Horological Meandering - Thoughts about collecting

Thoughts about collecting

Feb 02, 2023,05:02 AM

Hello there,

I had a question that maybe you can help to find peace. I have been collecting for about 8 years, with a decent collection of like 30 watches.

The situation is I love them all and I don’t really like to let things go, which is a bit of a bother because it’s irrational, obviously some get more use while others just sit on a box.

There is also another side of me that says I would like to try more watches, and I deeply think spending “new” money is not reasonable, after all I have a decent salary but money is not unlimited.

My thoughts go into: what if I trade some to get some others? For example there is one Patek im dying to get but again the question comes.

I get really anxious about it and I would like the approach that more experienced collectors go for without falling into hoarding (my current situation).

Some background: I collect mostly modern Rolex, some basic FPJ, VC, ALS, GS. Nothing huge, nothing super unique (I like them but don’t expect like a XYZ special dial sort of thing).

Comments: view entire thread

You can sell/trade any of them, BUT

By: piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1) : February 2nd, 2023-06:40

Think carefully what you might let go, because you know the current prices. Journe is the one whose values have skyrocketed, that's why you might have achieved a significant increase but once it's gone it would be tough to get it back. 30 watches is a big...

Give a piece to a friend for a while. If you don't miss it at all, it is time for you to let it go. You have to let some pieces go to buy something else. Unless money is not a problem, there is no other choice.

By: amanico : February 2nd, 2023-06:48

But be careful. There are pieces which will be very difficult to replace, because of the price which is reaching the sky with time passing, or because of their scarcity. Best, Nicolas

Very interesting question... I think collecting goes with phases, as you did, I have accumulated many watches (30+ of a wide range in value from a few $ vintages to several thousands of $) and could not imagine not keeping all of them.

By: montres1 : February 2nd, 2023-09:26

Then you start to evolve in your tastes and acknowledge that some pieces should go both in terms of funding new watches and in terms of interest. I try now to keep the ones that have a sentimental value, and those which are rare or with an interest from a...

Yours truly also can't afford to keep buying and just buying. I think it boils down to priorities and revitalizing your collection.

By: Moka-Tiger (Ron) : February 2nd, 2023-11:11

I traded a WG Daytona and AP RO blue dial to acquire my FPJ. I loved those 2, which I had in my collection for years and wore routinely. But faced with getting a FPJ at retail, and having enjoyed the Datona and AP for years, I felt the urge to revitalize ...

Before you sell something, "hide" it from yourself for a few months.

By: mkvc : February 2nd, 2023-17:31

See if you miss it. Then see how you react to it when you "find" it. The hope is to avoid making a decision you later regret.

I have about 120 watches; and it's not the largest collection here, I'm sure

By: cazalea : February 2nd, 2023-18:51

Granted mine are watches that cost between $500 and $25,000 so I am not in the upper atmosphere in the watch universe, and I have been collecting for about 25 years. Some I could let go, sure. I have sold/traded probably another 50, and I could stand to g...

To me 6 real good watches is the ideal amount to have in the stable.

By: sludgeriff : February 3rd, 2023-23:13

That’s 5 days of wrist time every month for each watch. Perfect!