Downsizing the watch collection

[PlastikMan]

Too many watches, when is it too many? It is all subjective and personal... I hope I am not starting a heated debated nor touching anyone’s nerves here as we are in a watch forum. I love collecting watches for all sorts of reasons behind... there is something special about the hours spend researching, reading and discussing about a particular watch before pulling the trigger, following by the fun and games of waiting for the little white parcel to arrive from China, to the pleasure of landing it on the wrist.

I have 26 watches and at some point was contemplating buying another box of 20 for a ‘project’ I had in mind... The idea was to have:

1) a box for leisure and pleasure, a collection of ‘loud and hot’ pieces
2) a box for a respectfully tasting conservative collection for work, one that would fit well under the cuff links.

With recent lifestyle changes, dropped the pinstripe suit and polished leather shoes to somethin ‘more real’, so now somehow looking at my collection I don’t feel the need to have such a large diversity. I used to rotate my watches religiously fitting well with the groups I was accustomed to socialise with... don’t know whether it is related to COVID, social distancing, being more focussed on other stuff or my recent lifestyle change... I find myself not using a large percentage of my collection and almost finding it hard justifying rocking a Nautilus, a Big Bang or a Royal Oak...

Not that I had to justify wearing something to fit in, I always worn what I liked regardless of what people would think... however I am aware that a collection of 8 to 10 of my ‘precious favourites’ would give me more pleasure, or would it? I am trying to convince my brain that I won’t need more than a Dress, a Diver and a Chrono... but is it 1x or 2x each category... also I then think about the tourbillon, the GMT, the pilot’s watch... Although I am aware that downsizing would do me good I find it extremely difficult to let go of them and sell any of them...

Would be interesting hearing your stories whether you had any predicaments, and what was the criteria when it came to downsize the collection? Any regrets following a downsize?

 

[APjumbo]

I can relate to a lot of this post and am eagerly waiting to hear the opinions of other more experienced members. I haven’t had to downsize yet myself so don’t have any advice to give but am also wondering - how does one go from hoarding to setting up a “collection”
Previous threads on this topic I seem to recall there being a broad range of collection sizes but seem to remember most being in the 10-20 range.
Not sure if that is just reps or includes gens.

 

[PlastikMan]

I am taking baby steps and see how far can I go narrowing down the pieces I enjoy the most and actual have any wrist time. Everything that I don’t feel comfortable wearing in any given situation goes... i.e. wearing a RM to work or a Reverso with a shiny croc strap on the weekend.

 

[Parto]

Take the plunge - I've been collecting reps for just over a year but despite selling the odd one found myself with about 20 reps a few months ago (from 1 the year before). I decided to sell half the watches and use the funds for a franken or gen. I went franken and couldn't be happier. It is my favourite watch and I'm considering consolidating further.

 

[waterproofpt]

Take the plunge - I've been collecting reps for just over a year but despite selling the odd one found myself with about 20 reps a few months ago (from 1 the year before). I decided to sell half the watches and use the funds for a franken or gen. I went franken and couldn't be happier. It is my favourite watch and I'm considering consolidating further.

Hi R. Was it the DJ that you’re referring to ?

I’ve had up to a dozen at a time (earlier on) but then down to 4 stock ones followed by a bit of a ‘rest’ from collecting for a year or two and then back more recently and have picked up 2 pretty decent Frankens. Maybe add one more ...... (ya right!).


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[Parto]

Hi R. Was it the DJ that you’re referring to ?


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It is indeed the datejust - thanks again for the case set

 

[waterproofpt]

It is indeed the datejust - thanks again for the case set

Pictures.


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[Parto]

Pictures.


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I don't want to derail the OP's thread (plus I'm waiting for some different hands) but heres one pic.

 

[mclarendude]

Great inquiry.

...however I am aware that a collection of 8 to 10 of my ‘precious favourites’ would give me more pleasure, or would it?

Yes it would.

At one point this year, I had more than 30 watches. Out of those 30, I wore the same 5. Most pieces that were unworn were watches that I had always wanted to have and I wore them once or twice. I just liked the feeling of having them there.

But, after a few weeks, I started realizing that I didn't like them sitting there just looking pretty and that I liked the watches in my rotation more than those in the box.

For example, I had lusted for a black Explorer II 16750. I spend great time sourcing one and then servicing it to my liking. A few months later, enter a Polar 16750 (that I owned for like 20 mins before the seller had to refund me due to a mechanical issue and posted it for sale months later and I got lucky again). They're the same watch... but the Black one sat in the box for weeks until I said decided that "watch unworn is a watch being sold".

