9 Watch Collecting Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Collection

Whether you're new to watch collecting or a well-acquainted watch enthusiast, you may be making mistakes that could wreck your collection!

In this video I share 9 watch collecting mistakes to look out for, including advice on buying, selling, price, style, social media, and the ever-elusive search for the perfect watch. Have you made any watch collecting mistakes recently? Please share in the comments below!

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[peteraaron]

My biggest watch collecting mistake was buying my first watch. Downward spiral ever since.

[nemesG]

I think the single biggest mistake is to buy a watch to impress other people. The value in a watch (or frankly anything material) comes not from its cost or perceived kudos but from the affinity you have with it; what it means to you.

[hawkeye]

I fell into a trap of buying everything that caught my eye early on....quickly found this disappointing so I refined my taste and am quite happy now with my collection in it's refined form. Cheers good sir!

[tonyphillips]

The greatest way, IMO, to scratch the watch itch is to focus on straps for what you have. My Casio MTD1079D-1AV is my favorite watch in my collection. It was a gift that I received from a loved one and is really a strap monster. With this watch, I've replaced the stock mineral crystal with a domed sapphire crystal and I change the straps to coordinate with my outfits. Appreciate what you have and you can really get into the other aspects of watches.

[klausM]

Hey TGV, I had a great watch encounter today. I met a gentleman today who wore a Speedmaster and I asked him about the piece. It turned out it was a 1970 model that his father had bought in Switzerland and later passed on to him. Great condition and he also mentioned the ease of polishing out scratches from the acrylic crystal. What a great hobby!

[franka]

I've been a watch lover for many years, but only started collecting in the past year or so. At first I was enamored of solar watches, and I bought several, by Seiko, Casio, and Citizen. I became interested in watchmaking, and came to appreciate the intricacies of mechanical watches. I watched many hours of video by watchmakers, but also the watch and learn series by Marc of LIW. I bought my first automatic from him, an ISL-19. That is now my favorite.
I am retired and have a very limited budget, so cannot really add to my collection very often. But I do keep an eye on what's out there. There is a lot that I like, but I suppose my grail watch is the Seiko Spring Drive--fascinating blend of complexity, functionality, and beauty.
Very glad that I found your channel. Thanks, and best wishes for 2022!

[younusimam-thesalamproject]

I realized very quickly I didnt want to get into luxury watches. I decided on the Orient Kamasu, Citizen Nighthawk, Vostok and the Casio Duro. Just love them and will use them for many years.

The Kamasu has a vibrant green dial, excellent wearing dimensions, an incredibly legible set of hands and indices that recall older Seamasters.

[RafaelCampos]

Just started my collection this year since i found your videos... now i have a g shock 5600 and a casio duro.. i started with the beaters 😂

[brandonlesco]

Hi TGV - I've had a Flightmaster for the past 3+ years and always liked it but never adored it the way so many others have. I recently took it off the bracelet and onto a green NATO. Well...I get it now. Hasn't left my wrist in weeks. So fun! A great piece. Love the thumbnail - keep up the great work.

[Ritahskeeetaah]

TGV you really are making videos that speak for the mass of watch collectors!

[jeffcline]

Always good to hear from the Urban Gentry. I see him as one of the charter members of the watch channels which have proliferated to a whole new industry.

[corychecketts]

Solid advice. I remember wanting the Speedy Pro when I got into watches. I bought and sold dozens of watches before buying a Speedy. The crush never left and now it’s the only mechanical watch I wear.

[Lamattack]

Love this video! My first luxury watch will most likely be a quartz piece by Grand Seiko that I adore. But there have been times where I've doubted whether or not I want it because it is quartz. But then I sometimes ask myself, "Who is talking, me or the watch enthusiasts I see online?". I can't wait till I buy this piece and forget the rest. Cheers!

[_Mailman]

Kudos to you. This video shows you are a genuine watch lover and not a snob at all. Love your outlook. Wish more tubers thought the the same

[ricardosotosan]

Mistake #10: dismissing ETA movements. I started my journey collecting watches last year and my first watch is the first generation Omega Aqua Terra with it's modified 2894 ETA movement ( named the Omega 2500 movement) and the first generation ever to have the co axial escapement. That's ETA but with a lot of history. Plus the watch is accurate and sturdy as hell.

[timmanion]

I've collected for a pretty long time. Half a century or more . I've purchased everything from high-end luxury to a $150 Timex, and everything in between . I just love them all and see a myriad of things in them . The movements, case shapes, dial and hands, and just the flow of a certain peice never ceases to bring me joy and calm my soul . It's a great journey to be on .

[simonhodgetts]

Thank you so much for this - I’ve been saving for my grail watch for a couple of years, and I was wavering recently and thinking of just buying a different watch with what I have saved to date. But you’re right - nothing else will scratch the itch - so, I’ll keep saving until I reach my goal! Great advice!

[chippletown]

I've been watching your videos for years now and they just get better and better!

[THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR]

Great show T! Yeah the settling for something less when you know deep down if your disciplined in your spending you can get the watch or whatever you’ve got your heart set on!
I feel like I give you pain every time I post a pic of the Squale and Sorry my friend!

[nemronc]

My biggest halt to expanding my collection was my exclusive obsession with Swiss made watches. Not only the obsession but the deliberate overlooking of Japan made masterpieces like Seiko, Citizen, and orient.