Some people love just one watch. It may have been left to them by a favourite relative or been bought or given to mark an important occasion or achievement.
Some people do not care about watches at all. And some people are besotted by them. They see their love grow over the years as it turns into a happy addiction.
There is a saying among members of the cycling community that the ideal number of bicycles to own is N+1, where N is the number currently owned by the cyclist in question. We have yet to find a formula more suited to watch aficionados – there is always room and justification for one more. In fact, it works better for us. There’s no need to buy a big shed to house a watch collection.
So what kind of watch collector are you? Some people are in the enviable position of not having to think about cost. They can buy on a whim.
For others, the process of choosing, sourcing and finding the best value version of the watch they have set their hearts on is almost as pleasurable as the wearing of it.
What ever type of collector you are, there are five basic types of watch that should form the basis of every watch portfolio.
The Every Day Watch – this will probably be a sporty type that can be worn for most occasions. A Rolex Submariner, an Omega Speedmaster or a Patek Philippe Nautilus would fit the bill perfectly.
The Dress Watch – a Patek Philippe Calatrava or a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Ultra Thin would work perfectly in this category. The idea is minimal elegance. Some dress watches even eschew the presence of a second hand.
The Travel Watch – this needs to be rugged yet smart and it must allow you to keep your eye on at least two time zones. A Rolex GMT or on Oris Big Crown Pilot GMT are both apt. Most watches aimed at pilots would work in this section.
The Cherished Vintage Watch – this is where you can let your heart rule your head and go for something with real meaning for you. You may have been lucky enough to inherit one. If not the act of finding one from the year of your birth can be both interesting and rewarding. Old Rolexes and Pateks are the best for holding their value but Zeniths and Omegas can provide excellent value for money.
The Watch You Wouldn’t Mind Smashing – just because you are behaving recklessly, it doesn’t mean your wrist should be neglected. There are some great automatic or manual watches priced in the low hundreds of pounds or even less. Consider a Seiko 5 for the automatic option or a Timex for classic, cheap design. Wearing these watches every now and then will also help you appreciate your more expensive watches when you strap them back on.
Happy hunting.