Never-ending Story

[lorsban]

Hey guys,

It's been 4 months since I got my last watch, an Ebel BTR 1911 GMT. The year before, I got an AK and an Oris Artelier Skeleton. That's 3 watches in the span of a year!

With the Rolex, I said that I wouldn't be needing anything else and that that would "round out" my collection. Well, two watches later and I'm STILL looking around! This time, for a blue faced watch.

So, I'm guessing after I get that blue faced watch, I'm probably going to start looking again, this time, on higher end versions. Jeez...Is this forever? Am I to squander my hard earned cash on a major watch purchase every year or two? Is there some kind of "Watch-Addicts" support group I can join that has some sort of 12-step program?

For anyone else who is/was in the same boat as I am now, is there hope? Were you able to change from being a multi-watch man to a single watch owner?

Any thoughts?

lorsban

[gaopa]

Hate to tell you, but there is no cure and no 12 step program for what we are hooked on! I have one Rolex, 4 Omegas and 7 Swiss Army watches. Even with that rotation pool, I am always looking.

If your next one is to be blue, see what you think of this blue one. I love it! Cheers, Bill P.

[cody p]

you should have gotten the blue faced air-king:)

[lorsban]

Gaopa,

I was actually really close to getting an omega seamaster with a blue wave dial and blue bezel but decided against it because I already have a Superocean diver's watch.

Codyp,

At the time I got the watch, I was really into silver. In retrospect, you're right, blue would have been less common.

Still, even if I did get the blue one, I doubt if I would've stuck to just that. You know, I blame my parents for this. Every year, we used to go to Hong Kong and they'd get themselves a watch or two, and everytime someone graduates, guess what the gift's gonna be? I know we're very lucky to be in that situation but because of it, here we are a decade after still following the same pattern.

Oddly enough, my bro, once my dad gave him his TT DJ, never got another watch and he's been using the same one for almost 20 years. Maybe it's a "grail watch" thing. Once you get it, that's it. Does that mean us addicts simply haven't found our grail watch? I'm not even sure I have one.

[lorsban]

I think I've figured it out: When you're in a situation wherein you want to get yourself something you don't need such as a new watch or something, ask yourself "Will I find myself something better in the future?"

If the answer is "Yes," keep looking. Point being, that if you did buy that thing now and if you did find something better in the future, you'll probably end up spending double or losing money on a trade. So, better to simply wait and save for the best thing.

I've decided to do just that and focus on what I consider as my grail: Rolex Yachtmaster. I never considered buying this because it's at least double the max I'd usually pay for but then again, if I put together all my Mid-priced watches, I could have already gotten myself a YM a long time ago! True, it'll take me many months to save for one but I think in the end it's worth it.

The other benefit of going higher-end in the first place is that it takes a looong time to save up for these watches, so the time between watch purchases is very long. Unlike now with sub-4,000 dollar watches, you can save up in a couple of months and in this price range there are literally dozens to choose from so you're always looking and there's a greater tendency to buy impulsively.

What do you guys think?

[esm]

Originally Posted by lorsban

For anyone else who is/was in the same boat as I am now, is there hope? Were you able to change from being a multi-watch man to a single watch owner?

in about past 12 months, i have acquired 7 watches, ranging from £7.50 (retro bang-for-your-buck Casio digital day-date watch) to over £4000 (GV).

when i'm out at the shops, i'm constantly looking and trying different watches, so i know exactly where you are coming from.

if there is an opportunity to buy a watch today, i know the top 3 watches i will be trying again to make a final decision.

there is nothing worng with you. enjoy the experience.

[vukotab]

Originally Posted by lorsban

I think I've figured it out: When you're in a situation wherein you want to get yourself something you don't need such as a new watch or something, ask yourself "Will I find myself something better in the future?"

If the answer is "Yes," keep looking. Point being, that if you did buy that thing now and if you did find something better in the future, you'll probably end up spending double or losing money on a trade. So, better to simply wait and save for the best thing.

I've decided to do just that and focus on what I consider as my grail: Rolex Yachtmaster. I never considered buying this because it's at least double the max I'd usually pay for but then again, if I put together all my Mid-priced watches, I could have already gotten myself a YM a long time ago! True, it'll take me many months to save for one but I think in the end it's worth it.

The other benefit of going higher-end in the first place is that it takes a looong time to save up for these watches, so the time between watch purchases is very long. Unlike now with sub-4,000 dollar watches, you can save up in a couple of months and in this price range there are literally dozens to choose from so you're always looking and there's a greater tendency to buy impulsively.

What do you guys think?

I think that you`re right.
But, then again, it never worked for me! Every time that I tried to save money for something special (Rolex, of course), I get distracted with some nice Longines, Omega or Seiko, and...you know the rest. I end up with many cheap and mid-price watches, and closest to Rolex that I have is my good, old Tudor Prince!
Now I`m trying to save money for Rolex AGAIN and we`ll see where the road is gonna take me this time!
My advice is to ALWAYS do what`ll make you happy!
Cheers!

[RW16610]

A never ending story, indeed! Agree with the Omega suggestion above in an earlier post. My advice to you though is try your very best to be contented. Tough to do but worth every bit of energy to try

Originally Posted by lorsban

I think I've figured it out: When you're in a situation wherein you want to get yourself something you don't need such as a new watch or something, ask yourself "Will I find myself something better in the future?"

