I know we love and collect watches...

...but when is enough, enough?

I currently have 10 and am thinking...is 5 really enough, maybe 7 (one for every day?)...

Even with 10, I look at my box and it takes a while to decide "what to wear today..."

I remember when I had 130 Zodiacs, it became more of an obsession to have every model rather than necessarily liking the watch...

Well, now even down sizing to 10 watches, I am REALLY asking myself, "Why do I have this one?"

I could see myself parting with my G-Shock, the Helson, and the Lum-Tec and not really having any regret...

That would leave 2 Breitlings, 2 Zodiacs, 2 Hamiltons, and the LM-7 (one for every day...)

PLEASE DON'T READ THIS NEXT PART WRONG...

Some of you guys definitely have bigger watch budgets that I do and are buying some VERY nice watches. But, are you buying them simply because you can afford them or because you REALLY like the watch?

Let me pick on Mr. Bartlett a little, I mean I can't think of anyone with a much nicer collection than he has but MAN, how do you decide which one to wear???

Are they as much DISPLAY pieces as they are something to wear? (I am assuming you have quite a few full watchboxes!)

Anyway...I kinda rambled on about this but I think you can see where I am coming from...

Your thoughts?

when is enough, enough? i asked my self this many of times. i still have over 20 watches and definetly want to drop at least 10 of them. half of them never get worn anymore and have probably only been worn less than 5 times. i have my eye on the breitling avenger or new s.o. abyss. i think i would be content with my rgm, seawolf, both glycines, and 1 of the 2 breitlings i mentioned. i think that i will always be on the look out for something new, but now i would definetly take my time and make sure it is one that i truely want and not just get it because its the watch to have at this moment, i want to feel the way i did when i got the seawolf on any new watch i get and if i dont feel that way i dont need it!!!! steve

I thought about this yesterday as I eyed an empty slot in my 6-slot winder.

What I decided was to go after iconic pieces of brands within my price range. I have the Sub, Monaco, Luminor and am looking at maybe a Navitimer next. These seem to fit me better in size and overall satisfaction that I have a piece that has stood the test of time.

This tends to insure a slow growth and better collection.

g Shocks don't really count as it another category altogether.

Always try to resist the cheap trend and cool watch of the day.

I am considering selling everything and just keeping my Omegas. Three watches is plenty...

andrema wrote:

I am considering selling everything and just keeping my Omegas. Three watches is plenty...

I'll believe it when I see it...

What a cool question Alan ! ..I guess there really is no one right answer to the question of when is
enough, enough ? ..with watches. There are just so many different reasons why people collect, or
enjoy watches I think. You can be someone who goes after watch after watch, or someone who
goes after a watch once in a great while. They might all collect for different reasons too. Maybe
it's to have as many cool watches as possible, or just to have a few REALLY nice watches. It all
comes down to how you want to enjoy the hobby I guess !

hmmm... i never had a big collection, at my peak i believe i had between 20-25 watches. After selling watches then adding new ones to the collection I still have between 20-25...

well that didn't make much sense did it!

Of the 25 in my collection i tend to wear 5-7 of them regularly, the others get worn but much less frequently. The ones that survived the downsizing are keepers, the ones i wear daily are keepers...

I don't buy watches regularly (one maybe two a year), i like my collection and only add a watch if it's something i really wanted for a long time and have saved up enough money to afford it.

Strictly up to the individual - I don't lament over this.
I know there will always be other watches I want.
Do my best to avoid the impulse buy - count to 10, wait a few days.
If I still find myself researching it 1-2-3 months later - it will be a satisfying keeper.
Otherwise it will quickly be orphaned - Impulse buys are the worst.

So personally I see no reason to make a hard fast rule for myself.
Especially for something I truly love. (like what is enough money, pussy, etc.?)
There really is no end until you no longer have a passion for it and move on.
Will continue to buy as long as I'm compelled to hold it as my own - and can.

I have found myself with more than enough right now. Like you Alan, at one time I had 120 watches. At present I have 13. I am going down to 7 or 8. Also, my interest in watches is very different right now. I am not as focused on this "GIG" as I once was. There are more important things to me that I feel have been neglected. I still love watches but not more than life!

Northwestguy wrote:

I have found myself with more than enough right now. Like you Alan, at one time I had 120 watches. At present I have 13. I am going down to 7 or 8. Also, my interest in watches is very different right now. I am not as focused on this "GIG" as I once was. There are more important things to me that I feel have been neglected. I still love watches but not more than life!

That is kinda where I am too...

Watches are great but I am getting BACK into:

1. Watching more movies with the family...
2. Getting back into PC gaming...
3. More time at the gym...

andrema wrote:

I am considering selling everything and just keeping my Omegas. Three watches is plenty...

