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Rolex collecting: looking back on 2014....and into 2015

 

Some personal reflections on my collecting during 2014 in Rolex and thoughts for 2015. I would love to hear how other collectors are viewing the year behind and the one in front.....

This was meant to be a year where I consolidated my collection....maybe even cut back on a few pieces that were not getting wrist time. It has long been my intention to pare my collection to fewer watches, but watches that I truly loved. I posted a theme....."if i only had 10 watches" earlier in the year. It would , indeed, be very hard for me to pare my collection to 10. Partly, i am a devotee of variation. I love the fact that my collection as it stands is diverse enough for me to choose from one extreme to another. Yet, there is a time for reflection.....and maybe that will be 2015 for me, when one looks at the entirety of a collection and ponders just what happens next. I am a lucky guy in that I feel I have caught many of the targets that I wanted. Having collected watches for a number of years, I know only too well what it feels like to have an itch that is not scratched. To have that "grail watch" that just never materialises. If i am honest, I don't believe in the concept of a "grail watch". I used to, but experience has taught me that once the "grail" has been caught, another grail appears in its place. Grail watches don't exist in my mind any longer.

Instead, I look at my collection and consider it as a whole....how does it feel? Are there gaps in the process? Rolex is obviously the centre of my collection, with Patek, JLC, Omega and others forming satellites. In the case of Patek and JLC, quite decent sized satellites. Overall, I probably have about 70% vintage and 30% modern. Overall, I probably have 50% Rolex, 25% JLC, 20% Patek and 5% others. Would I change the balance between vintage and modern? No. Would I change the balance between manufacturers? Probably not. So, I look at my collection and feel happy.  Looking back on 2014, what did I add to my Rolex collection?

Well, the one that I had hunted for a long time finally appeared. It fills an important gap not only in my vintage Rolex world but also regarding my amagnetic theme......of course the 1019. It also adds that 1970s feel that so few other watches that I own manage to do well.





Another big addition during 2014 was of course the GMT 6542. This is a more controversial piece for me for many reasons. After owning for a few months now, I must say the jury is still out on this one. Of course, it fills an important part of my collection, but with a 1675 and 16710 also in my collection, it is not clear that this was an automatic decision for me. As beautiful as the watch looks, I have to say that I still hold doubts. 





The GMT "bruiser" was also an addition for 2014. A modern marvel, and my favourite modern Rolex.....(though I have to say I have yet to try on the Sea-Dweller on my wrist). I love the black/blue insert.....its my go-to everyday watch.




That represents my Rolex additions during the year. There have been some casualties as some Rolex have left the flock. I was lucky enough to own a Paul Newman that found a new owner. I still retain my 6239 Paul Newman. Also left have one or two others....but not to speak of the dead......

My stand-out addition.....the one that made me happiest was (sorry to those that disagree) the 1019. I had hunted it for so long...had come so close so many times. It fills more gaps for me than any other....and I just love wearing it. It has a feel unlike any other Rolex I own. 

As I prepare for 2015, I sit with a Rolex collection that gives me enormous pleasure. I have added where I felt it needed and sold where I felt it needed. I go into 2015 without that "itch" that has plagued me for years....and to be blunt, it feels very nice to sit back and appreciate the cohesion of the collection rather than strive to hit that next grail. As the wise Dr. No once said...."less is more". For this watch collector, it feels that way for the first time.
This message has been edited by Baron on 2014-10-28 05:55:17 This message has been edited by Baron on 2014-11-03 06:47:10

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