Becoming a Rolex collector: how many does it take?

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Devildog

I bought them all to wear and enjoy wearing, rather than simply to own and enjoy owning, which is what I'd consider a collector.

If that makes any sense

That actually makes perfect sense, my friend.

I've always thought of myself solidly in the camp of the former, as opposed to the latter.

[Toproll85]

He has at least 2. But it starts with knowledge before possession. History, references, calibers, he knows from the past until today and it is a passion.
The real Rolex collector won't tell you "the Pepsi", but 126710BLRO. He won't be wrong and will know even more than the salesman at your nearest retailer.
That's what it takes !

The rest are just people with too much money...or who want to make people believe it by wearing a slightly statutory object.

[Kenny G]

Originally Posted by Booth9999

I’m going with 3.
1 is just that,1
2 is a pair
3 is a collection

This. You need a collection to be a collector…

BUT, you can be a Rolex aficionado without a collection.

[Flaudia402]

3

[Tanalasta]

One of every major release ?
Vintage pieces?

Collector v daily wear?

When you complete land, sea and air?


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[mobster600]

Ill say a few things. A collector should have at minimum 5 years of owning or experiencing watches. Owning a few prior models is good criteria. It shows you have some past experience owning models besides the current generation. A vintage watch in a collection is always a good indicator of a person who enjoys watches besides modern watches. I'll also say that owning 5 steel Rolex sports watches doesnt automatically mean your a collector. It just means you have ALOT of money to blow on grey dealer mark ups.

Lastly Rolex ONLY collectors are a little different then other collectors. Some Rolex only collections focus on just Rolex. Which might be a more niche group. I tend to enjoy as much outside of Rolex as within Rolex.

Recently I put a deposit on the new IWC Ingeniuer. I want to branch away from Rolex for a little while and enjoy other brands. Not to say that will be forever but Rolex has gotten a little nutty second hand. The grey dealer mark ups have pushed the everyday-joe like myself out of accessing the models I want.

[JRell]

It is how much you can afford and what you want, that is it.

[Kiddodoc]

15 Rolex Watches, 2 Casios, 1 Apple Watch. Still wanting to add 3-4 more. Not sure if I am collector or just sick! I truly love my watches and I have not rhyme or reason of why I have collected this amount but I enjoy each one. If I find I am not using a reference much then I will sell or trade it for another that has my fancy. Just a hobby to me.

[singe89]

11 APs and their boutiques don’t consider me a brand collector for good references.

[amh]

One.

Because :
- It may be your first and you may get more
OR
- You once had many but downsized

[HogwldFLTR]

I think it's a matter of personal definition. I am a collector but currently don't have any watches in my collection at the moment. (Not true in my case.) Frankly I don't really care what others judgement is about me. I know my personal truth!!!