[ocmusicjunkie]

This is a bit of a random idea with an ambitious goal, but I think it could be fun for those who chime in, and when finished, a great resource for new collectors.

So, I've been giving some thought to which brands I've see the most here on the affordable forum since the start of the year, what brands I own, and what I could let go & should look to acquire in the coming year. The goal for me has always been to own a "completed" collection. I want feedback from as many members of the Affordable Forum community as possible, ultimately to edit the list to some consensus of what a completed collection really is.

I decided to break this down into six sections with brief explanations. The first three categories cover brands that an individual may own most or all of. The last three categories cover brands that are far less likely for an individual to own large numbers of.

1: "Mandatory"- the brand is a household name, produces quality pieces, is affordable compared to most other collectors brands. Most people own one of these brands before they even start collecting.
2: "Expected"- the brand is almost a household name, produces quality pieces, is also affordable or even low-end to most collectors. So widely available that they often find themselves into a collection in its early stages.
3: "Highly important"- the brand is perhaps better known by enthusiasts, quality is above average or even exceptional, cost may range from low-end to above affordable to most collectors.
4: "Desirable"- the brand is not often seen being worn by others, is known to have exceptional quality, is above the cost-ceiling that some collectors are willing to approach, may possess a characteristic undesirable to some collectors.
5: "Optional"- the brand may be widely known, produce quality pieces, range from very low to very high in cost, but ultimately is too subjective in desirability to be a pillar for a "complete" collection.
6: "Fashion/Function"- the brand does not place primary focus on value as a timepiece; it consists of pieces acting as fashion accessories that happen to tell time, or of pieces emphasizing specific functionality, such as athletic training watches. Cost ranges from a few dollars for a gym watch to thousands for a high-end formal watch.

1. Mandatory Brands

*Casio (encompasses G-Shock)
*Citizen
*Seiko

2. Expected Brands

*Bulova
*Fossil
*Tissot
*Zodiac

3. Highly Important

*Archimede/Laco/Stowa/Steinhart (Flieger of personal choice)
*Hamilton
*Omega
*Oris
*Seagull
*Tag Heuer
*Victorinox

4. Desirable

*Bernhardt
*Boschett
*Debaufre
*Halios
*Longines
*Luminox
*Lum-Tec
*Movado
*Ocean 7
*Orsa
*Raymond Weil
*Sinn

5. Optional

*Alpha
*ESQ
*Invicta
*Orient
*Parnis
*Pulsar
*Skagen
*Stuhrling
*Vostok
*Wenger

6. Fashion/Function

*Kenneth Cole
*Swatch
*Timex

 

[pantagruel]

Good start! How about Stuhrling in the optional category? Also, what about Seagull in the Highly Important category?

 

[whatmeworry]

This is an interesting idea but TBH I disagree with your initial hypothesis. I don't think there are any brands that are essential to a collection. Just my 2 penneth.

 

[whatmeworry]

Having said that I think Timex and HMT should be in there somewhere. And maybe a "cheap ebay mushroom brand" category.

 

[ocmusicjunkie]

This is an interesting idea but TBH I disagree with your initial hypothesis. I don't think there are any brands that are essential to a collection. Just my 2 penneth.

I actually do agree with what I think you're saying. A collection should be comprised of what is most enjoyed by the person expending his time & money. There are lots of people who probably own every G-shock anyone could imagine, no other watches, and are totally thrilled and content. What I'm trying to do isn't to suggest at all that anyone needs to conform to any standards. Rather, I'm trying to perhaps create a jumping-off point for people with no experience, doubling as a rubric for someone like myself to use to measure progress.

It's a bit of an eccentric idea, I admit.... but it's raining out and I haven't got many other things to accomplish today. :-d

 

[whatmeworry]

I actually do agree with what I think you're saying. A collection should be comprised of what is most enjoyed by the person expending his time & money. There are lots of people who probably own every G-shock anyone could imagine, no other watches, and are totally thrilled and content. What I'm trying to do isn't to suggest at all that anyone needs to conform to any standards. Rather, I'm trying to perhaps create a jumping-off point for people with no experience, doubling as a rubric for someone like myself to use to measure progress.

It's a bit of an eccentric idea, I admit.... but it's raining out and I haven't got many other things to accomplish today. :-d

Ah ok, I understand a bit better what you're looking to do now. Good luck!

 

[om-4]

Interesting list. I would switch the more fashion oriented brands for a boutique brand.
Other than that it's well rounded.

 

[ocmusicjunkie]

Updated and formatted a bit more clearly per suggestions. Still trying to work the kinks out- at this point, primarily if I need to tweak the qualifications for a given category at all. I think boutique brands could be grouped into #5 for the most part, or #4 if it's higher-end. I agree boutique brands do comprise an important part of what is out there, but I'd rather they fit into a descriptive category than a simple list of their different names.

