Single watch collection vs Large collection

[Gab27]

Whatever makes you happy! I'm thrilled to have one Rolex. That said, if anyone wants to donate me their unwanted Rolexes, I will gladly adopt them.

[stark1]

This is a passion hobby and different for everyone; there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all. That said, I'd be remiss to mention how addicting collecting can become - speaking for myself anyway. And by definition, collecting means amassing more as we go! Though I sometimes wish I could be that sentimental guy with just one watch I cherish until the end.

[Slider817]

Less is more when it comes to watches. Years ago, men had 1 watch. They wore it their entire lives, it was a daily companion and their children enjoy it as a cherished memory. Nowadays, with the hoarding that we all do in regards to our material possessions, you cannot have much connection to your watches.

If you can’t tell, I used to own a big pile of watches. Over the last few years, I’ve narrowed down to just a few, still not 1 or 2, but a few nice watches that I plan on wearing for many years. Plus a box of cheap I G-Shock and whatnot, got to scratch that consumer bug.

It’s a personal journey, but I’m starting to enjoy having less things, I like to give things away to friends and family. I have loads of other hobbies, so watches are just one of them, but the same sentiment goes for all of them.

[toneafficianado]

I simplified it by having a six watch box.
So if I buy one I have to sell one !
It works.
I rotate a random pair regularly. Change once or twice a day just for fun.


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[alllexandru]

Land
Air
Sea
+ 1 dress watch

This should be a minimum for any watch lover also depending on the budget

I would like to have from each major manufacturer the one quintessential piece but I know this will never be possible for me :)))

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by alllexandru

Land
Air
Sea
+ 1 dress watch

This should be a minimum for any watch lover also depending on the budget

I would like to have from each major manufacturer the one quintessential piece but I know this will never be possible for me :)))

I'm fine without the Seal collection; I do have it but it's not intentional. My "Air" piece is unconventional on the forum being an older Zenith Pilot. I've chosen to stay away from Rolex Air pieces. WRT a dress watch; I've no need. I truthfully see no reason for any "musts" in watch collecting.

As far as the original question, I can provide my personal journey as an example. I originally started collecting based on "musts" and a desire to experience everything I thought I should own. This pursuit became cumbersome and led me to more watches than I could ever use and not a particularly satisfying collection. Trading in all the "musts" led me to a smaller collection with watches that I really love. The collection is being rebuilt slowly but will never reach the dimensions of the original one. To summarize, I'd rather have several really personally desired watches than a bunch of "must haves."

[robinmgb]

One watch in my opinion.
I always used to have a one watch collection but got myself influenced on here with everyone talking about their watch collection.
I ended up having 5 watches of Panerai, Omega and Breitling standard but never really loved any of them and found I always had one favourite and didn’t wear the others.
Sometime later I realised my original one best and favourite watch only was the right solution for me, I now have a Daytona 116523 and love it, I’m certainly not going back to having more than one watch.
If I move up again in future it will be to one full pm Rolex rather than add another steel model

[Andad]

Originally Posted by rmagoo57

I'll take 8 "shitty" SS models vs 2 PM pieces please! For me, less is not more when it comes to watches. I like a little variety.

Having variety is better than having class Ron.

But what not try for both?

[alllexandru]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

My "Air" piece is unconventional on the forum being an older Zenith Pilot. I've chosen to stay away from Rolex Air pieces.

I was referring generally air-sea-land not specific to Rolex, I like Zenith a lot actually and their Pilot line is very nice!

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I truthfully see no reason for any "musts" in watch collecting.

Same referring generally not per se "must"

[Boaters]

I have three but thinking about a fourth. I had a fairly large collection for a while and It got a little overwhelming for me so I scaled down.

[na_panpun]

I think 5 would be good: Complication > Dress > Chrono > Diver > Beater.

[peterpl]

I like to have around 7 watches max.

One for each day. Anymore than that some pieces just sit there for weeks without getting enjoyed.

[zhqiang]

about 5 and prefer the SS sport watches, hence in-between 50K-100k

[Gary Busey]

N+1
with N being the current number of watches you own

[Krash]

You could debate this at any price point. For example, 2 watches at $15,000 combined vs 6 watches at $15,000.

