Hello everyone.
Collecting watches is something we all greatly enjoy. But what we collect and how we collect is pretty different ! And I like that a lot. In this forum post, I would like to share with you what is in my collection, and how I collect. I will also try to answer some questions regarding collecting watches from my own perspective.
I will use to following structure:
1. How did I get interested in watches?
2. What do I like to collect?
Let’s jump right into the first question!
1. How did I get into watches?
“My interest for watches began at a quite young age. I used to go skiing with my family in Switzerland as a kid. Afterwards we always visited my uncle and aunt in Therwill ( a village near Basel ). I remember my uncle wearing an IWC watch in steel from the 1960’s. It was an automatic watch with of course a sweeping hand. It was the first time I noticed the hand floating over the dial so smoothly. That really sparked my interest in watches. I was twelve years old at the time.”
I copy pasted this answer directly from a Collectors Article I did with Monochrome Watches. I used to write for a brief moment of time for them. I only did write a handful of articles, but this was one of them. I did three Collectors Articles. I will include the links at the bottom of the paragraphs where I used them
2. What do I like to collect?
Before I really started to buy watches on a serious level, I had some different watches. I will include them to, before we actually proceed with the more serious pieces.In between the later periods, I given a Swatch twice. I will put them here in the intro too. In chronological order.
1. Disney camouflage Quartz watch with a Velcro strap
This was a watch given to me by my grandmother of my fathers side of the family when I turned seven. She find it to be important for everyone to learn how to read the time. Both my sisters and my brother received a kids watch at the age of seven from my grandmother. I am the only one who still has it. The watch itself is fully intact and it even still has some paint marks on it. I really did wear this watch while painting, climbing trees etc..You could say this was in retrospect my first watch with fancy lugs![b][i]
2. [/i][/b]Swiss Milletary Quartz watch with a Jubilee styled bracelet
My brother and I decided that we needed an upgrade from the kids watches my grandmother gave us. When we went skiing in Grindelwald , Switserland. We bought ourselves a Swiss Army watch. We both still have them, yet they are a bit more damaged. We got them when we were ten I would guess.
[b][i]
3. Swatch Irony[/i][/b]
Given to me by my father while on a trip in Paris
4. Swatch New Gents.
Given to me by my father when I broke my leg in Zermatt with a skiing accident.
[b]
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Now that we have finished these for watches. Let’s get a bit more serious. I have made clusters in terms of periods when I bought them. Lets dive into cluster 1.
Time Cluster 1: My watches as a young high school student
[list=1]
[*]Seiko Chronograph Quartz (Around October 2008)
[/list]
My first more “mature” watch as I viewed it at the time. When I was seven I had been given a Disney quartz with velcro strap by my grandmother , who had a strong Swiss background. After wearing this watch and a Swiss Army quartz watch, I purchased this watch when I was twelve. This was the watch I used to wear as a freshman and go out swimming with my friends by the lake.
2.Seiko Premier Retrograde day/date Kinetic (Around Christmas 2008)
I loved the touch and feel of my 1st Seiko. This being said, I loved the story of the kinetic movements and loved the style of the Premier collection. I found it nice to pursue something which had a slightly more refined and elegant lookFunny side note. The ING bank had an online store (and still has) in which you can make payments with bonus points. For every euro you receive as interest on your savings account, you get a certain amount of bonus points. You pay half with the bonus points and the other half in euro’s.Since I did not had the means to get the right amount of bonus points to acquire the piece at the time , I made a deal with my father. I could use his bonus points, if I kept getting good grades till the end of the year. Which I did, so I ultimately got the watch. Happy me!
3. Seiko Arctura Chronograph Kinetic (Around May 2009)
This watch I particularly liked because of the weird dial lay-out and the vertical stripes pattern on the dial. It’s a chronograph, but with multiple interesting design features. For example the integrated bracelet or rubber strap, the case which is sort of weird looking with the chronograph pushers being smoothly integrated into the case design and the way the time is displayed is also unusual. I considered this one to be the perfect summer watch. I have worn this watch on many vacations. To China, Indonesia, Thailand and sailing in Greece. It has seen a lot of the world with me.I got this one shortly after the Seiko Premier under the same terms and conditions..
