How do you build your collection?

[masyv6]

I try to not have too many watches that are "the same". In practice, I mean that I'm not interested in having a Speedy Pro, Daytona, and AP RO Chrono. Some folks like to have categories for their watches. While I can understand the value of such a collection strategy, I don't subscribe to it.

I'd rather have a highly variable collection than a focused one.

Just one man's opinion!

[Spartacus]

I enjoy traveling to places like Miami, during my visits I'm either spending hours in the ocean or pool during the day and hitting a nice restaurant and or club in the evening. My watches must all fit the Miami trip's needs!

Each of my watches have a little Miami vibe to them.

[el1125]

Originally Posted by AK797

To quote the Fast Show, "This year I will be mostly collecting my fav PM Rolex and SS Rolex, my fav PP and my fav AP."

Between them there is enough divergence for any occasion.

Neil, your reply is the closest to my collections logic 👏👌🙏

[madmax21]

Originally Posted by Cimballi

First, let me say that I clearly understand that purchasing a watch can be driven by a combination of logic and emotion.

Second, from my humble point of view, a watch collection is defined by a logic.
In absence of logic, it is what I would call "an accumulation of watches", which could be an awesome one, BTW.

From the beginning, I tried to set a logic and a target number for the watches I purchase.

Here are a few examples of numbers/logics in a collection:

One watch: engagement present
Two watches: weekdays/ weekend
Three watches: work/home/sports
Four watches: steel work/ gold work/ sports beater/ formal gold
And so on...

You can base your logic on so many parameters: usage, metal, complication, provenance, brand, age, movement, color,...

After much thinking, I ended up with a target of 10 watches and a logic based on dress style and usage:

SS diver,
SS chronograph,
SS pilot,
YG dress,
SS dress with silver or white dial,
SS dress with blue dial,
SS or titanium beater,
Plastic quartz sports,
SS GMT,
Vintage from my birth year (my wild card)

What is your logic for building your collection?

I'm sorry but you're making this much more complicated than it needs to be when I find a watch that I like I buy it. I really don't care too much about details and specifics watches are there to enjoy if you like the watch buy it end of story

[Verdi]

Recently I reconsidered my approach to watches.

I decided to have 2-3 Rolex watches that I wear on rotation. Daily beaters, solid and timeless.
Apart from these watches, I decided to buy good vintage watches. If I see one that I like and it's for the right price I get it. Fine watches though that I ll keep in a box and wear occasionally.
This way I get to enjoy Rolex and also other iconic watches.

[Ckci]

I buy what makes sense for me and my lifestyle and also some really nice vintage pieces. I can't begin to wear them all but I try to buy ones that I'd want to wear. I have at least one that doesn't really fit my lifestyle and its a Patek. Also my DD doesn't really fit my lifestyle. You list of 10 wouldn't really work for me personally because I'm not really into the PM's or the real dressy watches. For others they have no interest in SS watches.

[DCheeta]

In my early years I had no structure, I just bought whatever caught my eye. But after about 15 years I realized that I had a jumbled, unbalanced mess in my watch box. I sold a majority of the "accumulation" and I began formulating a strategy, and I am still working on fine tuning my collection philosophy.

Here's where I am right now:

Two basic pieces that exemplify Omega for me:
AquaTerra 2500, silver dial
Speedmaster Pro 3570.40

My three favorite Rolex pieces, one from each basic category:
Sea Dweller 116600 - diver
Daytona (white) 116520 - chrono
GMTII 116710 BLNR - GMT

One non-Swiss piece, just to change it up a little:
Grand Seiko SBGA011 (Snowflake)

::

[And then there's the one that doesn't fit into my collection philosophy, but I'll never sell it because it was my first Rolex and I love it: 14060.]

[wildaxlrose]

I'm an addict so I'm keeping my mouth shut


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[speedolex]

You start by selling every other watch you own to buy the ultimate Rolex, a SS Submariner.

Then you realize you need a dress watch and you get a SS Datejust.

Then you realize you need a vintage piece and love Sport models so you get an Explorer 1016.

Then you realize you don't have a watch with a white dial, so you get a SS Daytona.

Then you realize that sometimes at dressy occasions you need a watch to match your tie which matches your wife's gown so you get two more Datejust's with different sunburst dials.

Then you realize that gold will eventually make a comeback so you get a YG Datejust.

Then you realize that you're too top-heavy in Rolexes and need a casual-Friday watch on a leather strap so you get an Omega Speedmaster.

That's how you build a collection. Well, at least that's how I did.

[KarlS]

a) Different complications;
b) Different metals
c) Different uses

Formal Wear: 5146, 5130, FPJ CB
Different Metals : WG - 5146 /5130 /5225 RG: Rolex 116655, FPJ CS SS: 5167
I need a Platinum!!
Weekends : 5167 SS or 116655 RG or 5524 WG
Travel: 5130 (suits) & 5224 (casual)
Gym : 6167 and 116655 and sports either of them
Functions: AC (5146), manual wind (FPJ), Date (5167), GMT (5524), Worldtime (5130)

So I still need a chrono, perpetual calendar and platinum.....all can be provided by ALS Datograph!!

[airchitect]

For me, each watch must have a purpose that is beneficial to me beyond simply telling time. Beyond that, residual values come into play. A Rolex, I have no prob buying new so long as there's a nice discount. An omega or breitling, will always be pre-loved unless there's a fire sale. Then obviously there's the emotional aspect. I've always gravitated towards Rolex sport models. Period. So currently I have a black dialed exp ii and a blnr. Both have dates (a must), both are GMT's (I travel some)...so they fit. Next should be a sea dweller or YM.....

