Collecting Watches: the beginning
Congratulations. Probably you’re read this article because it is time for you to move from being a luxury watch owner into becoming a watch collection. It is a journey, a progressive one. It started with one’s acquisition on timepiece that’s fashionable or recognizable (iconic). Gradually transverse to one’s being genuinely interested in the technical know-how and watch manufacturers’ craftsmanship and innovations. Given the wide ranging selection available in today’s market, collection of timepieces either have to be very theme-focus or outright generalized. The latter being: i.e. collecting 1-2 most iconic model from each of the most prominent watch brands. On the contrary, some collectors evolved to seek for very specific theme: for example: Rolex Submariners, Omega SpeedMaster MoonWatches, Audemars Piguet AP Royal Oak Offshore, etc. At the other end of the spectrum, shrewd collectors whom owned timepieces for pure value appreciation.
Collectors’ appreciation of these timepiece go well beyond the mere aesthetics. They seek to own them, because of the history and stories behind those watches.
Given the sheer variety of watches it is almost impossible to have a singular set of advice for those aspiring watch collector. From our experiences and encounters with individuals we complied a short summary that should be helpful to anyone with desire to be a watch collector.
Consideration: Buy & Wear What You Like
Whatever watches you bought, you must have like it in the first place. We learnt from our past mistake and we hope to help you will avoid it too.
We have to be truthful to ourselves: certain watches may be historically significant timepieces, if it look awkward or ugly on your wrist, just simply avoid them. It is highly likely you are not going to put them on anyway, so no point having in your collection, unless you owned a Horology Museum and want to house it there as a permanent display.
Consideration: Researching online
Beginners start by typing key words into search engines, what pops up as top search are usually those of forums, blogs, adverts and all heaps of crap websites. Remember many blogs generate new posting in order to attract readership and web-traffics, which in turn generates advertisement income. Hence the coverage is often wide-ranging. Sadly these authors are all too readily to proclaim those featured watches as exquisite and “collectable”. Nevertheless, watch blogs are good source of education for novice, because they varied the converge of watches and brands. Just take their opinions with a pinch of salt though.
Forums on the other hand, are much more complicated. Firstly, it can be a narrowly focused, which theme around a particular watch or brand. For example: G-shock or Vintage Rolex Forum. It is those active voices (from the forum participants) that make what it is. Although they are often polarized, bias and stanch supporters of a certain cause, they are able to offer in-depth perspective. Never ask what to buy in such a forum, because you will be bombarded with such a wide-ranging answer that most people ended up more confuse than ever. Just because some stranger tells you to and you bought this watch. Seem pretty irrational, isn’t it? Don’t be influenced, just research base on your own desire. Discuss objectively, to plug the gaps in your knowledge. Asking for opinions is an open invitation for Forum Trolls to pounce on you, affecting your decision making. Everyone appreciate timepieces differently. Forum is a place where the like-minded people get together, don’t let it become an avenue for social media pressures and brain-washing Trolls to kill your decision making ability. Only decide on a watch, when you truly understand its will-be significance in your collection. Do talk to dealers and have a feel of its market price, see if that fit into your budget or not.
Consideration: Wrist Watches as an Investment?
One of the most common observations we had made over the recent years: Watch owners seeking for a watch to wear and can be sold in future, for a profit. It is possible to make profit from buying and selling watches, but similar to all other investments, timing and market condition have be right. To make money from a timepiece, you’ll need to anticipate trends, market demand and availability of a particular watch model.
Some collectors amass a collection of watches with no plan to resale. There’s also collectors whom sell watches all too readily, on impulse, to fund purchases for new watch. These collectors “flip” timepieces for quick profit, typically have less enjoyment because their profit-centered decisions. They are also likely have heartache from seller remorse. More often, they ended up losing a lot of money because of impulsive decisions.
The best part: The Hunt begins
Once decision made, the next will the hunt itself. Patience is an essence. Somehow Murphy’s law seem to applies well here. When you don’t want it, it’s everywhere; when you crave for it, it’s nowhere to be found!
The most rewarding part of watch collection is actually the excitement from the hunt. Time and effort put in may not necessarily mean success. Work within a network of dealers and collectors will certainly helps. A bit of flexibility on the budget will help a little when a nice piece appears.
Interesting point to note, watch collectors (like myself) get more satisfaction and excitement from a successful hunt than the timepiece itself. For us, once secured it, the excitement diminishes somewhat. It’s just another beautiful timepiece sitting in our collection. The hunt for the watch is more appealing than the pleasure of owning the watch itself.
What next?
It is important to understand your personal psychology and emotions along your watch collection journey. Watches come and go, understand yourself will prevent you from making the wrong purchase decisions. Good deals appear and hasty decisions have to be made without careful consideration, collectors may end up with watches they don’t necessary need in there collection. Do have a periodical review of the watches in your collection from time to time. There is nothing wrong to trim the collections, be it freeing up your cash or making way for newer purchases. Don’t forget watches needs servicing too, a vast collection will means you need to have a regular serviceman that you can trust and rely on.
