Horological Meandering

I have discussed this point with a close watch collector friend and given many serious thoughts to it, especially if I wanted to consider a very serious high end piece, e.g. Minute repeater. 

To come back to the original topic, I have the feeling we have to go at the end of a journey, to then be able to decide which piece to leave...

For example, finishing a theme helps you to decide which piece to keep, which one to trade, ro to sell... Well to let go.

Best,

Nicolas

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Also if Patek were to give us a manual version of the 5078 well then I really either have to save up or trade quite a few pieces. 

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You guessed right, well, mad greedy guys apart, there are several guys here who are thinking about reducing the collection to the essential ( note that it would be interesting to provide a definiton of what is essential... ).

Well, 15 is not that much, and removing only 5 is not a too cruel game.

Think about those who have 40, 50 or more watches... Reducing the collection is like becoming a serial and horological killer.



I would love to be able to reduce downsize to 10...

Thanks for this great and very interesting post. We'll see how our other friends play the game!

Nicolas

... as long as they are in operation for a short while every other month. This does not apply, though, if you keep all your watches on winders.

Marcus

... of a timepiece 24/7. To prevent lubrifiants from becoming sticky I generally advise to wear a watch - or at least wind it - every few months. I admit that I had a few watches that seem to feel a bit offended when being ignored for a longer time, avenging this with poor accuracy until the mechanism is "in beat" again. All three Zenith El Primeros I had behaved like that: Normally the most accurate timepieces I could imagine, but after not having been worn for two or three weeks, the first few days they would gain or lose many seconds per day, before returning to their normal performance.

Marcus
This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2013-12-15 10:26:22

After a bit more than nine years...

I wond it every month, though, when I don't wear it.

Best,

Nicolas

Wear a watch once a month, maybe every five weeks. That's 10-12 times a year.   I will be dead before I got to worry about service in a new watch. Yes I am getting several used pieces, but I hav had the serious pieces serviced so I look as them as new.  Given ne pieces, buying great used prices and a slice even a serious service at 3-4k I still am way ahead. 

Watches are built to be worn, just as cars are built to be driven. I never understood people collecting cars only to seal them into plastic and protective atmosphere. The same applies to art. My wife's former boss collects paintings, but does not hang them onto the wall; instead, they are stored in a climate chamber and never looked at.

But returning to watches: Fact is that, sometimes, we are intrigued by a timepiece, only to find out that the thrill dies sooner or later. Then, this watch becomes a mere body in the collection, without "life". When it is worn, then only out of a bad conscience, about having spent so much money on something that is left forgotten in a box. In my opinion, it is then better to sell it, and to offer it to someone else who might have more joy wearing it.

Marcus

nt

written. I say interesting because I have read, probably on this forum? that a watch working  lasts longer and needs less servicing than a watch not working. Perhaps I read wrongly and I am doing the wrong thing by manually winding all my watches (only 10) every single day, changing the dates on the non PC about every second month etc. I definitely rotate them on my wrist as I love all of them. Only when I am on holidays do I not wind them all as I travel light and they are kept in the safe.

Cheers

Francois from Down Under

While it is undisputed that lubricant substances degrade over time, it has not been made entirely clear whether this happens quicker when the movement components are actually operating or not. Corrosion of unmoving parts should not be an issue in sealed watches.

I think the most important issue is the storage. More than once I had to send in a watch bought - relatively - NOS for service, shortly after purchase. In all cases the watch had rested several years in the shopwindow, or a showcase, always under hot halogen lighting and/or in bright sunlight. I am sure every watchmaker agrees that this is poison for the lubricants - and presumably for the gaskets, too. However, if a watch is stored in a well-tempered, dark place, I do not see what should cause increased aging of the lubricants. And regarding the wear of the gears: what is not running, does not wear out.

Generally, I adhere to the principle of not sending a watch for service if there is no indication of wear in its behaviour. When its daily rate does not change noticeably (I check every watch in three positions for two days each after two or three years) and there is no weird noise coming from it, I consider it fine. To quote our longtime expert John (ei8htohms): The second worst to happen to a watch is a watchmaker, no. 1 being salt water.

