Discussion: Maturing as a collector

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TigerChris
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Re: Discussion: Maturing as a collector

Post by TigerChris »

My Zenith El Primero, which I bought at the end of December, has changed everything for me. As people on here know, I’m a massive Bremont fan but, since acquiring the Zenith, even they only get worn a day here and there to try and justify keeping them. I have worn the Zenith daily now for 6 months tomorrow. I now don’t class myself as a collector at all - the majority of my modest collection is to be sold as I’m quite happy with just the Zenith and the Black Bay which was bought for me by my parents for my 40th. So, one purchase has ‘Immatured’ (if that’s a word!) me as a collector and now I’m a wearer of a couple of half decent watches. I’m sure that, in the future, I will add something else but it will be a very considered purchase.
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Richard D
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Re: Discussion: Maturing as a collector

Post by Richard D »

My journey as a collector began with a 2003 TAG Autavia and has progressed through to a 2021 TRIBUS TRI-06 My Dog Sighs Limited Edition. En-route I have amassed a fair number of CWs along with the usual suspects, Omega, Rolex, Bremont and TAG Heuer. All of which have and continue to give me a lot of pleasure, hence having never sold a watch. However, when it comes to ‘maturing as a collector’ my interest now lies beyond just the watch.


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Re: Discussion: Maturing as a collector

Post by Wolfman53 »

This is a really interesting thread and many people including myself will be able to relate to many of the posts.
I started this madness in either 2016 or 2017 I think by watching YouTube videos and before I knew it had amassed a collection of low / mid range watches, most of which have now departed.
Junghans Max Bill, Glycine Combat Classic, Squale 1521, Oris Divers 65, Longines Flagship Heritage, Sinn 104 have all been and gone.
I have no regrets about any of these watches and have enjoyed experiencing them. They were all great watches, but I felt the urge to move onto different things, mostly due to my urge to prevent my collection getting completely out of control number wise. I have flucutated between 8 and 13 watches over the last few years and now have 11 (not counting a Pro Trek, which is only used very occasionally and a couple of vintage inherited watches.
Not sure if the following resonates with anybody, but I am now at an interesting stage / crossroads.
I am fortunate enough to own some nice watches that I still like, but also some at a slightly higher level (value and brand perception) that I really look forward to wearing. These include a Planet Ocean, Reverso, Speedy, Tudor GMT a couple of Grand Seikos and a Zenith El Primero.
I am a bit of a nerd and wear all watches in strict rotation (sad!) and have got to the point where I want to enjoy the 'higher level' watches a bit more frequently.
In the lower bracket, I have 4 watches - Ball Engineer Marvelight, Stowa Marine Classic, Smiths Everest and Christopher Ward Super Compressor.
The Super Compressor is going nowhere, but I do keep mulling over moving the Ball, Stowa and Smiths on and getting the Tudor Black Bay 36. That would leave me with 9 very nice watches - more than enough for most people! The Stowa is different to anything else I own and I may regret moving that one on though.
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Re: Discussion: Maturing as a collector

Post by JAFO »

^^^^
@Wolfman53

Interesting to see the watches in your lower bracket. :D I am sure many of us would be very happy to inhabit that bracket.
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Re: Discussion: Maturing as a collector

Post by scampbell61 »

Just seeing the title of this forum topic, “Maturing as a collector“ makes me chuckle. I understand the intent of the topic is to discuss your breadth and depth of this hobby and how your tastes have developed over the years. I have been at this for quite some time now and I hate to confess that I still have impulsive purchases and will wait for a delivery like a 9-year-old on Christmas Eve.

Intellectually I may have grown in the hobby (debatable point, ask my wife), emotionally I am still 9 years old.
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exHowfener
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Re: Discussion: Maturing as a collector

Post by exHowfener »

For me (and this applies to any collection, not just watches) the move to a collector from being a shopper is when there is a theme/pattern rather than just buying what's available and within budget. So a collection can be of any size, providing there is a plan or a theme, which may only be known to the collector! Just my opinion though ... buy what you want, it's your money.
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Re: Discussion: Maturing as a collector

Post by thomcat00 »

This is an interesting discussion, and something that burbles in my head frequently. I have been interested in watches for most of my life. My parents were daily wearers. I got my first watch when I was all of eight: a Texas Instruments LED. Even as a teen in the eighties I preferred dress watches to sports watches. I got gifted my first two nice watches at 17 (Omega for high school graduation) and for my birthday 18th birthday (gold Seiko). Both I still have and are working flawlessly.

Over the last 35 years I’ve built up to about 25 or so watches. Most are well below investment grade. They range from my novelty Star Trek watches (yes, two different ones, both with the Enterprise orbiting the dial) and a fun DeLorean licensed tach-styled analog to dressy and spendy ones. Among the collection are at least five CW.

I feel as my collecting is more haphazard accumulating than purposeful. I buy what I like. I also talk myself out of many purchases because their cost exceeds the value and enjoyment I’d get from having them. One of these years, though, I may finally commit to a Speedmaster as a birthday watch. I waffle because I really have little use for a chronograph, and I like having the date, but rocketry/space/the Moon is my big interest. (I already have a Bulova Lunar Pilot, so this Omega-thing is not at all rational.)

I’m discovering microbrands fascinate me. But can I commit? ;)
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