"One Watch" vs. Rotation - Thoughts on Optimal Collection Size

[StImierKY]

I often play the "if you could only have one watch" mental game with myself. For me now, the answer to the hypo is clear - DSSD. But that's not really my point - what I'd like to hear from you guys about is:
Is "one watch" even realistic? Or is a rotation the way to go? And if rotation, how large?
I see a lot of pros to the "one watch" or at least fewer/better/smaller collection approach, including more wrist time with the one(s) you love most, building up more stories and emotional connection with the watch (yes I know it's a touch sentimental but I do think one either has an emotional connection with a watch, or not....)
I see cons to "one watch" too including the danger of compromise - trying to get a sport watch that is "dressy enough" rather than the watch you really want, and just losing out on the opportunity to enjoy more watches.

What have your experiences been, and what are your thoughts? Tell us about your collection size, whether actual or "ideal".

Especially if you are a happy "one watch" or at least "tiny collection" person, tell us what's in it and how long you've been "with your one" and what you see as the pros and cons.

Full disclosure: I am down now to a smaller collection than recently: DSSD, a Speedy 3570.50 (which isn't getting much wrist time lately) and a Longines Expeditions Polaires Francaises (I keep it largely for sentimental reasons but wear it infrequently - mostly in "dress" situations).

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!
cheers stimierky

[wisguy]

At one point I had 8 watches, a couple of them were AP so they only came out of the safe every once in a while.

I believe 3 is the right number. A daily driver, a sporty one and a dressier one is all you need.

[gwalker]

IMHO I did the 1 watch thing with the DSSD. It's a great watch but IMHO as your only watch it a terrible choice. I found myself wearing my stepdads bluesy and GMT a ton. I'm a bigger guy, 7.75-8@ wrists and it was way to thick for daily wear for me. My SubC is my daily now but I wear the DSSD some. I think of it like the LVc, Milgaus and it's a much better part of a collection vs a standalone rolex. For most on here the only 1 watch rule doesn't apply. If I had to only wear 1 the subC is the winner. Heck I have 2 new Rolexes now and just purchased a AP ROO chrono 44mm. I should be ok to last me a while but a LVc, IWC 7Day, and maybe a precious metal GMTIIc green dial to come shortly. Those that say they will pull off one watch have much to learn

[wokafu]

for me...the magic number = 7...Sunday- Monday range from sports-dress-plastic/auto-digital-manual/chrono-divers...oopps thats more than 7..:S

[sierra11b]

Will be a long road but I'm trying to cover a watch for every occasion by simplifying my collection. Your DSSD is my Exp42 Black and it took me both modern ceramics to realize this. I've been wearing the tar out of it and love it! That covers "everyday sports watch" and as you know it's versatile enough for most occasions.

For starters, I intend to keep the 16750 or 1675 (to cover "iconic vintage")

Like many here I've had a lot come and go... I used to own the 3570.50 and foolishly sold it off. I intend to get it back as it checks the "iconic" and "chronograph" boxes. I suggest you get some straps if you haven't already, or some beefier speedy NATO spring bars from Otto Frei and give it the wrist time it deserves. If you absolutely feel the need to move it because the DSSD is getting wrist time, then consider what the DSSD isn't as mentioned by gwalker. That being said, I intend on getting a JLC MUT Moon as my next purchase to cover my want for a casual/dress from a highly respected maker.

I think that will diversify my collection enough for the time being.

[tudorlex]

I am nearly at the point of Having gone full circle, having had only 1 for 20 yrs, a black exp 2, 16570. and then in the past 3 yrs bought another 4 rolex / Tudor, being a dj, tudor sub & 2 chronos. The rotation drove me nuts and when wearing the others I missed the exp 2.
Already sold 2 and don't miss them. 2 to still sell. I appreciate looking at the watches on this site, online and in store, but just don't feel the need any longer to own more than the right one.

[SkyKing31]

I like having more than one watch .. It is just my personal choice .. I personally feel that a watch collection should grow as large as your bank roll will allow .. But, I like to collect them and each one in my collection is unique, and each one has it's own story and history.

[Joey_V]

I think 7...

I have 4 right now and it's a good number. Though I feel like I'm lacking two or three more.

[w4rmk]

I think 3 or 4 is about right, 2 or 3 Rolex, and a few less expensive but interesting brands (Omega/Breitling/Hamilton).

[A.Sharp]

there is something so liberating about the idea of just having one. truth is I alternate watches every few months, but I need at least two. It feels good to change, and I like the idea of having one away at a time safely.

[Ravager135]

Yeah I agree. I am sporting a three watch rotation and I am really comfortable with that. I look at it as less of a rotation and enough for every occasion. I could probably use a more formal tuxedo watch like a Cartier Tank or maybe even just a Datejust to really add class to the collection. Ideally you should probably have a sport watch for every occasion, a dressier more subtle watch for suits, and a beater. It is always nice to have a 5k+ "beater."

