The Logic of Your Collection

Dsloan · Nov 25, 2019

As a newbie, my logic has been: try a bit of everything and see what I like: vintage, modern, dress, everyday, chronograph, military, GMT, etc.

In the process, I've found that I sort of liking having a range of makes and models, as I can pick a watch appropriate to the occasion. This is a small ritual that helps me feel good at the start of my day.

joeshoup · Nov 26, 2019

I've discovered a couple threads that appeal to me in collecting: 1930s-40s three handers (especially cushion cases and California type dials), 1970s chronos (Omega only at the moment though I really ought to branch out), and 1990s-2000s Seiko kinetics. I discovered that I don't care for collecting divers, except the sort you can wear while working outdoors or underwater (my Citizen eco-drive diver gets a stupid amount of wrist time).

All these little realms make sense in their own way but don't add up to any sort of 'logic' really. I spent a bit of time around museum and art people and got a bit tired of all the obsession with 'tightly focused curation'. I have a short attention span and widely varied interests, so who cares if there's an underlying philosophy as long as the collection gives me happiness and makes sense to me?

Here's a recent shot of about half the collection, illustrating my happy schizophrenia.

Gav1967 · Nov 26, 2019

I think I started with some Logic initially but then this about sums it up now

Archer · Nov 26, 2019

wristpirate
I buy the ones I like and can afford. Best to not get too carried away with logic and just have some fun

This times 1000...

Professor · Nov 26, 2019

I've bought low cost watches that appeal to my interest in alternate methods of doing the same thing, unusual older movements or case types. Nothing fancy.
I think my Midland with 2453 25 jewel movement which I got for less than 20 USD is my best find so far. Works great , selfwinds easily and quietly and accurate within 5 seconds per day. Aside from dead lume it looks nearly new with nice clear crystal. Not much information on Midland watches.

03Hemi · Nov 26, 2019

There are watch collections and then there are collection of watches, big difference. I buy what appeals to me.

Dgercp · Nov 26, 2019

Always a logic to how people collect. Problem is that logic is different for every one of us 😀

gostang9 · Nov 26, 2019

Many ways to tell time, so a watch is largely an expression of ourselves. There is little in the realm of logic that goes into watch buying. When we collect something, it is even less logical (at least according to my wife, friends and colleagues).

Find what you like, buy if you can afford. I enjoy living vicariously through others almost as much as my own collection. 😎

eugeneandresson · Nov 26, 2019

It appears I have a thing for vintage style AMLs (of the handful of Omegas I own I think only one has a printed logo...but it’s from the 50s so before(or at the start of) the AML, and same old school logo) and Lemania’s. Lemania is heavily tied to Omega, and has something to do with my upbringing as well as figuring out that just about every iconic Omega you lot go crazy for all have a Lemania ticking away inside. It also appears I have a thing for rare pieces, or if not so rare in production volume then rare in condition...I like top condition watches (but also find beauty in wabi sabi pieces...do have some of those too).

But that’s what it appears if I try and decode the logic apparent in my current collection...I honestly have never thought about that when I bought...I simply buy what I like and am drawn to 👍

kyle L · Nov 26, 2019

At this point I find myself just buying things that catch my eye...😀

Willbur · Nov 26, 2019

Vitezi
Early on in this hobby, I read a post by an experienced watch collector that was something to the effect of "A collection without curation is just an accumulation."

Curation is the process of choosing what (or more importantly, what not) to collect; it's the "underlying logic" of your collection. I find it more fun - more challenging, perhaps - to learn about and hunt for watches that fit within boundaries loosely set by that underlying logic. It also helps keep the spend in check.

I have exactly the same logic as described by Vitezi and the more funny is that I'm also collecting Tissot Watches but apparently from a different time, the 70's.

During the last 4 years around 100 watches get in and get out and the Regate in the middle was the conclusion after a long hunt
I notice that hunting to achieve a target was more existing than having and I was quite lost after receiving the Regate.

So I defined a new target focused on Tissot Chrono using Lemania's movement.
But how long it will takes and what will be the next ?

Capt Cave Man · Nov 26, 2019

I've only just got into collecting watches and now have 3;
* 2011 Longines Flagship Quartz purchased new (thank-you tesco vouchers), my everyday.
* 2014 Breitling Transocean day date, a 20th wedding anniversary present from she who must be obeyed 🥰 and suspect this is what's triggered an obsession...
* Circa. 1973 and the reason joining, an Omega Constellation 168.0065, an impulse birth year and brand purchase.

