Slowly Evolving Collection - Hold 'Em or Shuffle Again?

[AboutTime]

I recently realized that I shouldn’t really be a watch collector. First of all, of course, it costs an insane amount of money to collect fine timepieces and a considerable amount annually to insure those timepieces. Secondly, I’m not good at rotating my watches; I just wear one of my stainless-steel watches day-after-day until I get a new one. Any gold watch in my “collection” gets very infrequent use because we no longer have many “special occasions.”

My interest in expensive watches started only a few years ago, when I was already an old man. My first real watch was a SS DJ 116234 with blue stick dial which I sold less than two years later. My second watch, a JLC MUT Moon, was acquired after the sale of my DJ. Eventually I accumulated a “massive” total of four fine watches before I realized I was in too deep. Then, almost by accident, I found a buyer for my JLC.

Now I have three watches, all special to me in some way. Three seems like the ideal number of watches for me: one for every day, one for dress, and one in-between watch that can go either way. But, probably like many forum members, I’m never completely satisfied with the makeup of the collection. My SubC is my newest acquisition and is currently my every-day watch. My Breguet Marine Big Date, formerly my every-day watch, has migrated to the in-between position. I’m going to swap out the rubber strap on my Breguet for the black leather strap to dress it up a bit. My Patek Calatrava 5296R is the star of my little collection but, because I have an irrational fear of damaging it, I seldom wear it. I’ve probably worn my Calatrava three times during the eight months I’ve owned it. It seems ridiculous to own a watch that I’m afraid to wear, but there it is.

I can’t seem to shake that nagging desire to own a YG Rolex Day-Date or DDII even though my wife is not particularly fond of the anything-but-subtle appearance of the YG DD. I want no more than three watches in my collection but I’m reluctant to part with any of my current three. It might make the most sense to swap my seldom-worn PP for a DD, which I believe I would wear much more frequently. But, on the other hand, giving up a PP for a much more commonplace DD seems like a step I might later regret.

What would you do? Stick with the current lineup or shake up things one more time? Sorry for the poor quality phone pictures.

[jjnd08]

I like to flip them too and not own more than two or three. If you will wear the DD more, get it. It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on a watch you can't let yourself enjoy.

[subtona]

you have 3 great pieces!

but sometimes … it is what it is:)

[MitchSteel]

I always NEED one more.....you know, for the beach

I have a problem

[jcd]

You have some awesome watches. But, I would shake it up if I were you. But I am a perpetual flipper myself. I enjoy owning one for a few months and then on to the next. I enjoy experiencing them and then letting someone else have the pleasure. Of my current rotation of 4, only one (my 16713) have I had for more than a year. The one on my wrist tonight has been here since Thursday. :)

[FTX I]

I'm not a PP guy but the one you have is a gorgeous classic watch. Congrats.

[jshepard]

Id keep it, you've got a great collection!

[zama]

As far as a 3 watch collection goes, sorry to say what you have is perfect!!!! sports/dress and somewhere in between. the DD is not in my opinion superior to the PP or Breguet and sounds like you will be scared about it being gold. Either bend the rules to 4 or hold what you have

[HL65]

I'd take a DD over the Breguet and Patek. Shake it up...What the heck you only live once!

[sea-dweller]

Great collection from 3 great names!

[Rolex40mm]

Forget the thought that your collection will ever be complete. Most of us WIS types will jump at getting another piece whenever we get the chance. It's a disease just like gambling, alcoholism, and drug addiction.

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by Leem

I recently realized that I shouldn’t really be a watch collector. First of all, of course, it costs an insane amount of money to collect fine timepieces and a considerable amount annually to insure those timepieces. Secondly, I’m not good at rotating my watches; I just wear one of my stainless-steel watches day-after-day until I get a new one. Any gold watch in my “collection” gets very infrequent use because we no longer have many “special occasions.”