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Time Cluster 2: My first Swiss watch[b]
4.[/b]Baume et Mercier Hampton Milleis Quartz (September 5th 2009)[b]
“[/b]After getting interested in watches by IWC when I was twelve , there was no question I was bitten by the watch bug. I started looking at other watches which I could actually afford. As a kid, you always ask your father for advice when making a serious purchase. My father was given a very nice Baume et Mercier for the occasion of his 45th birthday by his mother. He showed me the watch and I really liked the design and feel of the watch. It was a Hampton Milleis. So I went to the jeweller and asked if they maybe had a watch similar like that particular one. They did have one in steel with a quartz movement that I could afford if I saved all my money for a year. So I did not spent any money for an entire year. I remember I was really excited the evening before my birthday. Every kid can relate that. Your birthday means you might get an envelope. And an envelope means you get a step closer to what you really like to purchase. In my case a nice watch. That was the way I was thinking at the time. I purchased the Baume et Mercier when I was just fourteen years old.” I remember when I just got it I went to visit my grandmother who then already used to live in a nursing home. She suffered heavily from dementia. To my surprise she noticed my new watch and said “ Nette Uhr”, which means “ Nice watch”.
monochrome-watches.com/the-collectors-series-a-young-collectors-iwc-portofino-vintage-collection-5448-in-steel/
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[b][i]Time Cluster 3: The IWC era
5. [/i][/b]IWC Vintage Collection Portofino Hand wound (May 15th 2013)
“As soon as my interest for watches began, I started reading about watches. I read a lot of story’s on the internet and also purchased books relating to watches. After two years of doing this, people started to ask me to help them select a watch. They wanted independent advice. I felt greatly honoured and very pleased when it turned out that several people I had advised actually paid me for this service. After helping people of and on for a couple of years I had earned enough to finally purchase my first real Swiss mechanical watch. The IWC Portofino Vintage Collection 5448 in steel.This Portofino is a special watch for a number of reasons. First of all, it is a pretty big watch. The case size is 46mm. The case is this large, because of the movement. This watch contains the 98800 calibre, which is actually like an updated Jones calibre which was in use in the earliest years. Another thing that makes this watch special is that it is an updated version of the IWC Portofino 5251 from 1984. The original Portofino watch was nicknamed “ Spiegelei” (fried egg, ed.) because the moon phase was at 9’oclock, and the small seconds dial at 6’oclock. I really like this watch for its classical look and for having a stunning movement and a design that find its roots in a historical model, to which it really is very similar.
I waited for the occasion of my 18th Birthday to buy it. I still remember picking up this watch with my brother.
6 IWC Vintage Collection Ingenieur Automatic (August 24th 2013)
“I came to own this watch pretty soon after getting my Portofino. When I turned eighteen, my aunt, who knows I am a maniac when it comes to watches, wanted to give me something very special. Something that I would enjoy for a long period of time. At the time I was saving up for my next big purchase. I had set my mind on the Vintage Collection Ingenieur. She knew I was saving up for that watch and she decided to help me financially to get the watch. When I bought the watch, I got a great deal. I received some discount and I was also able to visit the factory in Schaffhausen. It was of course an amazing experience.What stood out for me about the Ingenieur watch is that it is a very, very nice classical looking watch. However, it is a little bit to thick and too large to be considered a dress watch. At the same time, to me it is also not a true tool watch, although it is was designed as such. In my opinion it is too elegant and beautiful to be just a functional instrument. Also, since its origin was to be a tool watch for engineers, the design was gradually adjusted for the broader public.The tool watch design features give the Ingenieur a bit of a younger and more robust twist. For someone my age, a watch with all features of a dress watch is a little bit too formal to wear as an everyday watch. I switched out the regular black alligator strap for a nice Santoni strap. When you look at the watch now, it is clearly a very nice watch with a classical and timeless identity, while being robust and youthful. This adjustment makes this watch a perfect everyday watch. I wear the Ingenieur most of the week and sometimes also to special events, but I prefer my Portofino for special occasions, because it’s dressier.”
monochrome-watches.com/collectors-series-koens-iwc-vintage-ingenieur/
After getting these two IWC watches, I joined the IWC forum. Over the years I have met a lot of the collectors either during SIHH, BBAMSGTG, BaselWorld or other meetings.
