Echi
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So true. I remember the time when I started the hobby in the early 2000s, when boutiques weren’t a thing yet and there was nary a hype on watches. It was a nice feeling having a moonwatch on the wrist and people wouldn’t even know what it was..
Or getting weird looks when people in the office see that I had a “lowly” Seiko on my wrist.. And meeting a fellow watch nerd was a real rare treat! Social media changed all that definitely. More info at ones fingertips, for example, kinda dampens the experience. Too much info on pros and cons and the hunt becomes a bit more cerebral than visceral, for example. Making mistakes then was fun as opposed to now where one can fall into the trap of viewing mistakes as costly. I suppose that’s the nice thing that we got in a bit early. We got to experience it without that unnecessary layer of confusion 
What is your collection theme or style?
I’m mostly focused on 4 stable brands...still not comfortable venturing into micro brands or Independence. Some of us like single brand, some like single complication or functions. Many have multiple choices of course, variety is the spice of life. Each p...
Fantastic (almost speechless, for me) collection.
I don't have special theme for my small collection. But I am trying to cover as many diversities as I could, in terms of dial, material, and movement. 2 watches in two tone 2 watches in titanium 1 watch in full gold 6 watches in steel 1 watch in resin (a ...
Interesting and well thought out process....
So adding up all the numbers equal 35 or some can combine the requirement to hit multiple purposes? We rarely uses chronograph but still buys it so don’t worry about dual time/gmt usage, it’s a void to fill and you’ll be glad after accomplished, unless it...
Thank you for the kind words.
No, my collection only consist of 11 watches, with many combination of material, color and movement. from left to right : Omega Speedmaster Apollo xi 45th, manual winding chronograph, titanium and gold. Grand seiko sbgw231, SS, manual winding three hander...
I see you’ve chosen wisely...
The Apollo 45th and GS are ones that I will pick too. Interesting how you changed the looks of the Rolexes, nice work 👏🏻👍🏻
Thank you. One thing I don't like about Rolex : they "eat"the strap pretty badly
Many nice and thick straps have been damaged by the sharp detent between lugs. Lesson learned. Next time I should choose the thin strap.
Three brands
I collect with 3 brands. Omega, Longines, Baume and Mercier. It developed throughout the years. The door is open for more than 3 brands. No interest in independents and micro’s. No interest outside Swiss made. Movements can be all kind of stuff. I want a ...
Nice to have focus...
and the flexibility to expand. May I ask what’s your reason for no Indies or micro? Congrats on having your grail already.
Hello CC
Yes, the answer is on it’s way. Indies, simply i never heard of it when i start collecting watches. I learnt it here what indies are. De micro’s i knew when i started collecting. I have simply no interest in indies, because the reason CODE41 gives for cho...
I have similar reasons like you for the Indies and micro....
Need to see their heritage/longevity but on the other hand, fellow collectors love them due to their skills and we cannot deny current generation doesn’t have genius that rival famous names from hundreds of years ago. The smaller brands with owners still ...
You’re too kind bro....
Lol....I think 10 good/big ones is better than 99 ok/small ones 😅
Ok, I’ll take your blessing my friend 👍🏻
Let me buy more Powerball and Megamillion tickets this week.
eclectic
I adore JLC, ALS, Gronefeld, KV, PP, IWC, Omega, Heuer, Sarpaneva, Zenith, SiNN, Seiko and definitely Gshock. Lot of Gshock. They are
Lots of great brands mentioned...
Good to know I got 3 of them Definitely Indies listed above are top notch...I’m just more conservative and prefer continuity and longevity. Gshocks today are a whole new animal and keeps getting better.
Your collection are all stunning pieces
I am simply one stupid madly in love kind of watch lover (not collector)😂. There are few pieces which I regretted buying but continue loving.
To have love and passion is a good thing
Love is not measurable, in fact the more you give, the happier you are 👏🏻👍🏻
I am in the same boat. I can only imagine what it would be like to have a collection like this
I will say that if one day i can afford half of these watches, my appreciation will be that much more. I love this forum, can see amazing pieces daily.
