Watch Collecting Mistakes You Should Avoid

The hobby of watch collecting is fairly straight forward and it might seem like it is hard to mess up, but there are some common mistakes that you will see new collectors repeatedly making.

This article will point them out so that you can avoid them and enjoy your watches and the hobby to the fullest.

Following Every One Else

This is a very easy trap to fall into when you first begin. You probably don’t know much about watches and you probably don’t know many brands. It is easy to look to others to see what is good and worth your time. That is totally normally and is definitely something you should do.

However, the issue comes when you let these people think for you. If you start buying watches because everyone is recommending them, but you don’t really think they are amazing, this is a problem.

You should be buying watches because you like them. Even if everyone else say they are awful, it doesn’t matter. If you like it, you should get it. It’s your collection and it should reflect your likes and preferences.

You will be much happier with a collection full of terrible watches… that you love, than a collection full of good watches that just make you say “meh!”.

Not Trying New Things

Another big mistake that is usually made early on in watch collecting is to pigeon hole yourself.

You tell yourself you are the Casio guy, or you will only by divers under £500 or some other very confided set of rules like this. It might even be vaguer than this, saying something like you won’t get a watch under 40mm in diameter.

For some reason we decide that we know what we want before we have even tried everything.

Although going to the extreme in the other direction can be a little over the top and not always advised, you should still be willing to try new things and branch out into other styles, brands and sizes. You never know, you may fall deeply in love with something you thought before was not for you. If you still don’t like it, sell it. It’s better to try and to know for sure.   

Not Trying Different Straps

I can forgive this mistake in the early days. When you get a new watch, the issued strap or bracelet can often be great and should definitely be enjoyed. However, after a while you should be trying different straps and exploring the options and parings you can have, you will be surprised at how many looks you can get from one watch and a number of straps.

You should be open to different types, styles and colours of straps and seeing how they can really enhance or change the look of your watches. The beautiful thing is you can buy one strap and try it on a lot of your watches.

When most people get a bit bored of a watch they want a new one, which can be expensive. Buying some new straps is going to give you that new watch feeling at a much lower cost and it will allow you to carry on loving what you already have.

Not Wearing Your Watches

This is criminal, but I think we are all guilty of this on some level. There is always that one watch that sits in the watch box just that little bit too long.

I get it, some of us want to keep our watches in good condition, or maybe it’s a precious heirloom or you just haven’t been invited to any formal events in a while so the dress watch hasn’t had the chance to shine.

Whatever the reason, I think we should try to not let this happen. We should try and wear our watches if possible, or at least take them out of the box on a more regular basis to enjoy them before safely putting them back.

We should also be honest with ourselves and ask why we are not wearing the watch, if don’t like it, we should consider selling it.

Always Chasing A New Watch

As collectors we always want the next best thing, we are always chasing a new watch. While this can sometimes be fine, we need to slow down and take a step back. We need to enjoy what we already have.

This can be extra difficult at the start as you often feel like you don’t have enough watches and rush to buy more and more. If you do this, you can’t appreciate the new watch as much as you should. You might only have a watch on your wrist a week before the next one arrives and you hardly get anytime to wear all these watches.

Slow down and enjoy the watch you already have. Let the strap get fully broken in and then start exploring other options, allow yourself to really know the watch and enjoy it. Build your relationship with it (which sounds so stupid to say, but its true).

Once you have this level of appreciate then you can start looking around for a new watch. I know the chase is a lot of fun, but the watches will still be there when you come back to look for them.

Over Spending What You Can Afford

Watching collecting is a hobby, it’s just for fun. Although we might not have luxury watches, it is still a luxury to own any sort of watch. You can survive just fine without them.

This means you should not be overspending on any watch. EVER. I know sometimes we all want to push the boat out and get something nice, but we should only do this if it is financially sound.

If you are putting the purchase of a watch over your other financial commitments something has gone terribly wrong and if you are going into debt to own a watch then you are really in trouble.

There is no shame in waiting to save up for watch and there is no shame in admitting you cannot afford a certain watch you want. Over spending or putting yourself in debt is really not worth it and you should never put yourself in this position. The watches will wait; you can buy them when you are ready to.

Thinking Some Watches Are Better Than Other

Watch snobbery is unfortunately a thing and sadly new collectors are easily influenced by these types of people. You will very quickly be told that one brand is far superior that another, or you will hear you should only buy watches with in-house movements  and you should never been seen dead even looking at a quartz watch.

While some of these arguments can seem convincing, they are utter nonsense. Of course some watches are going to be better than others, but it does not mean you should automatically write the vast majority of watches off because you think one type or brand is the best.

Judging Other Peoples Watches

It is bad enough to let the watch snobbery disease infect you and your views on what watches you should get, but it’s totally unacceptable when you start judging other peoples watch collections.

People are always going to have different watches than you, that is what makes the hobby interesting. They are also going to have some watches you probably wouldn’t buy and you don’t really like and that is totally cool.

Just because you hate a certain watch, doesn’t mean they do. You never know the reason behind why they have it. It might be something they just love, or maybe it was all they could afford, perhaps it was a gift. No matter the reason, you shouldn’t judge them for owning it, it’s their collection and their enjoyment, not yours.

Conclusion

Watch collecting should be enjoyable, if you can avoid these simple mistakes you will enjoy it so much more.

It does not take much effort to slow down and appreciate what you have and what others have. There is no rush to get more watches, so enjoy the journey.

(You can read more about – How Often Should You Buy A New Watch?)