What are your watch collecting goals for 2026?

140dave · Dec 28, 2025

Simple goal for me this year; buy a nice Sub.

In 2025, for maybe the first time, I sold 3 watches and bought ZERO. (Okay, still a couple days left in 2025 so I may be saying that too soon lol)

This year I will buy more than I sell. A vintage Sub is the goal but I’ll always be ready for a nice opportunity buy on a straight lug Speedy, and I admit that I still have no control over my flatlink bracelet addiction/hoarding.

Speed2Sea · Dec 28, 2025

I'm going to add a new Submariner (no-date). I've wanted one for many years. Also will be purchasing a GMT, but haven't yet decided on a brand/model. Obviously, lots to choose from so recommendations would be welcomed that don't exceed $10k.

Majork · Dec 28, 2025

For me, it's figuring out which direction my collection should take from its current state.

I'm currently very lost, because there are a few watches I consider adding and I can't get myself to start with buying any of them. It has been paralyzing me a bit.

List in no order:

Rolex 14060
Omega 2531.80
IWC Ingenieur
Heuer Camaro
Tudor BB 54
Another vintage Connie maybe

Mam · Dec 29, 2025

My collecting goal for this coming year are:
First enjoy what I have.
Second, can't wait to see what IWC will realese for the anniversary of the ingenieur redesigned by Genta.
Finally, if I get the call for the gmt that would be great.

ibis888 · Dec 29, 2025

140dave
Simple goal for me this year; buy a nice Sub.

In 2025, for maybe the first time, I sold 3 watches and bought ZERO. (Okay, still a couple days left in 2025 so I may be saying that too soon lol)

This year I will buy more than I sell. A vintage Sub is the goal but I’ll always be ready for a nice opportunity buy on a straight lug Speedy, and I admit that I still have no control over my flatlink bracelet addiction/hoarding.

This is one of my main goals as well - 5513 or 1680.

My problem is - I keep getting distracted by shiny things while trying to save the funds for the sub.

bsowers34 · Dec 29, 2025

Enjoy what I have, and resist the temptation of a new Ed White. I did only buy one in 2025, the Snoopy 50. After buying the white, hesalite and FOIS new in 2024.

josiahg52 · Dec 29, 2025

There's one more "new" Omega that I want: the Aqua Terra. For years it's been the blue but the grey is nice, too. I want the larger one, 41.5, 40, maybe 38mm if the right configuration.

I would prefer the cal. 8800 movement but I don't think any came with that movement; only the 8500 and 8900 and variants. The ref. 231.10.42.21.03.001 is a blue 41.5mm that I like because the date at 3 o'clock is surrounded by a polished frame which balances the look. I think if I saw one of those right now for $3000 or so, I might have to make it a 2025 purchase!

There are other Seamasters like a non-AC or Electric Blue, but those are distractions and maybe someday I'll get one. Right now, it's the Aqua Terra.

After that, I want a Submariner 16610 from 2000-2002 with a P, K, or Y serial number as it has all the features I want and none that I don't.

Robbie77 · Dec 29, 2025

Definitely not buy and sell as much as I did in 2025. Maybe add one Rolex is about it. Keep what i have and enjoy it for a few years.

clockoclock · Dec 30, 2025

I don’t set new goals for anything at new years.

2026 will most likely be like this year, last year, 2023, 2022…. Sell, buy, trade, keep, regret, flip, collect, care, service … Some mistakes, some bargains, some excellent acquisitions, some quick flips. It’s fun as it is. Watch collecting as a hobby is mostly a +/- 0 game that, with a bit of luck and knowledge, pushes it to the plus side.

I’d rather have a larger pool of mid priced and cheap watches in rotation, that I happen to like for some reason, than just a handful of very expensive luxury watches. That is imo showing off and to sheepishly follow an established pattern seen on watch forums that screams ”look at me! I’m just like you!”. Not going down that road.

