When I started collecting watches, the world was a much different place. Today, we have access to more information than ever before about all things watch-related, but it's also easy for that information to become overwhelming. With so many options and opinions out there, how are you supposed to determine what watch is right for you? Well, I'm here to help! As both an avid collector and a beginner collector myself—I've been collecting since 2011—I've learned some tricks of the trade over the years on how best to build your collection so that it reflects who you are as a person (and not just another number at auction).

The philosophies collectors live by

Whether you're new to the world of watch collecting or an old hand, it's important to understand the philosophies that drive collectors. These can be as varied as the people who follow them, but there are some commonalities across all collectors.

Collecting for the sake of collecting: This is perhaps one of the most common motivations for those who collect watches--and perhaps also one of the most difficult to understand from a noncollector's point of view. Collectors who fall into this category simply enjoy having a nice collection and showing it off on occasion. They don't necessarily care about what their watches might be worth in five years or even 20 years; they just want something nice on their wrist at all times!

Collecting for investment: A more recent development in our hobby has been people buying watches strictly based on their potential value over time (or even now). If you're going down this route, make sure you know what makes a good investment before spending any money!

Collecting brand icons with unique twists

Whether you're a beginner collector or an experienced watch connoisseur, there are many ways to build and curate a well-rounded collection. One way is to collect brand icons with unique twists.

A brand icon is any watch that has made an impact on the world of horology--whether it's for its design or its place in history. An example would be Patek Philippe's Calatrava line, which has been around since 1932 and is still going strong today (though it did get some updates along the way). A unique twist might be something like Rolex's Oyster Perpetual Datejust II ref 6234/5 with Arabic numerals on its dial--this watch was released in 2004 as part of Rolex's "Heritage Collection."

Collecting complications

As you begin to build your watch collection, it's important to keep in mind that complications are what make a watch interesting. Complications are not necessary for telling the time; they exist on top of the basic function of telling you what hour it is right now and when your next appointment is. They're an optional extra feature that can add value to an otherwise simple timepiece--and they come in all shapes and sizes.

There are chronographs, which allow you record elapsed time (like stopwatches). There are tourbillons (rotating balances), which improve accuracy by reducing friction between moving parts within a mechanical movement. There are perpetual calendars with automatically changing date settings throughout their lives without any user input required whatsoever! And then there's automatic winding technology...but we'll save that for another article entirely.

Valuing simplicity, execution, and suitability

Simplicity is a virtue. In watch collecting, as in life, less is often more. A simple watch can be just as beautiful and striking as one that has dozens of complications or features--but it takes more skill to create the former than it does the latter.

A good execution of an idea is crucial; if the case isn't well made or incorrect proportions are used for its size (a common problem), then even a great design won't matter much.

Finally, suitability should always be considered when purchasing a new timepiece; what would work best with your wardrobe? If you're looking for something formal but don't want to spend too much money on dressier pieces yet, consider getting some vintage watches instead!

Budget-conscious collecting

When building a watch collection, it's important to consider the budget. You don't want to buy something that you can't afford or that isn't worth the price tag. Instead, choose a watch that is within your budget and will last for years--this will ensure that it makes sense financially as well as aesthetically.

Another tip for budget-conscious collecting is choosing a watch that can be worn daily without feeling like an inconvenience on your wrist: some more expensive models may feel too heavy or bulky for everyday wear but others might be too light or small for those who want something heavier duty (like those who work in construction). So make sure whatever piece(s) you choose fits well with how much time they'll spend on your wrist!

Collecting what you love

The best way to build a collection is to collect what you love. That may sound obvious, but it's often not what collectors do. The reason for this is that many watch enthusiasts get into the hobby because they have a specific brand or model in mind that they want at all costs--and then once they own one of those watches (or two), their focus shifts elsewhere. This can lead to frustration if you find yourself with an assortment of watches from which nothing else seems interesting enough or special enough; after all, if there were no other options available besides these few specific ones, why would anyone bother buying them?

If instead of focusing so much on finding specific models and brands of wristwatches that meet certain criteria--"It has these features," "It comes from this country" and so on--you instead choose something based purely on personal preference (like "I really like how this looks"), then every time someone asks why they should consider adding something new into their collection, there will always be an answer: because YOU like it!

A watch for every purpose

As you build your watch collection, it's important to consider the different types of watches that are best suited for certain occasions. For example, if you're going on a date and want to look sharp without being overdressed or underdressed, then a dress watch may be just what you need. However, if this particular occasion calls for something more casual (e.g., going out with friends), then it might be better to go with something more rugged like a field watch or pilot chronograph instead.

The same idea applies when deciding what watch should accompany us at work: while some professions require an elegant timepiece like a dress watch or maybe even an automatic chronograph (for all those long days spent sitting at your desk), others are more lax about what kind of wristwear their employees wear--so long as they're not too flashy!

What is your collecting strategy?

When you're just starting out, it's important to have a strategy. As your collection grows, you'll want to focus on different things and build around those themes. Here are some suggestions:

Focusing on the basics--or "entry-level" pieces--is a great way for new collectors to get their feet wet without sinking too much money into watches that may not be worth as much later on down the line (or which might not even hold up well enough). An easy way to start building an entry-level collection is by focusing on one brand or style of watch; this will help ensure that all of your pieces complement each other aesthetically while also giving them similar values when it comes time for resale or trade-in purposes later down the line when more serious collecting begins in earnest!

If there's one thing I've learned during my years spent working at two major retailers specializing in high-end wristwatches: It pays off big time if you buy something rarer than usual because most people won't know how valuable something could potentially become after years of collecting experience under their belt.

As a collector, you have many options in interpreting a collection

A watch collection can be used to express your personality and values. It can also be a way to show off your interests and passions, as well as beliefs and principles that are important to you.

Ultimately though, these are just suggestions for how others might interpret their collections--the most important thing is that YOU enjoy it!

There are many ways to collect watches, and it's up to you how you want to interpret this hobby. As a collector, your mission is to find the right balance between collecting brand icons with unique twists and building a collection with complications. You may also want something simple that doesn't require much maintenance or attention but still looks great on your wrist every day. By keeping these principles in mind as you build your collection, we hope that this article has helped guide you towards making better decisions about what timepieces are right for you!