Why do nearly all new collections look the same?

[1SG MTB]

I’m a newer forum member but not necessarily new to watches. My passion (obsession?) comes from my dad (you can read the long version here if you can’t sleep at night: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=699148). My collection will hopefully include a few vintage models one day, but I have to admit I’m a bit nervous about buying a 50 year old watch without understanding the pitfalls of such purchases. I will learn one day. At present, though, my collection is not diversified at all (3 out of 4 of my Rolex are GMT Master II). Why? Because I buy what I like.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by 1SG MTB

...I have to admit I’m a bit nervous about buying a 50 year old watch without understanding the pitfalls of such purchases.

Buy from a seller whom you trust and who also offers a decent warranty and return policy.

If that seller is local, then all the better.

[Calatrava r]

Sports models are popular and there are not many to choose from if you want a Sub, GMT or Daytona.

[1SG MTB]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Buy from a seller whom you trust and who also offers a decent warranty and return policy.

If that seller is local, then all the better.

Appreciate the advice, I will definitely do this!

[notchview]

I'm 31. I've worn watches as long as I can remember. It started with me stealing my Dad's Casio when I was a kid. Since I have owned Fossil, Citizen, Tissot, and a couple others. I still have all of them except one, which I gave to my cousin as a gift. To me, my watch marks some achievement or period in my life. They aren't investments, because I'm not going to sell them. They will accumulate wear and tear just like I will over time, and that's what makes them uniquely mine.

The best part about wearing a watch is the individuality. We all have the same rectangular phone, same computer, drive basically the same cars. I want a watch to be something unique. For this reason, Subs have no appeal to me. However, I'll acknowledge that I'm in the minority - a lot of people want to have the "it" piece of the moment, and that's fine. In fact, I like it that way, leaves me more room.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by 1SG MTB

Appreciate the advice, I will definitely do this!

[Krash]

I often think that each collection on TRF is unique and no two are alike.

It’s funny how 2 people can view things completely differently.

I suppose from a macro level they’re similar, but they are actually unique on a watch by watch basis. A lot of people might have a DD or DJ, but they’re all different colors with different options.


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[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by notchview

I'm 31. I've worn watches as long as I can remember. It started with me stealing my Dad's Casio when I was a kid. Since I have owned Fossil, Citizen, Tissot, and a couple others. I still have all of them except one, which I gave to my cousin as a gift. To me, my watch marks some achievement or period in my life. They aren't investments, because I'm not going to sell them. They will accumulate wear and tear just like I will over time, and that's what makes them uniquely mine.

The best part about wearing a watch is the individuality. We all have the same rectangular phone, same computer, drive basically the same cars. I want a watch to be something unique. For this reason, Subs have no appeal to me. However, I'll acknowledge that I'm in the minority - a lot of people want to have the "it" piece of the moment, and that's fine. In fact, I like it that way, leaves me more room.

Good philosophy and well stated.

Owning a 14060, a 14060M, or a 114060 is a good way to own the real deal without being part of the herd.

[Gimoozaabi]

Collections look similar as we are on a Rolex forum. Love both modern and vintage Rolex and Tudor references. I am certain a lot of folks have a huge variety in of watches in their collections. For instance I have a collection of 30+ watches, the theme of my collection is mostly pilots' watches, i have 4 Sinn watches , Guinand, 4 German Fliegers.

I am curious what do you have in your collection, you don't have the occasional Submariner or GMT? ;)

[CountryRoads]

16570 Polar, Z-Blue Milgauss, and 1601 Datejust silver dial. I just started 1 year ago and admit I had the 116040 for about 8 months, but I didn't like the lugs. Not everyone goes "chalk". :-)

[notchview]

Originally Posted by CountryRoads

16570 Polar, Z-Blue Milgauss, and 1601 Datejust silver dial. I just started 1 year ago and admit I had the 116040 for about 8 months, but I didn't like the lugs. Not everyone goes "chalk". :-)

Milgauss is awesome.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by dtwer

It’s like with cars, people gradually gravitate towards functions. These days majority of cars we see on the roads are some types of SUV. Heck even Ford is eventually going to stop making sedans.

Sport Rolexes are just like the Escalades; they scream “I am luxurious and very functional too!”

Possibly the only automotive/watch analogy that actually has some validity, although to me, luxury SUVs are the quintessence of wretched excess.

[Rocketman39]

Started with a 5513 Sub fifty-four years ago and never tired of it. Other than the Photos, this forum didn't influence Me one way or the other !

[djgallo]

It’s either modern Rolex...or vintage Rolex.....could that be why the Rolex collections look similar

[pj1369]

I do feel like a lot of collections have some "standards." Love them all though.

My collection is pretty diverse. Buying watches I really love is my only rule.

I have an Oris Bronze Chrono Diver, Bulgari Octo Finissimo in Black Ceramic, Rolex Milgauss Blue-Z, the new BLNR (Batgirl, Batman on Jubilee, whatever ppl call it), and a Apple Watch.


