How to curate your watch collection, according to industry experts
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CNA Lifestyle
How to curate your watch collection, co-ordinate to industry experts
Just as you wouldn't build a house without a decent foundation, your timepiece collection should include the essentials. CNA Lifestyle quizzed iii watch industry pros to notice out just what these fundamentals are.
(Photo: Unsplash/Hunters Race)
25 January 2022 06:30AM (Updated: 04 Jul 2022 ten:18PM)
In that location comes a point in every man'southward life when he starts to realise the value of, well, value. It's about spending time and coin on but the things that matter: Family, friends, property and perchance a nice timepiece or two to mark life's milestones. As Alvin Wong, Editor-in-Primary of Crown Watch Blog puts it: "Watches, more than annihilation, are great mementos and signposts of our lives."
But how do yous decide which watches define those moments? Which ones are essential? Which ones volition proceed yous looking precipitous at work and at play? Which ones will stand the examination of time, hold their value, and make meaningful heirlooms? How do y'all brainstorm to curate a coherent starter collection?
If you find yourself asking these questions, well, know that communication is on the way.
Nosotros picked the brains of three influential figures in the local watch industry: Peter Chong, co-founder of the weblog Deployant, and a watch collector himself; Tom Chng, founder of the Singapore Watch Guild and likewise a collector; and Wong, who is quick to indicate out that he isn't a collector, but only someone who has chronicled the lookout manufacture for many years.
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"I would recommend iii checkboxes for beginners," Wong offered. "One, get with reputable brands. 2, get for mechanical watches. Three, go for models that will give yous lots of mileage – that is, watches that look and feel comfy to you lot, and something that you lot would wear often. No one can tell you that what y'all like is wrong."
For Chng, it'south watchmaking legends that make the nigh sense for those looking to build a collection.
"Evergreen icons are always compelling options for the modern discerning gentleman. They have withstood the test of time, and have proven to exist relevant despite the trend changes in shape, sizes and colours. Information technology'due south ever a good idea to stay on the mainstream at the starting time, venturing into more than niche genres as your taste matures," he said.
In terms of numbers, Chong suggests having "three or perchance four watches" comprising "two sporty/tool watches and one or ii dress watches". Whereas in Chng's experience, "the numbers commonly stabilise between iv and seven".
Starting time WITH A BUDGET
First things outset: Begin with a upkeep in mind. "It'south important to set a upkeep, every bit otherwise the options are limitless," explained Chong. "A practiced upkeep to start with is S$3,000. Or if you tin afford information technology, Southward$6,000 or S$12,000 for each watch. Relieve to reach the target."
Some due diligence is necessary as well, of class. Chong recommends reading reviews and expert opinions from sites like his own, which has articles contributed by the local lookout man collecting customs.
For those on a upkeep and in the market for sporty/tool watches, he recommends starting out with diving watches such equally the Citizen Fugu, Seiko Tuna, Seiko Samurai or Seiko Sumo, as they are all below the S$i,000 marking.
Moving up the scale – to a budget of up to Southward$6,000 – Chong nominates marques like Bell & Ross, Oris, Sinn and Tudor. "The Sinn tool watches similar the EZM or the U2 serial are good places to start," he said. Also practiced starting points are the Omega Seamaster, Omega Planet Ocean or Breitling Superocean.
Stretching that upkeep a little bit further gets y'all the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch (S$7,150) – the sentinel that went to the moon. This icon is Chng's choice. "The Speedy is fun, casual and convenient. It is without a doubt the watch with the most interesting story, and besides a relatively friendly price tag," he said.
For those with more means, must-haves in the tool sentry segment are Rolex sports watches in stainless steel. "Either the Explorer, GMT Master, Submariner or even the Air Male monarch are expert starting points," suggested Chong.
The Submariner is as well Chng's selection. "Probably the nigh iconic scout in the world, this living legend from 1954 is so pop in both the primary and secondary markets that it'south basically liquid cash," explained Chng.
"It ready the tone for what a diver's picket should look like, and went on to inspire diverse designs from different brands all effectually the world. A great pick for any occasion, whether diving in the waters off Yongala, Commonwealth of australia or desk-diving in the comforts of your ain office."
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DRESSIER OPTIONS
Despite what you might think, respectable, high quality dress watches can be had for below South$5,000. "Consider Grand Seiko, Longines and Hamilton," proposed Chong. "Most [dress sentry] models are inside that cost range, and are proficient choices."
In the side by side rung up – effectually the S$ten,000 mark – budding collectors can "look at Breitling, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre or Omega. The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is a good option. Equally are the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso or the Master, IWC'due south Portofino or Breitling Premier."
Chng, too, puts forward the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, alongside the Cartier Santos and Audemars Piguet Imperial Oak, as essential dress watches in a human being's collection.
"[The Reverso] is nigh recognisable for its rectangular swivel instance, designed to protect the timepiece's crystal when worn by British Officers playing polo in colonial India. This timepiece looks dandy nether a tuxedo sleeve, and is often paired with a hand-winding move."
As for the Santos, Chng shares that it was the kickoff pilot's lookout man ever produced – a little known fact. "Start introduced in 1904, the Santos hasn't actually changed that much at all, albeit [having been] resized for a more gimmicky flavour. Nearly suitable in a professional function setting, its conservative monochromatic livery keeps the timepiece discreet and elegant."
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The Royal Oak, Chng believes, is "the grail to work towards… the end game for many". A timepiece that's ambitious yet elegant at the same time. The famous octagonal timepiece demonstrated a great corporeality of horological excellence, and was a breakthrough in example and bracelet finishing."
But, even if you've reached the end game, you lot shouldn't close yourself off to other options. Wong believes that reviewing or taking stock of ane's picket collection is an ongoing process, as is acquiring new knowledge of timepieces.
"Tastes evolve and finances [hopefully] grow, so that would certainly have an effect on what watches ane wishes to add to his drove," he said. "Information technology is also common for collectors to permit go of older watches to fund new purchases."
Chng concurs. "As nosotros become about our horological journey, our gustatory modality changes, evolves and matures. Nosotros discover watches we never fifty-fifty knew we wanted. This process of consolidation and upgrading is both rewarding and fulfilling. Low wrist time is unremarkably a good sign for review, especially when information technology volition have you lot closer to your next grail."
And, Wong added, there is no need to set a finite date to assemble your ideal collection. "I think if a person loves watches, he wouldn't be putting a deadline to his passion. It's like asking a music lover when he ought to stop his Spotify subscription!"
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