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How old where you when you started collecting?

  1. GoBroncos58 Aug 29, 2020

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    Im 20 yo and started collecting watches when i was 19.
    I notice a lot of 'watchlovers' and connaisseurs are quite a bit older then me :) Its also not easy to get my friends interested in the subject, but its still worth the try imo! ;) So how old where you when you started collecting watches?
     
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  2. Lacazema Aug 29, 2020

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    I wanted to buy a nice watch for my 20th. I ended up buying 3. I'd say at 20 I started looking more closely, buying, selling what I didn't want anymore, buying used etc...

    Now I'm trying to learn how to service watches.
     
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  3. Duracuir1 Never Used A Kodak Aug 29, 2020

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    I do not have a Speedmaster. So I am not a collector. Next year perhaps? Watch photo courtesy of @JwRosenthal

    D63D41F8-C8CE-446A-B65F-0D9A24438FAE.jpeg
     
  4. KingCrouchy Aug 29, 2020

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    I started hoarding watches with 17, with no rhyme or reason. In the last 4 years, I have found ways to describe the mess as a Collection. My focus lays on swiss Watches from the 40s to late 60s.
     
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  5. oinkitt Aug 29, 2020

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  6. Wryfox Aug 29, 2020

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    12.

    I found a Universal Geneve in a parking lot that had been run over by a car. Damaged but still ran so I threw away the band and put it on a leather band and wore it through the three years of middle school.

    35yrs later found it in an old box of childhood stuff, gave it a shake and it still ran. Quite well actually so I found a band for it(the old leather was cracked) and started wearing it.

    I then did some research and found out it was solid gold. Boy do I regret throwing out that band all those years ago, which was most certainly solid gold as well.

    Anyway, it kicked my interest into high gear and I now have over 60 vintage watches....
     
  7. GingkoLeaf Aug 29, 2020

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    26 for me

    Usually would get fashion watches 'cus I was all about the minimalist style. Later on, I got to know about seiko 5's and bought one. Then I decided to do some research on Seiko. The amount of love out there for Seiko made me realise that watch making is pretty cool. That curiosity branched out to Swiss watch making. Ended up buying two vintage Omega pieces.
     
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  8. GingkoLeaf Aug 29, 2020

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    it's nice that you have a target piece! Knowing the end goal makes the journey worth it ;)
     
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  9. JwRosenthal Aug 29, 2020

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    The strap makes the watch ;)
     
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  10. JwRosenthal Aug 29, 2020

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    9- I bought a Westclox pocket watch for $7 in an antique store on a school field trip -I still have it.
     
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  11. alefar Aug 29, 2020

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    I guess i was always interested in watches since my father had a few and i always admired them but i started buying my own when i was 19 too;)
     
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  12. LesXL Aug 29, 2020

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    Younger in my teens, I was already into watches... And loosing them quite easily too... I must have lost around 10 before my 20s, mainly Swatches

    Then for I only had a couple of ones for the next 20 years... And finally started collecting 4 or so years ago, when I went over the hill...
     
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  13. Mad Cow Aug 29, 2020

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    As old as my tongue and some bit older than my teeth. Still am. ;)
     
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  14. ZIELSZIEK Aug 29, 2020

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    I was 14 and "influenced" by a classmate.
    Now I'm 20 and have owned a few pieces.. I'm definitely no collector.

    Nice to see more people my age here :thumbsup:
     
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  15. connieseamaster Aug 29, 2020

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    I have a full set of Night Before Christmas souvenir watches from Burger King. My first watch was a Minnie watch at 3, but I didn't choose that one myself.
     
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  16. Japanred Aug 29, 2020

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    I was 28 when I bought my first Omega back in 2012.
     
  17. pongster Aug 29, 2020

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    Started at age 30
     
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  18. NT931 Aug 29, 2020

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    Old enough to know better, unfortunately ;)
     
  19. SpeedyPhill Founder Of Aussie Cricket Blog Mark Waugh Universe Aug 29, 2020

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    Many youngsters used to get a good watch when they turned 12...
    So that's their 1st watch... Guess they turn collectors once they have a 2nd & 3rd wristwatch
    :thumbsdown:
    What's in a name : collector, amaser, hoarder, hobbyist etc...
     
  20. OmegaRody Aug 29, 2020

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    25. Started with fossils and other non-mechanical watches. My first mechanical was a Bulova Marine Star then came the Raymond Weil/Hamilton age which I acquired 2 leather bands and a steel(diver style) from Hamilton and two steels including one chronograph from RW. Then my firsts high end watches came almost 2 years ago when I pulled the trigger on an Aquaterra and a lower end Ulysse Nardin.
     
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