Ginger
814
Coming to a crossroads
I started out serious watch buying with a cannot-be-sold piece related to family. I fell in love, and quickly began to buy vintage stuff somewhat indiscriminately, and then fell in love with a classic Grand Seiko high beat and embarked on my 36K collection. I am now at the point where I own an example of pretty much every movement I am seeking - I can fill in a few models and brand variants at my leisure. I have been fortunate in this economy and at this stage of my career to keep quite busy professionally, so I have not yet had time to document and share my thoughts on the collection. Once I do, I know that the next step will be to plan for the inevitable reduction of the mass of watches to the essential representatives. And then to wait for the next flash of love or inspiration to give me a new vintage collecting theme.
I have begun to gain an appreciation of the importance of condition, sparked in part by a meeting with a fellow purist vintage collector, who really opened my eyes by presenting perfect examples of modest watches. And of course, I have had the opportunity to acquire a few really special watches from the recent period right before they got so big, and I hope from time to time to add others.
Collections and collecting
We see many collection ‘streams’ and ‘strategies’ presented and discussed here ranging from dive watches to pilot watches, birth years to chronographs, single brands to specific case metals and so many others. I am interested to hear what directions your ...
From vintage to modern contemporary, then back to vintage.
After one big circle, I go back to the starting point which to me, is what I really want. Regards Ling
Iteration
Another very true and wise statement from you, Ling. Collecting is very much an iterative process and we learn from every piece. And what we learn, most importantly, is what makes us happy. But sometimes this is not entirely predictable. It is these surpr...
Andrew, you are so right, life is unpredictable.
That's where all the excitements emerge and create sparks in our lives. Recently, through a recommendation of a friend, I bought a Casio Protrek for outdoor activities, such as swimming and jungle trekking. I cannot believe I bought a quartz watch. But I ...
Ditto .............
and it's not about the amount spent. I've had safe queens that were worth 100 X what I liked wearing even more. When you focus on the Watch and only the Watch and how it makes you feel, everything becomes clear ! Great Post ! Kurt
Back to the basics, and forget the design
In a way I am doing the same, moving back but not away from avante-garde, not that sector with high-tech means and materials, but rather back to watches with NOS (new old stock) movements. What started me off again after a hiatus of many years on mechanic...
Diversity... brand... and diversity (less so) again
I have started with diversity at the beginning because I love all brands... A few years ago, I aim to have a piece of many of the brands that I adore, from PP, VC, ALS, JLC, AP, BP, GP etc etc etc... because each of these brands are unique in their design...
Hmm... how about less-expensive-to-more-expensive?
Tom This message has been edited by tee530 on 2010-04-08 19:01:00 This message has been edited by tee530 on 2010-04-08 19:01:29
Bracket creep
LOL, Tom. I would call that “bracket creep”, and it probably applies to (or perhaps overlays) any collecting patterns we might follow. Thankfully there is pleasure to be had in watches at all levels, but there will always be (for mere mortals ...
Based on my young collection of 1...
My response may be worthless due to the fact that I currently only own one watch..and Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean. However, I spent over a year of painstaking research before making this decision, and the watch is my pride and joy...which is what its all...
You are not alone
Hi Brandon, it is to appreciate very much that you throw in the view of a watch addict in the earliest stage of development. Though you got your first watch it seems that you know what you are doing. Myself I am not very far beyond this point and my colle...
From Mainstream to Inependent
My watch addiction began with a rolex datejust received as a wedding gift. Coming from a world of Kenneth Cole watches I thought that rolex was the end all be all of watches. After a while though I decided that I needed a tool watch to save the rolex from...
Increasingly Independent
Hi Andrew, Great topic as usual from you. I have a small collection compared to many here so I don't really think I've developed a theme per se, but I do notice trends in what interests me as I look toward new acquisitions. Generally, targets seem to fall...
I second that Daos
the independent bug is very very strong. I seem to derive so much more from independent offerings nowadays and I struggle to fully understand why as yet. And like you, the traditional brands still look ok but just not as appealing...
My collection is mainly Cartier
In general I am very interested in watches, especially independents. I highly respect what these guys produce and design, especially the different time reading brands like Urwerk, Vianney Halter and Hautlence, but there are a few more that have not studie...
:-)
There's plenty that appeals to me from the big brands, but I'm a bit more excited overall about offerings that have been presented by independent watchmakers in these last few years. Have a great weekend! Daos
not sure what is collecting Andrew
for me I don't see myself 'collecting' as I bought watches to wear, does this count? I've also preferred simple design round case hand wind watches (all except my 3940) and biased for Perpetuals. I've also thought big watches don't suit me, I guess never ...
I am still in the "diversity" stage
I try to have nice examples of brands I admire, not to duplicate a movement, and to limit the amount of watches so that I can still wear them regularly. However, I am noticing the usual signs of addiction (necessity to increase the dose, excessive amounts...
Waxing, waning, and refining...
My collecting path has always revolved around vintage watches, but has taken several turns over the years. I was initially attracted to the classic automatic movements, but have found myself more focused in recent years on manual wind movements. I have al...
