If you were to start a collection from 0.

TechFounder

You misunderstood. The watch will be used to track where I am at all times. If I were to walk out, any family member would be able to find me so long as I don't remove it.

Engee

Like I said, my F-I-L had a device dedicated to that very function. He didn’t like it because he didn’t understand what it was for and it confused him. And it was a lot cheaper than an Apple Watch.

TechFounder

An Apple Watch can be configured with just an analog watch face and nothing else. I doubt that even an old-timer can be confused by that. It requires no user intervention other than charging it every day by other family members. In the case of your F-I-L, strap it on him and you'll always be able to track him if he accidentally walks out of the house and gets lost. He would just know it as a regular analog watch with no other features. You'll need to get the cellular-enabled version though.

Archer

Seriously, you should do a little research before posting these declarations. In fact, one of the tests they give as part of diagnosing Alzheimer’s is to have the person draw the face of a clock to a specific time. Alzheimer’s patients often fail this test.

https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/alzheimers-clock-test/

TechFounder

Drawing is very different than reading and knowing what a watch is.
“In early stages of dementia, it's easy to lose track of time. In the middle stages of Alzheimer's, a loved one may frequently drift into the past. Seniors are more comfortable with old-fashioned analog clocks. They tell time with hour-and-minute hands, rather than digits.”

Engee

Why buy an Apple Watch when there are specialist tracking wrist devices / watches that do exactly as you suggest that cost less than $100? Also, I guess you don’t have much experience with dementia. I think you’d be surprised at how confused old people can be by things we think are simple.

ngo516

Just a fun fact. Over the last 20 years, I accumulated 20 pieces.
The increased in value of 5 Rolex pieces carries the lost of he remaining 15.
That’s one Rolex carried losses of the other 3.
That tells me watches aren’t investment. BUT if you only have a few, Rolex should be on that very top list.

For me, It’s extremely difficult to ignore that fact.

So if i have 8k in my pocket now, I’ll beg a dealer to put my name on a waitlist for a sport Rolex.

oh, and if you aren’t married, the other sex mostly/usually/only recognize Rolex.
it’s not a deciding factor, but a nice bonus.

Donn Chambers

To me, a collection has a theme. What many here call a “collection” is just a bunch of watches we like to wear and have bought over time. So, to answer your question, I will give you some collection ideas where you could accumulate quite a few watches (I think) for the $8000 limit. Then ideas for a bunch (or a couple) of watches you could wear daily for years to come.

True Collections with a Theme:

1. Watches of the Vietnam War: there were lots of different styles available in the PX that American servicemen bought and wore. Most can be found for under $1000k: Glycine Airman, Ollech & Wajs Early Bird, Zodiac Sea Wolf, Seiko 6105-8000, Benrus field watch, etc.

2. Watches worn in space: of course there is the Speedmaster, but there are dozens of other brands. Go even further and limit it to watches worn on the moon, and there are more than the Speedmaster. Getting more than a one or two would probably blow your budget, though.

3. Watches worn by James Bond in the movies: lots of choices here, some Omega, but also Breitling, Seiko, and even Rolex.

Lots of other ideas there, but you see what I mean by a “collection”.

Watches to wear that don’t really have a theme:

If you just want a variety of watches to wear, get an Oris diver, a Longines dress watch, a Valjoux 7750 Chronograph (any brand), a Seiko diver for a beater, and then treat yourself to a nice vacation with the residual.

Or, if you want to focus on Omega watches, buy a used Speedmaster and a new Seamaster 300m and call it a day.

TechFounder

An Apple Watch can be configured with just an analog watch face and nothing else. I doubt that even an old-timer can be confused by that. It requires no user intervention other than charging it every day by other family members. In the case of your F-I-L, strap it on him and you'll always be able to track him if he accidentally walks out of the house and gets lost. He would just know it as a regular analog watch with no other features. You'll need to get the cellular-enabled version though.

TechFounder

Really? I find it difficult to believe how someone can build a gps tracker with a cellular connection for less than $100 and make any money? Also, the Apple Watch will allow you to speak to the person with the walkie-talkie feature. It will also track vitals and movements for you to check on when you need to.

In any case, this is not an argument for you to use it as you can use whatever method or device you wish to keep your loved ones safe. I merely stated that that’s what I would use for myself or my loved ones in the case of dementia or Alzheimer’s. To me it’s the gold standard.

I remember before my grandfather past in his 90s, he had dementia and worn his Omega everyday. He was confused by a lot of things but never with his watch. He never looked down at his wrist and asked what’s that strapped to it. It may be different with your FIL.

OmegaRody

If you were to start a collection from zero. What watches under $8k you will have, brands, styles materials or else?