Watch Talks

How to Build a Watch Collection: Second Watch

In the first part of  ‘How to Build a Watch Collection’ we talked about a main watch, today we will focus on choosing a second watch for your watch collection.

Many people get away with having just one watch for life, it is nothing wrong with this approach. However, if you are as crazy about watches as I am, you will notice that being an owner of just one wrist watch, is not enough. You will start realising that you would like to increase the size of your collection by acquiring another timepiece.

There are several reasons why you wish to have more than one. An everyday man likes to collect, possess meaningful items and watches are perfect for this purpose. They are reasonably sized, so there are no problems with storing them safely – away from possible dangers. The whole process of choosing and then buying a watch is very personal and important moment of each man’s life. There is this special bond between an owner and its watch. When we talk about luxury watches, they are expensive items indeed. However, that’s the whole beauty of them. These are the items that people care about, by servicing them every 3-5 years, insuring them and keeping them in a safe. 

There is this easy test to find out if the watch is worth buying. Ask your wife/girlfriend/family: 

Can I buy a Seiko watch? 

How much is it?

£150

Sure, why not. As long as you have savings.

 

And then…

Can I buy a Rolex watch?

How much is it?

£7,500

Are you f***** nuts? We are going on holiday in June and besides, we still need to pay mortgage. Forget about it, you idiot!

The latter tells you about the watch worth buying. It hurts your pocket and it’s a bigger capital commitment. 

But now, let’s focus on our main topic, which is choosing your second watch. Recently, I finally purchased an Omega Speedmaster (311.30.42.30.01.006) – that’s the model with manual winding and sapphire crystal (front and case back). In my opinion – great second watch. 

You can wear it on a stainless steel bracelet or different after-market straps. It’s iconic and classic. It has a beautiful chronograph dial and it’s highly legible. It makes a perfect combination with a watch, equipped with standard functions (hours, minutes, seconds, date). The only downside of this watch I can think of is lack of water resistance. Technically, it’s water proof to 30 meters, however you should not dip it in water. 

Speaking of chronographs, depending on your budget, it is worth sailing towards Rolex Daytona or Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore. I can’t say enough how much I’m in love with Rolex Daytona watches. They are water resistant (screwed-in crown and chrono pushers), the dial is un-clustered and very easy to read. It’s a beautiful hybrid of elegant and sports watch. Prices vary between models, however find this watch capable of being the only watch in collection, if not – the second.

 

As for the Audemars Piguet, it’s a lovely watch, however it may not suit everyone. Despite, not being solid gold, it’s gaudy and flashy. It strikes your eyes with characteristic bezel and the shape of the case. If your wrist is small, like mine, you can find Royal Oak Offshores quite uncomfortable and somewhat annoying to wear. It took me months to get used to wearing AP Offshores and now I find them stunning. I love the texture of the dial, featuring ‘Mega Tapisserie’ motif and the overall shape of the watch – it’s just so satisfying to look at! 

If you are totally not fond of chronographs or flashy APs, why not go for a game-changer, called ‘bi’metal’ watch. One of my all-time favourite bi-metals will always be Rolex Submariner Date 116613LB (or pre-ceramic 16613). This watch is incredibly versatile and stylish. It can be your sports watch for a joyful day at a beach or elegant timepiece for business meetings. 

Depending on how you decide to develop your collection, you may want to put this watch along with Rolex Submariner Non-Date 114060, Submariner Date 116610LN or Submariner Date 116610LV ‘Hulk’. With this wrist watch on a shelf, your collection will never be dull or boring.

If you want to get things more ‘complicated’, you may go for Rolex Sky-Dweller. The one on the photo is 326933. I wasn’t a fan of these, until I got to wear one for two weeks. Then, I realised how beautifully designed this watch is. Lovely sunburst finish on the dial, useful complications (hours, minutes, seconds, date, months and GMT). It is a bit flashy, but on quite manageable level.

In the next part of ‘How to Build a Watch Collection’, I will go through possible combinations of watches that you may use in deciding on what watch to buy next. It is worth establishing your own scheme that you follow. For example, one complication per watch. 

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