While an effective watch team must meet certain criteria, the ideal watch collection depends on the individual.
Here's what I mean. Take a look at my watches.
Some say that done is better than perfect. My father, who doesn't believe in choosing between these concepts (even with tight deadlines), would disagree.
However, when it comes to creating the ideal watch collection, the concept of 'done' may not apply.
Of course, some of you have a clear idea of what you want. You make a plan, execute it, and that's it. For some people, it's a journey. It involves constant upgrading, satisfying changing interests, and possibly even buying and selling.
Let me tell you what an ideal, flawless, and useful watch collection should look like - from all perspectives, including my own.
Ideal Watch Collection: From a Practical Perspective
The time-tested rule is that a collection should include dress watches, sports watches, and everyday watches. Here's a brief overview.
Dress Watches
Dress watches are simple, usually have leather straps, and are traditionally made of precious metals. However, for your ideal collection, you may choose something classically understated or not.
Many retro and retro-inspired watches feature interesting design elements. The Timex Marlin Reissue has mid-century style indexes.
And although dress watches shouldn't be overly flashy, exotic leather straps, circular bezels, and gemstones can give them the desired expressiveness. Remember, you're dressing for formal occasions. So there's no reason why dress watches can't be festive.
Sports Watches
Next, sports watches come in various shapes and sizes. As I mentioned in my guide on starting a watch collection, you can choose those that match your personality. If you love the sea, pick diving watches. If you love cars, you might like racing watches.
Moreover, you can choose both luxurious, like the Rolex Submariner, and matte and practical, like the G-Shock.
Everyday Watches
Finally, you'll need fairly neutral everyday watches. A good option is simple field watches. However, if you're a true minimalist, you shouldn't wear dress or sports watches as your everyday timepiece. In this case, your collection will consist of just two pieces.
I wear diving watches as everyday watches, even if I have to wear a full suit to the office.
I also know many people who choose minimalist dress watches. They look good in official situations, but are simple enough not to look out of place in everyday scenarios.
If the point of your collection is buying, selling, and upgrading, check out my guide on selling luxury watches. Although it's dedicated to selling luxury watches, many points apply to selling in general.
Just make sure you always have at least everyday and dress watches. Of course, everyone has their own lifestyle.
Maybe you don't often attend formal events. In this case, you might sell your only dress watch, leaving its spot vacant until you find the perfect replacement or upgrade.
And now, the most interesting part.
I believe that an ideal collection always has something meaningful and personal. Let me explain this further.
An Ideal Watch Collection is Personal
Here are two truths about wearing watches that I've repeated a thousand times and will continue to repeat.
First, most people don't need watches to tell the time. They are, for the most part, rudimentary.
Second, and this is also important, we love them for several reasons, and the most beloved is that they can symbolize something meaningful. They can tell the world who you are, or more importantly, who you want to be.
This is a more fun version of the phrase "dress for the job you want, not the job you have." Moreover, it's a way to satisfy your inner child's aspirations while looking grown-up and accomplished. That's how it is with my collection.
My Ideal Watch Collection
I've been fortunate to have my ideal collection.
It took me a long time to get there, but I've settled on a small, colorful collection that hasn't changed in over two years. I think it's because this collection gathers all the things that matter personally to me. At the same time, it reflects the version of myself that I want the world to know.
My Omega Seamasters
My everyday watch is a 36mm Omega Seamaster from the '90s. I loved them as a child because I liked the GoldenEye game for the N64.
And since I'm not a fan of dress watches, my evening watch is a women's 28mm version of the same watch. They're not only smaller than the medium-sized Seamaster, but also have a decorative clasp and indexes that shine like gemstones.
No matter how iconic these Omegas are, I've heard all the critical remarks from snobs.
The '90s bracelet. It's too obvious.
Moreover, it's quartz. Despite others seeing them as flaws, I love these watches.