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Time Cluster 4: Cheap thrills[b]
7 Swatch system 51 Automatic (Around August 2014)[/b]
Simply the coolest piece of plastic out there. I got a black dial first series.
Funny sidenote: Some friends and I were organizing a surprise party for one of our best friends. Some friends went to Utrecht with him to celebrate his Birthday and I stayed at his place doing all the preparations with some other friends. I actually only then realised that the watch had hit the boutiques and I called my friends to pick it up for me and wired the money to them. I ended up getting a nice watch on one of my best friends Birthday parties.
8 Corniche Rogue Brune Quartz (June 3rd 2015)
The reason I purchased the Corniche was because I thought that design wise the watch is really crisp and clean. I also was really attracted to the colour combination of the rose gold tone of the case and the brownish dial. The movement is nothing special. It’s a Miyota. The looks are nice, but I have only worn this watch a handful of times. The watch is not really a good fit in my collection, so I consider selling this piece. I was a limited edition.
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Time cluster 5: Getting serious[b]
9 [/b]Vacheron Constantin Cornes de vache from the mid 1950’s Hand wound (March 27th 2016)
It took me some time before I was ready to buy vintage watches. I have always really loved the special case and lug design from the major Swiss brands from the 1930’s till 1960’s. That’s why I wanted to add a nice Vacheron Constantin. During a collectors meeting in Amsterdam, a good friend of mine and vintage watch trader showed me this watch. It was love at first sight. I could borrow it and tell him later if I actually wanted to purchase the watch. A couple of days later the deal was made. I love the Cornes de Vache. It’s typically Vacheron. Funny side note: My sister claims this one for her marriage. She wants this one to be her wedding gift. We occasionally joke about it.[b]
10 [/b]Christiaan van der Klaauw Orion two-tone Automatic (June 16th 2016)
I have always had a huge affection for independent watchmakers. I wanted to add one to my collection, but it had to be something extra special. This execution of the Orion was made in two examples. It’s the crown on my collection for now. I also went to the Eise Eisenga planetarium in Franeker. It is the oldest still working planetarium in the world. Christiaan took his inspiration for his watches also from this planetarium. [b] 1
- Frederique Constant Slim line roman numerals Quartz (October 8th 2016)[/b]
This particular one was a gift from a customer. I picked it up in Prague while I was on a short weekend trip with my best buddies. Together with one of my best friends, the same guy we organized the surprise party for, we went to the jeweller and picked it up. Lovely watch with sentimental value because it reminds me of a happy customer and a great trip to Prague. I let my brother also wear it and he loves it too. So there are many people with a nice memory about this watch. I still consider to have this watch engraved with “Chopaccio”. When ,my friend and I were pretty damn hammered for clubbing we decided we should open up a business making chocolate Carpaccio. We don’t have this business (yet). But the founding conversations have been there.
12. Vacheron Constantin Fluted horn lugs from the early 1960’s Hand wound (December 21st 2017)
I wanted to add a second Vacheron Constantin. This time one with a black dial. These pieces are hard to find and especially one with some interesting details to it. This one is a 35mm, so slightly larger than usual. And it has the fluted horn lugs. A collector friend from India hinted me that he had seen a nice piece in London. I contacted some collectors friend to see it and give me feedback and the same week I went to London to pick it up. Amazing watch.
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Time cluster 6: Getting funky
13. Seiko Blue Samurai Automatic (Februari 20th 2017)
I’d never had a true divers watch in my collection and when I saw that Seiko launched the Blue Samurai I immediately ordered it. It’s typical Seiko. Strongly build, funky and practical. The bezel turns pretty rough.
14. Seiko Coral Green 1965 divers case Automatic (April 31st 2018)
Started to dig a little deeper in the history of Seiko divers watches. Decided to make a small set of three watches with different case shapes and dial colours. I love this one. Green is amazing. It’s my favourite Seiko in my collection.
15. Seiko Grey Turtle Automatic (May 12th 2018)
The last one of the set I purchased for the occasion of my 23rd Birthday. 
