What's your collecting philosophy?

[Chainring]

I'm sure most who visit this forum are like me. You spend hours every week browsing through various watch websites and reading articles about watches that interest you. In doing so, I have come to realize I like a LOT of different watches at all price levels. Unfortunately for me, I can't have them all so I'm forced to make choices. I've been interested in watches for many years but have only recently began collecting watches that I think are worth owning.

I know many of you have been collecting for decades and have probably developed your own philosophy about what you want to collect and I know many of you don't limit your collection to just Rolex. While Rolex is my favorite brand, I see quite a lot out there that interests me. But before I start chasing various watches I think it's important that I develop a philosophy about how my collection should grow and look in 10, 20, or 30 years, should I live so long.

I'm sure most of you will just say buy what you like and that is easy to do. But I'd like for my collection to have meaning and value beyond just the cost of the watch. I'd be interested to hear your philosophy if you have one.

[MitchSteel]

GMT's and Subs of every generation.......well still working on it

[scranger]

I'm probably more of an accumulator than a collector, but I like vintage Hamilton tank watches, especially those with unique features such as the Sechron "doctor's watch" and the Otis "Reverso" or "polo players watch."

[threemonkeys]

Everything I want, and more, I can't afford.

But my goal is to have three comparable watches to hand down to my three sons. So I'm thinking that will be my excuse to get a TT blue sub or TT DJ.

[kilyung]

I've tried many different angles but ultimately always return to "buy what you like" although what you "like" changes over time.

[SubTTKky]

Have collected the iconic Rolex sports model Daytona, GMT and Sub...now into Rolex DD as caught the gold bugs...starting with the earliest series and working my way to a DD II...

[bonbonson]

I usually try not to judge watches by the name
Those matter last for me. Primary concern is its design,movement finish and last is the name and heritage. Rolex is the best example IMO rich history and design. I still have tons of respect to japanese brands like seiko or orient.

[Hairdude1]

I buy what I like at that moment, if that changes and no longer like a certain piece I will flip it into something else

[drifter01]

My collection currently consists of 2 genuine Benrus Type I Vietnam era watches and 2 homages of the same model. I wear the homages and cherish the gens. I have a Hamilton Khaki Field, a vintage military issue HMT, a 50s era Bulova with deco lugs, a Titoni Air Master, Octo Missle Master, 3 Invictas (2 Pro Divers and one dress), a 40s Fortis, 2 Seiko Divers, a Seiko automatic chrono, a Russian Slava, a Parnis pilot, an Aeromatic, and a few more that slip my mind right now.
I am selling some off to fund my Air King purchase.

Dave

[FremStar]

Great thread!

A great question that I enjoy answering all the time. Personally for me my foray into watches began when my Mom purchased a Mickey Mouse Lorus watch for me when I was in the second grade... As the years progressed my first "nice" watch I purchased was a basic Movado in which I thought was the end all be all... Upon working and saving I knew I wanted something nicer and acquired my first Rolex (16200) on my honeymoon a few years ago in Hawaii... That purchase started my very slippery slope into this horology hobby...

Long story short I have ventured into almost all popular horology brands, however, what works for me and my lifestyle are the following brands... Rolex, Patek, JLC, Maurice Lacroix, and Jaquet Droz.

I feel that everyone should have at least one nice watch with a strap for work, one Submariner for everyday use, and a timepiece that holds sentimental value (marriage, birth of a child, promotion at work,etc.)

There is certainly more for me too add but it's past my bedtime

[Le Chef]

The originals that can't be mistaken for anything else. So AP Royal Oak, JLC Reverso, Lange 1, Omega Speedmaster Pro, Panerai Luminor, Patek Nautilus, Rolex Sub, etc.

[timely]

Buy what you want and put it in the safe. When you finely where it you can tell your wife you have had this watch for years

[Chewbacca]

good q.

i got into rolex from my dad so its the mainstay brand. sports models in particular but i've tried all the modern ones i wanted to and some were surprising letdowns. have now settled on the rolex models i want to keep until my dirt nap. the fun part was getting them.

however, i'm always looking at other brands regardless of perceived mall watch entry price points. if i like it, i buy it (may not stay however) and there's great watches out there that can be had for as little as $150. modern seiko, longines, gp, zenith are always on the radar and have some right now... must be waterproof to a min of 100m as i like to swim and shower with watches on. i can't do yellow gold or formal dress models of any brand... ever.

[MitchSteel]

A great thread indeed.Keep it goin

[Tudor66]

Rolex stainless steel models: GMTs, Subs and Datejusts are relatively affordable and offer lots of options in dials, bands, bezels, etc... The more I learn about the Rolex line, the more I feel like adding more to the collection.

I've sold off the rest of my collection, and I am basically "all-in" looking for old subs, gmt's and datejusts...., It's quite a fun hobby. The other benefit is that the models I collect can be sold/traded quite easily without losing money.

[CWIN]

My philosophy is to buy at least one watch from each of my favorite manufacturers. So far, I have a two Rolexes, a PAM, Tudor, and an Omega. Next on the horizon for me is an AP, IWC, and Bell and Ross. It's working out so far.

