What attributes in a watch do you care most about?

[Aboutderntime]

I've traded or sold half of the watches I've come into during period of time that I have been collecting (probably at a loss financially). It has been interesting to reflect on these situations. What initially drew me into the watch? Why didn't I reach for this piece or feel the need to move on? Why will I never part with one particular piece?

Much of this is the love of the hobby; the ebb and flow of changing preference. However, I put a list together or rather, a system, that helps me to be a bit more objective when thinking about a trade, sale or purchase.

Here's my personal system that helps me as I think about keeping, cutting or adding a new watch:

Comfort and/or strap/bracelet adjustability (1-10)

Classic/Iconic Design (1-10)

Is it a watch I can wear to work? (1-10)

Appreciating or maintaining value (1 is significant loss, 5 is maintains, 10 is significant appreciation)

Subjective "cool" factor (1-10)

As an example, my YM42 would be a 44/50 (10, 8, 10, 6, 10 as above). Damn good score and will not want to part with this one.

My Speedmaster mk40 was a 32/50 (4, 8, 8, 5, 7). Still respectable, but I reached for others more frequently.

Obviously, this is still subjective, but I've enjoyed thinking about some of these things and creating a system to help me make decisions.

Any of you geek out in a similar way? What do you care about when deciding to add, keep or trade/sell a watch?

[TimeAZ]

Many elements to care about... but my "dealbreakers" often revolve around poor quality bracelets, subpar clasps, and design choices that clash with my taste. So, those factors are most important to me.

[inadeje]

Great post OP. There’s one aspect that is continuously overlooked. Sentimental value.

There are watches we made memories with, the watches that represent a time in our lives. Watches we look at and they remind us of people, times, relationships, studies, graduation, personal triumphs, etc.

Only when these watches are callously traded do we recognize that we made a mistake. It’s all a learning curve, and nobody is perfect, but this facet of watch ownership is probably the most overlooked.

[Aboutderntime]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Great post OP. There’s one aspect that is continuously overlooked. Sentimental value.

There are watches we made memories with, the watches that represent a time in our lives. Watches we look at and they remind us of people, times, relationships, studies, graduation, personal triumphs, etc.

Only when these watches are callously traded do we recognize that we made a mistake. It’s all a learning curve, and nobody is perfect, but this facet of watch ownership is probably the most overlooked.

This is spot in. I’m fairly early on in my collection process but I have a couple of watches that I will never part with. The first is my Rolex Explorer which was gifted to me from my wife for our tenth anniversary and a Citizen dress watch from my parents when I graduated medical school.

These watches fall outside of my subjective scoring system and are permanent fixtures.

[brandrea]

Interesting post OP, thanks for making it

If a watch is going to remain a keeper, I have to love wearing it, plain and simple.

Im definitely a right brain watch kind of guy as opposed to the left. It’s all about emotion. YMMV

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Aboutderntime

This is spot in. I’m fairly early on in my collection process but I have a couple of watches that I will never part with. The first is my Rolex Explorer which was gifted to me from my wife for our tenth anniversary and a Citizen dress watch from my parents when I graduated medical school.

These watches fall outside of my subjective scoring system and are permanent fixtures.

Yes, but what I’m saying is that as you progress through this hobby other watches will also create memories just like those two you’ve mentioned. You may not know it at the time, but it’s when you trade them you’ll realize. I speak from experience and certain regret.

There’s also another facet, and its the hot and cold we go through. There have been times when I’ve toyed with unloading a watch, I’ve set up a plan and start getting the itch for the new one. For one reason or another, work commitments or having to take a business trip I put the unloading on hold and the watch goes back to the bank safe. Well, guess what, a few months later I get the watch out and all of a sudden I’m smitten again, and can’t understand why I wanted to unload it. It’s these impulsive moments that one starts to understand better as one gets further into collecting and understanding tastes etc.

[Aboutderntime]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Yes, but what I’m saying is that as you progress through this hobby other watches will also create memories just like those two you’ve mentioned. You may not know it at the time, but it’s when you trade them you’ll realize. I speak from experience and certain regret.

There’s also another facet, and its the hot and cold we go through. There has been times when I’ve toyed with unloading a watch, I’ve set up a plan and start getting the itch for the new one. For one reason or another, work commitments or having to take a business trip I put the unloading on hold and the watch goes back to the bank safe. Well, guess what, a few months later I get the watch out again and all of a sudden I’m smitten again, and can’t understand why I wanted to unload it. It’s these impulsive moments that one starts to understand better as one gets further into collecting and understanding tastes etc.

Wise words and timely advice for me. Thank you!

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Aboutderntime

Wise words and timely advice for me. Thank you!

