What makes a great collection?

[the black duck 87]

I'd like to get some opinions on what you guys think makes a great collection. Should it be high end pieces only, can it have moderates or even some much cheaper watches.

I have a collection that I'm proud of and it's still growing. It contains pieces that don't retail over $1k and I've seen some collections that don't have a single piece under $1k.
My personal taste is to agree with statements made by 2 other members.

"Buy what you like but like what you buy", -[kevinc1001]

"Better something cheaper and Authentic......"-[Alvin]

I say collect the pieces that you feel good..not what makes other people feel good.

Let's hear what you guys think.

[kevinc1001]

Well to me what makes a great collection is buying what you like and can afford, The first thing I do when entering any jewelery store is I simply say I'm just looking, I say that so I don't waste the sales persons time, I find it to be more easier on the both of us. I will how ever ask to see a certain piece that has cought my eye if I'm really willing to buy it. Other then that I just browse and mind my own business.:D

[stales]

There are plenty of collectors out there, collecting plenty of things. And almost every collection contains one or more "pearls". It's very rare to find an entire collection of pearls.

stales

[Watch Me]

The amount of enjoyment it brings the owner.

[drster]

make a great collection. I think all my watches are great or I wouldn't have them.

[alvin]

That which fulfills your heart...of course,it has to be genuine.

[alvin]

"Better something cheaper and Authentic......"-[Alvin]


Let's hear what you guys think.

Let this signature of mine guide you on your horology culture and shopping

[ulackfocus]

My personal taste is to agree with statements made by 2 other members.

"Buy what you like but like what you buy", -[kevinc1001]

"Better something cheaper and Authentic......"-[Alvin]

Both those statments make great advice. Alvin's signature comes from hard-earned experience which makes it even more relevant.

For my view, just look at my avatar message. I think it's best to own a few vintage pieces from each brand as they interest you to see if they live up to the pictures and history. Luckily with the mid- to high-end vintage brands you don't lose much flipping them (and on a rare occasion you make a few bucks). The way I collect now, I research before I dive in. That seriously minimizes my chance of getting burnt.

It's very rare to find an entire collection of pearls.

The problem is yesterday's "pearl" turns into today's "pebble" when it has fallen out of favor with the flipaholic. I've sold a few Bulovas recently but still have a box of them I rarely wear. In this economy it's not even worth putting them on eBay though. I still like them but I'm not as enamored by them like I was a few years ago.


To me, a great collection has some variety to it but also some focus. I'm happy with the 60's dress watches I've acquired but want one more Longines, one more Omega, and then a couple Rolexes to finish off the brands from that era I'm interested in. I just started checking out chronographs from the 70's and I'd like to add a Seiko and/or Citizen plus maybe a Speedy to the Breitling and Heuer I recently picked up.

[the black duck 87]

Here is my growing collection

From Back to front left to right they are:
Disney Time Works Micky 3 band/bezel combo
Next row:
Invicta 4602 Offshore Russian Diver - Invicta 5275 Gents Chrono - SeikoSND075 - Benrus Diamond Quartz
Next row:
Casio G-Shock(beat to hades) - SeikoSPC007 - Nautica Diver - Armitron Instalite(my current beater 13 years now) -
Next row:
Ingersol Donald Duck - Lathin Mechanical - Timex Electric - Caravelle automatic diver (needs work, Badly) - and last but not least my very first Big boy watch- A SEARS swiss mechanical. (still works and gets worn to work.

[eaea]

Simply for me...

What you like, what you can afford, and what are you going to wear...

No matter the cost or the brand... I have watches from $50 to $3500, and I'm happy with all of them :)