How many consider stopping watch collecting?

[srvrf]

I really enjoy watch collecting and reading about watches (TRF, WUS, Hodinkee, WatchTime, etc) but have found myself more than once wondering if I should trim/"downgrade" my collection to a couple of watches. I don't have any real financial need to do it, and I don't really know what I'd do with the money even if I sold all of my expensive watches (probably spend on another hobby).

I remember the early times when after getting a Hamilton I was eyeing and Omega and then an AP. Now with a very nice collection (AP, VC, PAM, IWC plus a few others) I find the desire to go higher (Patek, RM) has subsided (thankfully). In fact, I recently bought a couple Seiko 5's for upcoming travel and somewhat surprisingly really like them. So while I know they aren't anywhere near the quality of my other timepieces, they're a lot better to me than the standard quartz. And for the most part, I don't feel any different when wearing an AP or Seiko, which is probably what brings up this question.

Now I still think there's a 99% chance that my four core watches never leave my possession. I spent a lot of time and money getting those watches, but maybe I'll move the others. Maybe it's just another normal
phase of watch collecting. I just thought I'd ask if others have ever felt the same way.


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[azguy]

I did, I had 7 watches, decided I didn't want to be the "typical WIS and more specifically a Rolex WIS" anymore and reduced down to an Omega PO 2500, Omega SMP (blue wave dial) and kept my TT Thunderbird as it was the 1st Rolex I ever envied someone wearing in the early 80's and it's on a jubilee which I just love wearing. I have about $6k in my little collection.

It''s actually nice to wear my PO and not be one of the 12 guys siting at a bar with a sub on...

[Angrypuppy]

I've been going through the same thing. I've pretty much decided to go from a SS sport watch collection to one SS and a yellow gold DD and call it good.

There will always be another something that I like. At this point I believe I'll be good with two watches and enjoying seeing everyone else's incoming threads.

[wantonebad]

I already have pretty much, only so many 10K+ watches I can afford, and flipping is a pain, so I'm done for now. Once I have my house paid off and my retirement-funding is a little more focused I may revisit my horological-lusts, but for now, I'm done.

[VaRobot]

I'm done, 2 Rolexes and a bunch of other interesting lesser priced watches. Perhaps I'm more an enthusiest than true collector.

[HogwldFLTR]

Pretty well done as well; no purchases in the foreseeable future for me. Selling off is a distinct possibility at some point. Not only is trading expensive, choosing what to wear if work as well.

[swils8610]

I'm down to 2 watches. My SD4k which I bought new and my DD40 which was a gift. Baring some kind of financial disaster I'm content.

[Rockrolex]

I have 4 Rolexes and a host of other high end watches (about 20 in all). I'm now into collecting lower priced watches, all of which must be automatics and have one or more complications. By lower priced, I mean under US$1K. The last one I bought was a Swatch Sistem 51 for $150.

[azguy]

This is a pretty interesting thread, if I wasn't a blue watch whore, I'd have just the Omega PO and the DateJust/Thunderbird, but I can't just yet, rid myself of blue...

[ref1655]

the question is...how many watches does one really need?

[swils8610]

Need? None.

[SemperFi]

I guess I can't stop something that I never started as I don't consider myself a collector. I own a Rolex Explorer and will be acquiring a Tudor Black Bay in the next few months. I'll be pretty much satisfied with just those two.

[sickened1]

For me, it's just like any other hobby I've had before. It'll come a point where I stop wanting any new pieces, toys, etc and then I'd usually move on to the next hobby. I might come back to check out some new stuff but that's about it.

I have to say one thing, the camaraderie among members here is a lot better than I have seen at another hobby/enthusiasts forums and I've been through a lot of them.

[SemperFi]

Originally Posted by sickened1

I have to say one thing, the camaraderie among members here is a lot better than I have seen at another hobby/enthusiasts forums and I've been through a lot of them.

I absolutely agree with you there Ed. There's a lot of goodwill among members here. Some of the other forums I'm on can get brutal.

