Do you buy a watch to compliment your collection or purely on individual merit?

[Daycruiser]

When I first started getting into the watch game, I wanted certain piece just because I want it. Now that I have built up a collection, I often ask whether a piece would fit in or compliment my current collection. As the consideration factors change, I find myself drawn to certain watches more than others.

Whats your experience?

[lord91]

I don't have a collection, but if l would, 99% of my reasoning would be based on individual merit.

[zaratsu]

Usually individual merit.

But sometimes if there's too much overlap with watches I currently own then either I pass on the new watch or get rid of the current watch that overlaps.

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[rmlovett1]

Has to fit a niche in my collection, that hasn’t already been filled, if I am going to look for another piece.....UNLESS....I’m upgrading a current piece to PM...ie: GMT LN to WG or YG GMT

[Dirt]

It can depend upon whether the collection has a theme or not, with one watch being a start to a collection or a possible end in of itself.

I personally started with the intention of having one good watch and the bug bit me hard.
Now it's strictly on merit with only two gaps remaining.
One gap is already strictly allocated and the other being in a bit of a state of flux with two main contenders.

[1William]

I typically try not to duplicate a look. Speedmaster and BB Chrono are very close in my opinion. ND Submariner and the BB Black are close. I also end up being drawn to color. Black and blue seem to win out with white coming in a close third.

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by lord91

I don't have a collection, but if l would, 99% of my reasoning would be based on individual merit.

Of course it will still be based on individual merit. But for instance I chose the BLRO over Daytona C because I already have 3 chronos in my collection including a Daytona.

Also I feel like certain pieces are needed to "Complete" the collection, such as a dress watch, which I am still saving for: The 5970J and the Zeitwerk

[beshannon]

Both

[Houston77]

Both, but I won’t buy a watch if it does complement my collection.

[Mystro]

Both. At first and new to the hobbie, I didn’t look at watches as a system. Now merit and how it fits what I already own is what keeps my collection from being more than the sum of their parts.

[zjd168]

more on collection completion

[dafuture]

Primarily I base things on individual merit, but as a second consideration I also look at collection fit. For example, if I only have a limited number of watches I can purchase, there's no sense (to me) in buying a Sub ND to match with my Explorer. I'd prefer to have some variety.

[THE FURY]

I buy and build on individual merit. For me to buy a watch to complete a collection is not worth it if the Watch is just going to sit in a box and get no rotation.

[RHIII]

Both


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[bellesdad0417]

I buy on individual merit

[brandrea]

Always on individual merit for me.

That’s how I ended up with SD43, DBlue and Submariner (ok, so the Submariner was pure luck)

[VicLeChic]

purely individual merit which is why I have so many divers

[101031-28]

Both.

[AK797]

I started off having a grail collection in mind with some diversity but as you own the watches you find some work and some don't, and so you make changes and hopefully by the end of your journey you have a collection of favourite watches that also do not crossover.

[Vipes]

In the past I would add pieces to fit a certain niche. Now I buy whatever sings to me. I notice that I am drawn to pieces that are more versatile; dress up or dress down and usually on bracelet.

[faimag]

The overarching decision for me is based on complementing my collection. Say I decide I "need" a watch of a certain shape (square/Reverso or a tonneau, or whatever) or with a certain complication (chrono, moon phase, triple calendar, or whatever). Then I go in that category and choose the one based on individual merit. Except when something talks to me in which case I push it to the front of the wait list

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Daycruiser

When I first started getting into the watch game, I wanted certain piece just because I want it. Now that I have built up a collection, I often ask whether a piece would fit in or compliment my current collection. As the consideration factors change, I find myself drawn to certain watches more than others.



Whats your experience?

I buy what I want to wear.

How the watch looks in a box or “compliments” another is not a consideration. I only wear one Watch at a time

I do think a bit if one Watch looks too much like another - as it impacts the variety factor when I wear my one Watch per occasion.

[Avilanche]

This is a good question and i have gone through the same...which is why i offloaded my Milgauss Z blue to get a Batman, despite having Bluesy and Hulk...went on individual merit, because you only wear one watch at a time, and it has to be the best possible...

[GradyPhilpott]

I buy what I like.

[Ballzzz]

I cannot afford every watch my heart desires unfortunately, YET. So I try and buy as diverse a collection as possible. Currently i need a white face watch. The two main competitors are polar or Daytona. I don't care for the hulk but to have green in the collection i would like a Kermit. I need some blue because everything i have is black so a blnr or anything blue could do. I first think whats different enough to draw me to want to wear it. I then look at the choices in that specific area and pick my favorite. If I wanted to buy a watch today and wait lists or money didn't matter the next four would be:

1. Daytona C White
2. Kermit
3. BLNR or Blue SkyDweller
4. YG DD Open Roman (possibly green)

I like to mix it up.

[Daycruiser]

People build their collection with different philosophies
Some like a balance of functions
Some like watches for a diversity of occasions
Some stick to one brand
Some even stick to one function
Some people just get watches that appeal to them and dont have a overall theme to their collection

In each and every case individual merit of each watch matters. I seek to have a balance of functions for diffferent occasions from Rolex, PP and AP, which makes me priorities certain purchases before others.

For instance I like to have a GMT, so I chose the BLRO over the Daytona C, simply because I already have chronograph. I like both equally.

[GoingPlaces]

Merit first but it must compliment my collection.

[GreatScott]

A collection can be whatever you want it to be, people collect the same thing all the time. I don't connect anything besides dust, but I do have several diver's.

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[jbk45]

This is a question I've been trying to answer for some time. I've always been a watch fan but it wasn't until 2016 where the bug really bit me and I began investing much more time and energy into researching the history of Rolex/Tudor (and other brands) - heritage, timelessness and value are the riving factors behind my purchasing decisions and the brands I gravitate towards.

That said, I've been struggling to find balance in my collection - I gravitate towards chronographs and divers and my entire collection reflects that with the exception of my 216570 Polar. I've been wanting a proper dress watch for 2 years but have since purchased 2 chronos, one diver and a GMT in the meantime as they've all sung to me...and so I guess that's been my approach to collecting thus far, buying what sings to me and refining along the way.

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by jbk45

That said, I've been struggling to find balance in my collection - I gravitate towards chronographs and divers and my entire collection reflects that with the exception of my 216570 Polar. I've been wanting a proper dress watch for 2 years but have since purchased 2 chronos, one diver and a GMT in the meantime as they've all sung to me...and so I guess that's been my approach to collecting thus far, buying what sings to me and refining along the way.

Same same brother. I love sports models, been trying to find a dress watch but always ended up prioritising a sports model instead. 7 watches deep and I still don’t own a dress watch! But I have 3 chronos! Maybe a Lange datograph would be a nice middle ground...