Unworn Watches: Collection Fate — WatchProSite Forum Digest

Aquaracer1 · 2024-06-30T02:35:43Z

Explore the collector's dilemma: what to do with unworn luxury watches? Aquaracer1 and the WatchProSite community discuss selling, keeping, or re-evaluating pieces like Rolex Submariner and A. Lange & Söhne.

Aquaracer1

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

77 replies14413 views1 photos

Aquaracer1's thought-provoking post delves into a common dilemma for luxury watch collectors: the fate of unworn timepieces. Beyond sentimental value, Aquaracer1 explores whether these watches should be sold, admired as art, or revisited later. This discussion offers valuable perspectives on managing a collection when certain pieces no longer receive wrist time.

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Let’s exclude sentimental pieces

Immediately move it on and replace with something that will get more wrist time?
Admire it, as you would a piece of art in its watch box, but keep it?
Take a break from the hobby, as you may be experiencing burning out?
Revisit said watch in x months, and see if the passion is reignited at that point in the future?
Other?

Example: Sadly I haven’t worn my Sub or ALS 1815 in months. But in this moment, I feel I’ll surely regret selling them. Sometimes it’s hard for me to accept keeping watches that aren’t being worn. But one is a classic icon, the other, a precious, hand-finished mechanical marvel. For now, their fate is unknown.

What about you? What is the fate of your watch(es)that aren’t being worn?

Key Points from the Discussion

Horo-fatique, or 'watch burnout,' can lead collectors to re-evaluate their priorities and the direction of the watch world, prompting sales of less-worn pieces.
Some watches remain unworn due to poor wrist fit or being overshadowed by more beloved pieces, leading to practical decisions like selling for profit or repurposing for rougher activities.
Collectors often gravitate towards sportier models for daily wear, reserving dress watches for special occasions, and may consider selling easily replaceable, less 'special' pieces like a Rolex Submariner, while retaining heirloom-quality watches such as an A. Lange & Söhne.
If a collection consists of rare or hard-to-replace watches, collectors often prefer to keep them as objects of art, citing minimal storage hassle and no property tax, unlike other luxury assets.
Implementing a rotation schedule can ensure all watches receive wrist time, but collectors may still decide to sell pieces to 'freshen up' the collection, often adhering to a 'sell one, buy one' rule.
The decision to sell an unworn watch often hinges on whether its sale is necessary to acquire a desired new piece; otherwise, many collectors see no point in selling, as watches are easy to keep and personal tastes can change over time.

The Discussion

shafran

Jun 30, 2024

They are beautiful but

They are meant to be worn. I have foumd that when i owm more than 5 watches , i dont wear some enough. I now have 4 that i wear regularly. Its enough for variety.

ArmisT

Jun 30, 2024

Did you regret or painfully miss any of the watches that you sold to get down to 4?

shafran

Jun 30, 2024

I did, but

The others comforted me

Aquaracer1

Jun 30, 2024

That is a fine number

And what I strive for. Certainly can understand that reasoning

armen.y

Jun 30, 2024

That’s the number I landed on too…

… and it works! The one I wear least (platinum dress) I still enjoy tremendously, and look forward to all of them.

Moka-Tiger (Ron)

Jun 30, 2024

Oh, wow! A question I face every day with TOO many in my collection

(Personally, I would be happy to wear your Sub and ALS any day and often) ha ha At one time I made a rotation schedule, and faithfully wore my watches according to that daily schedule, rotating each day. I don't do that as much these days, but I try to be fair to all of them. I think in my case, even after wearing them on a regular basis, I find something more appealing, or I feel like freshening up the collection. Then I take a long, hard look at the one(s) in my collection and decide the easie

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