Marcus

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... more than once, I fear. At some time, I realize to spend practically all the time with the same two or three watches. So I try to keep my "collection" to not more than five timepieces - in vain. Sooner or later, the number goes up. The good thing, however, is that watches represent a certain monetary value. So whenever a large investment is due, either regarding the house, or the car, I take this as opportunity to sell off those watches that have hardly seen any presence on my wrist. Only to find myself in the same situation again a few years later ...

Marcus

but come to no good conclusion! The main issue for me is that I think all watches should be worn and that I tend to wear one watch during a work week (because I have them in a secure location and going there more often is a hassle). On the weekend I switch daily. That means I go through about 5+8+say 2 for special occasions (like travel or black tie)=about 15 a month which is where I am now. But I need to add more "work week" watches (a repeater and a rattraprante). Dilemma! 

... in my case, the most valuable timepieces are stored at the bank as well. Too often I spontaneously want to wear this or that watch, only to find it non-accessible among those stored in the vault.

Marcus

During my first phase, I topped 50-60 then ...

I was robbed, all but one gone.
Stopped for some time and then

Restarted with a ceiling number in mind and I'm maintaining.
When this number is exceeded, I let go the ones in excess.
Since this process (the let go) is very smooth for me, I almost do the "flipping" without remorse and life is good.

I don't think that your number (4-5) is doable for me. 15-20 is more realistic, but I can live with 2-3 because the other are on the vault (lessons learned).

Cheers,

Nilo

I have arrived at the cynical conclusion that "I don't wear them enough" is, with rare exceptions, a rationalization for downsizing. What I mean is that when one can afford to keep a larger collection, that excuse is rarely sufficient to cause a significant and/or permanent reduction. This message has been edited by Tony C. on 2013-12-15 10:52:42

Assigning a specific number of pieces to anyone but myself. We all have differing lifestyles that drive our wear habits. 

Definitely a lot of people in the same boat.  When push comes to shove, they do end up having to downsize.  

Went as many as 12 at some point. And just like you, i realized many aren't getting worn enough.

Told myself i'd cut it down to 4, and managed that for a while.

Now i have 5, but thankfully still enjoying my pieces and have no real plans to acquire any more yet.

All:

I am in no way a serious collector like many on this forum.  I have no watches in a vault, I have not overly expensive pieces, I own no rare Omani dialed watches, or Serpico signed Subs, etc.  In fact, I only own two watches - a Rolex 16600 and a 1665.  I also rotate with my father who owns a 1680 Red.  So, take my opinion as you will.

I should also say that I have been on the forums and interested in watches for about 6 yrs.  Over that time I have done much more thinking and researching than purchasing, but in all that time thinking I have come to the conclusion that, personally, I think a perfect collection is 2 watches.  One watch to wear daily during the work week and one great watch to wear relaxing on the weekends (preferably w/o a date function so that you don't have to set it when it winds down over the course of the week).

So, for example, my ideal collection would be a Rolex 16600 for the week (work, swimming, surfing, meetings, phone calls, everywhere, etc.) and aTudor 7924 or Rolex 5512 CR for the weekend (dinners, mass, hanging around, dinner parties, etc.)

Here is why I have come to this conclusion that 2 watches is my ideal number:  I believe watches are meant to be worn - a lot.  As in all the time and in all situations.  I spend most of my timeon the vintage Rolex forum here (just so you know where my watch collecting interests lie) and, to me, the coolest thing about vintage Rolex (and all vintage watches) is the stories that the watches tell from the tool watch days.  It is the stories they tell because of the life they have lived.  In my opinion, how can your watch be cool if it doesn't spend a significant amount of time with you, on your wrist, going through experiences, getting dirty, living a full life, etc.  That is why people love MilSubs, Comexes, old GMTs, etc. - b/c they tell a story b/c they were worn! 

So, I personally think 2 is a good number b/c one watch will be worn (modern Sea-Dweller) and the other watch (in my case a nice, one day a vintage Rolex or Tudor diver) will get worn sparingly as it enjoys its retirement on the weekends.

Again, just my 2 cents from a frequent reader but infrequent poster, for what it is worth.

V/R

Mike