[Kobayashi]

It all started as sentimental gifts to mark certain achievements.

My dad got me my first watch when I was in the third grade. A Carville. I still have it. 5 years later an uncle gave me an Omega Deville for my 8th grade graduation. After I graduated high school I got a nice Swatch. Once I finished college another watch was in order. After my first year working...yup, another watch. Earned my MBA and I purchased my first Rolex. Which I ended up returning 2 days later. That's another story. I hit a milestone birthday and finally purchased a Rolex that I kept.

I have all the watches that have ever been given to me. So my philosophy was a crown for an achievement!

Since I joined this forum I'm just buying what I like. My new philosophy.....money in the bank is no good when I'm gone. Spend it while you got it!

[Joearch]

Been thru Bell Ross, Tag Heuer etc. at one point I became all in on Panerai. I had a nice collection, but decide to cut down to three maximum. One day recently I traded a Panerai for a Sub C and hav ebeen surprised how much wrist time it gets. My philosophy is buy a watch that I like and will hold it's value. Keep it simple and enjoy.

[DCheeta]

I don't want to ever have a huge collection, as I believe in living a sparse life. In keeping with this, I have developed the following philosophy for my watch sickness: I will keep the collection to five pieces, one for each of the following categories - a diver, a GMT, a chrono, a dress watch, and a vintage.

Oops, look at my signature. I'm already breaking my own rule! Time to sell a Breitling...

[Chad072]

I find watches I like at all price points and buy it when I feel the time is right. Lucky for me that most of what I want is within reason. Also, I'm not a flipper, so when I decide to purchase a watch, it's one I feel I'll keep.

[skprd13]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

Everything I want, and more, I can't afford.

But my goal is to have three comparable watches to hand down to my three sons. So I'm thinking that will be my excuse to get a TT blue sub or TT DJ.

Craig, You hit the nail on the head for me and my GMT collection. I want to pass down these watches to my kids. Each is almost spaced out based on age. Except for the 16750. Those beauties I have were just to nice to pass on getting. My other watches are because I liked the watch, not to make money on the watch. I have other investments I am counting on for retirement.

[viper9669]

I started buying diver watches years ago, still have a few that I like.

When I was finally able to afford Rolex, it changed the way of my focus about watches. I went through most of the brands and ultimately it became mostly Rolex.

Sinn U1, Oris Aquis Date, Pam 000, Tag Heuer Aquaracer chrono, Omega Speedy (sapphire sandwich), and a bunch of Seiko and Citizen divers round off my collection.

Oh, and my 3 Tudors, Bb, Fastrider, and Heritage Chrono.

Nowadays I wear Rolex most of the week....

[Jfullm42]

Started my love of watches when I babysat my little sister all summer and my mom bought me a nautical no name watch when I was in 6th grade. Loved that watch and still have it, but my wrists were so small that I can't fit it anymore. It's just fun to look at. When I was getting married I fell in love with the Sub and had to have one. That has turned into now wanting a birth year 5513 and getting possibly a new white dial Daytona to pass onto my daughter, she was born this last February. I love my sea dweller for no cyclops and my GMT II coke, but would like to buy a new one for each year of the kids I have to eventually give to them when they are 18 or old enough to appreciate it.

[luv2fly]

My approach is to buy only watches I will wear regularly depending on what I'm doing - dress, casual/sports and beaters. That way I have the watches I really like the very best for each occasion. Not a good strategy if you want to build a large collection but good for giving your watches plenty of wrist time.

[tavv160]

My philosophy is starting with covering the basics by including a dress watch, a beater, a chrono and a beach watch, while at the same time covering the classics. I now have an AP RO, Sub and JLC Reverso (as well as some non-classics from brands as Breitling, Cartier and Chopard) and I am looking to add an Omega Speedmaster, a Daytona and PP Nautilus. If my collection consists of those six classic pieces, I feel I can start buying more crazy/non-classic watches such as RM or HYT (if you do not know this brand, look it up. Pretty cool idea).

[Clay]

It's a secret...

[SLS]

Great thread topic! I always lived by the philosophy of buy the best watch you can afford at the time.

As far as what I collect, I bought my first Rolex in 2004 and wanted to learn more about it. I started off on Timezone, learned about modern & vintage Rolex then made my way over here. What peaked my interest in vintage was stumbling across a nice 5513. Before collecting watches, I collected wine, so the idea of a vertical collection of watches was almost second nature. So my goal is to have a vertical of Subs, I set that goal when vintage was not over the top expensive like it is now. I have a decent start, but my next purchases are going to be expensive. With 2 kids soon to be in college, I think it is going to be a while before my quest continues.
Scott

[HL65]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I've tried many different angles but ultimately always return to "buy what you like" although what you "like" changes over time.

X2

[Baselman]

My bank account is my collecting philosophy if I could spend a million on watches I would so easily but sadly I can't so I won't :)

[Chainring]

Some good responses here. Keep it going.