Cataloguing your watches?

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richw

·Apr 26, 2022

For those of you with larger collections, do you keep records of your collection - like which pieces you own, when it was last serviced, things like that? I know Omega now lets us see our purchases in our online account, but are there any apps that give more detail?

 

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UWG

·Apr 26, 2022

I'm just using an Excel-sheet, I created for myself.

 

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ghce

·Apr 26, 2022

UWG

I'm just using an Excel-sheet, I created for myself.

Ditto that

 

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Vitezi

·Apr 26, 2022

A few ideas here:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/how-do-you-keep-tracks-of-your-watch-knowledge.125912/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/which-app-for-watch-collection.88907/

 

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Waltesefalcon

·Apr 26, 2022

I have a written card I keep under each watch with all of its information, including the last service.

 

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Larry S

·Apr 26, 2022·Color Commentator for the Hyperbole.

I have a file … I started an excel sheet but realized that, were it to fall into the wrong hands, I’m a dead man.

 

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KnoP

·Apr 26, 2022

i am not doing it but just the other day thought of starting a folder with some notes to every watch!

 

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ghce

·Apr 26, 2022

Larry S

I have a file … I started an excel sheet but realized that, were it to fall into the wrong hands, I’m a dead man.

Wrong hands ? my wife created mine lol

Hmm I see what you mean, I might need to watch my back or at least watch my credit card!

 

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KnoP

·Apr 26, 2022

Larry S

I have a file … I started an excel sheet but realized that, were it to fall into the wrong hands, I’m a dead man.

😁

 

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Dan S

·Apr 26, 2022

I have a Word file (or sometimes a folder) associated with each purchase and each sale, and if I learn something interesting about a watch I will generally add it to the purchase file/folder. But beyond that I really don't do anything special.

 

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M'Bob

·Apr 26, 2022

Almost nothing. Part of the fun is not turning this into a job. Plus, with mildly failing memory, it’s always fun to discover a piece you’ve forgotten you own.

 

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richw

·Apr 26, 2022

Thanks all! Interesting to see that it's mainly notes and documents, so I assume there isn't a great digital option yet. If there was one, would you use it? I thought there would be, as cataloguing and record-keeping apps are really popular in other hobbies (I've even seen them for people to keep track of when they last fed their pets)

 

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MtV

·Apr 26, 2022

R richw

Thanks all! Interesting to see that it's mainly notes and documents, so I assume there isn't a great digital option yet. If there was one, would you use it?

I’ve thought about the same thing. But now that I’ve spent hours to create my Excel sheet, adding all the date, a picture for each watch and also having done the same for parts so I don’t have to search through multiple drawers to check if I have a particular one I need, I don’t really see myself investing the same work again for something that might be just a little more practical or visually attractive.

 

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Dan S

·Apr 26, 2022

R richw

Thanks all! Interesting to see that it's mainly notes and documents, so I assume there isn't a great digital option yet. If there was one, would you use it? I thought there would be, as cataloguing and record-keeping apps are really popular in other hobbies (I've even seen them for people to keep track of when they last fed their pets)

I think there are digital options including apps, and they are probably fine. But as noted here and on the other threads linked above, most forum members don't choose to use them.

 

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richw

·Apr 26, 2022

Dan S

I think there are digital options including apps, but as noted here and on the other threads linked above, most forum members don't choose to use them.

From what I've seen on the linked threads, the impression I've got is that the available apps/online portals are too limited to be worth it?

 

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Dan S

·Apr 26, 2022

R richw

From what I've seen on the linked threads, the impression I've got is that the available apps/online portals are too limited to be worth it?

I don't get the impression that most OF members have really cared enough to evaluate them. If you take take the time to look at them (watchbox, chrono24, mywatchbase, Govberg ontime, etc.), it would be a great contribution to the forum to post some detailed reviews.

 

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STANDY

·Apr 26, 2022·schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector

Have many watch boxes that I would have to put 20% of the time I spent actually finding and buying them to find what they are worth now….

Happy to be surprised after 10 years than keep track of them….

Hell I have at leas 10-15+ that I forget what I even payed for them…but I do have the PMs 😉

 

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Spruce

·Apr 26, 2022·Sunburst dial fan

I tend to screen shot transactions/photos and save in various designated albums - which doesn’t always work.

Service invoices go into a cardboard folder.

 

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dsio

·Apr 26, 2022·Ash @ ΩF

I’d strongly recommend excel or something simple and local under your control, many of the apps that see people uploading images details and values of their collections are rather sketchy security wise and if they ever share your data for profit, which you probably agree to let them do in the ToS or if they just have a data breach, you’ve cased yourself and given the thieves recommended fencing prices.

This is why we also strongly discourage threads about how / where you store your watches.

 

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Pianotuna

·Apr 26, 2022

My meagre contribution.
I have a google drive folder with a doc for each watch, couple of photos plus notes on maintenance, history where applicable etc. The folder’s url is linked to the relevant entry in the main index of a spreadsheet meaning I can open up a folder or information I’m after without much delay. I’m sure it pales by comparison with some of the dedicated record keeping maintained by OF members but it works for me.
Frankly I maintain it so in the event of sudden or unexpected demise my sons know what is what.