So, all the watches, except those that I got for a very reasonable price, like my $80 Noob GMTii that needed a dial marker re-affixed, or my new $80 VSF Omega Spectre from BOD, or my $100 BP SD Ceramic that just aren't worth selling, if they're not being worn, they're being sold.

I see it as a financial gain and as an emotional boost.

Financially, I have sold those that are not being worn and have paid off a few credit cards.

Emotionally, the watches that are in the box are part of the constant rotation and the watches I have sold have gone to great members who have or will give them the appreciation they deserve, probably the wear they deserve too. Two birds with one stone.

I recommend you to do some pro and cons of the watches and keep the ones you love and sell the ones that haven't been worn in a while. Those are the ones that won't sting as much when you sell them.

 

[PlastikMan]

Great inquiry.



Yes it would.

At one point this year, I had more than 30 watches. Out of those 30, I wore the same 5. Most pieces that were unworn were watches that I had always wanted to have and I wore them once or twice. I just liked the feeling of having them there.

But, after a few weeks, I started realizing that I didn't like them sitting there just looking pretty and that I liked the watches in my rotation more than those in the box.

For example, I had lusted for a black Explorer II 16750. I spend great time sourcing one and then servicing it to my liking. A few months later, enter a Polar 16750 (that I owned for like 20 mins before the seller had to refund me due to a mechanical issue and posted it for sale months later and I got lucky again). They're the same watch... but the Black one sat in the box for weeks until I said decided that "watch unworn is a watch being sold".

So, all the watches, except those that I got for a very reasonable price, like my $80 Noob GMTii that needed a dial marker re-affixed, or my new $80 VSF Omega Spectre from BOD, or my $100 BP SD Ceramic that just aren't worth selling, if they're not being worn, they're being sold.

I see it as a financial gain and as an emotional boost.

Financially, I have sold those that are not being worn and have paid off a few credit cards.

Emotionally, the watches that are in the box are part of the constant rotation and the watches I have sold have gone to great members who have or will give them the appreciation they deserve, probably the wear they deserve too. Two birds with one stone.

I recommend you to do some pro and cons of the watches and keep the ones you love and sell the ones that haven't been worn in a while. Those are the ones that won't sting as much when you sell them.

Thanks for sharing mate. This is proving more painful that I thought it would... really hard to let some of the pieces go but I have started the first steps and some of the larger watches are going on sale... they had little wrist time but amazing pieces.

 

[PlastikMan]

I have reduced my collection to 10 pieces now... sold 16 watches in the past month or so... was hard in the beginning to let go of those pieces after so much time and dedication choosing and carefully curating my collection... I learnt that I do not really miss those that I sold and that I cherish more the remaining ones better... swapped quantity for quality and narrowed down my preferred watch style (for now at least).. it is invigorating to have reduced my collection so far and am still planning on trimming it further... I think a collection of 8 or even 5 would be challenging but more carefully thought. I think that like this I no longer have the compulsive purchase behaviour I had, but by forcing myself to a select number it challenges me to narrow down which one to sacrifice to open up space for a new member of the family.

 

[APjumbo]

Really good to hear this.
I just started the cull as well.
Not sure I'll ever get down to 10, maybe 15 or 20.
16 is a lot to let go in a month. good work.
Nice to hear you have no regrets so far.

You said you were starting with the larger ones, how did you decide what to let go next, whatever didn't get worn?
Or what you felt was overlapping in style/ multiples to have a balanced collection.

 

[PlastikMan]

You said you were starting with the larger ones, how did you decide what to let go next, whatever didn't get worn?
Or what you felt was overlapping in style/ multiples to have a balanced collection.

I have a small wrist so the large ones over 44 all went... I kept a PAM111 and a Fifty Fathoms which might go too (not sure yet). Next were the real formal ones i.e. the Reverso, the Portuguese, due to my recent lifestyle change, I no longer wear the pin stripe and cuffs as I am now working on a much more relaxed and casual surroundings... so those kind of pieces would seldom get any wrist time so that ruled out the leather ones..and they represented a large mix of the collection. So yes, the ones that didn’t get much wear + the ones that wouldn’t be getting much wear to sum up. Decided to pass them on to whoever would give them its proper use.

I narrowed it down to sporty stainless steel 36 to 42mm, a combination of divers and chronos with some 3 hand pieces in that kind of configuration.

If then circumstances change then I will reshuffle the collection as opposed to keep adding up more pieces... that’s is the plan

So far I am enjoying looking at a smaller watch box

 

[IronTexan]

I tend to lean on the side of minimalism, at least for watches, and ultimately would like to narrow it down to three absolute favorites and be content. It is a work in progress....