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Time Cluster 7: The grail has landed
16. IWC Portuguese for Pisa from 1996 ( June 20th 2018)
I got into watches because my uncle from Switzerland was wearing a cal 854 IWC in steel. When he passed away, I was given his IWC catalogue from the late 90's. In there were the 5441 Jubilee models. I recently discovered a note hidden away in the catalogue which basically said " Food for thought: reference 5441 platinum". This made my realize, I had to go for a reference 5441 sooner or later.
Why the Pisa and not the platinum Jubilee?
My grandfather used to live in Milan for multiple years. And Pisa is a Milan retailer. It would link the watch both to my uncle who started my passion and my grandfather who also was a strange but lovely guy. Kinda how I like to describe myself too.
Another main reason. And this is a huge one.
he IWC collectors family. Tonny and Mark did a fantastic job assisting me on the forum and in my collection and helped me out with this one too. Sharing the passion with IWC lovers is the best. They are true friends. And I love my friends.
The watch itself. The movement is amazing. Caliber 9828. Furthermore I believe that a true Portuguese, like the early ref 325, fits best in a steel case (also why I didnt went for platinum) . Then it has the long signature and the blue Breguet numerals. And if I am not mistaken it is one of less than a handful Portuguese references with Breguet numerals. It is truly limited. Just 50 pieces and there were great affords being done to keep the profile as clean as possible. No signed crown and no number on the side of the case. Number is on the movement. It has a slim profile, but with wrist presence like a true vintage feel Portuguese.Finally, white dials are the most versatile. Easy to create different looks with different straps without losing design
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Family pieces and a pilot I don’t remember when I bought it
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18. Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox Speedbeat Automatic from the early 1970’s
This watch belonged to my grandfather. He bought it, because at the time the idea of a mechanical alarm function appealed to him. I think he got bored with the watch pretty soon, as the watch is in unworn and all original condition. Even the strap it came with in the 1970’s in still there and fully intact.When my grandfather died and we went to his house clean up, my father was throwing away like old newspapers and stuff like that. When I saw him walking to the container with something that appeared to be a watch box I stopped him. He was about to throw away the watch as it looked very weird to him and could not have been of any value. I saved a memory of my grandfather that day. Yes I do feel pretty damn proud of that. 
19. IWC in steel with Automatic calibre 854 from the early 1960’s
The actual watch that sparked my passion for watches a kid. My uncle used to live for a big medical firm and used to wear this watch every single day. He actually worn the watch on a perlon strap.
20. Baume et Mercier Hampton Milleis gold from the end of the 1990’sMy fathers watch given to him by my grandmother for the occasion of his 45th Birthday. I sometimes wear it. Classical piece. 
21. Timor military WWW watch from the late 1940’s Hand wound.
Everyone needs a pilot watch in their collection. Simple as that. I have nothing to add.
In themes we get the following order:
My pesonal watch collection
My very first Swiss watch
Baume et Mercier Hampton Milleis steel in Quartz
Theme 1: Family pieces
[list]
[]Baume et Mercier Hampton Milleis in yellow gold from the late 90’s
[]Jaeger leCoultre Speedbeat Memovox from the early 70’s in steel
[]IWC Steel automatic calibre 854
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Theme 2: IWC. Passion starter and a lot of collector friends
[list]
[]IWC Vintage Collection Portofino in steel
[]IWC Vintage Collection Ingenieur in steel
[]IWC Portuguese Jubillee in steel for Pisa
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Theme 3: The vintage Vacheron Constantin lugs ( yellow gold as theme criteria? )
[list]
[]Vacheron Constantin black dial Flamed lugs
[]Vacheron Constantin ref greyish dial Cornes de Vache
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Theme 4: Independent watchmakers. Creativity and uniqueness
[list]
[]Christiaan van der Klaauw Orion two-tone steel and rose gold 1 out of 2
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Theme 5: Seiko Mania Divers with different cases and dial colours
[list]
[]Seiko BlueSamurai
[]Seiko Grey Turtle
[]Seiko Green 1965
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Seiko’s I have worn through High School
[list]
[]Seiko Arctura Chronograph
[]Seiko Premier retrograde day
[]Seiko Chronograph steel
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Just liked them
[list]
[]Frederique Constant Slim Line blue dial and Roman numerals
[]Timor WWW
[]Swatch system 51 1st series and black dial
[*]Corniche Roquebrune
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I hope I gave you some insight. This article may be edited later to also include tips and tricks.
