Watch Collection: Quantity vs. Quality Debate

patrick_y · 2022-09-27T20:22:02Z

Explore the 'Quantity or Quality' debate in luxury watch collecting on WatchProSite. Collectors discuss owning few high-value watches vs. many diverse pieces.

patrick_y

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

119 replies22134 views1 photos

Patrick_y's thought-provoking post delves into a perennial debate among luxury watch collectors: is it better to own a small collection of highly valuable 'grail' pieces or a larger, more diverse assortment of watches for the same total investment? This discussion explores the motivations and satisfaction derived from both approaches, offering insights into how collectors define value and enjoyment in their horological journeys.

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What would you rather own? A collection of 2-3 very expensive watches that total a specific dollar/Euro/unit amount or a collection of 20 watches that total the same dollar amount?

There are two trains of thoughts here...

1. Advocates for Fewer Timepieces. Some people like to only own heavy hitters or pieces with significant cultural impact. They can only wear one watch at a time, so fewer is sometimes better. Plus, fewer pieces to keep track of and maintain. Thus, one person I know has a Patek Philippe Nautilus (his former daily watch), a Bulgari Octo Finissimo (his current daily watch), a Panerai (his sporty weekend watch and he's a Scuba diver although he never dives with his Panerai), and a truly beautiful Breguet tourbillon as his dressier watch and special occasion watch. He bought the Breguet used from a friend and all the other watches he bought new at retail. He didn't buy any new watches for several years except for the Bulgari Octo Finissimo. He's extremely content with his watch collection. Does not plan to buy anymore watches. And is now considering only extravagant art pieces that he thinks will have a significant future impact. He'd like to own a Lange, but he's very content and he feels he's got a watch for every occasion. The gentleman is a corporate professional.

2. Advocates for MORE Timepieces. Some people are complete-ists and they really like to own a lot of the same things. Another person I know owns several Rolexes that he rotates on a regular basis, one beautiful Vacheron Constantin sports watch that he uses as a dress watch, some small independents like a MING watch, two Omega Speedmaster Moonwatches, multiple Panerais, about a dozen micro-brand sporty watches on steel bracelets that cost around $500 to $1000 each, and a steel H. Moser. Overall, this person owns probably somewhere around two to three dozen watches! Yes! 24+ watches! And he's spent over the years about the exact same as the individual with fewer timepieces over roughly the same timespan. Every time he sees another watch that he likes, he generally eventually acquires it. He's on the list for more watches at his local authorized dealer. And he typically goes after steel sporty watches. He sometimes says he should stop buying watches and whittle down his collection for a few core pieces. But he just can't help himself when he sees another watch he likes.

There's no wrong answer here. And some of us on WatchProSite will think a collection of only 20-40 pieces isn't that big.

But which pattern do you think you best fit into currently?

And who do you want to be in the future?

Do you envision yourself amassing a huge collection?

Or do you see yourself consolidating your large collection to a smaller collection of more important pieces?

Or maybe something between these two extremes?

Looking forward to reading your thoughts! My personal answers will be below.

Photo Credit: Grants Center from Google Images

Key Points from the Discussion

One collector follows a '10 watch rule,' selling pieces they no longer wear frequently to acquire new ones, though they admit difficulty adhering to it due to the sheer number of desirable watches available.
The original author, patrick_y, reveals a personal shift from a 'quantity' approach, having many watches—some unworn for years—towards a future goal of consolidating into a smaller collection of genuinely special pieces.
The decision between quantity and quality often evolves with experience and knowledge, as collectors' tastes and circumstances change over time. Some manage large collections by selling pieces, while others prefer a 'one watch guy' approach, rotating a single 'super duper' piece every few years.
The discussion extends to the future of watch collecting, pondering whether children will inherit large collections of 'middling' watches or prefer a smaller selection of 'museum-grade' pieces, especially if smartwatches become a health insurance requirement.
One collector describes a cyclical pattern of building a collection of 20-25 lower-budget watches, then downsizing to more valuable pieces, only to restart the process. They currently own nearly 40 valuable watches but are downsizing again, suggesting an ideal number around 25, with a minimum comfort level of 15.
Mechanical watches, like vinyl records, offer intimate and emotional connections, serving as extensions of ourselves with aesthetic, symbolic, and private meaning, resisting the commodification and surveillance often associated with modern technology.
A collector notes a core group of 4-5 watches for regular wear and travel, having let go of dress and vintage watches due to lifestyle changes, fragility, or lack of water resistance. Sentimental value, however, can lead to keeping watches that are rarely worn.
Another collector initially pursued variety, amassing around 40 watches, viewing many as 'objet d'arts' rather than daily wearers. They are now aggressively downsizing to about ten watches, prioritizing pieces that can be worn without worry, emphasizing that the pursuit of private pleasure remains constant, only the method changes.

The Discussion

patrick_y

Sep 27, 2022

I'm currently more #2 but I want to be more #1.

But which pattern do you think you best fit into currently? I'm currently more #2. I've got many watches. Some that I haven't even worn once yet since I bought them. Many of which I haven't even worn for two or more years. And who do you want to be in the future? I'd like to consolidate and go back to a #1 mentality. Do you envision yourself amassing a huge collection? No. I see my collection as too large already. I'd like to consolidate that collection to a few very special pieces. Or do you se

Watchonthewrist

Sep 28, 2022

Definitely on the same path like you .

It’s just so damn hard to part with the watches that still put a smile on my face and which one you end up keeping 🤷🏻‍♂️. I have multiple grails that I can’t let go 😬

Fastwong

Sep 28, 2022

LOL, unworn watches! With inflation the way it is seems like a good move, whenever you feel like a new watch just unwrap an unworn one you already have in the collection :P

VinnieD

Sep 27, 2022

definitely number 1 for me

If a watch is not worn on a regular basis, I sell it unless it has emotional significance

patrick_y

Sep 27, 2022

I used to say the same!

But somehow, I ended up buying so many more watches!

AuHavrePro

Sep 27, 2022

Quality.

No question for me. And that applies to any product category, not just watches, especially when it comes to luxury/expensive product categories. I'd much rather have 3-5 watches worth $100K than however many 'inexpensive' watches that amount of money could easily buy. And, of course, those expensive watches have to appeal to me both philosophically and aesthetically, I would never buy a product just because it happens to be expensive, and is potentially viewed a certain way by society in general