Horological Meandering

and therefore a tough call. I guess it depends--what is in my collection and what is my grail. I'm still discovering what I find alluring in a watch, so I don't think i can answer that question at this moment.

However, I do want to make some case for quantity. I find that I do need to establish some rotation so that each watch seems fresh, so to speak...... So I like to argue for a third option. Perhaps a tight core collection of watches--and I'll arbitrarily pick the number 7--though I vacillate between either 7 or 3 watches as a good number.....

J

Thanks for sharing J!

Cheers

Sam

My collectinon was originally built around a desire to own a fairly complete collection of the important pre-quartz auomatic movements.That means I own a number of watches that fall well below the average quality I own. However, they are not mere "quantity" watches; they are still required for completeness.

I also own some watches that I enjoy but are not necessary to the completeness of my core collection. I would sacrifice those for a "grail" watch if I had one. However, for me it seems the grail is the core group of watches rather than any individual watch.

As I collect mainly vintage I would NEVER sacrifice my collection for only one watch!

It took me decades to find all the "treasures" of my collection (not meant from the sum in $$) -

behind most of these watches stands a story...

I could sacrifice maybe a third or at the most half of my collection but I would not depart from the "hard core"

regards

erich

It would be much more difficult to part with them because I'm very sure that you spent a lot of time doing research about the watch and sourcing one itself...

Thanks for your answer!

Best,

Sam

hey .!! firstly we are a WATCH NUTS ,which means we LOVE Watchezzzzz  ;0))))))))))

to Answer your Question ?? i don't think i can live with Only One.!! i tell you why:

 i believe that No Matter How MUCH YOU LOVE your Grail Watch ,IT'S NICE TO MISS IT every once in a while and to miss it you gonna have to wear something ELSE.. this my Friend is the Ultimate High/Pleasure you could have when you strap your Grail Watch on your Wrist again.!!  ;0))))

 Cheers

 T

Especially when there are many to love...

Thanks for sharing Tony!

Sam

Actually, to me, being mostly a vintage watches type, most of the joy is in the hunting of the rare, under-appreciated timepiece.

This year, I have found myself selling a watch that had a significant monetary value  (more than I would ever pay for a watch as a buyer), just because it didn't feel right to me to have a single watch worth that much.
I have many other watches that are far less known to collectors circles, and therefore far less 'valuable' moneywise, but I am somehow proud to have found these 'rare birds' that I (and inner collectors circle friends) truely appreciate for what they are, which are not less (and usually even more) interesting than the 'valuable' one.

When a watch reaches a certain market price, to me it becomes a worry, or I don't value it moneywise as much as others do, so I'd rather sell one fairly visible 'collectible' watch, than sacrificing 10 far less 'appreciated' watches for about the same value.

So, to answer, I'd rather sacrifice one 'recognised' timepiece, and use the proceeds to get multiple under-rated watches which are fairly unique / difficult to 'hunt', and in which only few see value in, rather than giving up on multiple watches to get the pricey - because 'most wanted by the mass' - one.

My grails have certainly changed through thru the passage of time and what was once desired would not find its way into my collection now.I now don't believe in grails as that would mean the end of the road and there are far too many pieces that I like to pinpoint the "one".As they say "happinese is the road".

I agree that if a piece is super hyped and people are willing to pay crazy money for it,the value becomes distorted and it becomes an investment rather than something you would enjoy wearing.Freeing yourself of the burden and reaping the rewards which will enable you to go on the hunt again is justifiable.

cheers

fernando

I happened to know one guy who sold all his collection to get his grail... And at the end of the day, he couldn't wear it because it is apparently quite fragile to be worn everyday...

And I don't see a joy in that too... But then some people are different....

Thank you for sharing Fernando!

Best,

Sam

Which is a good thing... Not necessarily thinking about what other says... And if they have their own uniqueness that you can see... Why not...

Thanks for sharing Clavi!

Sam

I agree with many of the comments made above.   I have several vintage sub collections and enjoy the hunting aspect, the search for completeness, the joy in finding something long sought or finding a perfect example of a beat up item already in the box.     I can't imagine giving up that pleasure, which as Cen mentioned brings relief to the monotony of daily life.    I also agree with Stephen (BluNotte) that I will not purchase something (not limited to watches) only if I have to sell other things to afford it.    The decision to sell or trade or pare down the collection in the future may be for reasons of "housecleaning" or change of focus, with an eye to a new quest or activity in the future. 

However, I know many long time collectors who do choose to reduce the collection, both to accumulate funds and because most of their watches no longer hold their interest.  They then  acquire a unique or specially ordered watch.   I always wonder if it is worth it in the long run, or if in a few years they will shift focus again. 

Ginger   

1- You cannot have only one watch.  Need  at least two for dress watches to alternate, plus a beater, in addition to the grail

2- Once you have acquired the "grail", most likely you will start searching for the next "grail" on your list.  We are never satisfied with just "one grail"

3- No one is ever satisfied with only one watch.  Just impossible     JMHO and obsevation.

 

Cheers,  Frederick

in order to buy my UN Freak i sold 225 watches which left me, at the time, with only 12. i had spent years gathering 3 seperate collections. military watches, Omega's and Tuning forks. it was a huge sacrifice, but i did well and managed to buy several other pieces.

i dont know if i'd do it again as my collection is a bit more personal now. the 1964 pieces are ones that i dont see myself ever selling. they seem to be the main focus at the moment as i can pick up good pieces for little money due to the market conditions.

interesting question

best

graham

That's a large amount for watches you sold for the FREAK...

Well thank you for sharing your experience Graham...

Cheers

Sam

But knowing vintage watches, each are unique... So best of luck my friend!

Thanks again for sharing!

Best,

Sam

I will keep your advice in mind!

Best,

Sam

the Freak prove to be all you wanted it to be?



Cheers

that you will not be forced to part with it...



Cheers

It is hard for me to think that I could have one watch or 80 of one of mine, it is a nice watch too. Tiffany automatic, at least for me. Although my sights are set much higher now I would still rather have on incredible watch then 20 so so. It is all relative though, what is a nice or expensive watch to you. I think now days $10K is getting you in the door of a really nice watch, even $5,000 gets you a pretty damn good watch. I think there is a niche for the quantity over quality watch market. A lot of the Asian made watches fill that, please don't get me wrong they also make some really nice watches too, but when you look at numbers and production as a whole they fill that niche.

And I have done so in the past - no regret.  I had too many watches back then anyway.

But now the quantity is multiplying before I realize - I am still pursuing quality, but not necessarily with sacrificing quantity.  Meaning, I am finding more and more (relatively speaking) affordable watches offer superior quality (read: Seiko, for example).  There are other simple high quality watches which is not necessarily high end price, also those long discontinued but it was/is praised for its quality, etc.

So, all in all, the number of my watches is growing (almost every week?)　but I am confident that I have not compromised much about the quality.  And the bottom line is I am getting happier with my line-up today.

Best,
Ken

Happy holiday to you all and your family!

Thanks for sharing your view....

Happy holidays to you and your family too Ken!

Best,

Sam

Wow Ken, you must be very successful here in Tokyo!

I envy you!

Tschuss

Stephen