How 'bout the best '68 Speedy I can find without a bracelet, but recent service and an extract + a new gator strap $7,500.US
My everyday beater - Timex Marlin Snoopy $500.US
That was a solid watch question? It seemed more like asking the forum "what's my favorite color?" There are any number of ways to collect, themes by style, maker, period. If you don't know, maybe you should buy one watch you like and then hold off for a while. Or watch the What Are You Wearing Today thread until you see something you've just gotta have.
I interpreted OP’s question (and he confirmed), as not asking the forum to build his collection, but rather asking a theoretical to engage with other members. Is that so out of bounds?
I for one, love entertaining theoretical watch collecting scenarios (as does my bank account).
Personally, like I said above, a Seiko skx or turtle is a must have in my opinion. Great watch and not so expensive.
After that? Maybe a Rolex. Doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but they are popular for a reason. Super accurate and you can do everything with them.
I recently bought a Hesalite speedy because of how it looks, the history and the manual wind chrono. Also, works excellent with many straps which my Rolex doesn’t.
I would still start with the first nice watch I bought. Loved it 12 years ago when I first saw it, still love it just as much now. Buy what you like...end of story.
I would still start with the first nice watch I bought. Loved it 12 years ago when I first saw it, still love it just as much now. Buy what you like...end of story.
Back in 2000 when I could finally afford a new, modern Omega, I agonized over Speedmaster or Seamaster. I had lusted after a Speedmaster for decades!
That's what I got, in fact the "Replica". Fast forward 15 years... I traded it to my watchmaker for labor in servicing watches, and I bought the Seamaster Professional whose picture I shared above.
There is no rush. In fact, for your first mechanical, look at Vostok and boutique brands online, the ones with Miyota and Seiko movements are certainly good enough.
A collection is constantly evolving until you reach your goals which also may be constantly evolving. I can only tell you what my journey was in regards to collecting watches. First, buy what you like and buy what you can afford. I started buying vintage Swiss and American watches, but ones I could afford... Bulova, Hamilton, Gruen, Waltham, etc. Did I like these watches, yes, and I could afford them at the time. Second, have a goal, what brands and models do you want if you could afford them? I wanted the higher end brands; i.e. Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Omega, etc, I wanted a submariner, a speedmaster, GMT, Daytona, Calatrava, etc. Third, seize the opportunity, whatever it may be or how it presents itself. In my case, the vintage watches I bought became a watch fad and prices sky rocketed. I sold off a good portion of my collection to start buying watches I had only dreamed about and I continued over time upgrading and improving my collection. Fourth, it always helps to have disposable income, and this is not something that is possible for everyone. I was fortunate to work in a lucrative field which allowed me to buy luxury items and still invest in more appropriate venues and afford my lifestyle.
Now, if you are talking about yourself beginning a collection, I can't answer your questions as I don't know what watches you love. As for myself, if I had to start all over again, and thankfully, I don't, I would buy preowned watches in the best condition I could find. I would try and buy from private sellers and stay away from dealers. I would buy watches I like and hope would appreciate or at least hold their value so I could always upgrade when the opportunity presented itself.
It's a Start.... all should be under 8k for each watch.
Omega Speedmaster 1970s - 1980s
Rolex Submariner mid 1980s
Breitling Navitimer
Vintage Rolex Perpetual
Tag Heur Monaco New
Vintage Omega Seamaster
Panerai Luminor Marina
Panerai Submersible
Now, if you only have 8K to spend... you could probably get no more then 2 or 3 of the above watches.
If I was to start a new collection I would focus primarily on Universal Geneve. Love universal Geneve watches they offer a wide range of styles with incredible designs. UG,UG,UG all the way.
What do you think, new first, and then dive into vintage?
I keep thinking "anchor piece".
When you say "vintage" you are referring to watches that are over 50 years of age. The high end vintage watches for the most part will command a very high price. I would dive into pre-owned first, then new and then vintage. I don't know what you mean by an "anchor piece"... the first watch you buy, a watch which is the centerpiece of your collection, or ....?
When you say "vintage" you are referring to watches that are over 50 years of age. The high end vintage watches for the most part will command a very high price. I would dive into pre-owned first, then new and then vintage. I don't know what you mean by an "anchor piece"... the first watch you buy, a watch which is the centerpiece of your collection, or ....?
Yeah, like my Seamaster Professional is now my "default" watch, even though I have a Railmaster LE. Find the one that really speaks to you that you think you'll love forever... and then your collection might be one?
Yeah, like my Seamaster Professional is now my "default" watch, even though I have a Railmaster LE. Find the one that really speaks to you that you think you'll love forever... and then your collection might be one?
Yes... I agree. There are watches I bought almost 30 years ago which will always be part of my collection. My goal as my collection grew was to get to the point that if I ever had to sell a watch to buy another one, I wouldn't know which one to choose.
Yes... I agree. There are watches I bought almost 30 years ago which will always be part of my collection. My goal as my collection grew was to get to the point that if I ever had to sell a watch to buy another one, I wouldn't know which one to choose.
Right or wrong, I sort of want to reduce, even selling "old friends" I've had for decades. Of course I am conflicted about that....
Right or wrong, I sort of want to reduce, even selling "old friends" I've had for decades. Of course I am conflicted about that....
There is no right or wrong... it’s a personal decision. Whatever you decide, it will be right for you. Also, things will happen in life that will make it necessary to sell all or part of your collection.
There is no right or wrong... it’s a personal decision. Whatever you decide, it will be right for you. Also, things will happen in life that will make it necessary to sell all or part of your collection.
Accumulation. See previous post. Only a "collection" if there is a purpose. 😁
I mean by $8k each watch to a maximum of $8k.
It can be starting literal or restructuring collection.
In my case I am restructuring collection downsizing it while making it more fine or exclusive. I mean this as I also started with bulovas, citizens , hamiltons and raymond weils.
Then my first high end watches where an Seamaster Aquaterra and an Ulysse Nardin Diver rubber band.
As of now I want a metal bracelet watch that I want to be the new rolex op41 either green or silver dial. A rubber one that I already got in an Aquaterra 41mm and a leather one probably an Oris or Montblanc. That would be the front watches. I plan to join this 3 with 2 or 3 more in the line of Hamilton, Oris and more of lower level but quality watches.