Don’t misinterpret my comments however. I’m the first to say that probably the most intoxicating aspect of this hobby is the “chase”. Reading about the new reference, deciding on dial color, imagining wearing it and the settings it would apparently be the perfect life accessory. All these emotions we go through get those endorphins jumping But as you mature in the hobby, you’ve rotated several references, you start honing your collection through trial and error, it all starts slotting together and you start to control the urges while making more informed decisions. The fun part is it never ends there’s always a next horological love affair on the horizon and something getting moved along or even sideways trades into something of higher or lower value. Yes, it’s great fun so long as it isn’t taken too seriously I guess.

Oh and BTW, name me another hobby as man in which you can wear your acquisitions, they look cool, they say something to others about you and your style/personality BUT also (if done right) can net you all of your money back at the drop of hat or, even serve as a mini investment while you move your evolving collection through this hobby?

[Krash]

Yes, for my first 2 watches, there were definitely similar attributes that were extremely important to me.

1. How does it look; do I love it
2. Historical significance / iconic design / coolness factor
3. Comfort / can I wear it
4. Versatility
5. Can I afford it

I ended up with a Submariner & Speedmaster.

For my 3rd watch, all the above attributes remained, but I wanted a blue dial watch, so suddenly the blue dial color was a mandatory attribute for me.

For my 4th watch, I want a white or silver dial watch that is more dressy. So the dial color will be a huge factor again, along with it being more dressy and less sporty than my current watches.




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[Aboutderntime]

Originally Posted by Krash

For my first 2 watches, there were definitely similar attributes that were extremely important to me.

1. How does it look; do I love it
2. Historical significance / iconic design / coolness factor
3. Comfort / can I wear it
4. Versatility
5. Can I afford it

I ended up with a Submariner & Speedmaster.

For my 3rd watch, all the above attributes remained, but I wanted a blue dial watch, so suddenly the blue dial color was a mandatory attribute for me.

For my 4th watch, I want a white or silver dial watch that is more dressy. So the dial color will be a huge factor again, along with it being more dressy and less sporty than my current watches.




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Beautiful watches. Perhaps a JLC Reverso or Grand Seiko to mix it up?

[sj24k]

do i think it's gonna make me happy to own it and wear it.

that's pretty much it.

[ProCoach]

Originally Posted by sj24k

do i think it's gonna make me happy to own it and wear it.

That's pretty much it.

+1

[Chester01]

Function first, then form.

[airchitect]

Originally Posted by Aboutderntime

I've traded or sold half of the watches I've come into during period of time that I have been collecting (probably at a loss financially). It has been interesting to reflect on these situations. What initially drew me into the watch? Why didn't I reach for this piece or feel the need to move on? Why will I never part with one particular piece?

Much of this is the love of the hobby; the ebb and flow of changing preference. However, I put a list together or rather, a system, that helps me to be a bit more objective when thinking about a trade, sale or purchase.

Here's my personal system that helps me as I think about keeping, cutting or adding a new watch:

Comfort and/or strap/bracelet adjustability (1-10)

Classic/Iconic Design (1-10)

Is it a watch I can wear to work? (1-10)

Appreciating or maintaining value (1 is significant loss, 5 is maintains, 10 is significant appreciation)

Subjective "cool" factor (1-10)

As an example, my YM42 would be a 44/50 (10, 8, 10, 6, 10 as above). Damn good score and will not want to part with this one.

My Speedmaster mk40 was a 32/50 (4, 8, 8, 5, 7). Still respectable, but I reached for others more frequently.

Obviously, this is still subjective, but I've enjoyed thinking about some of these things and creating a system to help me make decisions.

Any of you geek out in a similar way? What do you care about when deciding to add, keep or trade/sell a watch?

I do but I’m really mostly concerned with the fact you gave a friggin YM 2 a higher score than a MK2!!!!!!


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[Aboutderntime]

Originally Posted by airchitect

I do but I’m really mostly concerned with the fact you gave a friggin YM 2 a higher score than a MK2!!!!!!


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[Moony17]

When I started considering luxury watches, the only attribute I cared about was the design, preferring versatile watches I could wear for all occasions. Didn’t pay much attention to the strap since I always thought I could change it up. Now, I have become more particular with the bracelets, and also the lug to lug width. I’m more conscious now of getting the right fit with respect to my wrist size.

[28mm]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Great post OP. There’s one aspect that is continuously overlooked. Sentimental value.

There are watches we made memories with, the watches that represent a time in our lives. Watches we look at and they remind us of people, times, relationships, studies, graduation, personal triumphs, etc.

Only when these watches are callously traded do we recognize that we made a mistake. It’s all a learning curve, and nobody is perfect, but this facet of watch ownership is probably the most overlooked.

It's so true...Example in the early mid 2000's I bought two 116520's..One Black and one White..I sold the White dial and regretted it..I much prefer it since I have so many black dials but if someone had an equal 116520 to mine and wanted a simple swap giving me the White dial, I wouldn't do it.

I'm reaching a point where I 'should' start to trim or tweak the collection but even my 2 tone GMT or 2 tone Submariner which get very little wrist time (the last two years), I can't imagine parting with.

Need to get a bigger storage case!

[Andad]

What attributes in a watch do you care most about?

