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Should I consolidate my watch collection?

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Jezec

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hey there,

Just a watch newb here (more of a shoe junkie - Aldens, Edward Greens etc...), and possibly looking to consolidate into a single watch with a higher price point.
I have a pretty humble collection of watches:

41mm HydraConquest Automatic
40mm Rodina Automatic
42mm Tissot Chronograph Quartz

I think the market value for the three watches are $700, $50 and $100, respectively.

Assuming I can inject another $1000, I can probably play in the sub $2000 range for a used watch. I'm not sure which brands I can target other than perhaps Nomos. I'm looking for ideas, but the goal would be for a versatile, everyday watch.

Any consideration would be appreciated.
 
#2 ·
Do you have any thoughts on what that single watch style would be? I like divers but some people dress too nicely to wear them to work. Conversely we would hate to guide you to a dress watch if you dig ditches for a living :p .

Even if you don't tell us what style you need this thread won't go past post 5 before someone suggests Seiko :roll: .
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Pallet Spoon said:
Do you have any thoughts on what that single watch style would be? I like divers but some people dress too nicely to wear them to work. Conversely we would hate to guide you to a dress watch if you dig ditches for a living :p .

Even if you don't tell us what style you need this thread won't go past post 5 before someone suggests Seiko :roll: .
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I'm pretty indifferent as to the style as long as the watch is considered "versatile" in that I use it in a casual office and going out with friend - so something like a chronograph is pretty versatile.

The brands I'm considering in the used market, but not sure if the budget of ~$2,000 allows for are Omega, Nomos, Tag, IWC.
 
#5 ·
You are a strange man. I have only two pairs of shoes - a Skechers running shoe for everything in general, and a pair of chukka boots to dress up. I fail to see why you would have so many shoes and just one watch.

P.S. I suggest a Tudor Black Bay, any Sinn, or an Omega Seamaster.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
blowfish89 said:
You are a strange man. I have only two pairs of shoes - a Skechers running shoe for everything in general, and a pair of chukka boots to dress up. I fail to see why you would have so many shoes and just one watch.

P.S. I suggest a Tudor Black Bay, any Sinn, or an Omega Seamaster.
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Thanks for your input.

I never stated how many pairs of shoes I have but yes, it would be more than the average person here on this forum, but then again, the average watch enthusiast here would have many more watches than me.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.
 
#7 ·
Jezec said:
Thanks for your input.

I never stated how many pairs of shoes I have but yes, it would be more than the average person here on this forum, but then again, the average watch enthusiast here would have many more watches than me.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.
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I'm just pulling your leg. In reality I have five shoes ;-)
 
#8 · (Edited)
Check out Oris - the Divers Sixty-Five, Artix and Artix GT are all great looking watches at way under $2k. If you like any of them let us know and we can tell you where to buy for best price.

The Tudor Black Bay that Blowfish89 suggested is also a great choice. You should be able to pick up a used one in great condition for $2k.

You can also find Sinn and Damasko for under $2k - some models new (from Watchbuys for Sinn) or used on the sales forum here.

Nomos and Stowa also have gorgeous watches. You'd have to get a deal on Nomos from the sales forum, while Stowa can be bought new direct from their website.

For these last 4 brands check them out online to see which models might strike you, and then hunt for deals on used if you go that route.

Good luck with your choice, and so let us know what you pick.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#9 ·
Definitely agree that you need to find something you love, especially for that kind of money. I consider $2K the top end of affordable in that if I made an effort to save for a couple years, maybe sooner, I could scrape that up.

For me, I'm still in the accumulation stage and don't know that I'd ever drop below 10-12 watches. But it's fun to think about.

With ~$2,000 I'd definitely check out used Rolex, I've never been particularly interested in them because of cost. Might be something interesting to be found at a good value. Then I'd look at Tudor. These two first for me because I know little about them and believe with some shrewd shopping an appreciating asset might be found that you really enjoy!

After that, What retails in the $3,000 - $5,000 range that may have depreciated on the secondary market?

Do you want to wear this watch for 5 years, 10 years, 20 or more? Consider cost of ownership into the equation, will you want to swap out rather than pay servicing in 7-10 years?

Omega
Oris
Seiko/Grand Seiko
Frederique Constant
GO
Nomos & Stowa

Try on as many of them as you can. IRL can make or break a watch for me very quickly.

Then I'd cross shop at $1,000. Pit the $2K watch against the $1K watch and buy the one that wins.
 
#10 · (Edited)
NO,do NOT consolidate.Consolidation ONLY works after you have had enough on wrist experience to REALLY know your taste in watches.Another point is that you,like me,might be disappointed at the LACK of difference notable in so called upscale watches.Unless you spend all your time looking at your watches through a jewelers loop you are likely to NEVER see the so called value of your $2000.00+ watch!
Keep what you have(as long as they are being worn)& spend that $1000.00 on 1-2 or 3 more watches.After a few months(it may not take that long)filter out the unworn & fill the slots left over.Continue process & you will end up consolidated without even trying...
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Wow.

