Horological Meandering

One watch collection...? Or two? Or five...!? Collection vs Consolidation?!

Dear all,

A few years ago, I caught the bug. When I was at school my mate’s Dad had a TAG and it was the coolest watch I’d ever seen. I told myself that I’d get one some day.

Fast forward a few years and I was in a position to go ‘proper’ watch shopping. So, I visited a local jewellers that housed a TAG Boutique to fulfil my childhood ambition... and I left with an Omega Planet Ocean Chronograph (they also had an Omega boutique) that was double the budget I had set myself!

That was just over 6 years ago. Since then, I built up a bit of a collection, which included: TAGs (Monaco 24, Steel Grand Carrera, Calibre 1 Manual Wind and Calibre 5 ‘Drive Timer’), Omegas (Planet Ocean Chrono, Dark Side, Grey Side, Bond Aqua Terra, Good Planet GMT, a Green/Gold Moonphase, a LE Apollo 17 and a blue CK2998); and a Limited Edition Breitling Navitimer. I’d never really been in Rolex up until this point, but one day I saw the Yacht-Master 40 and eventually ended up getting the blue dial version. And, I was happy.

I thought I was happy.

Then I met a man who I’ll refer to as “Michael” (that's his name). Michael has a Patek Philippe. We got talking. I’d always been aware of Patek, but I hadn’t ever seen one that I really like the look of - I was younger then and the watches I’d seen in the boutiques just did not appeal to me (which was lucky, because neither did the price tags!) - too small and delicate. However, I couldn’t help but start looking some, watching on-line review videos, etc. Oh, Michael also has an A. Lange & Sohne. (Yes, he’s a very bad influence!)

So, after much research and late-night YouTube video binge-watching sessions I decided to sell (almost) all of my watches and consolidate them in to one Patek Philippe. I went for the 5960/01G-001.

And, I thought I was happy. And, I am happy - it’s a lovely watch! In fact, since I’ve had it I’ve not worn any of my other three watches that survived ‘the upgrade’.

I’ve heard of people talking about a 'one-watch’ collection, or more reasonably, a ‘five-watch’ collection, but I guess the eternal question is: which watches?!

I think I’m in danger or re-establishing a collection. Which, I genuinely want to avoid doing! After all, the last time that happened most of them didn’t get any wrist-time and simply sat in their boxes for months, except when I got them out to look at them! Also, when it came time to sell them, I lost money. However, in spite of this, a month or so ago, I was trying to decide what watches would be in my five-piece collection.

Somewhere along the line, I decided that I need a Panerai. Two contenders emerged after 6* hours of trying on every piece in the AD: PAM01392 and the PAM01535. (*=a conservative estimate)

After never really being that ‘fussed’ with Rolex when I started buying watches, after my Yacht-Master, I realised I did like a few of the catalogue... specifically, like the new DateJust 41 and the steel SkyDweller:

As I mentioned, my “friend’s” influence introduced my to A. Lange & Sohne. Apparently, I’m meant to get a Datograph, but after visiting the AD in Leeds I’ve decided that my top two are both from their Saxonia family: the Moonphase and the Annual Calendar:

So, if I was going for a five-watch collection to end my collecting days... which combination of the above would you go for (and why)? The 5960 is a keeper, but I’d consider selling/replacing the other three.

Lastly... after saying countless times “I’m just not that into white/light coloured dials” I was scrolling through the Patek catalogue online when I saw the 5320G-001... It looks amazing!!

What do you think of a Patek-only two-watch collection? 5960 and 5320...?!

Thanks in advance! I’m really looking forward to reading your responses, views and opinions!

Daniel

💰1865 Marketplace Listings for Rolex›Breitling Navitimer · 2 for sale · 560 discussions›Omega Seamaster · 1 for sale · 7764 discussions›A. Lange and Söhne Saxonia · 1 for sale · 1483 discussions›

Welcome here and thanks for such a first post!

By: amanico : September 8th, 2018-11:59

Less is more is a motto we are fond of, here. A small but well thought collection is something a lot of people is thinking of. I suggest you take more time, scrolling our pages, the catalogs or web sites of the brands you are considering and you will prob...

Future-proofing.

By: W=N+1 : September 8th, 2018-12:48

Hi Amanico, thanks for your comments. All the watches (or variations of), except the 5320, have been on my wrist at some point. I’ve always bought to keep and not flip or sell for profit, but one’s tastes change over time - which happened to most of my pr...

So avoid Panerai. The interesting Panerai watches are somewhere between 44 and 47 mm. 47 mm even better. [nt]

By: amanico : September 8th, 2018-12:56

Good point, well made...

By: W=N+1 : September 8th, 2018-13:07

I know it’s a “Panerai thing”, to be big, but... I can’t help but like 1392 and 1535!

You'd better like them, because if you want to sell them, it won't be that easy. [nt]

By: amanico : September 8th, 2018-13:08

every man needs a Rolex

By: Passionata_george : September 8th, 2018-12:06

but seriously the 5960 is great but it isn t fine in water I d definetly keep that YM blue which is a very versatile piece imho if you want some upgrade replace it w the SkyD t but a proper WR watch is important in any good collection The rest of your que...

Better to regret what you did vs. what you did not...?!

By: W=N+1 : September 8th, 2018-12:53

Hi George, Yes - I’ve had buyers regret more than my fair share! Although, I don’t buy on impulse - I always take time to research / visit the boutiques many times... But, I still end up with watches that haven’t held my attentions for very long. This is ...

single watch collections are a grail in themselves

By: mihalis : September 8th, 2018-12:28

few ever achieve it

Who is to blame...?!

By: W=N+1 : September 8th, 2018-12:54

This is partly your fault!

Ideal n-piece watch collection [nt]

By: Katzky1 : September 8th, 2018-13:02

Welcome, and thanks for a beautifully written account of the road you've traveled as a collector --- I always enjoy reading other collectors' experiences, thoughts and accomplishments! :-)

By: FabR : September 8th, 2018-13:40

Regardless of the number of watches (but I have so many that I never use that I should definitely cut on the number too! , I totally share your feeling of improving the quality of a collection. I think it's a great (and in a sense, courageous) step for al...

Something like this:

By: W=N+1 : September 23rd, 2018-13:21

...

Why not, if you re madly in love with it? [nt]

By: amanico : September 23rd, 2018-13:36

Welcome and most people like you and me went through this same cycle of collecting...

By: Clueless_Collector : September 8th, 2018-14:34

in the beginning when funds are limited, I tend to buy watches with discounts feeling it’s a great deal. After all these years, I get into a very selective collection because funds are still limited, and I focus on only few brands, namely Omega, Rolex, Pa...

Rate Limiting Step

By: W=N+1 : September 13th, 2018-01:15

Thanks, Raymond! You’re correct: if money were no object we’d all have many more watches!! 🙈 However, my watch fund is not unlimited! I’ve also been apprehensive about selling my watches for a loss, however, apart from a few exceptions, they’re all deprec...

I went on a similar journey as well...

By: fuigo : September 8th, 2018-18:11

It all began with a JLC World Geographic boutique edition in titanium years ago... Like you, I thought I was a happy man. I would wear it every single day... Until I learn more about the watch world. My one watch collection turned into more than 20’s. I s...