I have no strategy at all...
I look at watches. I admire watches. I see a watch that I want to wear. I cogitate on it for awhile. I do consider whether the watch in question duplicates (stylistically) some watch I already have. I consider whether I can afford it. If after all that I ...
Vintage automatics, with plenty of exceptions.
The "collection" part of my collection is vintage automatics. I have tried to get cover the most essential brands and movements from the pre-quartz era. However, I have bought modern watches for characteristics I cannot replicate in vintage watches, such ...
good question Andrew, but you are full of good questions
i started off many years ago with an Omega and started collecting just vintage Omegas. then i bought an F300 tuning fork and researched the Accutron. i then started collecting those as well. after buying my first military Omega i started researching the m...
As of late it's been these factors
Since I love vintage pieces. It's been these factors: 1) Beauty of the movement: i.e. design, finishing, quality of wheels used, if pallet for is beveled on top and bottom, etc, etc... 2) Years it was made: Pre-WWII watches (because 'usually' the above po...
Directions?
Well, I'm trying to close some themas which are dear to my heart, like Chronographs, Diving watches essetially, and some representative watches from some brands. Then I will have a long rest, and if I add a watch or two in my collection, it will have to b...
Only ten watches, hermano???
It´s really hard to believe! In your case, you would have to made really really difficult choices! But, hey!... no problem. You have some treasures that I will adopt with lot of happiness! Best, my dear amigo Emilio
Well, 10 watches would be an ideal
That would mean that I'm very clever to be able to only keep 10 watches in my collection. 1 Chrono, 1 Tourbillon, 1 Perpetual Calendar, 1 Alarm, One Diving, One Military, 1 GMT, 1 World Time ( you see the weakness of my demonstration? ), 1 Dressy, one ......
LOL, Quan!...
Perfect, no problem. There are tons of watches to adopt, so no problem... I write you in the list! Best, Hermano Emilio
I doubt it....
my friend.... you would not be able to limit it to 40 watches.... cheers
Mine has 2 themes. Patek and Rolex. Both vintage
Patek- two main calibres 9-90 and 12-600 Rolex -assorted but mainly Princes Julian
Life is full of unexpected changes
that's how I think how I buying and wearing my watches (am still wondering what is collector mean in real term in horology) start from a manual wind Titus given by my father, to quartz, to simple automatic, to complication and now much prefer simple desig...
same story Quan, yet different
but i can't afford grand complications, so my taste eventually gravitated towards time-date only watches. Here's my story: 1) lost my favourite quartz mickey mouse watch given to me by my uncle at 7 for X-mas. My first heartbreak 2) Coveted G shocks, and ...
I love this story ...
Thanks for sharing this story, Cookies. It amazes me that we can learn something about ourselves from an inanimate object such as a watch, but it's true. And sharing with each other here on Purists can sometimes aid in this process. Therapy for the horolo...
well said Andrew
Now, let's wait for something in life to hit me hard, so i can determine my next watch...=) I feel that my collecting theme is actually not a theme, but a reflection of my own struggles and joys in life.
For me...
I only bought what I like, to wear and enjoy all. I used to limit myself to only one piece per brand. I started off with an Omega Seamaster Pro 10 years ago, then added a Breitling, VC, AP, JLC, GP, BP, L.U.C., GO, UN. After thinking hard, I got myself a ...
buying watches regardless vintage or modern that i like, but...
... actually first i don't see i am considered as a watch collector although i am always saying to collect watches... sometimes, i hunt for some watches in particular line of production, in terms dial design (e.g. arabic numerals), movement (e.g. Omega Ca...
My strategy is....
to buy what I intend to wear... I try to combine quality, history & interesting complication.... cheers
thematic and functionality
i collect chronos, 70s Omegas speedys, Independents like mbf, rolex submariners, varied pams, AP ROs and pilot watches. next onto 70s-80s sports rolexes and diving watches, marine chronometers, cockpit instruments and rolex/omega/patek print advertisments...
Watch Choices
I like to buy watches based on their individual appeal to me, rather than the name of the brand. I currently do not collect particular brands, specific vintages or complications. I have an eclectic range of watches rather than a specific theme. I have a m...
Coming to a crossroads
I started out serious watch buying with a cannot-be-sold piece related to family. I fell in love, and quickly began to buy vintage stuff somewhat indiscriminately, and then fell in love with a classic Grand Seiko high beat and embarked on my 36K collectio...
"Themeless" is my theme
or "whatever catches my eye and which I can afford"... I do have a sub-theme though which for now (and I can see that changing soon) is to not get the same complication or brand. Indication of how long I have been in this
Once I get to 100 I'll have every watch I ever wanted
WRONG! I think I have owned several hundred but I am not sure (happily my collecting ability has exceeded my MS Access database skills). My path falls in line with people like Stefan Ma, Graham, and others. I started thinking watches were like tiny, less-...
Same
as my investment strategy.......diversity. My love for watches has no boundaries so anything goes as long as I like it. Just my 2 cents.