Your experience in consolidation / restructuring of your watch collection

[roystock]

Hi all,

I am in the midst of restructuring (not sure if this is the right word) my watch collection.
I started buying watches 2 years ago and accumulated a handful thus far.
With a strong desire to buy another piece but empty bank account, selling (or restructuring) will be my only option, for this moment, that is.

At times, I feel like buying and owning a lot of watches while at other time, I feel like culling and only keeping the best (4/6/8/10 pieces).

Not sure this is a one-off cycle of buying-selling-maintaining or a recurring buy-sell-buy-sell-buy-sell, never ending journey.
Care to share your experience?
Was there a time when you suddenly realized you own too many and decided to sell most of them to stick with only a few?
What triggered it and how it ended?

[@tsw@]

I'm in a similar position. Started about 3 years back, so far have purchased quite a handful of watches and have realize that it's getting out of control. However during this process, I've learnt what I really like in terms of aesthetics, watch size and etc...
Therefore will be taking sometime to think about current collection and hopeful by year's end, will come upon a decision to cull collection down to 5 timepieces with one more big ass purchase to round it off at 6 before GST kicks in.

[s802487]

I too had that experience. Perhaps a sign of aging Roy? haha joking.

Yes very normal. Taste in watches change with age hence the mood to move things around. I personally tend to hold to 6 or less at one go.

[G.MAC]

I have undergone this experience myself. Started buying and owning watches since 2010. In the beginning, there were 30 or more low to mid range pieces with the best being Rolex. Slowly as funds start accumulating, the pieces are consolidated. 4-5 mid range pieces are swapped for one high end piece. This went on until the collection shrunk to 8 pieces. But let me tell you one thing, owning high end pieces does not really satiate your hunger. Even when i have the trinity, I constantly look around for the next piece. Its the running cost and the thought of having 'X' amount of RM in watches. It will reach a point where you will subconsciously make up your mind that you will not upgrade anymore. This was what I personally felt after i got my Nautilus. But then again, I am building up my mid range collection once again for a more balanced collection. Maybe it is just an excuse for me to consolidate to obtain the german Grail in the future. Who knows? In the meantime, do what makes you happy.

[hanz079]

I guess this is a phase every WIS goes thru.
I will be consolidating soon.
Upgrading ala bro GMAC... quality over quantity, but I guess it's just never ending...
Itch will always be there.
If there is truly an end to this, it's when a certain person does not visit MWF anymore.
And we were left wondering what happened to this person.
We won't get to hear how his journey ended too.
If he were to come here and tell us how it ended, it will just be a catalyst for him to start all over... hahaha

[Everdying]

quality over quantity is never ending.
one man's quality is another man's trash

over time, one may consolidate from a herd to a handful of quality pieces.
but eventually those quality pieces may just grow to herd like proportions again.
then the whole process starts again.
then you realise you're better off with a gshock

[D'Andy]

Yeah, I too believe that this is a cycle that each one of us WIS goes through. I started a watch blog in 2012 when I started to pick up more pieces; and a while back, I realised that I hardly wear some of these pieces (ballooned to some 30 pieces comprising mainly of mid-range pieces e.g. DJ, PO, BR01, BB, etc) and started to consolidate my collection.

With some tough discipline and constant nagging from my better half, I have managed to restructure my collection to 1-2 pieces of each 5 main genres that I have in mind e.g. Vintage, Dress, Diver, Aviation, and Sports. As new pieces appear that intrigue my interests, I would consider if it was worth flipping another piece off for the slot in the winder (constantly remind oneself to stop adding new winders) and if yes, then I would pull the trigger and start flipping off the piece that I had in mind.

So far, I have managed to stick to my guns and keep the collection in check. Instead of quantity, I now focus on pieces that really speak to me. If I got a new piece but it fails to sing to me, I'll just flip it off for the slot space rather than think of keeping it for a longer while to ensure that the depreciation was worth it. And the best thing was, I found that the controlled mix ensured that the watches did actually get wrist rotation and I derived satisfaction from wearing them 

[mh17]

quality over quantity applies to my collection but only to a certain extent. I have been rightsizing my collection, acquiring some quality pieces along the way. However those pieces were still flipped and made way to watches that gives me a different sense pride altogether =)

[swleong]

I don't have many watches in my collection, total 4 Swiss Made mechanical, 1 Swiss Made quartz, and 3 G-Shocks.

Even with that limited quantity, I still want to consolidate and restructure my collection.

Now I'm thinking of shrinking my collection to 2 mechanical watches only. 1 is Grail/Ultimate luxury sports watch, another 1 is beater sports watch.

G-Shocks can remain, and maybe buy a few more. 

[Clicko]

What a coincidence, I was just thinking about slowing down and consolidating yesterday and this topic came. My collection is growing but money is not growing as fast. I am planning to re-access my collection now. But what the heck... so many nice watches still in wishlist.

[Yoda]

I think when consolidating is a painful experience where you have to depart the lovely watch and will be getting a lower resale price.

So in the first place why need consolidating when we made the right decision in the first place.

Assuming we screw up making a wrong decision and bought one out of ad hoc urge then so be it, could not be everytime making the wrong decision.

I made some wrong decision so be it.

I have not consolidating yet, perhaps one day. Prevention is better than cure.

Its my 2 cent opinion only

 

[Timeless]

Keep 1 for weekday and 1 for weekend

[theseira]

Now I have four pieces in my collection. I feel like the max for me is probably 3-5 pieces.