A lot of helpful information!

It was great that you guys can steer me in the right direction. I'm going to target watches in the secondary market because I can get more value for the dollar. Once I do some research on the aforementioned brands/models, I will definitely post some updates here to push along the acquisition process. The only brand that I'm not considering is Rolex, because it's probably not possible to obtain one in decent condition. I probably need to target MSRP watches > $5,000 to find something decent for $2,000 in the secondary market.


You enablers! Thanks!
 
#12 ·
It really is up to what you want. Would you enjoy a single, more expensive watch than the ones you have? If so, go for it.
 
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#14 ·
With your current collection I personally wouldn't consolidate, but seeing as the three watches you have are quite different in style I would maybe take a bit of that $1000 (just a bit) and buy some affordable second hand watches in styles you like and see if you gravitate towards one style.
 
#15 ·
Hi Jezec,
As I didn't see it in your original post, I'll ask here: what are you looking to get out of this one, more expensive watch exactly? You've rather hinted that you're not really a watch person, so knowing what you want to see in your watch may help us make some additional suggestions. I do think the Tudor line is a great place to look for something new or at least gently used for only a year or two in the almost $2k range. Since you're indifferent to the style at this point, I'm not sure I could really suggest spending that much on a watch unless you just hate the three you have and, even then; I might suggest selling them all and buying one $50 watch and then happily continue along with your life. I see you registered with WUS July 2014, but if you aren’t more than casually interested in watches by now, you should run while you can. I fully agree with E8ArmyDiver, but I’ll take it two steps further and say if you don’t have a clear thought in mind about what you want, you shouldn’t spend your hard earned money yet. Enjoy the search if you choose to do so, but it seems you could just as easily decide that you’re not going to wear a watch at all (and you’d never even look back and wonder.) Good luck with whatever you decide.

Regards,

Jeff
 
#16 · (Edited)
I'd keep the Hydro. That watch is an amazing, versatile piece. Unless you are going way up market, I don't think you'll find something that is so much better that it makes the extra cash worth spending. That is, unless you are buying an Omega SMP. Every few months I think about selling my HydroConquest, but then I sit there and stare at it, then wear it for a bit, then decide I need to keep it. If you only sold the other 2 watches and added in the extra cash, you could still find a great piece such as a Sinn or Damasko or maybe even a Breitling, if that is your style.


Sent from my SM-G850W using Tapatalk
 
#17 ·
As others have rightly said, some people need time to understand exactly what they look for in a watch and therefore should spend the first few years buying lots of watches and selling those that they don't end up liking. If you're careful with it the process won't end up costing you much either.

Ideally though, you would know straightaway what you like. I certainly know plenty of people who bought one watch and wore that for decades, and in theory there is no reason why you can't get it right first time either.

My advice would be to patiently read all about watches. Read the forums, read the online articles, watch youtube…take your time, as the process of learning and coming to understand the watch you want is in many ways the best part!

You'll find that incredibly quickly as you read in to the topics and your knowledge grows, your tastes change and evolve. That way you can 'stand on the shoulders of giants', skip through years of otherwise hard-earned learning and go straight to whatever is best for you.

Personally, I would go for vintage; something from the '60s or '70s. The mechanical watch is a long-outdated and obsolete piece of technology. Why wear something modern when it is more frail and less accurate, just because it is trying to replicate the days of old? You might as well buy a watch that when it was made did actually represent the best technology of its day. With time I have found that (for me at least) the real enjoyment of a mechanical watch lies with the honesty, age and provenance.

I then have some cheap modern watches from which I enjoy the benefits of technology (ie quartz!) - total accuracy, solar technology, lack of servicing, 'beater' resistance etc.

And admittedly I have one modern mechanical watch - Omega Seamaster Pro - but I wouldn't if I could only have one watch for 2k.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
GiantTortoise said:
Five shoes? At least with six you'd have three pairs. ;)
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stewham said:
With your current collection I personally wouldn't consolidate, but seeing as the three watches you have are quite different in style I would maybe take a bit of that $1000 (just a bit) and buy some affordable second hand watches in styles you like and see if you gravitate towards one style.
Click to expand...
Really appreciate the response and different take on this. Even the humor, haha.
 
#19 ·
For me, it really depends on whether there is something you crave.
In the ebd, for $2,000 you may very well be looking at ETA movements anyway, so unless there is a piece you've really been desiring, then selling off for the sake of something new doesn't make much sense to me.

Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk
 
#20 · (Edited)
Save up until you can get $2500-$3000 and look at preowned Omega Aqua Terra. With 2k, pretty much any Ball would be in play. The Ball Marvelight and Fireman Victory are nice all around watches.

I like shoes as well, but I am a newbie. Owned a pair of black Trickers brogue boots, but flipped them because they were too narrow. Grabbed a pair of Alden shell cordovan boots which I really like. Once the RGM is fully paid off, I plan to try out a pair of shell cordovan brogue boots from Carmina... But I digress....

Good luck with your consolidation!
 
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