My interest in expensive watches started only a few years ago, when I was already an old man. My first real watch was a SS DJ 116234 with blue stick dial which I sold less than two years later. My second watch, a JLC MUT Moon, was acquired after the sale of my DJ. Eventually I accumulated a “massive” total of four fine watches before I realized I was in too deep. Then, almost by accident, I found a buyer for my JLC.

Now I have three watches, all special to me in some way. Three seems like the ideal number of watches for me: one for every day, one for dress, and one in-between watch that can go either way. But, probably like many forum members, I’m never completely satisfied with the makeup of the collection. My SubC is my newest acquisition and is currently my every-day watch. My Breguet Marine Big Date, formerly my every-day watch, has migrated to the in-between position. I’m going to swap out the rubber strap on my Breguet for the black leather strap to dress it up a bit. My Patek Calatrava 5296R is the star of my little collection but, because I have an irrational fear of damaging it, I seldom wear it. I’ve probably worn my Calatrava three times during the eight months I’ve owned it. It seems ridiculous to own a watch that I’m afraid to wear, but there it is.

I can’t seem to shake that nagging desire to own a YG Rolex Day-Date or DDII even though my wife is not particularly fond of the anything-but-subtle appearance of the YG DD. I want no more than three watches in my collection but I’m reluctant to part with any of my current three. It might make the most sense to swap my seldom-worn PP for a DD, which I believe I would wear much more frequently. But, on the other hand, giving up a PP for a much more commonplace DD seems like a step I might later regret.

What would you do? Stick with the current lineup or shake up things one more time? Sorry for the poor quality phone pictures.

I'd get rid of those three and get a gold Sub or GMT. I burnt out on the DDs, but that is just me...

[samsam]

Originally Posted by MitchSteel

I always NEED one more.....you know, for the beach



I have a problem

You made laugh

OP: I love your current 3, but I would sell the PP get the DD. If acquired at the right price, you can always sell it and get the PP if you regret it.


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[up2nogood]

I'd ditch the PP and the Sub C, and replace with DD, GMT or Sub in gold.
Keep the Breguet for formal duty.

[judson]

It sounds to me like you really want to get rid of the PP, so do it.

I personally think your PP is the best of your collection and would keep it. It flies under the radar of most people on the street, but if you know watches it oozes class.

[Cru Jones]

really solid trio. but, if you must change, go for it, why not?

just to say, you'll probably never be "satisfied", so, either learn to be happy with what you have or flip to flip, but, don't agonize.

[Lexxxus]

Having worn Subs for 30 years I am starting to find them a bit pedestrian and have been toying with the idea of a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. You don't see them too often. The other 2 you have are gorgeous.

[Roll the Lex]

The first paragraph says it all.

Sell everything but the subc.
You like to stick with one watch, you're not a collector, it's expensive to maintain a collection.

Then if you want a dd get one. But you already said gold doesn't get a lot of wrist time so buy used so if you flip you won't lose too much.


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[sebastien1975]

Great collection.
Sell the Breguet and buy another SS Rolex.
You should probably stay away from Gold, since you are worried of damaging your watches.
As for the PP, give it another chance. It is a great piece and will not lose much value vs. today resale value

[kilyung]

Great PP however sell it and the Breguet to get a gold DD/DD2. Between the SubC and a YG DD/DD2, I'd be done.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by jjnd08

I like to flip them too and not own more than two or three. If you will wear the DD more, get it. It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on a watch you can't let yourself enjoy.

This sounds like good advice to me

[AK797]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

I'd take a DD over the Breguet and Patek. Shake it up...What the heck you only live once!

I agree, life is too short not to have a watch you truly desire if you can afford it. I would get that DD. I had the same concerns that it was a little too blingy but then its a gold Rolex so ofc it is, and I have other watches for more subtle days, so now its right back on my list.

[ccwatchman1961]

I've always felt that three nice pieces were a good amount for me. I try and bring in a new watch every year while sending another one out.

[petenyc]

nice collection

[SohAIS]

Those are some great pieces.

[One Ping Only]

Great collection, but as others have said, trade out the PP for the DD if, repeat if you will get more wear out of it.