Starting a watch collection is an exciting journey. However, with the amount of timepieces available, there may be confusion on where to begin. Fear not, as we have created this guide which gives you an introduction to watch collecting. Starting a collection is not about gathering numerous timepieces, rather it is about selecting ones that are relevant to your personal style and interests. It is imperative to follow this, as it provides the foundations for a successful collection. If you are considering starting a watch collection, keep reading to discover our top tips that are bound to lead you to the correct purchases first time round.
An Introduction to Watch Collecting: Our Top Tips
1. Define your style
Before diving into the world of watches, it is important to define your style. Do you want a contemporary watch? Or one with a more robust appearance? Take a moment to figure out what interests you and then find that in the form of a watch. Understanding your preferences will not only help guide your choices but also make your collection more cohesive.
2. Set a budget
Although watch collecting can be as affordable or expensive as you like, it is important to set a realistic budget. Thankfully, today’s market offers watches in every price range. You’re going to spend plenty of time collecting timepieces so no matter what your initial budget is, stick to it. Over the years, you can increase the budget, but for a beginner it is best to set a reasonable one.
3. Learn the basics of different watch movements
While a watch collection on its own is impressive, it’s crucial for a collector to understand the movements that power the watches. Typically, watches come with either a quartz, automatic, or manual movement, but there can also be more. Quartz watches are powered by a battery, automatic watches are self-winding, and manual watches require regular winding. Knowing these differences is essential as they will help you make decisions based on your preferences. After all, what’s the point in starting a collection full of movements that don’t suit your needs.
4. Start with versatile pieces
One of the best tips for someone who wants an introduction to watch collecting it to start with versatile pieces. Due to the nature of the designs, these watches can be worn on many occasions. A classic dress watch or practical sports watch are fantastic starting pieces. As well as complementing a variety of styles, they can serve as the foundations of your ever-growing watch collection.
5. Then expand to statement pieces
Once confident with your initial choices, you can start to think about expanding to pieces that have more of a unique style. Whether these are limited edition watches or those with more vibrant designs, ultimately they increase the value of your collection. As well as this, they are great conversation starters and set your collection aside from others.
6. Connect with the watch community
Attending events or joining groups on social media are both great ways to connect with the watch community. Make your presence known and showcase your collection to those who share your interests. Who knows, you may even find some inspiration from those collections seen at events or watch meetups.
7. Embrace your journey and have fun
Once you have the basics of your collection, embrace your journey and have fun. Keep hunting for new timepieces and go through all the options available. Watch collecting is supposed to be enjoyable and it is a fantastic way to showcase your appreciation for the art of timekeeping.
An Introduction to Watch Collecting: Our Recommendations
For Men: Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (40mm) Automatic Green / Silver T1374071109100
Inspired by retro models from the 1970s, this Tissot PRX exhibits a dark green honeycomb dial and silver-tone baton indices and hands coated with Super-LumiNova. Alongside this, there is a date aperture at 3 o’clock and the watch has a water resistance of up to 100 metres (10 bar). A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating protects the dial; it offers great levels of durability. Thanks to the Nivachron balance spring, the self-winding Powermatic 80 movement delivers reliability and precision. An exhibition case back exposes the inner workings of the watch and allows the wearer to enjoy the mechanics of their timepiece. Completing the design is a stainless steel bracelet. It provides a trendy yet classy look, perfect for everyday wear
Although influenced by the past, the PRX watches still manage to break through and offer something unique. With a honeycomb dial and fantastic Powermatic 80 movement, this Tissot is a great starting point for any budding watch collector.
For Women: Fossil Women’s Raquel | White Rectangular Dial | Gold Stainless Steel Bracelet ES5220
This stylish and elegant watch features a white rectangular dial with a date aperture at 6 o’clock. The dial is adorned with gold-tone Roman numeral indices as well as gold-tone hour, minute and seconds hands. A petite 23mm case frames the dial and its rectangular shape draws inspiration from vintage American style. Mineral crystal protects the dial, it provides excellent clarity and great durability. For a luxurious finish, the watch is secured on the wrist using a gold-tone stainless steel bracelet. This model is powered by a quartz movement and is water resistant up to 50 metres, so it is a great option for daily wear.
A unique sense of American creativity and ingenuity is captured throughout this watch. As well as this, its versatility makes it a fantastic starting piece for any women’s watch collection. You can wear it on several occasions and each time will take your outfit to a whole new level.
What did you think of our guide on an introduction to watch collecting? Have our tips inspired you to start a collection of your own? Let us know in the comments!
