´s watches of many brands.
Or a collection of divers´ watches from Rolex, from the first models to the last ones.
You could collect Rolex "Bubblebacks".
You can specialize in Rolex GMT variants since its introduction up to day models.
You may wish to collect "chronographs" of different top end brands made under certain period of time.
Any of these could be called "a collection".

Now, accumulating, means buying what you see, what you like and can afford, without paying any real attention to follow "a line".
The pieces of your accumulation do not follow "a string" and says nothing to an occasional viewer, except telling which was the course of your fancy when you bought such or such watch.
You can buy different watches of many brands, or any of the several models of same brand (e.g. Rolex) just to satisfy your desire and own personal "gusto".

This is nothing bad IMHO, but not collecting, just gathering.

Of course, every true collector brakes from time to time, the rule of buying only what it´s related with his serious collection, and buys something his fancy dictates.
There is no Law prohibiting that! So you can brake the rules. Aren´t they made to be broken anyway?

I´m not watch collector, though Rolex is my favorite brand, and like Rolex dive watches in special, but I got some other brands which I really like, and other Rolex models I love.

By the other hand I´m an antique gun and knife collector, and know this branch of collecting very well, as well as having connections with collectors world wide, and the rules are similar to what I have written here.
Also know well other objects collectors (stamps collectors, electric train collectors, pen collectors, etc.) and this general division between true serious collectors and accumulators, always apply.

I guess most important thing in collecting or gathering, is enjoying what you do, and enjoy what you buy, and feeling happy with both your pieces, and the sharing of the experience with other fellow collectors. This human connection, is always rewarding, and help to make more enjoyable this activity.
Feeling happy oneself, is also a final goal in pursuing your collecting (or just gathering).

Hope this personal point of view helps a little to answer your question, and I´m sure other TRF friends will bring here their own views, and experience.

Best kind regards, Abel

Abel, thank you for a wonderful post. I hope you don't mind, I've copied your response and posted it in the resources section with all credit to you.

This can serve as an excellent starting point for anyone pondering the collection of Rolex or other watch brands.

Thank you.

[binary777]

Rolex to me is that it keeps good value and never goes out of style. I can pass on to my son just like my dad did with his. In Asia, Rolex is highly regarded as a brand with good taste.

[hflee55]

Originally Posted by binary777

Rolex to me is that it keeps good value and never goes out of style. I can pass on to my son just like my dad did with his. In Asia, Rolex is highly regarded as a brand with good taste.

x2

[Porsche]

Hi Abel

thanks for that great synopsis of collecting... I like the way you have differentiated betweeen the subtelties involved...

Cheers

[MrRetep]

Very Well Explained Abel

Thanks

[Lion]

Everyone is different in what they collect/accumulate. The reasons behind their purchases are as varied as each individual. I would suggest setting a goal and work toward completion of this goal. Then move on and set a new goal to work toward. With collecting I find the hunt to be the most satisfying and completion does have its rewards as well.
For example, I collect U.S. coins but within coins I have specialized in acquiring Large cents. Then I narrow my collecting interest to those produced between 1840-1857. Now within this group there are different die-pairings which were used to strike the coins. This totals 386 distinct die varieties. So you can see this will keep me busy for probably the rest of my life.
Find some area that you have an interest in(i.e. vintage Submariners,etc.....) and then read up on the subject to educate yourself first. Now you are ready to purchase and acquire sought after collectables!!!

[mck22]

interesting post and opinions. I like reading this stuff.

[alant]

What an answer Abel. Very true words!

[Singslinger]

Abel - your explanation as to why people collect is fantastic! I'd just like to add that men are more likely than women to collect watches and that I collect for variety's sake (I'd get too bored if I had to wear only one watch all the time).

[buz-lh]

Great answer Abel. I'm an accumulator but aspire to be a collector some day.

[Subexplorer]

Thanks friends! I´m very happy to receive your comments, and more happy to share my points of views over this matter. I sincerely appreciate your messages, and I´m glad this could help to clear the interesting Ahmed question, just a bit.

I´ve been collecting objects for more than 35 years now, and also devoted a lot of thoughts, talking and reading to the "act of collecting" itself.

This is a very interesting and complex issue, and I really love to think and talk about.

Its very true what Lion says, and I have found this with many, many old "dyed in the wool" collectors: the discovery, the hunt, the way of making us an object, is the more exciting part of the game for most collectors, me incuded.
You keep liking and loving every object of your collection (or accumulation), but after "the catch", the direction of efforts and new excitement goes to the next addition.

Also true what Singslinger says. Most passionate collectors are men. ... But from time to time you find a true great collector in a lady; and most surprising, of objects usually related to men, like firearms, vintage cars, or watches, as an example.