AVAILABILITY.

[IamJacky]

I work in a factory environment and engage in plenty of manual labors and loading/unloading goods, so a SS Rolex is just perfect in pretty much every department for me: comfort, durability, classic/iconic design, value retention, etc.



I started with just one plain ol' white stick dial Datejust thinking it would be enough, sure enough I eventually branched out to Daytona & Submariner, and eventually added colors and different style bracelets with the GMT IIs.

[George58]

a highly regarded manufacture
looks
comfort
legibility
my pp aquanaut

[RoRoRo]

How they pair with my outfits

[Harry-57]

How it looks, what it does, how user friendly it is, and wearing comfort. The comfort bit is difficult. Sometimes it takes a few tweaks and weeks to be optimally comfortable, sometimes it feels comfortable when you put it on but doesn't wear like that all day. The only three decent watches I've traded over the years were all fails on comfort, including one that included in impracticality in use, although I still loved how they all looked.

[Henrimontgomery]

I don’t care about history, heritage or any kind of marketing goodwill.

I’m never going on the moon, I’m never going in the bottom of the ocean, I’m never going to race in LeMans.

And because I am my own individual, I don’t need to piggy back on the gravitas of those who are celebrities. I want a watch for its own qualities.

With that in mind, I want watches that are well designed. Just like people have homes full of conflicting furniture, heavy and dark, there are many watches designed by individuals who have little taste.

Some people might know my personal vendetta against Omega and its bracelets. Picture the executive room (fun story, I know somebody from Omega and I don’t like him very much), « gents, let’s make a watch for men! A masculine watch! With a strong bracelet! Strong! Manly! Ugah ugah! »

And then boom you have a ridiculous bracelet that doesn’t taper. Because it’s strong and masculine. Just like people who wear pants that aren’t well fitted, too long, and not tapered. It doesn’t look masculine. It looks out of touch, it looks ridiculous, it looks insecure actually.

And it brings me to the next thing I like in a watch: luxury. Omega is not luxury because their straight (and manly, uga uga) bracelets are made to save cost. If each link is the same, less parts SKUs, less cost. More profit.

A bit like when JLC sends your watch to the same place Panerai gets serviced (Richemont training and butchering center).

Rolex isn’t really squeaky clean there. No more bevels to save production time and cost.

[Rori]

Originally Posted by Aboutderntime

I've traded or sold half of the watches I've come into during period of time that I have been collecting (probably at a loss financially). It has been interesting to reflect on these situations. What initially drew me into the watch? Why didn't I reach for this piece or feel the need to move on? Why will I never part with one particular piece?

Much of this is the love of the hobby; the ebb and flow of changing preference. However, I put a list together or rather, a system, that helps me to be a bit more objective when thinking about a trade, sale or purchase.

Here's my personal system that helps me as I think about keeping, cutting or adding a new watch:

Comfort and/or strap/bracelet adjustability (1-10)

Classic/Iconic Design (1-10)

Is it a watch I can wear to work? (1-10)

Appreciating or maintaining value (1 is significant loss, 5 is maintains, 10 is significant appreciation)

Subjective "cool" factor (1-10)

As an example, my YM42 would be a 44/50 (10, 8, 10, 6, 10 as above). Damn good score and will not want to part with this one.

My Speedmaster mk40 was a 32/50 (4, 8, 8, 5, 7). Still respectable, but I reached for others more frequently.

Obviously, this is still subjective, but I've enjoyed thinking about some of these things and creating a system to help me make decisions.

Any of you geek out in a similar way? What do you care about when deciding to add, keep or trade/sell a watch?

Your system is also the one I followed when I was looking for my next watch. I was looking for comfort, bracelet adjustability, size and wrist presence, versatility and coolness. All roads led to one and only model, the SD m43. 2 years later I still can’t think of anything that can offer me all the requirements mentioned above.


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[Neom]

1) Brand recognition worldwide and to the mass public
2) Usage in daily life
3) Usage for special occasions
4) Reliability when it comes to construction quality and timekeeping (to a lesser extent)
5) Timeliness of the design / classic design
6) Value if, god forbids, I am in need of funds

[Climaxoxo]

I have watches you keep for show in your collection and watches you keep to wear.

[JayHantz]

OP, love the grading system you give. The analytical side of my brain understands and is so pleased with this. For me, I really go with the enjoyment factor. I want watches that make me happy, that tell a story, and can be worn in a variety of situations. I always have said that I would love a three watch collection but I am constantly changing and evolving in what I want.

I guess what it comes down to for me is I want to have something that makes me smile every time I put it on and brings me joy when I check the time. Something that I know I can keep forever that is "me."

[B2 Stealth]

I like Rolex watches that have a military history and fit my personality and lifestyle. Hence, Submariners and GMTs. Checks all the boxes.

[afmars]

Aesthetics and history

[norcalctr]

These are what I usually look for (not in this order):

brand recognition, comfort, function, reliability, history, resale value