Great discussion. I got into watches as a hobby in January 2017 when I bought an Omega Planet Ocean. I have worn watches my whole 50+ year life but not as a hobby until then. I have just escaped the watch collector's chaos as you describe (and I've known well) and this is how I did it: 1. Get a high quality watch box that fits 8 or 12 watches. Then set a hard limit to fill the box but never go over. One in, one out rule. 2. Buy a lot of watches, experiencing all you can, and taking your time to figure out (a) what you like and (b) what you actually wear, as those two things don't always line up - especially for dress watches. Mistakes will happen - that's unavoidable. Try to avoid hype watches. Buy for yourself, and not to impress others. 3. Start building memories with your favourite watches, until they become "keepers". The ones you have to let go - be brutal with ones you don't wear, but do keep them in a holding pen before you flip then. Have at least two honeymoon periods with each watch before you flip. Also thin out redundant pieces. You might have one blue-dial chunky dive watch you like, but have another blue-dial chunky dive watch you love. Move on the redundant piece. Make sure your collection has variety. 4. When you've amassed 12 keepers, then focus on an overseas holiday to divert your mind from watches. Optionally tune out of watch RUclips. Steps (2) and (3) is a back and forth iterative process. I've probably gone through about 40 watches over the 7 years to reach my final 12. I've got about a dozen still to sell (this year's job). I'll feel even more relieved once I've done that. Step (4) is important - the diversion. I'm getting ready to hike to Everest Base Camp, and that has taken my mind thankfully away from watches so that really does close the door on the "chaos". Now I just go to my watch box and admire every single piece. I have even given them nicknames! I'm no longer thinking "should I sell that one?" I'm just content. If I want to feel happy - I just go to the watch box - it's like therapy. As I scan the box I get a burst of positivity as I think of good things, such as the friendly emails I've exchanged with the microbrand owner; the laughs I've had at the ADs; the love for my mom evoked from the white watch I wear which reminds me of the one she always wears. Even the garden beater watch makes me think of my beautiful garden, and my new titanium field watch I'm taking to Everest Base Camp I'm sure will give me positive vibes when I'm back home. OK I've rambled long enough. I hope you can take something from this.
Researching and finding the next watch is definitely a big part of this hobby. One thing I have found is that for me, this process is just as satisfying and just as much fun with an inexpensive watch as with a luxury one. Discovering this has saved me a lot of money!
Yes the law of diminishing returns is very evident in luxury watches. That is the reason I haven't stepped into the realms of PP, AP etc as I see them on the downside of the curve. Life would be so different if I had stayed in my Seiko bubble, but I'm sure I would have diverted the funds to something else anyway! either way I would have blown that money on something!
I believe we are chasing the "excitement of anticipation" and the chemical high we feel in our brain during that period. I believe it is linked to having a tendency to impulsivity and addiction. I have experienced this in my watch collecting journey, and in my other hobbyist pursuits over the years. As men, we have a few things, so enjoy "your thing" gents, responsibly😄
So true every time I buy a new watch I think this is it my last one. Then I am instantly on the hunt for the next one. It’s a sickness not a hobby for me. I had a great 5 piece collection a year ago and sold 3 because I want something different. I like so many watches and can’t have them all so I think I will continue to buy and sell watches my whole life. Oh well I do love the excitement though.
Totally! And nobody gets hurt, so it's ok! honestly there are so many hobbies where this behaviour could be destructive, but it really isn't in watch collecting, as long as you're sensible with the money!
For me personally, I have been using the word "obsession" in my mind for your definition of chaos, and rather than destroying a "perfect" collection, try to convince myself I am stepping towards a perfect collection, but all in all, to people with sensible minds, they are the same I guess, haha
In my case, every time that I completed a collection of any of my hobbies such as guns, cars, pocket knives etc…. I get bored and I move to another hobby and only remain a couple of the best items. I hope this doesn’t happen again with my dear watches 😅
I'm over my chaos! It's perfect now. With 2 real Rolex (one DJ36 and one Air King 126900), and a couple of fake PP, Daytona and Cartier, I'm so done collecting watches :)
Hi very interesting I don't know what it's like to be finished but I have finally got the call from the Rolex ad after 18 months a bi metal sea dweller not the most popular watch and could buy it cheaper on the Gray market buts there's something about having a brand new watch no one else has owned.and as I don't sell watches from my collection so I don't care. what do you think thanks John.
Hi John, and congratulations on the SD43TT! I think that's a stunning watch, and the best of everything that's Rolex. I think a great many people in this hobby still obsess over watches as an investment, and they are wasting their time and money. Better to put 20k in the stock market and leave it there than any watch. Buying from an AD is the only place I would ever get a Rolex irrespective of the secondary value, so I'm with you!
Great discussion. I got into watches as a hobby in January 2017 when I bought an Omega Planet Ocean. I have worn watches my whole 50+ year life but not as a hobby until then. I have just escaped the watch collector's chaos as you describe (and I've known well) and this is how I did it:
1. Get a high quality watch box that fits 8 or 12 watches. Then set a hard limit to fill the box but never go over. One in, one out rule.
2. Buy a lot of watches, experiencing all you can, and taking your time to figure out (a) what you like and (b) what you actually wear, as those two things don't always line up - especially for dress watches. Mistakes will happen - that's unavoidable. Try to avoid hype watches. Buy for yourself, and not to impress others.
