The urge to acquire (or collect)?

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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by nbg »

Htownsend wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 8:24 pm Well I'm relatively new to the watch collection game so it's interesting to read about other people's idea about how many they consider is enough. I currently have 4 (all Christopher ward) but know of 2 other watches I would definitely love to own. I think the worst thing at the moment is not being able to slip on one of your collection and pop down the pub, or out with friends so a proper outing can be enjoyed by both man and machine.
The bottom line, is that if you don’t quit now it is highly unlikely you will stop at your current 4 plus the 2 you have currently identified to add.

Most who end up with a sensible “end position” (number generally dependent on whether you spread the amount you are comfortable sinking in the hobby amongst a few watches or more quantity for the same spend) probably get beyond that point then cut back once they wake up and smell the coffee.

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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by nbg »

Korkki wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 8:57 pm I think I'm done too.
Until that next visit to Japan once life is back to normal... :)

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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by Lu.. »

I currently got about 12 watches (all affordable) that I want to bring it down to 3-4 before I start acquiring some nice pieces. My C65 is the most expensive watch I ever bought so I'm beginning to tread into new territory......not Omega or Rolex (wish doubt if I'll ever can get one), but definitely Tudor, Tag, Bell & Ross price ranges (2-3K)........when I do, I can see my entire collection contained in a 6 watch storage box, 7 if you count the one on my wrist.
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by ajax87 »

I went into a hard “build” phase in 2020 when finances started to allow it, increasing my collection by 12. Thirteen including the Moonglow in January 2021. Fourteen if you count the Rze just pre-ordered...

I just started noticing that it gets hard to decide what to wear for the day. I use the “on my wrist” app to track which watches I wear and it’s been helping me spread the love, but...

I’m moving into a refinement stage. Already identified 3 I’m going to let go.

And I’ll try my hardest to buy no more, but I’m making no promises!
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by Noush »

Very interesting subject which has been on my mind recently as in "Where am I going with this?"
For a number of years I had 2 watches, a "work" watch and a "not work" watch. Work for me is quite a physical environment, a factory producing salami, pancetta and the like. I am the bit-of-everything guy in the place but there is plenty of bumping and splashing and the rest. I like the variety, and also with my watches :)

For my birthday a few years ago my now late Mum gave me some money "why don't you buy yourself a nice watch?". Well, I bought 3 with that money: the Hamilton for "work" and the Tissot and the Junghans quartz chrono for "not-work". And there started "the bug"....

The ball started rolling when I bought the C65 Trident hand-winder that is on my wrist as I tap this out. I joined this forum and got fascinated with what I saw. With the arrival last week of the Formex Essence (number 13...) I have my first "entry level luxury" watch - the CW maybe was, but certainly based on price the Formex is. Either way, the Formex is "special" and I am on a waiting list for a BB58 which is another level again of course.

There is nothing in the current "collection" that needs flipping: I enjoy them all. At some point though there will need to be a consolidation although I think to not less than 10. My thinking this year is a tighter group of maybe 3 more premium pieces - The Formex, the Tudor and one other and I will see what best fits around those. Can't imagine what I will move on but I think I will have to. There's a practical number to have where you can rotate and keep wearing your watches, and they need wearing, and that's probably about 10 for me.
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by 0uatiOW »

I spent the last few years going a bit mad, my collection ballooned, reaching about 30, due in part to to impulse buying. One lesson I eventually learned is that when buying watches for anything more than “pin money”, then compromise is not your friend.

I’ve bought watches with the date window or logo in the wrong place, or with hands I didn’t really like. I convinced myself that I would come to like it. I didn’t, and as a result those watches didn’t get any wrist time. After a few such regrettable purchases, I put my foot down and decided that I would not longer buy a watch unless component was exactly to my liking.