However, I end this year with a Citizen Crystron being my last buy and a 1930’s Mowy military watch being my last sell and begin the next with looking for a 1940-50’s black dialed chronograph, maybe a rattrapante and a vintage 18k gold dress watch (Omega, Movado, Zenith). Or not.

Lu.. · Dec 31, 2025

My primary goal is to continue consolidating my collection.....my overall goal is to have 6 pieces or less.....I'm going to wait to see what comes out at Watches & Wonders....I got a close eye on Universal Geneve......if there is nothing that really catches my heart (and my wallet), I got 2 references that are special.....a Speedy Tuesday Speedmaster and a nipple dial GMT.....

For now, only one will make the cut.....and it all depends how the consolation goes and if I'm able to find the right deal......I'm in no hurry.....

Dsloan · Dec 31, 2025

I think I'm gonna start by just tracking down some bracelets for a few watches.

Then, finances allowing, I may pick up more central minutes chronographs.

Waltesefalcon · Dec 31, 2025

This isn't a 2026 goal, but rather a long term goal. I'd like to acquire one of every grade Illinois initially produced: Bates, Mason, Hoyt, Currier, Miller, Bunn, and Stuart. Additionally, I'd also like for them to all be two line dials.

So far, I've gotten a Hoyt, a Currier, and a Miller, and all three were made in the first two years of production.

goudaville · Dec 31, 2025

there are so many watches I want, but other expenses that must come first. so, my only goal is to keep enjoying the watches I already have. my one real goal is to get my grandfather's Breitling Aerospace working again, first attempt is sending it to Breitling again for service. Cheers!

vibe · Thurs. 12:08am

I think I’ve set some good roadblocks for myself that keep me from impulse buys. Really would like to find a nice GMT about 36mm that is not too thick, not sure it exists! I’d like to thin the herd to 12. Another VC is eminent. I’d like to pick up a nice 30mm movement black dial omega with no lume.

goudaville · Thurs. 12:19pm

vibe
I think I’ve set some good roadblocks for myself that keep me from impulse buys. Really would like to find a nice GMT about 36mm that is not too thick, not sure it exists! I’d like to thin the herd to 12. Another VC is eminent. I’d like to pick up a nice 30mm movement black dial omega with no lume.

I'd love to hear what some of those roadblocks are. I've been disciplined but it's tough! The biggest thing for me is, I find I get the most enjoyment when I spend a lot of time with the handful of watches I already own. my daily driver the last two years is a Hamilton Khaki mechanical, on a bracelet, and though I've always liked it my appreciation for it has grown the more I've worn it.

sheepdoll · Thurs. 1:52pm

I just updated my addicted megathread. Got a bit carried away last week.

2026 looks to be much the same as the last half of 2025. The goal remains to get some of these rusted collections of random parts assembled into somewhat complete watches.

I have learned many years ago, to not make any resolution about resolutions. Of course resolving to not make any resolutions for the new year automatically means that the resolution is broken before it is made.

Hopefully I can get through the stuff on the bench, so I can then transfer the new stuff to the bench. Or even find motivation to sneak up on projects which got set aside for the newest shiny.

hansmaulwurf · Thurs. 3:04pm

In 2025 the quest has come to an end, no goals for 2026 left:

vibe · Thurs. 11:17pm

goudaville
I'd love to hear what some of those roadblocks are. I've been disciplined but it's tough! The biggest thing for me is, I find I get the most enjoyment when I spend a lot of time with the handful of watches I already own. my daily driver the last two years is a Hamilton Khaki mechanical, on a bracelet, and though I've always liked it my appreciation for it has grown the more I've worn it.

The roadblocks mostly have to do with size and thickness. Also, I don’t need to be bringing duplicates into my collection. I used to be interested in getting multiple variants of basically the same watch but that is a roadblock for me now.

What are your watch collecting goals for 2026?

140dave

Speed2Sea

Majork

Mam

ibis888

bsowers34

josiahg52

Robbie77

clockoclock

Lu..

Dsloan

Waltesefalcon

goudaville

vibe

goudaville

sheepdoll

hansmaulwurf

vibe

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