3. Start building memories with your favourite watches, until they become "keepers". The ones you have to let go - be brutal with ones you don't wear, but do keep them in a holding pen before you flip then. Have at least two honeymoon periods with each watch before you flip. Also thin out redundant pieces. You might have one blue-dial chunky dive watch you like, but have another blue-dial chunky dive watch you love. Move on the redundant piece. Make sure your collection has variety.
4. When you've amassed 12 keepers, then focus on an overseas holiday to divert your mind from watches. Optionally tune out of watch RUclips.
Steps (2) and (3) is a back and forth iterative process. I've probably gone through about 40 watches over the 7 years to reach my final 12. I've got about a dozen still to sell (this year's job). I'll feel even more relieved once I've done that.
Step (4) is important - the diversion. I'm getting ready to hike to Everest Base Camp, and that has taken my mind thankfully away from watches so that really does close the door on the "chaos". Now I just go to my watch box and admire every single piece. I have even given them nicknames! I'm no longer thinking "should I sell that one?" I'm just content. If I want to feel happy - I just go to the watch box - it's like therapy. As I scan the box I get a burst of positivity as I think of good things, such as the friendly emails I've exchanged with the microbrand owner; the laughs I've had at the ADs; the love for my mom evoked from the white watch I wear which reminds me of the one she always wears. Even the garden beater watch makes me think of my beautiful garden, and my new titanium field watch I'm taking to Everest Base Camp I'm sure will give me positive vibes when I'm back home. OK I've rambled long enough. I hope you can take something from this.
Thank you for the fantastic response. I will read extracts of this in a video later down the line, as I think it is so helpful.
What I enjoy most about the hobby is the community.We all a bunch of nutters and I love it!
Agreed! we are all nutters!
Researching and finding the next watch is definitely a big part of this hobby. One thing I have found is that for me, this process is just as satisfying and just as much fun with an inexpensive watch as with a luxury one. Discovering this has saved me a lot of money!
Yes the law of diminishing returns is very evident in luxury watches. That is the reason I haven't stepped into the realms of PP, AP etc as I see them on the downside of the curve. Life would be so different if I had stayed in my Seiko bubble, but I'm sure I would have diverted the funds to something else anyway! either way I would have blown that money on something!
When the chaos goes quiet I fear my body will have also.
Poetic
I believe we are chasing the "excitement of anticipation" and the chemical high we feel in our brain during that period. I believe it is linked to having a tendency to impulsivity and addiction.
I have experienced this in my watch collecting journey, and in my other hobbyist pursuits over the years.
As men, we have a few things, so enjoy "your thing" gents, responsibly😄
Couldn't agree more!
The thrill is in the chase !. I take my hat off to those who say ' thats it I'm done '.
haha yes, I've said "that's it, I'm done" a good few times. I even quietly said it this week when I got the Tudor!
So true every time I buy a new watch I think this is it my last one. Then I am instantly on the hunt for the next one. It’s a sickness not a hobby for me. I had a great 5 piece collection a year ago and sold 3 because I want something different. I like so many watches and can’t have them all so I think I will continue to buy and sell watches my whole life. Oh well I do love the excitement though.
Totally! And nobody gets hurt, so it's ok! honestly there are so many hobbies where this behaviour could be destructive, but it really isn't in watch collecting, as long as you're sensible with the money!
You have got this spot on 😂 ... people always want more unless you're a Buddhist to reach enlightenment.
Enlightenment is definitely missing from the watch hobby I agree 👍
For me personally, I have been using the word "obsession" in my mind for your definition of chaos, and rather than destroying a "perfect" collection, try to convince myself I am stepping towards a perfect collection, but all in all, to people with sensible minds, they are the same I guess, haha
In my case, every time that I completed a collection of any of my hobbies such as guns, cars, pocket knives etc…. I get bored and I move to another hobby and only remain a couple of the best items. I hope this doesn’t happen again with my dear watches 😅
definitely a good idea to quit whilst you're ahead!
Same
I'm over my chaos! It's perfect now. With 2 real Rolex (one DJ36 and one Air King 126900), and a couple of fake PP, Daytona and Cartier, I'm so done collecting watches :)
Setting the date on a GMT is why I only own one GMT watch, and why that watch is a caller GMT and not a flyer/traveller GMT.
I need to reach where you are
Hi very interesting I don't know what it's like to be finished but I have finally got the call from the Rolex ad after 18 months a bi metal sea dweller not the most popular watch and could buy it cheaper on the Gray market buts there's something about having a brand new watch no one else has owned.and as I don't sell watches from my collection so I don't care. what do you think thanks John.
Hi John, and congratulations on the SD43TT! I think that's a stunning watch, and the best of everything that's Rolex. I think a great many people in this hobby still obsess over watches as an investment, and they are wasting their time and money. Better to put 20k in the stock market and leave it there than any watch. Buying from an AD is the only place I would ever get a Rolex irrespective of the secondary value, so I'm with you!
Please have a conversation with Jeffrey McMahon!
Jeffrey is the Grand Master of watch collecting psychology. I love his channel ❤️
Just one more watch then I'll be done. Honest...
"I'll get the sub then I'm out" !! Wife rolls her eyes and walks away smiling...