Too many watches, struggling to downsize

[GolfJunkie]

I've always had a thing for watches, from my Timex Ironman and Nike "smart watch" as a little kid, to fossil in middle school, then to Bulova, Movado, Citizen, etc, in High School and into my early twenties. Then in 2015 my wife gifted me a Montblanc Star Chronograph on our wedding day. This was my first "real" watch and I was absolutely obsessed and infatuated with that watch, wore it every day for a year. In the fall of 2016 I was ready to buy myself another watch. I had narrowed it down to an Omega Speedmaster GSTOM or a Rolex Submariner 116610ln. So in December of 2016 I was in Houston and my wife and I went to the Galleria to do some shopping. Went into the Omega boutique and tried on almost every variation of the Speedmaster and almost pulled the trigger but wanted to go look at Rolex. So we went down the hall to the Rolex boutique and I asked a SA if he had a Sub date, he said they currently didn't have that model in stock and showed me what was available. Basically everything in the current lineup besides the SubLN and SS Daytonas. I hadn't yet joined TRF and my knowledge of Rolex was very limited and I was overwhelmed by the selection and different models (and honestly hadn't looked at much outside the SubLN) so back to Omega we went and I bought the GSTOM (that one still kind of stings, paid full retail but still love the watch to this day so oh well). Well, after getting home and enjoying the Omega for a whole month I still couldn't get the Rolex out of my head. Joined the forum in January of 2017 and purchased that Sub Date shortly thereafter, then my Exp II a few months later, then the BLNR, then...



We all know how it goes and how addicting it can be. To say I hit the ground running would be an understatement. I've acquired my entire collection, pictured below, in a short span of 4 years. Quite a few have come and gone and there are a few others I still lust after. But the last few weeks I've experienced almost an overwhelming feeling of "I have too many". Honestly I'm at the point where I can't even enjoy them all and it feels like a chore to wear certain watches.



Ideally I would like to get to 8-10 but have no idea where to begin and know I would have sellers remorse for almost all of the watches I currently have.



I've thought about selling all the GMT's but can't bring myself to do it. I've also thought about keeping 1-2 GMT's, 1-2 divers, 1-2 chronos but again, can't bring myself to do it and decide what goes and what stays.



Where do I start???? Do I just grab a few, sell them, forget about them and move on? Please share your thoughts and let me know if you've had a similar experience and what your outcome was.



A couple that are staying for sure:

Montblanc Chrono

Tudor GMT

SD43

116619lb

216570

116610lv

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

have no idea where to begin and know I would have sellers remorse for almost all of the watches I currently have.



I've thought about selling all the GMT's but can't bring myself to do it. I've also thought about keeping 1-2 GMT's, 1-2 divers, 1-2 chronos but again, can't bring myself to do it and decide what goes and what stays.



Where do I start???? Do I just grab a few, sell them, forget about them and move on? Please share your thoughts and let me know if you've had a similar experience and what your outcome was.

Just my .02 please do not take this the wrong way.

It sounds to me like you want to own, just to own.

Which ones do you wear? Which ones do you like? Which ones remain in the boxes?

What is the reason for keeping duplicate watches?

I have downsized several times and need to do so again. For me it is simple, these are possessions, pieces of metal. If I no longer like it, want to wear it or want to repurpose money into something new, then I do it.

Good luck

[TimeLord2]

Wish I had your problem. Have any great friends or relatives deserving of such a fine gift?

[Bearxj86]

I would start with the idea that you don't need 3 Pepsis (Jubilee, 16710?, Tudor?)

[Pantheon]

Imo only you know what you want to keep and get rid of. Everyone is going to have a different opinion. Just make sure you don't do something you will regret

Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

[brandrea]

It’s such a personal choice, are there some that just don’t see wrist time?

I like the idea of keeping an old and a new from each complication.

[EndlessEight]

It it were my collection:

Keep:
Hulk
Smurf
Submariner
Explorer 1
Pepsi jubilee & Oyster
Batman
Explorer 2
Milgauss


I'd sell the rest and try to target a precious metal dress watch (PP Calatrava?) or high end sports watch (Aquanaut or RO 41).

BTW the lone jubilee among the oysters in that case is triggering me!

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Just my .02 please do not take this the wrong way.

It sounds to me like you want to own, just to own.

Which ones do you wear? Which ones do you like? Which ones remain in the boxes?

What is the reason for keeping duplicate watches?

I have downsized several times and need to do so again. For me it is simple, these are possessions, pieces of metal. If I no longer like it, want to wear it or want to repurpose money into something new, then I do it.

Good luck

No offense taken at all

You're right though, I do find myself buying to buy. I enjoy and am fortunate enough to have these but sometimes feels like I like having them and looking at them more than just wearing and enjoying a select few. I wear the Subs and the Exp II more than anything so a couple of the GMT's are going but don't want to regret selling a discontinued model if (when) I want it back.

[Notsoprobro]

I agree with above, the 3 pepsi is a little much.

I'd sell off the tudor GMT.
I'd also probably sell either the Milgauss or Explorer I.
I'd also sell either the SD or the ND sub, or both.

I'm a fan of the GMT, but I feel like having an LN, a BLNR, and a BLRO is again, a bit much. I'd probably sell the BLNR as to have a classy lowkey GMT and the BLRO for when you want a bit of pop.

It's hard to downsize because we often look at these pieces as having sentimental value and its often easy to justify wanting to keep all of them. Take a step back and look at what you don't wear, and sell it.