What's the connection 😕 I love the look is all I can think?? Moving forward I know I should limit myself to only 1 watch box of 12 and slowly upgrade.

I've been thinking as a brand / birth year collection only, my logic for a collection but I suspect checking back this may well go out the window...

Edit: mulling over a Circa. 1973 Omega Speedmaster Chrono, time to save and research...

JwRosenthal · Nov 26, 2019

I started collecting years ago with what I could afford-
It was a Gruen bumpers because they were affordable and I enjoyed the eccentricity of the movement compared to modern watches.
When I got a chunk of money about 20 years ago, I bought a few of my grail pieces, GMT, Speedy, Navitimer, Carrera...and then stopped collecting for 20 years and just wore them.
As I have gotten back into collecting for the last couple years I threw a very wide net, grabbing whatever caught my interest for either esthetic charms, iconic style or interesting technology. I have limited my watch box to 40 watches (the capacity of my drawer), so it does help keep me focused. When one comes in, another must go.

I think collections are living breathing things, they change with time as the collector becomes more astute. I have found recently that I like collecting sleepers- watches that have gone under the radar by most collectors but were well designed or executed. I’ll grab 5-6 of them and bring them back to life, then see which ones get the wrist time. Collections are the most subjective of things to talk about, I think the only constant is that when it become stress inducing and no longer fun, it’s time rethink how you are approaching the hobby.

watchknut · Nov 26, 2019

It's kind of funny...when I got on here over 4 years ago, I had a couple of vintage Rolex, a PloProf, and some random ass modern pieces.

Since then I've run through so many watches I've lost count. My collection is now focused mainly on Rolex sport models, but even then there is nothing that I really want.

I am back to buying random ass watches...I bought another bronze Anonimo - for whatever reason I love it.

Buy what you enjoy...buy what you can afford...have fun.

It isn't as much fun as it used to be, as my collection grew into something that is well beyond my means.

connieseamaster · Nov 26, 2019

redpcar
My collection:
Squirrel!

Some types of watches are more likely to be squirrels than others for me 😉

I tend to stick with ladies watches that weren't nerfed spec-wise compared to the men's version (ie early Hamiltons where both men's and women's watches used the exact same movements), but mostly from the 60s and early 70s. I stick to watches that I'll want to wear more than once and won't make me wince about the price.

madjestikmoose · Nov 26, 2019

I’m by no means an experienced collector, but I have a general rule: if I love it and I can afford it, I buy it. If I don’t love it but could afford it, I don’t. Moose-logic.

Capt Cave Man · Nov 26, 2019

watchknut
It isn't as much fun as it used to be, as my collection grew into something that is well beyond my means.

Is that due to value or something else, I know I'll have factor in a service every few years for each piece?

Braindrain · Nov 26, 2019

watchknut
It's kind of funny...when I got on here over 4 years ago, I had a couple of vintage Rolex, a PloProf, and some random ass modern pieces.

Since then I've run through so many watches I've lost count. My collection is now focused mainly on Rolex sport models, but even then there is nothing that I really want.

I am back to buying random ass watches...I bought another bronze Anonimo - for whatever reason I love it.

Buy what you enjoy...buy what you can afford...have fun.

It isn't as much fun as it used to be, as my collection grew into something that is well beyond my means.

I've heard similar stories before. People pursue haute horology and then being disillusioned. Then eventually going back to cheaper watches and enjoying the hell out of them.

As you said, do whatever makes you happy!

watchknut · Nov 26, 2019

@Capt Cave Man it's mainly due to value...as it is much more than just a hobby now.

@Braindrain I am definitely in that camp...I now buy random shit just to buy it and enjoy like the old days. The one good thing that I am not actively buying as much or wanting as much as I used...I am now helping more novice collectors get into great pieces and that brings me a lot of joy as well.

warrydog · Nov 26, 2019

My qualifications are.... If I like it and it's a good buy, then it'll probably end up at my house.

The Logic of Your Collection

Dsloan

joeshoup

Gav1967

Archer

Professor

03Hemi

Dgercp

gostang9

eugeneandresson

kyle L

Willbur

Capt Cave Man

JwRosenthal

watchknut

connieseamaster

madjestikmoose

Capt Cave Man

Braindrain

watchknut

warrydog

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