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[chloebear]

Originally Posted by sillo

Rolex watches are parts bin watches for the most part. They all have the same ingredients just arranged in a slightly different way.

Just like Taco Bell!


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[Token74]

Originally Posted by mjr2000

I like the points you make. I fit into the mold you describe. When money isn't the object I think the challenge of getting what many can not (at msrp) is a fun "game" while at the same time spending minimal real currency since I will lose only a modest amount with 100k of watches if/when I need to sell them. Don't get me wrong. I love my collection and enjoy seeing them and wearing them every day but if I was gonna lose 50% of their value I wouldn't do it.

Yep, likewise re: value retention. I don’t buy watches to make money, but knowing I can get (most of) my money back if my finances hit the skids is a real positive. Certainly think a lot harder about purchasing watches that I know are going to be worth a lot less in the future.


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[Muxi]

Originally Posted by Token74

Yep, likewise re: value retention. I don’t buy watches to make money, but knowing I can get (most of) my money back if my finances hit the skids is a real positive. Certainly think a lot harder about purchasing watches that I know are going to be worth a lot less in the future.


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We cannot really avoid thinking about value retention to some extent despite other peoples’ aversion to the concept. I realize that even Rolex prices could crash but even when it does, it will probably still have better value retention than other brands already trading low in today’s pre-owned market.

[watchmaker]

If a collection consists solely of steel professional models I'd say the chances are better than even that the 'collector' only has profit in mind as their collection criteria - whether it is short term or long term. (Some exceptions will exist obviously).

IMHO Owning a watch that is worth less than you paid for it is a good indicator of a genuine watch collector/enthusiast. (n.b. I say good indicator, not the only indicator)

[zian]

to all above reasons , I will add watch topic education , there is a wide variety of excellent brands making very nice pieces at different price range , this can be intimidating for some people leading them to try it safe and go for the mass requested pieces , for me the more you read and search , the more you understand that the options you have of good watchs is very broad and that the collection can be built from different brands , different models and different price range

[brandrea]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I see a lot of diversification in collections here.

The OP speaks to Rolex but what about other brands? There has been a resurgence of sorts with Panerai and Seiko collecting appears to be on the rise as well. These two brands (and others) have a lot to offer. I recently just added two Seikos

Sure certain Patek (Nautilus) and AP (Jumbo) SS references can fall into the same group with the popular Rolex"must haves", but lets face it, these are timeless designs and for very good reason. If I had deeper pockets, I'd own them all too

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by brandrea

...If I had deeper pockets, I'd own them all too

Notwithstanding my previous comment, I agree

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

If a collection consists solely of steel professional models I'd say the chances are better than even that the 'collector' only has profit in mind as their collection criteria - whether it is short term or long term. (Some exceptions will exist obviously).

IMHO Owning a watch that is worth less than you paid for it is a good indicator of a genuine watch collector/enthusiast. (n.b. I say good indicator, not the only indicator)

Point taken and I agree ...

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[judson]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

IMHO Owning a watch that is worth less than you paid for it is a good indicator of a genuine watch collector/enthusiast. (n.b. I say good indicator, not the only indicator)

Nearly half of my collection consists of Omega watches. When discussing my collection with an AD I try to explain that if I were a flipper I would not own so man Omega watches. I believe I am under water on every one of them, but I buy them because I like them.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I guess I'm in the minority, but I see a lot of diversification in collections here.

I agree. No 2 collections are exactly alike.

[TswaneNguni]

If everything was readily available, many collections on TRF would like very similar .

White Daytona
Black Daytona
BLRO
BLNR
Blue SkyD

[Seaswirl]

Yes, there does seem to be a lot of “state of the collection” photos comprised SOLELY of current and hard to get Rolex sport watches. Great watches all, but I do wonder if, for some, it’s more about the chase and the amassing of hard to acquire things than the watches themselves.

[watchwatcher]

A lot of good points made. It is a Rolex forum, let's face it, and there is a lot of similarity to the modern oyster case and design.

Although, I will say the bracelet is one area I started to see a lot of monotony in my own collection. A lot of oyster bracelets. So, I've tried to branch out some and incorporate some others into the mix, like leather, oyster flex, etc. Very pleased with the result and have finally settled into a core group that has been relatively stable over the last year or so.

[franktehtank]

A big part of it too is, IMO, semi-vintage (5 digit) are no longer a value proposition. Most people get in and think, why would I spend close to as much or more money on an older, second hand Rolex when I can have the modern counterpart? Gone are the days when a 5 digit sub or GMT was half the price or less than it's modern counterpart, at least in my neck of the woods.

Of course, many people just like the 5 and 4 digit Rolex's better, but I would predict that most people coming into Rolex would steer towards the newest releases.

[Fabrice M]

If you collect mostly Rolex watches, then there are going to look fairly similar from one another, that is after all Rolex trademark as far as design, tiny design changes between models. To the Rolex collector though, those tiny changes to most people translate to huge. Kind of the same if you collect Porsche’s (911) the last one looks very similar to the first one.