Reply With QuoteTwo - good watch/work watch.
Just a question
What would you consider a perfect number of watches to own without being considered a 'collector'
As a newcomer and after reading a few threads..I really don't want to go down the road of having several dozen or more that will rarely see the light of day
Currently I have 6 watches
Three of these are currently keepers
One is a maybe
Two will be moved on
I have an idea in my head for a little variety
One Diver
One Pilot
One Dress
One Beater
Which is what I have done so far..the other two were bought in my earliest stage out of naivety more than anything else
To this I want to add maybe a couple of vintage pieces, maybe an Omega Bumper and my birth year watch
Then at a later date my two modest Grail watches (Longines Legend and Breitling Superocean Heritage 46mm)
I have to think this would be the time I say stop
So just to go back to my initial question, is their method in this madness or are large collections generally bought on a whim?
Ten years down the line in not sure I want to be staring at a draw full of timepieces..or a whole cabinet in some cases
Scary prospect if I'm honest
Two - good watch/work watch.
I think that it depends on the collection - i.e. is it one particular brand with a certain model range or is it a type of watch or is it just whim purchases that have a high rotation rate.
For me any more than 10, as under that you can have one of each type (within reason) as you have mentioned.
But if you love watches can you really ever keep things under control?
This idea sounds good in theory:
One Diver
One Pilot
One Dress
One Beater
and that could be the end of it.
But the problem of course is getting involved on a forum such as this. And if you are anything like me, some you get bored with so it's time to flip, and then your taste varies and evolves over time.
Stick around here. Your theory has no chance.
It's 6. The answer you're looking for is 6.
It WAS 6 . 10 is the new 6 :D For me at least.Originally Posted by Tomw2000
Two.
One dressy diver, one beater.
I have been restrained in the last few years after a few whim purchases, I have to say I am happy with what I have and only want to add to the collection with different pieces after having a few watches very similar.
I suppose I'm just worried that things might spiral out of control..it tends to be that way in most hobbies I indulge in
You should see my spare room haha
In reality, two or three at most. A sports all-rounder that swims or possibly dives if required, and dresses up or down. Possibly a 'smart' dress watch, though the other one may be fine with a suit so it's optional. And most likely a beater that you still enjoy and don't mind wearing come service time.
Or you may find that one does more or less everything, for instance an Omega AT, or many people seem to feel that way about their subs (I wouldn't know!). In this day and age most of us probably don't really need a chronograph, an alarm watch, etc etc. Dress up, dress down, swim, done.
17...
not too many, not too few...
(& because it is a magical number).
It was 87 ,now 1 with another grail on way
To me the magic number is n+1 (n being the number of watches I have any given moment).
Always missing one...
Just what I was about to say
"A man of little significance"
About 3 for me - one for work, something wow and something casual.
Whilst I admire those who have huge collections, personally I wouldn't like having so many to choose from.
Aviator
Diver
Dress
Chrono
-----------------
Beater
HRM (if it could be count as a watch?)
One another dress watch just because I do not like number 6.
So the minimum is 7.
12 is the right number for me as there are that many slots in my very nice watch box. Problem is that i have more than 12 watches.
I should probably sell some but i already worry i may have hurt the feelings of the 13 watches i keep in a much cheaper box and shelf. Imagine how badly their feelings would be hurt if i sold them.
No, no, no. I will keep them all and no one will be hurt.
Perfect;
One Diver
One Pilot
One Dress
One Beater
Problem;
One Other
That's how big collections start.
“Don’t look back, you’re not heading that way.”
Yep. Then: one vintage chrono, one triple date, white dial sports, dark dial sports, small seconds dress, two hander, a moonphase, and boom, box is full again.
Oh great..you've given me more ideas now haha
I'm not sure what the issue is with being called a "collector", but I don't think fixating on a particular number is useful, since everyone's collection style and life is different. For me, I don't collect to fill out categories (e.g., 1 beater, 1 diver, 1 dressy. etc.), but rather just buy the same watch over and over again (or so my wife tells me). So my collection is exclusively diver or military (or military inspired) watches, mainly in Ti, either 3-handers or L5100 chronos. No dress watches at all (unless you count a SubC).
If you must pick a number for a "regular" person, I'd say 3 is sufficient (1 sports, 1 dress, 1 beater).
Last edited by Foodle; 7th January 2014 at 00:23.
Yup, two.
One good watch and one daily wearer. Buy a ton of different NATOs and change 'em daily.
1) Gold dress watch
2) High End steel
3) Diver
4) Vintage Diver
5) Pilot
6) Vintage pilot
7) Quartz
Plus there must always be a Speedmaster and a Reverso. It's the law.
I should by that rationale be able to cut down to 9. Unfortunately 'high end steel' is a busy area...
I've always thought 8-10 was about right for me, a few slots will always be ones with sentimental value and any more than that means they just don't get worn.