I am already very happy with what I have and hence I’m slowly winding down...
I understand this hobby has no end hence it’s important to define my desire and be done. My are the usual suspects and not exotic ones...appreciate your kind comments.
Lol...I’m still clueless because
Why a digital photo today can sell for millions Why a banana with duct tape on a wall can sell for $120k Why I cannot walk into a watch to buy what I like Why suddenly many collectors appeared from nowhere Why brands are playing hard to catch
That is a very impressive and well laid out collection!
Bravo! I don’t quite have anything specific anymore. I probably had evolving targets in the first few years of collecting, but as time went on, I find myself just sticking to simple 3 handlers, but focused on well made and those that has some level of cus...
Thanks for sharing the thoughts...
Ultimately a watch is to tell time and even that we have mostly use phones for that and the dates nowadays. Watch has become an accessory unlike in the past, not many screens in everywhere we can see the time. The servicing factor is indeed important cons...
I try to resist the temptation of rationalizing passion. Not easy. Human nature to be thematic/categorical..
It’s always nice to have a blue dial 5711 together with the green, for example. Or have all shades of a JLC TT31 even if you know you’re just gonna wear the black dial one 8 times out of 10. Of course, on the flip side, no harm in just enjoying the fact t...
If we have time to be here on social media...
Most likely we all have some limited funds unlike a few prominent PP collector 😅 and many others of course whom we don’t know....but it’s all relative if comparing the FAANG, Berkshire, Tesla owners... I’m not into redundancy so I cannot see myself collec...
So true. I remember the time when I started the hobby in the early 2000s, when boutiques weren’t a thing yet and there was nary a hype on watches. It was a nice feeling having a moonwatch on the wrist and people wouldn’t even know what it was..
Or getting weird looks when people in the office see that I had a “lowly” Seiko on my wrist.. And meeting a fellow watch nerd was a real rare treat! Social media changed all that definitely. More info at ones fingertips, for example, kinda dampens the exp...
If we believe in cycles and fengshui, things will come and go....
The current situation will snap back when something goes to extreme end. All these craze started in 2016 onwards if I based on my local Rolex experience...when I can still see SS Professional watches in display, only got worst ever since. Yes we got in ea...
Wow excellent and spectacular collection my friend
My focus is mainly on independent brands and micro brands . I try to get one or two from each . As many as possible. 😉
I can relate to the appeal of the Indie and microbrands....
The ability to interact with the live watchmaker who are geniuses in their field is an experience we cannot feel with brands that was created hundreds of years ago. Customizing a watch for oneself is also special. I’m only worried about what happens if ow...
Most of the independent watchmakers are working with a staff so I wouldn’t be afraid for that . Also most of the time a lot of parts are made by a third party from very stable companies.
Its not like the watchmakers are working on there own and take there ,,secrets,, with them when they are no longer with us .
That’s good to know...hopefully their passion and skills passed on...
to the disciples who are taking over. Maybe someday I’ll venture into them, but actually PP, Chopard are considered Independent brands too, right?
Right 😉 there are some big brands that are independents too
Just buy what you like and makes you smile thats what I always say
Beautiful and diverse collection, my friend.
I don’t see myself buying from a brand other than PP in the near future, except for a pt Rolex Daytona (probably). It’s difficult enough to keep up with all the novelties of a single brand every year. Best, V.
I know your style V, when you strike, you strike hard and to the point 👍🏻
We must have similar reasons why we both own the 2 brands. Indeed every year the novelties are hard to keep up but like Omega this year, I don’t need anymore Seamasters with lollipop hands since I have the Spectre version, so there will be years I can tak...
Your WT World Class collection is also a dream for me...
The nice thing about PP is their model families can be a very diversified collection to suit the needs of many collectors. I wish I can stick to just PP but it’s not as easy 😅 Here are me and my wife’s humble collection ...