For me, my target number is 3 watches at about $25,000. Ideally a dress watch, diver, and something else you like that could fall into any category at all.


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[jimcameron]

It's "better" to buy a Casio and forget the whole "expensive" watch drama.

[sutats]

Genuine fondness and appreciation of any watch or object is never derived from its price. Get what resonates fondly with you.

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by Efferalgan

I would (and do) have 4 to 6. Assuming $100k total budget I’d suggest the following split:

1) $35-45k
2) $15-20k
3) $15-20k
4) $8-10k
5) $3-5k

Another vote for this method. I love the vertical price scale, allows you a watch for every occasion but it's still a respectable collection.

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

It's "better" to buy a Casio and forget the whole "expensive" watch drama.

Where would we be without drama?

[RogerOP]

My final watch plan will be 5:

DJ 41 - for more dressier occasions/nights with the Mrs

Submariner - for casual activity not including rowdy nights with the guys, but shopping or lunch

OP41 - Nights out drinking, casual city walks

Casio Oceanus G1100 - Doesn’t need winding, solar powered sets time automatically each night and updates via GPS and atomic clock so perfect for travelling, so I’ll use that in foreign countries

Seiko SJE073J1 - Visually better than any of my Rolex watches and is a slim under the cuff type of dinner watch.

I have them all except for the Submariner.

[zengineer]

Once you start talking about the collection being a $100,000 proposition it is a very different puzzle than if we are considering a single Submariner vs 15 Seikos and Gshocks.

The answer is still...which would you prefer, its your $100k...or $9k



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[JSol1]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I'm fine without the Seal collection; I do have it but it's not intentional. My "Air" piece is unconventional on the forum being an older Zenith Pilot. I've chosen to stay away from Rolex Air pieces. WRT a dress watch; I've no need. I truthfully see no reason for any "musts" in watch collecting.

As far as the original question, I can provide my personal journey as an example. I originally started collecting based on "musts" and a desire to experience everything I thought I should own. This pursuit became cumbersome and led me to more watches than I could ever use and not a particularly satisfying collection. Trading in all the "musts" led me to a smaller collection with watches that I really love. The collection is being rebuilt slowly but will never reach the dimensions of the original one. To summarize, I'd rather have several really personally desired watches than a bunch of "must haves."

I think you have ended up with an awesome current collection and love the journey that got you here...I currently went from 4 to 3 and will probably add one more if I see something that really appeals to me

[ommmjido]

I keep telling myself I have more watches than I can wear, however I still find my collection growing(slowly). In all honestly I think I’ll need at least 3 pieces

[drfrankenstein]

I am in the early process of getting my collection together but also realize my "want" list is too long. I have a bunch of beater watches (Shinola, Timex field watch) that I don't really count as part of my collection and also have a Panerai 112, 16550 and a black Sub. I'm on the waiting list for an Elegante which will probably be next year. Working on acquiring a Hulk real soon and would still like to obtain a 16710, BLNR, 1807 Prezzy, Overseas Chrono, Santos and Speedy or Daytona. It's simply too many which I why I am restricting myself to one purchase per year - that way I can't get too far ahead of myself. Stupid hobby!

[zakattack62]

I've owned them all..Patek, Rolex, Omega etc.. and in multiple quantities. Decided 9 months ago to go down to one watch which I wear everyday and all day. The platinum day date 228206 with blue sticks. No watches collecting dust at my place. LOL
So far no itch for more. And love how the platinum is so low key.

[time.onmyhands]

I go back and forth on this, a lot. It’s a very fluid situation and I don’t think there’s a right answer.


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[DoDe]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

It's "better" to buy a Casio and forget the whole "expensive" watch drama.

You must allways have a G-Shock, but the G-Shock can never be your only watch. This is the law.

[zakattack62]

Did I actually say blue sticks in my prior post? I meant blue romans.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by poweredbyjae

To each their own.

For myself, I prefer to have multiple pieces to enjoy for different occasions, or to associate with milestones.

This.

[Burlington]

For me, just the one is perfect

Don’t like having things which gather dust/are rarely used.