Also, another idea -> put the pieces you're considering selling into a safe deposit box. Pretend they're gone. If you find yourself missing a particular piece, its a keeper.

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

Wish I had your problem. Have any great friends or relatives deserving of such a fine gift?

There's a few, great suggestion

I will seriously consider this for a few of them.

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

I would start with the idea that you don't need 3 Pepsis (Jubilee, 16710?, Tudor?)

You're right, but the 16710 could be a coke

Seriously though, the 16710 is probably going and I feel like the 126710 and Tudor GMT are different enough to keep both

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by Pantheon

Imo only you know what you want to keep and get rid of. Everyone is going to have a different opinion. Just make sure you don't do something you will regret

Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

That's what I'm struggling with, trying to make sure I'm making the right decision.

[Yellowfury]

almost got a grey side of the moon myself but yeah retail for it is...yeesh.

[eteokles]

I can offer advice based on something you alluded to in your post. You said it felt like a chore to wear certain watches. Those are the first to go since they aren't contributing to your enjoyment of the hobby.

[AK797]

Are there no other brands you want to consolidate into? If not then your Rolex collection is fine and not really worth downsizing just for the sake of it.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

You're right though, I do find myself buying to buy. I enjoy and am fortunate enough to have these but sometimes feels like I like having them and looking at them more than just wearing and enjoying a select few.

I was there and I have never looked back.

If I sold something there was a reason. If you are always going to be second guessing what you should have done you will never be happy.

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by brandrea

It’s such a personal choice, are there some that just don’t see wrist time?

I like the idea of keeping an old and a new from each complication.

I don't wear the Milgauss, Aqua Terra and feel like I'm forcing myself to wear the Explorer. Also rarely wear either BLRO and BLNR, but want to keep at least one.

[ink3027]

Which three would you estimate get the most wrist time?

[MattyL147]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

I don't wear the Milgauss, Aqua Terra and feel like I'm forcing myself to wear the Explorer. Also rarely wear either BLRO and BLNR, but want to keep at least one.

I think you just narrowed your collection down by 3 (or 4).

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by EndlessEight

It it were my collection:

Keep:
Hulk
Smurf
Submariner
Explorer 1
Pepsi jubilee & Oyster
Batman
Explorer 2
Milgauss


I'd sell the rest and try to target a precious metal dress watch (PP Calatrava?) or high end sports watch (Aquanaut or RO 41).

BTW the lone jubilee among the oysters in that case is triggering me!

I'd like to keep at least one Omega and one Tudor.

Really have no need for a dress watch. I'll wear a suit maybe once a year. Have thought about getting a AP ROO but need to try some on first and have't had a chance.

[macrowatch]

I thought JorgeCCW had such a great thread showing his evolution of the collection trying to stay disciplined around 5 or 6 watches. So inspirational.

I feel your struggle. I have a 5 digit sub I bought 12 years ago. Whenever I look at it, I think wow, what a great watch to own...but the reality is I've probably worn it all of maybe 60 days tops in the last decade. It just never makes it to the wrist. So...I suggest (without being able to adhere to my own advice), Marie Kondo it. Or maybe 1/2 Marie Kondo it. Pick the favorites, put the rest away in the safe. If you don't feel compelled to crack open the safe to pull it out to wear at least 2 days over the next month, time to consolidate. =)

Wrist time = stays, no wrist time = decision time.

[Cal-Yin()Cal-Yang]

Get rid of you wife, marry me. Then I’ll take half of those when our marriage ends. Problem solved!

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by Notsoprobro

I agree with above, the 3 pepsi is a little much.

I'd sell off the tudor GMT.
I'd also probably sell either the Milgauss or Explorer I. <-- these are probably both going
I'd also sell either the SD or the ND sub, or both. <-- love Rolex divers and the glidelock so probably keeping all the divers

I'm a fan of the GMT, but I feel like having an LN, a BLNR, and a BLRO is again, a bit much. I'd probably sell the BLNR as to have a classy lowkey GMT and the BLRO for when you want a bit of pop.

It's hard to downsize because we often look at these pieces as having sentimental value and its often easy to justify wanting to keep all of them. Take a step back and look at what you don't wear, and sell it.

Also, another idea -> put the pieces you're considering selling into a safe deposit box. Pretend they're gone. If you find yourself missing a particular piece, its a keeper.

Have to agree with your statement about the GMT's. Leaning towards letting the BLNR go.

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by Yellowfury

almost got a grey side of the moon myself but yeah retail for it is...yeesh.

ya, it still haunts me a little. Especially when I could have had a Daytona at the time for a couple grand more...

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by eteokles

I can offer advice based on something you alluded to in your post. You said it felt like a chore to wear certain watches. Those are the first to go since they aren't contributing to your enjoyment of the hobby.

[PVson]

Out of curiosity, what do you tend to wear on the Golf Course?

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by AK797

Are there no other brands you want to consolidate into? If not then your Rolex collection is fine and not really worth downsizing just for the sake of it.

Not really. I like the looks of the PP 5711 white, 5712 and 5990 but not ready to take that leap yet.

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I was there and I have never looked back.

If I sold something there was a reason. If you are always going to be second guessing what you should have done you will never be happy.

Good advice.

I'm going to put some thought into it over the weekend and make some decisions.

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by ink3027

Which three would you estimate get the most wrist time?

114060
216570
116619lb

[1675-David]

here comes my first "not" joke,

WOW man, I feel your pain... not!