I cannot stress enough that if that you are satisfied with your Rolex or real high end collection, a Breitling really is a nice addition. I don't like too many of their models but their Navitimers net me more compliments from women than any other watch I wear.

[Doctorsti]

I have 10 now but really if I had to go down in size I think 7-8 is about right.
1 everyday fine watch SubC, one GMT like Explorer II, 1-2 larger divers like Seiko Spring Drive GMT or Omega Ploprof, 1 beater auto like my Sinn U1T, 1 chrono, 1 dress, and 1 G-Shock.

If forced my collection would be SubC, Explorer II white, Omega Ploprof, Grand Seiko Spring Drive Diver, Seiko Spring Drive SBDB001 GMT, Sinn U1T, Sinn 358 Jubilaum, (no dress watch needed), and the GW-5000.

One piece to wear most days, a few to spice it up with larger sizes/cool movements/different colors/massively different wrist presences, beater auto for vacations or where it could see some abuse, dressy chrono, and a watch to build a deck or finish a basement!

[Evil bendy]

I vote rotation...I could never pick just one of my collection...

[Evil bendy]

Originally Posted by Evil bendy

I vote rotation...I could never pick just one of my collection...

Current Collection:

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubberclad
A Lange Sohne Lange 1 Platinum
Jaeger LeCoultre AMVOX II DBS
Jaeger LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph
IWC Portuguese Automatic
BR 01-94 Phantom XXX/50
Rolex Deep Sea Seadweller 2012
Rolex Double Red Seadweller 1976
Rolex Everrose Gold Daytona (black dial)
Patek Philippe SS Nautilus

[dannyjak]

I like rotation, something different for a different day/environment

3, potentially 4.

Anymore and I probably wouldnt do the rest of the collection any justice.

[Dr. Robert]

7....1 for each day.

[HRV]

interesting, thanks for the post

[emagni]

It really doesn't matter how much you have as long as you rotate them all...but that's the hardest part once you get pass three watches in my experience.

[capote]

I think three or four watches would do it for me. Got the Exp2, would like a Reverso grande taille, AP RO jumbo/37 mm RO and a dressy VC to top it off.

[Dan Pierce]

Just one more.
dP

[George Ab]

Five'ish. It forces you to really discriminate and determine what you really want in a watch. They don't get too lonely.

[Rags]

Once I get my sub I'll be complete.. The Sub for everyday wear & the TT DJ for dress wear..

[DiamondJack]

I could definitely make do with 3 or 4 and if I go on holiday I will generally take 3 which does me fine for general, sporting and dressier occasions.

But, ultimately, why limit yourself....... and I just prefer to have more variety to choose from...... and wear about 10-12 regularly out of my collection.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Just one more.
dP

Exactly!

[zama]

My goal is 8 I am currently at 6. Current list is in the footer. I want to add a PP nautilus or Aquanaut and one more dress watch ideally a Breguet. Then I will have 4 dress and 4 sports. The sports having a mix of diving and and motor sport enthused. 4 great dress watches and a nice mix of brands. Some people on this site just have a amazing collections, but with the current 6 and the two more planned in the next 12 months I will hang the NO VACANCY sign out.

As for rotation I am focussed on wearing each for no more than a week and will chop and change if I need a dress and am wearing a sports watch in the week. I am always amazed by the number of people who take a lot of watches with them on holidays. I am likely to just use my phone or a cheapie, for fear of loss.

P.S. If I had to live with one, it would be the choice of the majority of the TRF, i.e. a SUB. Although I would prefer it was the PP, just think the Sub is a bit easier to run as the only watch.

[warrior]

I think it's very hard to be a watch enthusiast and have just one watch. There are simply too many nice /cool watches from different brands in different categories. ( dress, sport, or mix of both)

However, I agree with the above poster who said about five... as it forces one to be discriminating and figure out what's best.

[LambChopFamily]

One watch is boring. I once did the one for all when I was younger. What I found you never cherish the one watch that did one for all. That poor old one watch had to survive all occasion even on hand handy days. That means it take alot of beating and love drops because it turned into a pure tool watch.

I vote for rotation. I always appreciate my watches more because they are being worn at the right occasion. Lovely dress watch for the dinner party occasion. My DSSD for those Sunday lunch with jeans and t-shirt or summer night barbeques.

I have one rule if it doesn't get worn its going. So I don't grow my collection out of head.

[Paksent]

I rotate 5 watches and probably only truly give justice to 2 or 3. I've gone thru quite a bit thru the years but slowly thinned as if ound what I loved. I really like the idea of having that one or two daily awarded to hand down to family in the future.

[z0mghenry]

I would say 10 would be my limit. Luckily I don't have the money to own that many

[Kaylesdad]

I have 8 at the moment but in truth I need to cull a few in order to make way for some new ones.
Watches are a reflection of the self so with growth and personal evolution comes changes in tastes and this is reflected in the watches that we wear or aspire to wear.