In the wake of the speculative hype cycle in the watch industry, I find myself questioning what it means to be a collector. Does a large volume of watches make you a collector? Can you buy/sell/trade, have a smaller collection and still be a “collector”? What does it mean to have a smaller collection? Does it mean you are no longer a collector?

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.

Ask any watch collector what they wish they knew when they started collecting and you’ll likely get a laundry list of advice. Watch collecting isn’t necessarily intuitive: there’s a required understanding of the brands, understanding the luxury conglomerates that own brands, the dynamics of vintage watches versus modern watches, the difference between independent watchmaking and microbrands, and understanding the retail environment.

At best, it’s a confusing landscape.

While hindsight is 20/20, there are three key lessons based on this that I have learned with time.

I’ve thought a lot about where watch collecting is going in 2024. It was clear speaking to collectors, retailers, and brands that things are changing. The shift towards more purposeful collections, emphasis on significance, and the rise of independent watchmaking are becoming clear themes for collecting in 2024. What do you see as a clear theme for watch collecting in 2024, or more specifically for your personal collection?