Can you ever have too many watches? It’s a predicament, for sure. We’re going to explore the topic here at The Slender Wrist.
Can you ever have too many watches? Is there even such a thing? Over the years, I’ve discussed this topic extensively with collectors. What I soon came to realize was how widely people’s opinions differ on it. One could only presume that the question matters to some extent because, without a strategy, a collection could soon get out of hand. Unless funds are limitless, watch collecting could indeed lead to burnout.
Personally, I feel I’m at a slight advantage in this argument. My career researching and handling timepieces certainly quells the desire to own every watch I see. I get my fix, and I spend some time with a watch. It feels almost like I own it. Afterward, I can put it back on the shelf for someone else to enjoy. I can only equate it to the feeling you may get when you become a grandparent. You can enjoy the grandchildren for a few hours, but they’re not yours. You can return them at the end of the day, all irritable, fuelled on sugar, and tired.
Some collectors choose a strict quota to meet each year when buying watches. Once that number reaches your limit, you don’t exceed it. Others, however, decide not to keep track of collecting watches. No matter your stance, it’s a hobby, right? Enjoy it!
Maybe you’re the kind of connoisseur who feels his collection could always benefit from another watch, and that’s ok. However, in this article, we will look at how too many watches could prove problematic.
So, Is There Such a Thing As Too Many Watches?
In black-and-white terms, there’s no such thing as too many watches. No rules exist regarding how many timepieces a collector can or should own. Indeed, discussing the watches you want to acquire next is just as important as talking about how you thin a watch collection out.
First, an enthusiast must decide whether to sell, repair, or repurpose an old unwanted watch. Then, if looking to make some cash out of it, they’ll need to learn how to sell watches profitably. Logic would tell us that you should thin a watch collection down at the point when you’re looking to buy a new one. It makes sense since selling your watch frees up some cash to buy new ones.
Most true connoisseurs will likely add between 2 and 7 timepieces to their collection each year. Only a tiny proportion of collectors will collect less than one, or more than ten, per year. Those of the latter will likely have to regularly thin out their ballooning collections. If you know of a collector like this, it would certainly pay to be friends with them!
Nine Signs You Might Have Too Many Watches in Your Collection
Maybe a more relevant question should be, “How many watches should I have in my collection?” Or “Do I have too many watches in my collection?” However, these questions deeply depend on the depth of inclination a person has for horology and their finances. Regardless of your view, there are pros and cons to owning an extensive watch collection. Here they are in some more detail.
1. Your Watches Lose Their Meaning
Many people hold onto watches for sentimental purposes, and that’s fine. But holding on to too many takes the emphasis away from the special ones. And, quite understandably, the more timepieces you own, the fewer days of the year you can wear each one. Remember that if you have 20 timepieces in your collection, you only have about 18 days to wear each one!
2. Disposable Watches Add Zero Value to Your Watch Collection
Some enthusiasts prefer a one-watch collection, and not necessarily for financial reasons, either. A solid investment will cost more, but you can wear it all year round without wanting anything else. But if you own too many watches, you’re likely not serious about keeping them. Cheap watches are also practically impossible to sell.
3. The Novelty Wears Off
If you’re at the point of buying a new watch every few weeks, you either have too much money or an unhealthy obsession. Buying watches regularly takes the shine off the collection process, and unboxing them becomes a routine. The same goes for most things in life. If there’s nothing to work towards, what’s the point in acquiring them? No matter how experienced a collector you are, you still want to feel proud of what you wear. If opening a new watch no longer feels remarkable, you know something is wrong.
4. Decision-Making Becomes Harder
Deciding what to wear for work most mornings is a hindrance (unless you wear a uniform). So, adding multiple watches to the mix will surely make your mornings even trickier. Sure, factors like design, functionality, and comfort will influence your decision. But you’re choosing the same criteria most mornings? This brings me back to my original point about investing in quality designs. Buy a one-watch-suits-all-eventualities kind of timepiece, and getting out the door each morning will become much more manageable.
5. Lots of Cheap Watches = No Heirlooms
As time passes and you start to appreciate owning fewer things, you’ll consider giving your most precious belongings to your offspring. Growing your collection to a ridiculous size has little benefit for you or your children. If you want to leave something valuable behind, you should look to replace several cheap watches with an investment piece. Do you want your child to say: “My dad gave me one of his numerous watches”? Or rather, “This is my dad’s watch!”
6. You’ll Forget What You Have
The chances are, if you have too much choice, you’ll look past what you own. You won’t enjoy looking at them or showing them off. There is such a thing as buyer’s remorse. You don’t want to regret a purchase, let alone several. So, refine your watch collection by choosing solid beaters you need and love, not multiple styles you’ll never wear. If you’re proud to show off your collection, you’ll want to talk about the history of each watch. Sadly, most designer watches lack a story or much history. Choose wisely so that every watch a person notices is a talking point.
7. Lots of Watches Take up Space
There are many space-saving solutions for your timepieces, like watch boxes and watch winders. However, watch accessories are only part of the solution. If you run out of space to store your watches, they’ll likely be damaged and become dusty. If you want your investments to be worth something in years to come, you should sell them in their original boxes. This, of course, takes up a lot of space at home. It’s something to consider when researching how to look after your watches.
8. Maintaining Watches Is Expensive
I know; I keep talking about opting for quality over quantity. But if you can afford to own several high-end timepieces, there’s something else to consider. Luxury mechanical watches need regular servicing and can be pricey to look after. If something goes wrong with your watch, you must send it back to the manufacturer or a reputable service center. These things cost money. Moreover, it’s not about whether you can afford to buy high-end timepieces but whether you can afford to keep them.
9. Watches and Wives (or Husbands) Don’t Always Mix
If you can call your significant other a like-minded watch enthusiast, then great. You have what many watch enthusiasts equate to the ultimate sport-loving, beer-drinking spouse. But more often than not, your partner will find a hundred other things you should spend your money on. And unless you’re good at hiding them, your collection may cause the odd argument or two. Failing that, agree to compromise. After all, great relationships are built on give and take. If you treat yourself, let your partner treat themselves too.
The Takeaway
Is quantity over quality a good thing when it comes to watch collecting? Absolutely not. Keep this in mind if you are a beginner starting your watch collection. Hopefully, this article will serve some solid reasons why too many watches can sometimes be a hindrance. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a broad selection, especially if you plan to make them all worthwhile.
If you like to rotate your watches regularly, I see no reason why having an assortment of styles and functions isn’t a good thing. This is especially true for high-end, quality timepieces. Luxury watches are great investments and will stand the test of time. Choose wisely, and they’ll hold their value well, even if you keep hold of them until you see a market demand rise.
Selling some of your luxury watches for maximum profit definitely makes sense when refining your collection. At the end of the day, collecting watches will always be a popular hobby. Whether your budget can stretch to high-end timepieces or affordable, reliable daily beaters, make sure you enjoy the process.
You’ll know if your collection is becoming too full if you go for periods without wearing certain pieces. If this happens, free up some space and choose what you really need in a watch. Collecting watches is not about completing a tick list. Buy models that offer the whole package rather than one single element or another. Before you know it, you’ll have the perfect collection with a complication for every eventuality.
Do you have any purchase regrets? Share them with us in the comments below, and sign up for our newsletter at The Slender Wrist today!