Last year I cleared out a some overlaps & now I’m in a much more comfortable place. I’ve slowed down, but I haven’t finished buying watches yet; there’s a lot of temptation out there, but I am a lot more selective now. It feels good.
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by what-time-is-it »

In my experience you only get control of your collection when you stop looking, stop buying and start enjoying what you already have.
Current collection incl Citizen, G-Shock, Rolex, Seiko, Sinn & Tag.

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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by Kansas City Milkman »

Interesting topic.

I think I’m in the place of ‘just one more’, but I know that’s stretching it a bit. I’ve said a few times that I like my collection to be accessible and modest. This means I have a modest collection of watches that I enjoy - I want to wear them all. I could just about sustain one more watch, but know the challenge of choosing would get tougher.

The other factor of course is that lockdown has allowed me to save up more towards my watch fund. As life opens up again, I don’t think I’ll be able to build reserves at the same rate so naturally I won’t be able to buy, even if I wanted to.

After that, I really need to reinstate the one in one out rule.........
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by stefs »

I really can’t quite work out how I figure in this yet. More thought required as I wouldn’t like to think how many times I have said ‘I’m done’.
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by Tortoise »

Since joining the Forum, I have learned a lot from fellow Forumites about various brands, models, variants, complications, etc, and I have acquired a greater appreciation of the technical and engineering aspects of watches that I would not have considered before. My eyes have been opened to a wide range of possibilities and I am curious to try them all out!

... hmm, or..

Since joining the Forum, I have learned a lot from fellow Forumites about various brands, models, variants, complications, etc, and I have acquired a greater appreciation of the technical and engineering aspects of watches that I would not have considered before. My eyes have been opened to a wide range of pitfalls that I never would have considered before and I am more careful not to get caught out!

... hmm, :lol:


In all seriousness, I would have to say that my urge to acquire and/or collect is stronger than ever, however, I am trying to take a more disciplined and considered approach these days. Not sure where I am going longer term though - still have too much to learn and figure out.
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by Bungle-ator »

I don't think I've ever considered myself to have a collection but I was always searching for the right watch, my grail so to speak. I think I knew what the watch was for a few years but I didn't want to spend that sort of cash. I should've as it inadvertantly meant I wasted a few £k on watches that I'm unfussed for.
I bought the watch that I knew I really wanted last June and it's still the watch I really want. I wear others just because I can and in fairness I appreciate them for their own qualities but I really wouldn't miss them if they weren't there.
I'd say I'm done with acquiring watches to be honest. I'll buy another G-shock if I lose or break my current one and I wouldn't rule out buying a 38mm GP Laureato or Date Just in the distant future but I'm not really interested in anything else.
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by missF »

what-time-is-it wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 11:37 pm In my experience you only get control of your collection when you stop looking, stop buying and start enjoying what you already have.
Well said. A good philosophy :thumbup:
watching you fail in your quest for a “one watch” has been great entertainment
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by Thegreyman »

Noush wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 10:47 pm
For a number of years I had 2 watches, a "work" watch and a "not work" watch. Work for me is quite a physical environment, a factory producing salami, pancetta and the like. I am the bit-of-everything guy in the place but there is plenty of bumping and splashing and the rest.
So you need to avoid being too ham fisted....sorry couldn't resist!
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by Noush »

'Tis said if you leave a door open, someone will walk in :)
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Re: The urge to acquire (or collect)?

Post by Thegreyman »

My collection currently sits at a round dozen (a baker's dozen that is). I am definitely more considered now in what I like and what I buy (I haven't bought a watch since the BB58 in November which feels like an age ago, just over 4 months in reality :? ).

I definitely now think long and hard before buying a watch, no more impulse buys, no more buying simply because it is a bargain and a good deal. I am sure I will buy more watches in the future but that may be at the expense of a few that I currently own, as accumulating many more than I currently have doesn't make much sense as I already struggle to wear all the watches I have.

I have thought about selling one or two to make way for whatever is the next acquisition however I do like all the watches I have for various reasons and would have some regret selling most of them, although as only one is a keeper, ultimately the rest could be sold at some point.
Patrick

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