"I looked with pity not untinged with scorn upon these trivial-minded passers-by"
I see a gap in your watch wardrobe for a speleology watch... better add one just in case you ever find yourself underground in a cave system for more than 12 hours. Rolex would suggest the Explorer II model for such a situation...
;-)
Funnily enough I bought a Casio G-Shock Solar Power ridiculously in case Armageddon happened and I needed to tell the time
Don't even particularly like them hahaha
5-6 is about the perfect minimum amount for me. I wouldn't want more than 12 though.
I agree with the 2-watches option. For me, a TT Daytona and s Seiko diver.
I have;
1x dress watch
2x decent divers (£500+)
1x pilot / aviator (also covers brown leather strap requirements!)
2x beaters
I find that covers me! One on the divers is my daily work wearer to the office.
What the heck is a dressy diver?
Someone who wears a tuxedo beneath their diving suit ?
Badum-Tish
I've currently got
2 vintage dress watches (2x omega deville)
1 modern dress watch (GS SBGA003) -41mm, so probably more of a sports watch.
1 diver (MM300)
1 diver/beater (Tuna)
1 vintage diver (6105)
1 beater (g-shock)
1 "daily sports watch" (GS SBGM001)
I could probably narrow it down to:
1 modern dress watch
1 diver/beater
1 vintage diver
1 "daily sports watch"
On the other hand: It's hard to not have a few "sleepers" in the watch box that you never use. I've currently got 1 g-shock and 2 vintage Omegas that I never use. There is no reason for selling these since there is no $$ invested in them.
The minimum I can see myself have is:
1 daily sports watch
1 beater/diver
1 modern och vintage dress watch
Ive got 5 at present and don't consider myself a collector ,unfortunately only 3 are worn on a regular basis so 2 must go at some point .
If i have 7 or more and where them in rotation along with flipping watches to add to the colllection i think the word collector might be apt.
5 6 is the ideal number of watches to own, but if you have more than 1 then you've been infected and it's too late!
F.T.F.A.
Something you can wear with a nice suit without being gaudy.
Low profile, clean dial, polished case.
Enough so you've got a choice in the morning, not so many that some never get worn.
It's not about being a 'collector'. The perfect amount is n-1. n being the number of watches for which your wife will divorce you.
I wear 4 on a regular basis, with another as a holiday/beach beater. I am hoping to move up to around 10-12 watches in the collection (gradually over time) as I can't see myself regularly wearing more in rotation than that.
If I was being honest with myself (who ever is in this hobby?) I'd acknowledge that I wear my 14060M 90% of the time, and the other 10% of the time gets divvied up amongst the remaining 20 watches in my collection. Conceivably, I could live with one watch, then - the 14060M. Although it's not a dress watch, it certainly could be put on a strap and worn under a dress shirt sleeve. And a lot of people think nothing of beating a Rolex to death, so it could function as a beater too. So, yep... one watch. That's the perfect number:
One watch to rule them all, one watch to find them,
One watch to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
And that watch is the Rolex 14060M. Preciousssssss....
Yes, nothing wrong with a Rolex being a beater. Worn my bi-metal Date for the last twenty years and after a service and polish looks good as new (almost). So that means the Sub and the B&M dress watch make a collection? I hope not as I've got my eye on a few others...
3 for me. But watches need to be flexible in use, therefore;
a beater / casual
a casual / office
a office / dress
Spoilt for choice and only 3 watches
I've got about 8 watches, not including sentimental ones that rarely get worn; however, I don't consider myself a collector. I just buy stuff I like and wear it. Turns out I like more than one watch! There are others that I like so I may even end up buying more.
I'm getting to the point where I'm questioning the amount of money I have tied up in watches (as is my wife believe it or not). That's definitely no way for a serious collector to behave!
I'd say the following:
- 1 beater
- 1 vintage (optional)
- 1 smart and dressy for a suit
- 1 smart for semi formal occasions
I now have 11 watches and another 1 on the way..... it has now got to the point were i question myself as to how many do i need!?. I suppose with me it's all to do with the chase and then it subsides until the next target appears which is generally on hereAlthough i have often told myself no more, it never happens.
I have one lined up now as i said, that i just know i will pick up this week and my reason is i dont have a day-date in my collection (apart from my Seiko monster, but that dont count as it's my work watch/beater)
I have also told myself that at least 3 watches will go this year as they are never worn in any sort of rotation. But i do love this hobby/addiction
1-3 watches is sufficient:
1 as daily wearer
1 for special occasions (optional)
1 cheap beater (optional)
Seriously, the answer can only be one - if you are looking for perfect. but I have yet to find the perfect watch.
So:
1 dress watch
1 sportier watch
1 beater - or watch you don't mind wearing to do anything...
My dress watch, and beater are the same watch - a white gold Daytona - it would also double as a sportswatch, but I'd feel a bit lost without owning a diver.
It's just a matter of time...
This:
I suppose he means a Rolex Sub or an Omega PO or a Grand Seiko diver or a Seiko MM600.
What about a Zenith Rainbow Elite 670? ;-)
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