Of course there are great collectors of art, who are ladies, many of them investing great fortunes in their pursuiit, and famous in all world .

But the general rule is, men are the collectors, and women (specially wife or girl friend) seem to see this inclination without truly understanding, or just seen as a means of throwing the money without sense. Fortunately, there are many exceptions to this point of view!.

I also agree 100% with Lion, about his view of different approaches of every individual towards collect or accumulate. And also like to learn about his own approach to specializing in a particular area of coin collecting. He is truly a collector in the classic sense!

Thanks again friends, and specially to Ahmed for a good question for this thread. It´s always so enjoyable to read these TRF posts.
Kind regards, Abel

[iSellJerseyShore]

Originally Posted by Subexplorer

But the general rule is, men are the collectors, and women (specially wife or girl friend) seem to see this inclination without truly understanding, or just seen as a means of throwing the money without sense. Fortunately, there are many exceptions to this point of view!.

Abel,

You are an excellent writer and your contributions are full bodied. I enjoy reading your posts, especially ones as detailed as this one as mentioned previously in this thread.

You forgot to mention that women are known for collecting; SHOES & Purses!! Oh wait, on second thought, they just accumulate!!!

Cheers!

-Frankie

[Subexplorer]

Thank you for your kind words Frankie! I appreciate that!

Oh yeah! It´s usually "accumulation" in that department you mention!

But as I said, I have been gladly surprised to meet ladies with great collections and great knowledge of the subject they gathered. And they additionally got a charm we fellow male collectors don´t have!

Thanks again for your kind comment!
Best regards, Abel

[stusrt]

Subexlorer - I realize now I am no collector.
I am an accumlator.

I buy what I want, trade/sell what I've grown tired of
as my tastes change, so does my collection.

I have rules like resale, getting the best price, etc...
but my "must have" watch will probably become my "must sell" in a few years to get the next "must have".

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by stusrt

Subexlorer - I realize now I am no collector.
I am an accumlator.

I buy what I want, trade/sell what I've grown tired of
as my tastes change, so does my collection.

I have rules like resale, getting the best price, etc...
but my "must have" watch will probably become my "must sell" in a few years to get the next "must have".

Hi Stusrt!
Thanks for sharing your approach to "having many examples of same kind of object" (be it classic collecting or just accumulation)

If it works for you and you get happiness and satisfaction, this is valid.
No collector should rigidly apply to the "generally accepted rules of collecting" (that is specialization, focus in some aspect, etc) if he doesn´t reach his personal satisfaction and enjoyment from the activity.

May be he won´t be considered a collector in true sense, but an accumulator, but by no means this last word implies a less valuable or honorable status. Just trying to differentiate two different approaches to the ownership of many objects of similar type.
One with certain rules and "rigueur" the other a most pleasurable and informal one.

I have also known collectors in the classic sense explained, always changing, buying and selling and focusing in different aspects.
In a true sense, a collection follows a line or string as I tried to explain in my first post, but it usually is a most dynamic thing which actually moves itself in a "serpentine" way, and grows and moves sideways with its owner.
You get focus in a goal or "main title" for your collection, but anyhow you get some "side" purchases to add to the main line, and this makes deviations.

As we change with life, and pass of time, collection interest also change or flow with us.
It´s very interesting what you say about yours, as it happens with many collectors/accumulators, as a matter of fact.

As said, in collecting (or accumulating), enjoyment is the name of the game!!

Thanks for sharing!
Kind regards, Abel

PS: I now realize that I´m speaking too much about collecting, in a Watch Forum, not being a true collector of watches myself, but just a watch lover (and specially Rolex lover) with a little Rolex "accumulation", and a lot of interest in participating in this great Web Site.
I feel I couldn´t afford (for budget restrictions, I mean) to collect watches seriously and in the true sense of a classic collector.

[iSellJerseyShore]

Most people do not realize that there is actually a method to the madness!

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by iSellJerseyShore

Most people do not realize that there is actually a method to the madness!

Well... I guess that´s also true!!
Collecting may be a nice kind of more or less methodic madness anyway!
Regards, Abel

[Rolex Lover]

Originally Posted by Subexplorer

Well... I guess that´s also true!!
Collecting may be a nice kind of more or less methodic madness anyway!
Regards, Abel

[GerardoG]

Bravo Abel!

[Subexplorer]

Hi Mike!! Many Thanks!! I´m thrilled to know you liked it enough to post it there!
What a cumpliment! I sincerely appreciate it!
Thanks again, and let me say one more time how pleasurable is to share our passion in this wonderful place.
Kind regards, Abel