The Breitling Watch Source Forums

OK, so I have gathered a modest collection of nice watches and have recently been thinking of doing the unspeakable... selling them off and settling on 2-3 watches. One for everyday wearing (might get banged around and into the pool/river/ocean) and one for a more dressy occasions.

I love my watches but frankly the winder gets to enjoy them more than I do. My "watch fund" income has withered up for now and I dont see myself being able to buy any more watches for a while (even if I wanted to).

Problem is 1) the market stinks for pre-owned right now and 2) settling on a few (2-3) watches and calling it good might be painful

I dont need the money from the sale of the watches so Im in no hurry if I do sell them.

I have been kinda turned away from the shiney models as of late. The Evo has been on a black Croco for months and gets worn a lot more often and the World gets worn even less.

Upon concidering what to settle on I am concidering the following:

EVERYDAY:

1) New brushed Blackbird on bracelet and original Ocean Racer
2) Rolex GMT IIc

I need rugged, dependable and waterproof.

DRESSY or out on the town:

1) 2 tone Navitimer
2) Zenith Chronomaster Open XXT date
3) Panerai 233 or such
4) Motors T bronze

Something that looks good in slacks and jeans.


I dont know. Seems like a waste since I dont have a desk job where I can wear my watches everyday (without worry of damage) and instead just wear the good ole Steelfish everyday. I love my Steelfish, but it would probally have to go as well if I was to consolidate to 2-3 watches.

Isnt it terrible to have this problem?

Maybe I'll just keep what I have and get the other ones as well... It would mean waiting on some more $$$ to come around, cause I wont "charge" a watch just to satisfy my whims. But how would that fix the "problem"

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

I can't sell watches unless I specifically buy them to sell - I become too attached. To me a mechanical watch will last for hundreds of years so if one isn't in my rotation for a few months (or longer) it doesn't matter.

One day I'll look at it, strap it on my wrist and fall in love all over again while remembering the circumstances under which I acquired it.

I'm fortunate to be able to do that, but I would sy - don't sell them just because they aren't getting wear today - what are you going to want to wear on January 28th 2017 (or whatever date that far in the future)?

B,
First if all your not alone in your thoughts of purging and starting over with a limited collection. Been there myself and somewhat a recent thought...
One thing to think about is, you said you don't "need" the money, which makes me think you should keep your collection if you are happy with them.
I thought about doing the same thing recently, thinking " do I REALLY NEED" a bunch of watches?...I think I was feeling guilty for the amount if money spent on them when added up, not wearing some of them that often, and comments from coworkers and patients on all my "fancy expensive" watches...
But like you, I don't "need" to sell them off for money and like Roff said, I too fall in love with them all over again...
Now I'm not in the position to own a large collection, and I do occasionally move a watch along in order to validate a new purchase.
Not sure what kind of work you do, but even though I work with various chemicals, plaster, fiberglass, and I risk possible damage to some of my watches, I still wear them to work ...I just take care with them and do take my watch on and off many times during the day....but at least I get to wear them all.
My two pennies!

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Cheers,
Christopher

Currently...
Blackbird, Black Hercules, PAM 000
Down to a humble three...

I can certainly relate to what your thoughts are at the moment! Within the past year, I have purchased a new Steelfish, an AS Blacksteel, an 09 Seawolf, and I have sold or traded all of them. The Steelfish and Blacksteel were sold and ended up funding my Omega Aqua Terra 8500 41.5mm. After the AT, I ended up purchasing a 36mm Railmaster. Then I came upon a 2007 Omega Seamaster 36mm at my AD, and they took my Seawolf as even trade for that. I'm loving it!
The one I do regret getting rid of was my 1997 SuperOcean, which was my only watch for 10 years. I had it refurbished, and it looked like new. I traded it at my AD to get a good discount on the AS Blacksteel. Now the Blacksteel is gone too.
All I can say is, each and every one of the purchases and trades that I made has been sheer fun and excitement! I am down to 3 watches now, and my favourite seems to be the small Seamaster Pro 36mm. I am serious now about getting a new LE Omega next year, too.
If you can part with some, or all, of the watches you have now, and want to get a new "set", I would say go for it if it gives you pleasure. There has not been a single bit of buying, selling and trading that has not been fun.
If you feel like doing it, Go For It!
Cheers,
Carl

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'63 Omega Seamaster, 2014 Omega Speedmaster MarkII

"Those who possess a sense of entitlement are seldom satisfied"

im with roff on this, although i have no where near the number of some of the larger collections on here, i only buy to keep and wear if i really love it hence ive not parted with any of mine.

i have also had thought about expanding my brand collection, i really like the pam 233 and 270, love a couple of the IWC models and have a soft spot for the Zenith roff just acquired as well as a few more breitlings and so on!!

so my view is simple ill just keep buying stuff!!

I think you know where I stand on this issue. If I don't wear a watch for a few weeks or a month... off it goes. So far I've never regretted selling a watch. Yes I miss them once in a while, but almost every time I miss a watch and buy it back, I sell it again (as evidenced by the Evo on the sales corner). So now i trust my gut and as soon as the urge to sell a watch arises, I abide and let it go. For me, this is part of the fun.

I have focussed more on signature pieces now, watches that represent some achievement, whether it is historical, technological, depth, whatever. I feel very satisfied with a handful of watches that get me really excited, than a dozen that don't get worn.

As you can see this topic inspires different opinions from everyone, so it just comes down to what you like and what drives your passion for watches.

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Mark, I definitely see your view and honestly while seeing you liquidating so many watches on here I got the idea to "change it up". I think the fact that my day job doesnt "allow" me to wear my nicer watches (for fear of screwing them up) was my initial problem. Roff talked some sense into me (at least for now) but part of me sees some pricier watches (ie Zenith, Panerai, Rolex) and think that maybe selling a few of my Breitlings for 1 nicer watch might be one way to get one of those other brands. I dunno. I really enjoy my watches but the new has kinda wore off the ones I have and I am dieing to get a new watch, but the watch fund has dried up for now and I am not looking to buy another (unless a rock star deal comes around) I wont be adding to the collection.

Except for the possible LE that Altair is working on.... of course. Although I am a little disappointed at the fact that the Chrono won out.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

I've bought and also sold a heck of a lot of watches over the years (no where near as many as Mark, but still a few!), but all in the name of one day having what I consider to be the perfect collection (for me)! I know the pieces I would like to purchase to get that, but that's not to say that buying, owning and then selling isn't fun and all part of the hobby/interest itself. I rarely regret buying any that I buy (even the ones I haven't kept for long), and I also rarely regret selling any that I sell. It's just part and parcel of it for me.

So Bronco, if you fall into the same camp as me then I for one don't think there's a problem with shaking up the collection once in a while..... BUT just make sure you won't miss any that you sell!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Hi, I think it would be wrong to sell the watches. I have never sold any of my watches and i feel so good about it.
I have a separate section for watches in my wardrobe and i love to show off too.. Sometimes. I feel connected with the watches now and would never sell even a single one.

Danny Archer