The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello,
I found this interesting artice on http://www.luxurytolast.com and thought I would post here... I happen to own a Patek 5107 and love it to bits!

Watch collecting is an interesting pursuit, and can mean very different things to different people. There is no “right answers” – only what works for that individual. Some people enjoy a rotation of 3-10 watches, happily going to the safety deposit bank or the safe to pull stiff off the winder. Others keep a few timepieces on hand that they wear regularly, and leave the others- sometimes many others- wrapped up in plastic for posterity or investment purposed (I’m thinking of the Patek crowd here, particularly). Then there are the fanatics for vintage Rolex or Panerai limited editions, who enjoy the hyper-minutiae and sharing a latest rare acquisition with their equally obsessed buddies at get-togethers were festivity levels are just slightly less than that of a Roman bacchanalia.

I’m going to say it straight up-despite having had more than my share of neat watches along the way, I’m not a “watch collector”. Can’t do it, and my failure isn’t from a lack of trying. For me, the issue is this: the more I end up owning, the less enjoyment I ultimately have. In my attempt to gather a “collection” I once got up to some five or six watches-this eclectic mix included Rolex, Roger Dubis, Glashutte Original, IWC and even a Kobold dive watch. Somewhere along the line, pieces from Audemars Piguet and Chopard got subbed into the mix, while something else left. I honestly don’t recall which it was at the moment, if you can believe that.

Problem was, I felt really, really distracted and could never “bond” with any of the watches. Between trading, selling and scheming for the next hot watch, I was too busy trying to figure out how to rotate everything so I wouldn’t feel guilty for having spent the $$, but not giving each their due wrist time. The not-inconsequential servicing costs to keep this (relatively) elite and ever-shifting mechanical family properly maintained-once I started to think about it-was also something of a turn-off.

It’s as tiring as it sounds, and I took away the personal lesson I needed from it all-two or three watches is what works for my “needs”. Give me a couple of well-differentiated and less-frequently seen Rolex sports models for “gettin’ life done”, and something truly superb (A. Lange & Sohne, F.P. Journe, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, etc.) on a strap for special occasions and general appreciation of traditional watchmaking. (Ok…. An AP Royal Oak “Jumbo” or Patek Philippe Nautilus would be dandy in this role, too). Now we’re on track, and I’m as happy as a clam.

Ironically, the two watches I owned seven years ago (both sadly long traded off to pursue some new ticking trollop) fit that criteria to a tee, and would have probably suited me perfectly for the rest of my life-a 16600 Rolex Sea-Dweller and a Patek Philippe 5107R Calatrava. Talk about full circle, right?

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I need more watches....

Archie,

Good to see you back here.

It is against the rules to promote commercial sites here and your site has both sponsorship and links to eBay auctions.

Please update your signature IMMEDIATELY or all posts will be removed.

Also sent by PM to ensure that there is no confusion.

Thanks for updating your signature. Just to be clear you didn't "find" that article, the link that you posted is your own site.

Awesome. BreitlingSource's only troll is back.

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viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2335
Breitling SuperOcean (coral)
Breitling Avenger
Corum Admiral's Cup
Rolex Sub

Archie is back! Things are certainly going to get interesting!

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Breitling Colt GMT
Breitling Navitimer World
IWC Portuguese Automatic
Breitling Transocean Chronograph LE

Looking forward to a picture of a Patek sitting on a LV bag sitting in a Benz.

I went looking for the "article" but no dice...

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

Although i am a bit confused...I look forward to seeing where this goes

"Found the article"

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Certified watch nut.

I remember this guy ,and his post from way back. I seem to recall he dogged all Breitlings. This guy was entertaining!!!! Welcome back bud!!!

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One Watch At A Time.

Welcome back Archie.

Quite an interesting point of view in your article there, and it's certainly not without it's merits. I know people who have done the same kind of thing - i.e. chased ever increasing numbers of watches over the years, only to eventually cut back to what they consider to be 'necessary' pieces to own to fulfill a specific function.

Not sure why you had to say you "found it" though - it's a perfectly valid enough view for you to stand by as your own. Saying you found it (on your own site) is like saying you "found" some socks in your own sock drawer! Still, I guess it wouldn't be a 'normal' Archie post without a little controversy!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

To answer the question, like most of us, I am still in collection mode,

I need a little more time to be in the position of selling what I currently have to fund the more expensive watch purchases.


Ian

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Navitimer World, Callistino.
Omega Speedmaster Moon, Hamilton 992B, Steinhart BS LEII #2, B&R 01-92 Heritage

Good to hear from you again Archie.

For what it's worth I don't disagree at all with your assertion. Although there's nothing at all wrong with buying and selling repeatedly and continuously, I do wonder if that allows one to truly bond (to use your word) with their timepieces (and assuming that everyone actually wants to bond with their watches). Continuously upgrading could represent a status thing, an affordability thing or even a natural progression as more quality pieces can often come to light when you expose yourself more to different brands and both individual and shared experiences. It could also mean that somenone is easily bored as well

Although I'm certainly not in a position right now to ramp up and then scale back, I'm going to avoid doing that and choose pieces selectively.

Good article Archie!

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

There is no answer to this question. It is not only individual specific, but time and circumstance specific.

There is one answer if telling the time is the criteria - the answer is ZERO. Other than that, it seems a silly question.

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SHARKMAN

I was only thinking the other day what had happend to the LV wonder

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