I'm with you.

Plus one atomic solar G-shock.

Oh, and one quartz beater for the garage projects, and...

I've never had more than 10 watches at one time. Currently, I've got 6 and think that's about the right number. Lately, I've been doing a lot of "flipping" and feel that I really need to slow down, take a step back, and reassess. I'm seriously thinking about trying to be a "one watch" guy, though. By that, I don't mean selling everything but one. Rather, reducing to about 5, and wearing one the majority of the time.

It would be hard for me to let go of any, but nine days out of 10 I will be wearing:

Tudor Hydronaut
Planter Ocean
Hamilton Mechanical

one watch guy? wow! such discipline hahahha! I have downsized alot but still am addicted hahaha! I just strapped on the X-33 for this Monday morn...one of 6 in the rotation group.....

I'm down to 6 Watches and that plenty for me at the moment. I am also spending my time again with family, gym and my business. I love my 6 watches and very content. Probably will sell off one more and that's it. Might decide to buy one more when i sell the watch off but who knows. Decided to take a step back from the whole collecting and forums thing.

Watches are a lot like cars:

"Too much horsepower is never quite enough."

I am cursed with the collector gene so .

Used to be about 125, now its in the 20 range and i enjoy the collection so much more! Still feel the rush is the search and finding something at a great deal that you've wanted for a time! If i stayed away from the forums i would be totally happy where i'm at or maybe sell enough to get a Rolex DSSD!

cali kid wrote:

Used to be about 125, now its in the 20 range and i enjoy the collection so much more! Still feel the rush is the search and finding something at a great deal that you've wanted for a time! If i stayed away from the forums i would be totally happy where i'm at or maybe sell enough to get a Rolex DSSD!

hehehe....go for it!!!.....after downsizing my kit....I ended up buying TWO Omega X-33 Gen2s !!!!

It's funny how many watches I NEED when I start wanting other things...

...like a new MAXED out gaming PC!

Great question Alan...

Generally, agree with the other responses...

I have 7 and could still get down to 5 or so..

And have started to look at other stuff like a
better camera, etc...

Cheers
Mike

I let this thread go awhile and I still don't know what to say....I am still collecting. I have 4 seperate collections. Vintage, Russian, Railroad Approved and Modern regular wear stuff. Each has it's own priorities. I have sold 100 or so, but usually traded up. I still have way too many...just not sure where to start selling next... . I have been wearing some stuff I don't usually wear, just to make sure it has to go. Who knows....maybe, just maybe I could get by on 50.....

I did downsize to around 25......but the bug hit again and scored this great $55usd Chinese sterile Sub (how could I lose?)....dropped out the bracelet and stuck an old NATO on. Movement is the accurate DG2813...auto, handwinder and hacking!


Rolex Sub hommage wristshots etc 005 by thianwong1, on Flickr

Very cool Thian!

Alan,

Great question. My wife has asked that question of me several times. I am at the point where quality means more than quantity and am being picky in my purchases. I have a great Lum Tec headed my way for xmas for instance.
I noticed another thread that requires my comment. I have been an Oregon Ducks fan since my first live game in 1969. I was 13 at the time and I have been a loyal Duck every since then. So all I have to say about Glendale is Go Ducks!!

Kevin

TAZMAN64 wrote:

when is enough, enough? i asked my self this many of times. i still have over 20 watches and definetly want to drop at least 10 of them. half of them never get worn anymore and have probably only been worn less than 5 times. i think that i will always be on the look out for something new, but now i would definetly take my time and make sure it is one that i truely want and not just get it because its the watch to have at this moment, steve

Exactly!!! Now if I could only decide which 14 I can part with and get down to 10.

I have held back on some purchases I would have made a year ago so I feel I am improving.

Maybe I am misunderstanding the post. If we stop collecting, then what's the point in having forums. Maybe I am in the minority here. I have a family, a job, and do have a few interests outside of Horology. But, when I started back in 2007, it was for meeting new friends who enjoy the same thing I do. Like the rest of you, my collection has taken different twists and turns. I am somewhat satisfied right now but I'm not quite there yet. 2011 will hopefully be the most enjoyable. I am concentrating on three I have my eye on. With a lot of perserverence I wil lhopefully add thest to my collection. Once that is accomplished, I may find myself in the same state of mind.

I am in a not so unique place of having several watches I enjoy, and a wife who can't stand me spending money on a watch when it could be saved (we save about 10% of our income already).

So, even though I enjoy watches, I can't with that kind of negativity towards it. Even if I sell a watch, I'm supposed to spend that money on her. But of course she never really wants anything so it just gets spent on groceries!!!

Alas... I want to but my hands are tied.