So you’ve been bitten by the watch collecting bug. What now?
It’s time to start building your collection bit by bit, watch by watch. But choosing which watch to invest in next can be surprisingly tricky if you’re trying to be selective about what goes in to—and what stays out of—your watch collection.
Here are ways to structure and focus your watch collection so each model you pick and choose enhances the financial and intrinsic value of your overall collection.
Image courtesy of GQ
1. Zero in on a specific watch brand.
An easy way to reign in your collection is to center it around your favorite watch brand. This allows you to really deep-dive into that brand’s history and the evolution of their signature models. Within this category of collectors, there is a niche group who favor exclusively the Patek Philippe Nautilus, drawn to its unique and groundbreaking design.
2. Pick a specific type of watch.
Another collection theme is to focus on a particular type of watches like diving or pilot watches. With this approach, your collection will include an interesting mix of brands and chronicle the diverse brands’ approaches, iterations and developments of the same fundamental watch complications. For instance, if you elect to snap up only diving watches, your collection may include an Omega Seamaster, a Rolex Submariner and Sea Dweller.
Image courtesy of Omega
3. Find the style that suits you.
To narrow the range of potential watches, some collectors will edit out watches based upon a preferred case size or material. Once you identify your preferred case size (say 41mm), that can act as a filter and pull larger or smaller watches out of the running. Alternatively, other collectors will only consider watches with a metal bracelet and turn a blind eye to one with a leather strap, or always choose a stainless steel watch over a yellow gold one.
4. Invest in vintage watches only.
If the tradition of watch making and the long history of the art has really piqued your interest, a vintage watch collection may be an appropriate route. Vintage watch collectors appreciate the story behind each of the watches and revel in the hunt for rare and hard-to-find models. Check out our post here for more tips on how to build a vintage watch collection.
While this insight appeals more to collectors who have already invested in a watch or two, if you’re still shopping for your collection’s inaugural timepiece, read our post “5 Watches Every Beginning Collector Must Own” here.