[Kingair]

How many you need . . . none

Time is on your cell phone, in your car or you can even ask it

Until today I still have all my watches but . . . at the bank

Actually I guess that I am close to one year wearing no watch

There are a still a few Rolex out there that I want to add to my collection but in the meantime I bought some PAM's

Never rush . . . rushing things only cost money !

[sickened1]

Originally Posted by SemperFi

I absolutely agree with you there Ed. There's a lot of goodwill among members here. Some of the other forums I'm on can get brutal.

Haha yeah, it can be very brutal out there Angelo. I've been through some audio/hi-fi forums, keyboard forums, car forums, game forums, etc and this one by far is the best!

[brookish]

I can't stop, I wish I could, every time I think, that's it, but then I see that one...... and it has to be mine. And then it is :o))))

[GradyPhilpott]

I may be done now, but I certainly will be by the time I turn seventy.

[busytimmy]

I'm close. Need to focus on other things. It's the time, mainly, that's the issue for me (no pun intended). Having just consolidated a large portion of my collection for a PM Sub, I hope to be content for now...


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[subtona]

I wouldn't consider it stopping, only in a happy holding pattern until the next moment of clarity and desire.

The collection is now down to a few pieces but carefully suited to my specific needs and wants.

The pieces that move me are in my grail territory so as they are out of reach at the moment, part financially and part justification...

So at this time I stand pat and am content to ponder and appreciate the incomings of lucky forum members :)

[themast]

Very interesting thread. This is something that I have been asking myself a lot lately. I am about to add another piece to my "collection", and I feel that this will be my transition from "owning a nice watch" to "being a collector" (well... a humble one... but nonetheless a collector). A few weeks ago I created a slide with all the watches that interest me and, even if I tried hard to keep it basic, I ended up with more than 12 watches. So this prompted the questions: "does this really make sense?" "Where do I stop?".

I do not have an answer yet. Definitively for me I will have to work hard to acquire some of the pieces that I would like to own, and this is part of the fun. But I really do not know whether the plan will hold in the long run.

[kilyung]

Nope. Thankfully my pursuit of higher priced watches has slowed my acquisition rate but I've still got quite a few on my list. However I've reignited another hobby which has taken a lot of time and money from my watches (relatively inexpensive compared to watches).

[subtona]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Nope. Thankfully my pursuit of higher priced watches has slowed my acquisition rate but I've still got quite a few on my list. However I've reignited another hobby which has taken a lot of time and money from my watches (relatively inexpensive compared to watches).

Nice to have a second outlet Mike

[HorologyK]

This is all I need.

[superdog]

I think I'm close to done.

I'd like a DD40 and a PP aquanaut and I think I'm done.

Wait, I have two in a waiting list with Omega.

And I do want the new Explorer coming out.

Crap, never mind...

[srvrf]

Wow, I'm actually a little surprised by the responses because I thought that I was nearly the only one that felt this way. I guess that we all come to a point with some number of watches and some amount of money invested and realize that it is enough and we are satisfied. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth it to keep and maintain 7+ higher end watches (I've had 6 of them serviced at around $1000 each) when I can get similar (but obviously not as nice) watches for less. Moving to Seiko, Hamilton and the like could work, but the market seems soft so selling may not be the best move right now. I agree that patience is a good thing and I may feel differently in a month but appreciate all of the responses.

[themast]

Originally Posted by superdog

I think I'm close to done.

I'd like a DD40 and a PP aquanaut and I think I'm done.

Wait, I have two in a waiting list with Omega.

And I do want the new Explorer coming out.

Crap, never mind...

Seth, I think we are the complete opposites... I have a good idea of the watches that I would like to acquire in the next 30 years while you change your mind every other minute. Both crazy though!

[locutus49]

I'm done.

[AK797]

I thought I was going smaller, 40mm, and cheaper, Tudor, and now I want an AP 44. I'm a real Gemini. Bit I think I can see a final 5/6 in sight baring new releases.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by themast

Seth, I think we are the complete opposites... I have a good idea of the watches that I would like to acquire in the next 30 years while you change your mind every other minute. Both crazy though!

Knowing what you want for 30 years, and setting a 30 year plan? Sounds like torture to me. Doesn't seem like there is any real fun in that.