Mr.Gatsby
2956
Wonderful post, David
I actually enjoyed reading your post a lot. I have the usual habit of reading all the comments in any given post before I write, but tonight I jumped straight into my reply.
I honestly think you’ve covered a lot of ground in your current collection. Anyone with that selection should feel happy and blessed. The quick answer to your question is that, you don’t really need anything more. But with all watch enthusiasts, it’s never enough isn’t it?
I can definitely see you walking down the path of collecting the independents that fit your criteria and that would definitely be more interesting IMHO rather than beefing up the Lange/PP numbers. However, don’t limit yourself to just the independents or Lange/PP. Explore all there is to offer
Also, If I may be ever so bold, I suggest you think about a few things. But before that, lets acknowledge/agree that: 1) money is finite and there are better ways to spend it 2) more watches serve no greater purpose 3) the law of diminishing marginal “returns” apply to watch collecting
So, if I were you I would think of the following:
1. Identify (which you’ve done) and refine the themes in your collection.
- Example, i tend to look at watch collecting from the perspective of time. So I go from vintage to neo vintage to modern. I then zoom in to look at what interests me from those three segments.
** Btw not all of your watches in the collection should blend well together. A bunch of misfits are sometimes more gratifying than a band of conformers.
2. Think about thinning the herd before adding more (this is a refining process). Less is more, quality over quantity and too much of a good thing isn’t really that good.
3. Across time, look towards the classics.
- You mentioned JLC. I believe that’s one brand that produces watches of great value, even if it is not in the same category as PP/Lange. There are many classics in JLC
4. Look for innovative, audacious and out of the norm propositions from watchmakers
- Anything that has creativity value in them are winners in my books
I think that would mostly sum up my principles in watch collecting, even though I’m far from achieving my goal. Ultimately, I prefer it simpler. The experience in watch collecting however, is a journey that all of us should enjoy. Good luck.
Best
G
Long read – an analysis of my collection, and some thoughts on brands
Friends, First a warning: this is a long read and I will not feel bad if you skip it altogether! Hopefully, some may find it interesting. I got the idea from one of you, who recently, in a post about my new RO asked if I could expand on my collection. I s...
First of all, thank you so much for this great post, David. Then, huge congratulations for having been able to build such a collection through these years.
There is a piece I didn't know at all... The IWC Chronograph perpetual!!! Fro the rest, I must say that I really like the diversity of your collection, even if you focus on some complications, obviously, such as chronograph perpetual calendars. The Triple...
Thank you Nicolas!
I do agree that I’m missing a JLC. I looked at the UTT, and while I love the concept, it doesn’t move my needle for some reason I find it a bit cold. The IWC is a lovely watch and really easy to read.
Thanks David for this write up...
I took pleasure in reading your journey - those impulsive purchases, surely a common factor to most of us here. I think it would be good for you to try independents now on, just bcos it will take you through another path in the journey. It will bring diff...
Thank you for the excellent read.
You have a wonderful collection. Enjoy them to the fullest. M4
Many thanks for an interesting presentation, sharing information that has drawn me in to an enjoyable read
For me it makes a real difference to be offered a carefully prepared post like this and not just a fuzzy wristshot without any help in words how to interpret the photo. I particularly like the excellent mix of presenting the watches and sharing personal e...
Thank you very much Björn.
Glad you liked it. As to independents, on top of some fabulous watches, I'm intrigued by the possibility of meeting the men (and women, although there are too few of them in this industry) behind the watches. As I live in Switzerland, this is a fairly ach...
Björn, you are correct in that statement. We all should try harder to create more content in our posts and share thoughts and experience from the collection journey.
I'm guilty myself of just posting pictures most of the time as it's easier.
David - firstly thank you for taking the time to write the above..
Extremely interesting read that evidently a lot of us will appreciate; something I suspected when I spotted your collection. I'd think an Independent would be a good foray for you as a next buy as I think a lot of the elements which you're indicating you ...
Thank you for your appreciation!
There is some very good insights in what you are saying about both the classical and "fun" side of collecting watches. MB&F certainly falls in the second category, and I have been intrigued by the Legacy Machines for a while now (the Horological Machines ...
This site is about Passion, Opinion, Information...If they gave out awards, you should definitely get one for this post!
Finding something beautifully written and learning a lot from it doesn’t happen often, so thanks for taking the time to write up this nice description of your collection, and of how you approach collecting in general. As for which direction to take next, ...
Wow, thank you so much for the very kind words!
Regarding the future of the collection, I think I will do what I do best: try to rationalise and agonise over making the smart choice, then act in a spur of the moment, knee-jerk reaction and buy the next think that will really move me...