 

[PlastikMan]

I tend to lean on the side of minimalism, at least for watches, and ultimately would like to narrow it down to three absolute favorites and be content. It is a work in progress....

Since I have downsized to a collection of 10 I actually find myself wearing 5 of those most of the time so therefore I am more apt to narrow down my favourites as opposed when I had 24 watches and was just rotating them almost clinically without thinking twice what I’d be wearing for the day. I think that a watch enthusiast that can narrow down a collection of 3 pieces shows a great deal of self control

What would you collection of 3 look like?

 

[mrsullivan]

Downsizing is relative, in the end some here stick to 2 or 3 watches, some others "downsize" from 40 to 15...
The number of watches we keep often seem to rely on a 3 steps leveling process :

1- Discovering the rep world : we just don't know what to buy first. So many possibilities and brands choices lead us to the "what model do I start with?" question. Wonderful and innocent times, when we also learn the hard way how this world works : we get scammed, try the DH Gate way, get broken watches... This is when we create an account on RWI (and sister forums) and discover the community, the warm welcomes from Tucker when asking our 1rst noob questions, the wonders of the TD section and headaches of the Tech section...

2- After a few weeks, it's the "Binge drinking" watch syndrom : we start buying almost every possible model we lay our eyes on. This phase has an equally positive/negative ratio.

Positive : trying many models most of us never could have had before, upgrading our taste in watches, learning horology technical aspects...

Negative : brankruptcy, divorce, depression, downers addiction...

3- the "grown up" age : recovery from 2nd step, then maturity : choosing the right watches from the right factories, upgrading to better parts, and getting rid of the "box queens" to focus on the beloved ones.

This is when we thin the collection to what really matters. Oh of course we'll have some impulse buys from times to times, but this is when the best times come : the replicas we love, the keepers. We mod, we take care of them, we franken.

At least this is how I feel. I've been in the rep game for 1 year only, bought about 25 reps within these 12 months, but now I find myself confortable with an average of 5 to 7 watches, that I consider keeping, wearing and loving. And today the pleasure is to upgrade them : a Prof crystal there, a swiss movement here or a franken project in sight.
This is what makes the rep hobby much more exciting than gens : we make them watches what we like.

Cheers.

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[IronTexan]

Since I have downsized to a collection of 10 I actually find myself wearing 5 of those most of the time so therefore I am more apt to narrow down my favourites as opposed when I had 24 watches and was just rotating them almost clinically without thinking twice what I’d be wearing for the day. I think that a watch enthusiast that can narrow down a collection of 3 pieces shows a great deal of self control

What would you collection of 3 look like?

Admittedly I have the affliction much less than others here and at its largest my collection was only 13 pieces. For me, my perfect 3 watch collection would be a Panerai 212, Tag Heuer Autavia, and probably a Tudar Pelagos LHD

 

[mpx]

I feel the same way. When joining the "Rep-Scene" I was also overwhelmed by the choices and bought pretty much everything I ever liked. So I ended up with about 20 watches, but in the last few weeks I also decided it's time to downsize the collection again. I just don't wear most watches as they don't really match my style, even though they are pretty cool watches. After owning three PAMs I realized I'm just not a PAM-Guy for example. Now I'm downsizing to 10 watches, but I could also imagine going down to 6-8 watches in the next months, maybe even less.

I made a list now with all my watches on it, which I put next to my box, and every time I wear a watch I put an "I" next to it. . So I have some wear-statistics and can make further decisions based on that then.

 

[p0pperini]

however I am aware that a collection of 8 to 10 of my ‘precious favourites’ would give me more pleasure, or would it?

Yes it would.

Well, I'm inclined to think it depends on how rational you are...

And I'm not very rational... My watch collecting is almost entirely emotional, and largely driven by my obsessive, compulsive nature. I find it really hard to part with a lot of the watches I've collected. Some of them, even if they're not particularly good reps, fill a space in my collection that I'd be reluctant to make vacant - unless they're to be replaced by a better version of the same watch. Plus, I will happily hoard duplicates of a model I'm fond of. And this goes as much for watches that I rarely wear as the ones I wear regularly. However, I do sell watches that I decide are never going to get worn.

I'm by no means an extreme case compared to some here - there are collectors here who have drawers full of watches still in the plastics. I've bought around 140 watches in two years, and currently own about 90. I know that if circumstances changed, and I had to, then I could sell almost all of the collection, maybe all of them. But as long as it's not necessary to sell, I feel comfortable about letting the number tick up - although I'd prefer to go at a far slower rate than over the last two years, mainly by keeping the in/out ratio up.

 

[EuroTime25]

I have 36 watches, i try to wear most of them. But I think over 100 is too much. But thats just me.