If the answer is "Yes," keep looking. Point being, that if you did buy that thing now and if you did find something better in the future, you'll probably end up spending double or losing money on a trade. So, better to simply wait and save for the best thing.

I've decided to do just that and focus on what I consider as my grail: Rolex Yachtmaster. I never considered buying this because it's at least double the max I'd usually pay for but then again, if I put together all my Mid-priced watches, I could have already gotten myself a YM a long time ago! True, it'll take me many months to save for one but I think in the end it's worth it.

The other benefit of going higher-end in the first place is that it takes a looong time to save up for these watches, so the time between watch purchases is very long. Unlike now with sub-4,000 dollar watches, you can save up in a couple of months and in this price range there are literally dozens to choose from so you're always looking and there's a greater tendency to buy impulsively.

What do you guys think?

Could not have said it any better myself! I am satisfied with my watches but doing exactly this now to slow myself down in a good way. It is nice to have a little variety over the years because for some (or all) wearing the same watch all day, every day for several years gets you kind of bored of or used to it. Regardless to that though it is still addictive and is one of the better things in life to be hooked on considering the fact all watches still hold their value better than other things in life in general. Best of luck to you with the saving and hope you can get that Yacht-Master asap! My next watch could be a 116710LN GMT Master II but have to see how things play out with time and what is decided.

[lorsban]

Hey RW16610,

Regardless to that though it is still addictive and is one of the better things in life to be hooked on considering the fact all watches still hold their value better than other things in life in general.

About the value, that's one of the main reasons I've decided to look at Rolex. Like it or not, their 2nd hand market is probably THE best. For instance, just recently, I decided to sell my AK. Within, a couple of minutes I had calls coming in from all over. A week after I sold it for the price I wanted. Incidentally, Omega is a safe bet as well.

You can't do that with other brands as much. Well, not in my country at least. For example, I wanted to sell my Breguet Type XX in titanium and I couldn't even get $2,000 for it, let alone my asking price of $4500-5000 and new these are going for well over $7,000! Crazy.

Resale is important given the fact that we do have a tendency to get bored with what we have and like it or not, a watch just sitting there is money just sitting there, doing nothing.

Best of luck to you with the saving and hope you can get that Yacht-Master asap! My next watch could be a 116710LN GMT Master II but have to see how things play out with time and what is decided.

Thanks and I hope you get your GMT II as well, which, by the way, is also one of my favorites.

[RW16610]

Yeah I likely will stick to it this time. No other watches that please me cost less than that now or under 5K ish so might as well wait considering i've already got 3 watches.

Rolex does do some things like none other, and the fact that they hold value so well and can be sold insanely fast is a HUGE plus. With me, no plans on ever selling but it feels a lot better deep down inside knowing that if I pay 7K+ ish for a GMT Master II vs a Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Chronometer from an AD (that on the other hand sells for like $2,900.00 - $3,600.00 USD). Those watches are fairly hard to find for sale espectially in Toronto and even harder to sell when your doing so.

One drawback though is what you mentioned. Like to view myself as a collector ad being able to make a gain out of a sellers loss on a tough to sell / bad resale brand feels great. Getting a high end watch for 50% off MSRP and a nice story to tell about it also. Considering just collecting those after the Rolex and later down in life as some of those deals will always be around but only time can truly tell what will happen.


Can see why the GMT Master II 116710LN is one of your favourites IDEAL watch for me. Super elegant and dressy looking for me, sporty enough to do anything in the water that I can (do not dive yet and have other watches for that if so...), and has a function none of my other watches has. To me it is the ultimate blent of quality, lucury and function, just perfect. A watch that will keep one satisfied for a while. If it ever gets me bored of it, will switch up and wear a differet one for a while to feel more refreshed. Can never go wrong buying a Rolex, that is for sure.

[heresiarh]

If you want a blue faced watch and spend within budget .. the Tag Monaco Chronograph is your answer .. handsome timepiece and a timeless classic.

[cody p]

Originally Posted by heresiarh

If you want a blue faced watch and spend within budget .. the Tag Monaco Chronograph is your answer .. handsome timepiece and a timeless classic.

i agree - that's one awesome looking watch!

[sakuraba]

My dad always teases me about how "the hunting is better than the owning". I guess we can never really have a grail watch. It's only our grail until we get it, then we move on to the next grail watch.

I've also never heard of anyone going from a multi-watch collector to a single watch person. It's usually the other way around.

[lorsban]

Originally Posted by heresiarh

If you want a blue faced watch and spend within budget .. the Tag Monaco Chronograph is your answer .. handsome timepiece and a timeless classic.

I tried one on and although its nice, it didn't look good on me for some reason. So that's that. I do like the Tag Aquaracer 500 tho. Luckily, I've gotten over the watch-acquisition-bug for the time being. So, I'm not going to be making any additions to my lineup just yet.

The wife has it bad though, so same thing. hahaha

[poboxw]

I'm lucky in the sense that my finances only allow for one watch at a time. It forced a lot more homework and shopping around before i pulled the trigger. And now that i have the watch, my idle hands will be exercised on regulating and timing the watch, learning about how to put the particular movement together, how to make straps....