BTW, I have to admit I don't know anything about HMT. :-d

 

[ocmusicjunkie]

Ah ok, I understand a bit better what you're looking to do now. Good luck!

Thanks! This could be fun or a crash-and-burn thread. Either way, entertaining!

 

[Fullers1845]

I think the categories suffer by being a bit too nuanced. For example, you cold combine #2 and #3 and simplify things somewhat.

Having said that, I would move Timex to #1, Victorinox to #2, and Alpha to #5. Under #4 I would add: Debaufre, Bernhardt, Boschett, Halios, and Orsa.

Just my $0.02

 

[thekody]

I think the categories suffer by being a bit too nuanced. For example, you cold combine #2 and #3 and simplify things somewhat.

Having said that, I would move Timex to #1, Victorinox to #2, and Alpha to #5. Under #4 I would add: Debaufre, Bernhardt, Boschett, Halios, and Orsa.

Just my $0.02

Took the words right out of my mouth. There needs to be a space or place for some of the more common Boutique brands that we all know/love/desire.

 

[jlow28]

I would also add Deep Blue to the list. This is the affordables section and DB does have some low end watches and mid level watches for a good price. I like this idea as a starting point for anyone wanting to build a collection. It does help to get someone started in the right direction without reading all the reviews and doing endless searches. But then again....this is how you learn and part of the fun. That said this thread will help some become familar with brands over time. Before joining WUS I never thought I would own or ever heard of Balihai, Orsa, Vostok, Bernhardt, Orient, etc...

 

[Boxer]

Seiko, Hamilton, Victorinox, and Omega would make a solid collection.

 

[Turnaround]

Casio G-Shock, Seiko, Longines, Omega, Rolex

That would cover it for me.

 

[cottontop]

Wow! Your list is very similar to my collection now.
cottontop

 

[Turnaround]

Wow! Your list is very similar to my collection now.
cottontop

I'm guessing your talking to me...

Yeah, yeah, I'm half way there (missing the beginning and end of the list). Though I have an ultimate Longines.

 

[kidblue]

Try some of the micro-brands - Bernhardt, Benarus, Ocean 7, MK II.

 

[zippofan]

A very interesting idea Jon, though one person's Mandatory may be another's Important and so on. I know we have members who don't care for Seiko's 7sxx movements or Citizen's Miyota 82xx based watches and so on.

As long as there are no arguments as to what belongs where I think this could be a very interesting thread. Just please all, if you disagree with a placement no attacks on the member who requested it be placed there. OK?

I'll suggest Zodiac in the Expected category, as Fossil is now their parent company.
Cheers,
Griff

 

[3vil]

Why is invicta expected?

 

[tj.ca]

Just a few comments

1. Mandatory Brands

*Casio (encompasses G-Shock)
*Citizen
*Seiko
*Swatch I think this is more of a curiosity than manditory

2. Expected Brands

Dont particularly agree with this category as a whole.... nothing is really expected, and to get into Orient, you have to be watch educated, because not too many places carry them, so they wouldnt be anywhere near as prevalent as Fossil, Invicta, Citizen, or Bulova, or quartz Seiko's which you can find at any mall...
*Fossil
*Invicta
*Orient
*Tissot

3. Highly Important

*Alpha Dissagree, low budget import microbrand, neat stuff at a great price, but not important
*Hamilton Agree, great heritage, good pieces at good prices
*Omega Great history, very nice watches
*Oris Nice watches, but more of an "up and comer" than a highly important brand IMO
*Seagull Nice chinese watches, but wouldnt consider a collection lacking without one
*Tag Heuer As much as I dont like them, they are literally advertised everywhere, so you may as well get one
*Victorinox Good intro to swiss watches, very budget friendly for the quality you get
*Vostok If I had to make a russian watch a necessity, would probably be a Poljot

4. Desirable

*Archimede/Laco/Stowa/Steinhart (Flieger of personal choice) I would say if niche russian and chinese watches can be dubbed highly important (which I dont agree with), then surely german made fliegers, with all their history should qualify as highly important.
*ESQ Its a fashion watch, I own one, wouldnt say its desireable, but it is well advertised
*Longines Although I prefer most Oris models, I think Longines is probably more important
*Luminox
*Lum-Tec
*Movado
*Raymond Weil
*Sinn

5. Optional

*Bulova Easily as prevalent as Fossil, Tissot, and Seiko, more so than Orient, should be more expected
*Parnis
*Pulsar
*Skagen
*Stuhrling
*Wenger

6. Fashion/Function

*Timex
*Kenneth Cole