[Rebel]

I don't have an expensive collection. But, here goes. I always have a Rolex or Tudor sport model for daily wear (currently, Tudor Submariner 75090 on the Oyster bracelet. I also always have a Casio or Timex sport watch (black plastic type). I keep it til destroyed and then go get another. Current that spot is filled by a Casio Illuminator. Use this for yard work, exercise, etc. Lastly, I always keep a dress watch. Usually an el-cheapo on a nice leather strap to "dress" it up. Wear it with a suit to Church or other dressy occasions. I am a Methodist minister and need to suit up at times.

Again, not an expensive collection. But, there is thought and purpose to each watch I own.

Good reading. Thanks for the post, OP.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Cimballi

Your choices may not be driven by any logic BUT your collection is absolutely awesome!!!

Thanks.

If you look at what I own, I believe there is logic to it.

[NeedlessKane]

Right now I'm trying to balance out the collection. I have a Sub for a diver, Tudor big block is filling the chronograph spot. I'll get an explorer II next, which has the GMT. Then I might try to go for a vintage piece - either a 5513 or a 1675.


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[vintagehartmann]

After collecting and selling off pieces, I started to miss a few references and thought about wearing them again on my wrist. Then I searched for those references in the best condition and bought them.

Right now, it's a '67 1675, '67 5512, '86 1016 & a '94 16520.

[theflywrist]

I don't use much logic honestly.
I buy what I like.
I am generally, especially lately, a vintage guy, and I already have 3 vintage subs(2 rolexes, 1 snowflake), and wouldn't hesitate to get a 4th given the chance.
They all look and feel different, and work very well for my casual attire.

I haven't got a single dress watch, but I also can't remember the last time I needed one.
I barely suit up or wear formals.

[slorollin]

Originally Posted by masyv6

I try to not have too many watches that are "the same". In practice, I mean that I'm not interested in having a Speedy Pro, Daytona, and AP RO Chrono. Some folks like to have categories for their watches. While I can understand the value of such a collection strategy, I don't subscribe to it.

I'd rather have a highly variable collection than a focused one.

Just one man's opinion!

Right now my focus is GMTs, before that dive watches, before that military, before that anything old and weird and a couple that simply caught my eye at that moment, plus a few gifts and inherited ones.
The net result is that I have a highly variable collection rather than a focused one.

[Sublovin]

I tend to not put that much thought into it. I have no specific number of watches, brands, or values. I simply by what I really like if it works out budget wise.

[Cimballi]

Originally Posted by madmax21

I'm sorry but you're making this much more complicated than it needs to be when I find a watch that I like I buy it. I really don't care too much about details and specifics watches are there to enjoy if you like the watch buy it end of story

It's OK. Whatever works for you.
Thank you for your feedback.

[Steve36Efc]

There's no logic behind my decisions other than if I happen to like it and it's within my budget.

[Nav01L]

I go with the classics, but like them with a twist, I like a bit of diversity. Overall top criteria is that I have to want to wear them. With that in mind:

Navitimer, classic chrono nr. 1
Moonwatch, classic chrono nr. 2
GMT II C, classic GMT
Blue Omega Seamaster Pro, future classic
Panerai 351, version of a classic of which I liked the colors
System 51, classic Swiss engineering
MB Ultrathin, classic flat dress watch
Polar EX II, possibly my favourite watch, so no reason needed

By that logic, I would now need an LV and a Daytona, unfortunately I never really warmed up to any sub other than the no date and don't like the fit of the Daytona, just to small for my wrists.

Cheers

Fred


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[Cimballi]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Thanks.

If you look at what I own, I believe there is logic to it.

Indeed. You have iconic pieces from top brands, which can accommodate a variety of styles and use cases.

[strafer_kid]

Collection now all Rolex sports plus an Omega Speedmaster Professional. The main driver has been going for the good ones that have come my way. Fortunate to have a friend who is in the watch business and who was a Rolex AD until very recently, though he still has a parts account. Tried most of the new Sports models also but now only holding a SubC. All the rest are four of five digits.

[watchwatcher]

My collection right now is evolving into a nice mixture of PM and SS models...just haven't quite got the percentage of each sorted out yet.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Steve36Efc

There's no logic behind my decisions other than if I happen to like it and it's within my budget.

That's the same way I have built my collection. Some of my watches are in the few hundred dollar range, most range from $2K - $15K. I never sell and I wear all of them.

[kneedeep]

Some planning when I can 100% decide on what I really like and want at a given time interrupted by some impulse buying of watches I stumble into.

[Ruud Van Driver]

I can't find any logic to describe mine. I like, I buy

[ronin_ph]

I try to set a goal in terms of what I want next. However, sometimes all logic goes out the door due to boredom/good deal/stupidity.

Hence have wound up with three black bay and two black subs in my collection.


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[77T]

I've done it sequentially. Buying, trading, flipping then selling the ones I didn't want to keep. I've had a few dozen that way and the fond memories of them all. But never kept more than 4 at a time. Now only two - a vintage Omega and a beauty Daytona. Sure I will eventually spin the Daytona out for something else.


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[descartes]

I collect around the themes mentioned in my signature. And, as a general rule, if it's something other than Rplex or Patek I need a pretty compelling reason to buy it because value retention sucks, by and large, for all other brands.