Wonderful post, David
I actually enjoyed reading your post a lot. I have the usual habit of reading all the comments in any given post before I write, but tonight I jumped straight into my reply. I honestly think you’ve covered a lot of ground in your current collection. Anyon...
First of all, thank you!
I really appreciate the time most of you are taking in replying. What a beautiful community! I'm very proud to be a part of it. On your insights specifically, there are a lot of truth in what you are saying. Your principles make a lot of sense. But I thin...
You have a beautiful collection that has been thoughtfully curated
I congratulate you, Sir. Regarding where to go next, I have a personal theory: that is, all roads for the connoisseur collector eventually lead to the Independents. As beautiful as Lange, Patek, Vacheron and Audemars are, for me they present only one side...
Dear Nick,
First of all, thank you for the kind words. I do agree about your theory. There is something special indeed in owning a watch that you know Kari Voutilainen, Laurent Ferrier or Romain Gauthier has worked on. I look forward to one day making the jump.
What a great write-up and collection
Always enjoy hearing collectors' articulate their passion behind their collection, and you've done that well here. You have a great and varied collection with many amazing pieces, with the TS being my personal favorite. Such an wonderful piece from Lange....
Thank you John!
The TS is special indeed! It’s my most “oh, I’m gonna press this pusher for no particular reason now” watch .
This is Long, but it is very interesting.
Thank you for sharing this journey and like you, I used to like to buy 1-2 watches of each brand’s best offering. Then the same question about consolidating and reality sets in which makes me only focus on PP, ALS, Rolex and Omega. I didn’t want to ventur...
Thank you Raymond!
As much as I like Rolex, I cannot bring myself to buy one... I had several opportunities to do so, at retail prices, but always decided against it. I think that I’m a bit too annoyed by the secondary market craze at the moment and the masses of buyers who...
Same with me for Rolex...I used to say they all look alike and everybody wears one..
to "show off", but then I got a Daytona in 2014, the precision is great and the 904L SS is so durable. What's not great about able to wear one and still a great investment, and should some day I decided to trade, I don't loose the value. So here I am, aft...
Is this your Rolex collection?
Quite amazing? I have nothing but respect for serious Rolex collectors. I'm just not quite there yet... Cheers, David
It is mine...but I’m really not considered...
as serious Rolex collector, I’m only into modern versions. The serious ones are the collectors with vintage Rolexes imo. Cheers 🍻
With this collection, those that do not consider you a serious collectors are clowns.
Also, don't forget that your Rolexes will be vintage one day.
Thank you.
David, thank you for taking the time to put together this post, and to supplement it with very well taken (magazine quality) photographs. You can see that care was put into the individual photos, each framed so that the watch fills the same space in each....
Dear Jay,
First, thanks for the very kind words, As to horology as art, as much as I truly appreciate the workmanship of say the Métiers d'Arts at VC or the Rare Handcrafts at PP, I'm not sure I pull it off. KV, though, is a different thing entirely, as there is as...
Well David you have a mind blowing collection already and I congratulate you for this achievement.
As for the future I wish you to continue to get frustrated, since it sims like you make great decisions at that psychological state )). As for the future , yes those empty slots in your WatchBox need to be filled , and since you asked I suggest a Richard ...
Thanks Zsolt!
I use to really admire RM at the beginning. Bold watches, bold materials, and, most of all, bold strategy. Nowadays, and I'm not even talking of the bonbon collection, I think it's getting a bit too much as a status symbol. The strategy to cater to the ul...
Absolutely fantastıc!
So, I saw thıs article last night when I was done with my duties and decided to have a swing by to watchprosite and other certain forum. I clicked, I saw it was coming from you and it was long (thanks for the warning) I decided to enjoy this article with ...
Thank you, sir.
I really appreciate the kind words! For the TS, Lange explanation was indeed a shortage of chrono watchmakers. We are probably talking about less than half a dozen people working on the chronos... So, I definitely give them some slack for delay, specially...
Hahaha fantastic
Then actually you feel it everyday, no need for dating analogies here!
Lovely collection
Lots of complications along calendars & chronographs, so I wonder if going forward if you would enjoy a simple dress piece of the finest quality (PP, VC, ALS, AP or one of the independents you mention). BTW who made your watch box? Thanks in advance. ...
Thanks Richard!
A simple dress watch is certainly a great choice! I think VC cannot be beat in this category (two hands Patrimony with grey dial in platinum, that would be my choice...). The box is made by a company called Wolf 1834, great products. Cheers!
Really great SOTC post
Regardless of whether you decide to stick with Lange and Patek or venture into the woods, you should spend some time with the independents at fairs (and other events). You’ll pick up tons of useful knowledge, which will deepen your appreciation watches in...