I love them for the connection to my childhood. I also like that these two watches are from a relatively fashionable brand, but they themselves aren't too trendy.
I never want to appear ostentatious, especially sartorially.
My Seikos
Completing my collection are two Seikos that are collaborations with Rowing Blazers. I wear them around the house and when working from home. For me, it's threefold.
First, I love the Ivy style and a bit of neo-prep; I even have such watches on impractical multicolored NATO straps. Second, they are limited edition. And third, my collection must include mechanical watches, especially with exhibition case backs.
My Rolex Explorer II
I have a Rolex Explorer II, but they're in storage. I'm 35 years old. Maybe at 40 or 50, the Explorer II will seem less flexible to me. I like everything in my active rotation to feel grounded.
My Vintage Watches
And finally, I have two vintage models. (Yes, I know '90s Omegas are technically vintage too, but my 30-year-old self finds it hard to accept that).
One of my vintage watches is a gold Bulova. This makes it a family heirloom.
Additionally, these Bulova serve as a backup if I find myself in a strict formal situation where my 28mm Seamaster is not suitable.
The second is an old Benrus with radiation damage. I've always thought that radiation damage looks much cooler than sun damage (aka tropical dials).
Your Ideal Watch Collection
How do you fit practical premises to your tastes? What do you think about me using 28mm sports watches as dress watches? Do you have family heirlooms?
My friend told me a funny story about one of his favorite watches. He and his father were rummaging in the attic and found an old Rolex, likely belonging to a grandparent.
He asked his father if he could keep them. The father agreed to give him the watch on the condition that he wouldn't tell his many siblings.
Now he has a family heirloom, a Rolex he uses, and a symbol of his relationship with his father.
Moreover, I know people who, despite being millionaires many times over, still keep their old, beloved Casios in their collections. My best friend, a gentleman with old money who also made his independent fortune in banking, literally hangs his Casio A158W alongside his Pateks and Rolexes.
They're great watches. I think they look like a modified GameBoy.
There are many ways to make your watch collection personal. And it doesn't have to be obvious. Or maybe it should be. Maybe all your watches are your favorite color.
Perhaps you wear your most expensive watch on Mondays to add a bit of fun to the start of the week. Be mundane. Or don't.
Ideal Minimalist Collection: A Collection of One Watch
It's entirely possible to have only one watch. And it can be the perfect watch for you.
If you want a grail-level watch, many Swiss makers have something like a basic model. For instance, the Oyster Perpetual by Rolex is a no-frills model that might be the archetype on which all Rolex watches are built.
Remove the Submariner's bezel, bubbly indexes, and Mercedes hands, and you get something more or less akin to the Oyster Perpetual. And it's simple enough to wear as both a dress and everyday watch.
The same can be done with the Datejust. Or the Patek Philippe Calatrava.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, Scandinavian models are a good choice. They often have a clean, classic design and can look either casual or dressy if you change the strap.
The Seiko Presage line is a good place to find affordable mechanical watches, both neutral and elegant. The SRPB77 model is a dress watch with rich character. And, of course, it can be worn anywhere.
Victorinox, in turn, produces military-grade watches that I've always called "elegant beaters."
If you're confident that you can wear your watch anywhere, then you have the perfect watch collection.
What the Ideal Watch Collection Is and Isn't
The ideal watch set is a practical collection of items that can be worn both casually and formally. Most importantly, they should somehow embody you.
This could be simply your love for certain styles. Family heirlooms and jewels are also a great way to infuse your collection with meaning.
You shouldn't create a collection that feels like a burden to you.
I know a guy who, after years of saving and waiting, finally acquired his grail - a Patek. The problem? He was too scared to wear them outside. In the end, he decided to sell them.
Also, don't miss bill payments to assemble your ideal collection. You want watches to represent different aspects of your essence. You don't want them to represent your falling credit score.
What does your ideal watch collection look like? And if money were no object, what would you choose? Tell us about it on our Telegram channel!