10 Things I Wish I Knew About Watch Collecting Before Starting

A Discussion around the 10 Things that I wish I'd Known about Watch Collecting before Starting. Everything from looking for simpler pieces, buying better straps, putting money aside when the inevitable service bill arrives or when lightning strikes. This hobby teaches us a lot of things along the way but the biggest take home is to approach it with an open mind (and to enjoy the highs and lows)

#watchcollection #watches #watchcollecting

Intro 0:00
#1 We are Never 100% Satisfied 1:21
#2 Don't Buy to Impress 2:43
#3 Chase Simple and Timeless Watches 3:23
#4 Don't Buy Another Watch, Buy a Better Strap 4:26
#5 Brand Names Don't Matter 5:05
#6 Avoid Buying "Cheap" Watches 6:15
#7 Buy Quality over Quantity 7:20
#8 Keep Some Money Aside 8:08
#9 Don't Chase Trends, Hype and Newness 9:01
#10 Enjoy Looking Elsewhere 10:04
Conclusion 11:20

All Images are Sourced from either Press Release Photos or Public Listings.
Below are a list of the common sources that are used in no particular order:

Bob’s Watches | Revolution Watch | HQ Milton | Hodinkee | Monochrome Watches | Jomashop | Analog Shift | Bulang and Sons | Robb Report | Watchfinder | WatchBox | Phillips Watches | Christies | Timekeepers Club | Fratello Watches | Bexsonn | Worn and Wound | A Collected Man | Oracle Time | Time + Tide Watches

[ID-Guy]

A decade in this hobby teaches you a lot about its quirks...
What’s the one thing you wish you’d been told before falling down the watch rabbit hole? (this should be good) 😉

[UltraDoug]

100% spot on. I would add….

#11: You shouldn’t own every watch you love, but you should love every watch you own.

[dannyg]

Brilliant episode! I've been collecting for 55 years and have a few things to add: 1. You can enjoy collecting only affordable watches for years, but once you step up to luxury level, you won't want to wear your cheap watches anymore. 2. Your taste in watches will change as you grow older; and 3. You may prefer smaller, lighter watches as you get older. This is from personal experience. Cheers!

[merkhet]

I may annoy a few people, but one thing I learned is that for most of us the sooner you realize you’re not a collector just “a guy that likes a nice watch” the better off you’ll be. Figuring out I don’t need to own every watch I like has been very freeing.

[nicksundby]

I've worn my Datejust every day since 1982. For me, it's perfect.

[robbbbery]

Biggest advice: don't take advice from internet strangers. One person says once you go luxury you can't enjoy cheap? Another person enjoys Rolex and casio in the same collection. One person says don't do trends, another person enjoys the variety of owning watches for a few months and then selling them for something new. There's too many different ways to love watches for anyone's "lessons" to reliably generalize to anyone else. Find your own way, make your own mistakes, and try to have a blast doing it.

[ian]

I have moved on. Satisfied with my five watches. Rolex, omega x 2, Tudor and Tag. Loved the obsession for last few years but no longer and enjoy what I have.😊

[petrokersta]

Great points! I’d add a few:
1. Always try a watch in metal before buying it. Renders don’t do watches justice. There’s no other way to understand the ergonomics. You won’t wear what you don’t like and more so something that is uncomfortable.
2. Learn to appreciate watches without owning them. I know easier said than done. But I’m trying.
3. This hoppy is as much about people and their stories as it is about watches.
4. Enjoy the journey.
Cheers!

[blasien]

11. Watches are luxury items, expensive jewelry. Never forget
12. Rolex "Oyster Steel" is the same inexpensive industrial steel used for urinal pipes in stadium restrooms

[davidhori]

"Chase Simple and Timeless Watches". The longer I spend in the watch hobby, the more I've come to realize how important this advice is. What a great video; thank you for making it.

[jeremydahm]

My advice is pick one. If it's a reach financially, buy it as your one and only, and wear the heck out of it. Sinn, Longines, Oris, Tudor...can't go wrong.

[chriscon]

I liked “Point 8; keep some $ aside”. It occurred to me that everyone that bought watches during the bubble (starting in maybe 2020?) will have to service them in another 5-10 years. Some people may be in for a rude awakening! We may see a lot of used watches hitting the market, that people sell off when they realize the cost of servicing.

[PatQuakernaat]

"Cheap" watches are not that bad nowadays.
I do not propagate them, but as a starter, they do give you an idea if it suits you and if you still like it after a year.
I have done this in the past, and works for me.

[ajgross]

About 7 months ago I decided to train for a marathon, and as a result I have been wearing a Garmin watch on my right wrist and my traditional watches on my left wrist daily since then. It has made me realize about bit how ridiculous this hobby can be and that at the end of the day it is a hobby of just buying. There are still watches I plan to buy, but I am definitely less interested in watches than I used to be

[kojiattwood]

“Having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical but often true.” – Spock (Amok Time)

[rickfanning]

I have two,

1. There is nothing inherently wrong with quartz.

2. You can “be into watches” without buying or selling any. You can watch videos, have opinions, talk with others, etc. and not spend a nickel. It’s OK to just chill with what you have.

[vmarsch]

These are great. Two things I'd add
1) Remember your first impressions. The look or feel of a watch 'growing on you' means that it will fade, eventually.
2) Though a mechanical timepiece can "last a lifetime or longer, " the vast majority do not.

[jroobz]

things i've learned:

- a watch can be more than the sum of it's parts
- appreciate a watch for what it is today
- all watches are good and beautiful. if you're not into a watch, you're not ready for it yet. but you can get there in time

[sumitkar]

Another great episode - For me it was - Understand your style and buy watches to suit it. I am a T shirt and Jeans guy and almost never wear a suit. I bought dress watches and almost never wore them. Had I understood this, I would have stuck to steel, sports watches

[chowdau]

I would add, don't be afraid to explore outside of your comfort zone. For example, if you're into dive watches and have a few already, try on a chrono or dress watch.