Eventually I have to consolidate. it just depends on how much funds I have. I prefer owning really good pieces that are hard to source and good have value retention.

The plan to consolidate later down the road when I turn 40. so 11 years to go.

at the moment this is what I have:

1) Milgauss GV black dial
2) SS Daytona black dial
3) RG Daytona with bracelet black dial
4) PP Nautilus 5711 blue dial

Realistically this is where I want to be:

1) PP 5711 blue dial
2) PP 5970
3) SS Daytona black dial
4) PP 5131

That's pretty much it for me guys. Realistically I can't see myself owning any other pieces after this 4.

[roystock]

Now I have four pieces in my collection. I feel like the max for me is probably 3-5 pieces.

Eventually I have to consolidate. it just depends on how much funds I have. I prefer owning really good pieces that are hard to source and good have value retention.

The plan to consolidate later down the road when I turn 40. so 11 years to go.

at the moment this is what I have:

1) Milgauss GV black dial
2) SS Daytona black dial
3) RG Daytona with bracelet black dial
4) PP Nautilus 5711 blue dial

Realistically this is where I want to be:

1) PP 5711 blue dial
2) PP 5970
3) SS Daytona black dial
4) PP 5131

That's pretty much it for me guys. Realistically I can't see myself owning any other pieces after this 4.

Bro, you are half way towards your target. Congrats
 

[swleong]

Now I have four pieces in my collection. I feel like the max for me is probably 3-5 pieces.

Eventually I have to consolidate. it just depends on how much funds I have. I prefer owning really good pieces that are hard to source and good have value retention.

The plan to consolidate later down the road when I turn 40. so 11 years to go.

at the moment this is what I have:

1) Milgauss GV black dial
2) SS Daytona black dial
3) RG Daytona with bracelet black dial
4) PP Nautilus 5711 blue dial

Realistically this is where I want to be:

1) PP 5711 blue dial
2) PP 5970
3) SS Daytona black dial
4) PP 5131

That's pretty much it for me guys. Realistically I can't see myself owning any other pieces after this 4.

Young and successful collector!!   

Mind share with me how you did it? 

[hidden830726]

My collection is kinda small, but recently also started consolidation due to lack of wrist time for some of the watches.

Used to Own

3 Orient
3 Stowa
3 HMT
1 Makara

Pending:

1 Stowa
3 HMT
1 Makara

Then decided to sell my Orients, so far 2 sold and 1 Orient Mako pending for buyer.

So that my stable will become like this once all my pending watches arrived and sold:

4 Stowa
6 HMT
2 Makara

Finish consolidation.

[dennis.T]

Seriously i dont know how to consolidate or restructuring of my watch collection. i not even dare to list down my current sinful collection..

[Arcanum]

I go through the same thing .. and I realize that watches that are bought on impulse (typically more trendy designs), I tend to outgrow and not wear them anymore I've never sold a watch before though but perhaps it's about time I start getting serious about my collection too ... hmm.

[roystock]

Seriously i dont know how to consolidate or restructuring of my watch collection. i not even dare to list down my current sinful collection..

Bro, there is a sayings that if you can't remember how many watches you have, it is time to rightsize
And whichever you can't remember are good to go 

[chrisyen]

Seriously i dont know how to consolidate or restructuring of my watch collection. i not even dare to list down my current sinful collection..

Bro, there is a sayings that if you can't remember how many watches you have, it is time to rightsize
And whichever you can't remember are good to go 

serious ka?

[Godzillaz]

I definitely have more than I should but less than I want.

My collection goes by specific theme and historical significance. I'm not brand nor genre specific. A little explanation on the genre part.

"Sport, dress, casual, bracelet, strap, big size, small size or trend"

I do plan abit so that I don't end up with similar looking watch but if it's part of a theme then it's ok for me, ie www, chronometre, 1950s vintage chronograph.

If I need to consolidate then I'm afraid I need throwaway the original idea of collection and just stay with practicality.

It might look like this

- Lange Datograph
- Grand Seiko Hi Beat GMT
- Rolex Yachtmaster 40mm SS
- G-Shock Frogman Titanium

Then again this kind practicality is obviously self justifitying knowing that any watch that cost more than RM1,000 is pretty much impractical

Best
T

[1to12]

Much wisdom have been shared above. Some strike a cord with my own phase of watch collecting. My journey is relatively recent as it started just 3 yrs ago but it has been most enjoyable.

Most of the watches in my collection have sung to me before my purchase, hence are not likely to be let go. However, there were a couple which I've traded in to upgrade in my futile attempt to restrict the collection size. I've kept to mostly low- to mid-range watches that I can wear every day. 

Will continue to patiently hunt for those that I like but it might be a slow and long journey. That's fine with me as I currently have more time than money.

Have Fun Hunting Guys/Gals! 

[theseira]

Ok guys months have passed since this thread was created, how did everyone go since then? any consolidations any restructuring any additions? less is more? or more is more and more variety? what has happened since then?

[chrisyen]

Ok guys months have passed since this thread was created, how did everyone go since then? any consolidations any restructuring any additions? less is more? or more is more and more variety? what has happened since then?

bought many watches.... better than keep ringgit

[theseira]

Ok guys months have passed since this thread was created, how did everyone go since then? any consolidations any restructuring any additions? less is more? or more is more and more variety? what has happened since then?

bought many watches.... better than keep ringgit

So true! ringgit is dead!