The Curated Collector: Watch Collecting Is a Mindset
Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance - ©FTS Creates
Collecting watches isn’t just about ownership - it’s a mindset. It’s about immersing yourself in the watch industry, learning about watchmaking, and connecting with the people who comprise the industry. Understanding how the suppliers, makers, and manufacturers all work together provides a comprehensive overview of the industry and the ability and skill to judge watches with confidence and comprehension.
Contrary to popular belief, collecting has never been about numbers; it’s about cultivating a deep love and relationship with the objects themselves. I’ve met collectors who couldn’t tell the difference between a calendar in a chronograph but have owned many of each, and I’ve met collectors who own a G-Shock but could explain in depth movement details about Patek Minute Repeater movements. It’s a spectrum, appreciate what you have and what you know.
Engaging with fellow watch collectors often leads to knowledge transfer. The conversations I have with collectors are an opportunity to learn about a brand or a watch about which I know very little, and to see collecting from another's point of view. I get to learn from others who have been around the industry longer, love a different segment of the market from me, or just collect something that isn’t to my taste, so I get to explore the reasons other collectors love watches.
I’ve come to realize that watches and watch collecting aren’t about how many watches you own, or what the value of your collection is. For me, what matters is passion, knowledge of brands and the industry, and a knowledge of watchmaking. I am lucky in that I get to see so many fantastic watches on a daily basis. Spoiled, even.
Any form of collecting is valid, whether you collect watches into the hundreds, or you are yet to buy your first watch. If you are building the knowledge and appreciation, seeing watches, and learning about the brands and the makers, that’s what matters. Being a collector is entirely a mindset. It's a growth mindset; it's one of realizing the watch industry is a great big place, and being willing to acknowledge that you don’t know everything about it. Take a white belt mentality with you everywhere you go. Learn something from every collector, from every brand meeting, every conversation, and every atelier visit.
For me, collecting has become about the community, specifically about sharing the stories of these incredible watches and most importantly, the people behind these incredible timepieces: The watchmakers, engineers, the concepteurs, and watch designers - in short, the heroes of the entire industry.
For whatever it’s worth, collecting isn’t just about acquiring watches, it’s about acquiring knowledge. Embrace the collector mindset - engage with the community, study, and take time to learn a little bit of everything in order to understand what you love. Celebrate the brands, makers, and watches that you love.
Remember, being a collector is a unique journey in itself.
Looking for a new addition to your collection? Not sure what the next watch you want to add is? Looking to find the next independent watchmaker to support? My custom curation reports help collectors find and identify their collecting philosophy and build a collection that is curated for them. Book a time to connect, learn about this year's novelties, and begin building your ultimate collection.