Your PP collection is just great 👍👍 especially like one of the watches 😂😂😂
I just received this watch box can recommend this for your large collection (30 watches box) Fram ...
There’re certain threshold for spending in different things for different people....
Some people can spend thousands on shoes or wallets but I’m not that sophisticated 😜 I thought about this but I want to spread out into smaller boxes so if I loose or forget where it went, the loss is smaller 😂
Not so clueless I guess. The kind of collector I appreciate.
Normally I’m very uncertain about so-called enthusiasts owning Rolexes. Whenever I spot some different splashes I’m very certain he’s an enthusiast.
Thanks for your kind words, PLM 😊🙏🏻
My first Rolex is the Cellini Prince which I still, because it’s that “typical” Rolex but then I just feel they do make good watches that can withstand time, usage etc. ...
I don't have
any special theme in my collecting but carefully thinking about a new purchase and get to the bottom of the model before buying. Your collection is outstanding. It has nicely versatility because it consist of sport-, dress- and precious metal watches.
Similar for me...
When I decide to buy any watch, I’ll search all the articles and reviews about the watch before I make a move. I prefer difference in looks, functions, style so I don’t feel I’m wearing similar watches when I rotate.
Your fab 4
Regarding to the Beatles, i see you collect Rolex, Patek Philippe, Lange, Omega. A good direction. An influencer on you tube called these brands i go to write as the three horsemen. Rolex Patek Philippe Audemars Piguet. Mine are Omega Longines Baume and M...
Longines and B&M has some interesting releases in recent years...
Especially the heritage models are very intriguing, I just wish they spend a little more efforts on choosing the movement. Many brands have nice watches indeed but I cannot spread myself too thin because I’m afraid if I go into a brand, I’ll start looking...
Your collection is impressive and leaves me speechless my friend! On my side I am not sure I have a well planned out theme or approach...
I am aiming for some level of variety between the rest watch casual watch we can watch and work watch I tend to privilege classic and simple watch that withstand the test of time such as the up/down or my GO chronometer which are two good example for me B...
Appreciate your kind words and sharing your views on collecting...
The 2 examples you got are very tempting to me as well but I have 4 1815s and 1 GO PanoInverse XL so I think I’m good with the model and brand respectively. I tend to avoid something when I cannot differentiate the brands models. In part because of my ign...
Mightily impressive stuff.
Form, structure, discipline, focus - all apparent here. A very handsome selection indeed. I'm more of a dilettante, preferring to sample as far and wide as my means allow. I'll go high (not too high) and low for the experience. Haute horology and popular ...
Thanks kindly and the stakes are getting higher in this hobby....
Especially with inflation which governments deny....and brands increasing prices each year higher than my pay raises. Having many brands is a good thing , to cherry pick their best or what you like and that is the flexibility we can have. In today’s world...
That's such a nice watch. Applied white gold Breguet numerals if I'm not mistaken?
I can understand the AD route you're taking - and it's clearly paying dividends. I have one multi-brand AD that I frequent, if only to look. There are others. My current pursuits however don't feature at retail, so it's more of a treasure hunt based on ta...
Yes the Breguet numerals are WG according to the PP website...
Hunting is fun and have to be careful with too many Frankenstein out there which is scary. I only buy brand new mostly from AD or Boutiques and not over retail, unless the older discontinued versions when I find it available at a trusty preowned store. Th...
Superb and genius :)
mostly a few brands and style only for me. I do step off occasionally but tend to reverse out some months or a year later....
Thanks buddy for the nice comments
I also recently stepped out into Chopard and Kurono, see how it goes.
Nice line-up I must say - congrats!
some 25 years ago I went for Lange (new to the market then) and of course Rolex nowadays I purchase watches that are attractive from front (and mostly back) without caring about resale value anymore. there is no reasonable strategy behind it but just an e...
Collecting what you like is the best strategy...
Same for me this is only a hobby so there’s a limit how I want to allocate my resources to it. I feel Rolex and Omega are stable brand and to be honest they make really nice daily wears as well as some icons. It’s good to know what one likes 👍🏻
Amazing collection! Very few there I wouldn't love to have. My collection is more varied in brands and price points. Often I think I have too many but don't seem to want to let go of any very
very often.... and there's always one (or more) on the wish list. I suppose I do have more that are in the sport category which seems to have a big draw for you also!
Thanks for your kind words...
As I’m very picky with limited funds (don’t we all? 😅), it’s getting more difficult to add newer pieces since I try to cover many bases. Do I wish for more, yes but I will have a hard time taking care and rotate them with future servicing cost adding up l...
Yeah, future servicing costs! Yikes! Sometimes I think that it would be cheaper to go to watchmaking school than service all my watches! Meanwhile I NEVER use winders but
make sure they all run a bit every few weeks.. which is becoming quite a chore. Any watch I've had for a long time eventually enters a how much do I love it vs how much will a service cost equation. Occasionally one of those hits the chopping block.
I stop using winders altogether....
After making the assumption it’s like running and idling engine all the time. I make it a point to wind and rotate watches every week or two. Yeah...but I also found some watches are good for 10years without services and is still works great...maybe I did...
I just let them stop running...and it’s ok to stop running since I don’t have any perpetual calendars....
Then only wind the ones I’m going to wear, even for annual calendars, it’s not difficult to set or takes a lot of time.
Exactly! We are simpatico on this my friend! Your engine analogy is the same one I always relay to winder fanatics! LOL!!! I have some watches that are still running well...
keeping good time with excellent power reserve and accuracy for even 20 years (!) on our program. Winders are for a moon phase-perpetual calendar-tide schedule pieces that have finicky setting characteristics that you want to wear semi-often. Having said ...
Yes, we’re in resonance and in sync....
Don’t let watch brands know they make it that good, as they always advice servicing their watches every 3-5yrs....so I hope they don’t make it less good that we actually have to send it in One thing to consider is the cost of major service cost, if your U...
Just a stellar collection, my friend. I’m blown away by the depth!
And I have a serious case of envy for your white/silver 5726. Well done all around!
I’m very happy and feeling contented already...
That 5726 is my very first Patek Philippe bought in Jun 2014, and they are still in display....can you imagine? Gone are the days ...
Lucky you then...
The White 5726 is the least “desirable” from the open market as compared to the Grey and Blue variants so it’s good for you to hunt for them....some are selling in the low 80s, even lower than 5711 and 5712
Since I’m into diversity, it’s very difficult to choose top 3...
Eg...these are my 9 Langes...how to pick top 3 from these...so kill me instead 😜 ...
I will spare your life :)
Odysseus 1815 Chrono Boutique L1 Moonphase Anniversary awesome Lange collection you have.
Phew! Thanks for your benevolence...
The 1815 YG Walter Lange, Emil Lange and Lange 1 Timezone Como edition...are also very sentimental pieces, forgive me 😅
That is why it is so hard to choose Top x pieces....
I think I set myself up for this situation, and is making consolidating a challenge. Thanks again vitalsigns....but I have no complaints at all, happy and no regrets
Thanks for your kind words my friend 🙏🏻
One has to be happy with current situation and not keep looking elsewhere.
You’re too humble my friend....appreciate the kind words...
Only a few of your T-special sauce SS pieces can replace all mine 😅😅😅
I think our collecting preferences reflect currents . . .
. . . coursing thru our innermost thoughts, and can change as we change over the course of our lives. After twenty years, I've come to the conclusion that my fascination for vintage Omegas is a reflection of longing for simpler times. In the last four yea...
That’s very deep, profound.....
Maybe as we get more senior, and have the means, we like to get the ones we missed in the past when situations cannot allow those. It’s also filling a void...let’s continue to live happy and no regrets.
I have no real theme, with some watches from more than 20 different brands. Well, I have dominant themes, such as Travel Watches, Alarms, Chronographs and Chronometers.
But my most important criterion is the beauty of the watch. Best, Nicolas
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