Where to go with my collection? Please help me out

Hi there everyone. 

First of all. I have been absent for posting on the forum for a pretty long time. More than half a year or so. In this period have also been busy researching different brands. I have always collected watches from multiple brands and I appreciate them too. This being said, I noticed that I more and more gravitate towards my IWC watches.I switched my account to an alias.

True friends know who I am. For the rest I like to stay anonymous. I hope you can understand. I am going to show you once how I collect and what I collect, since I am in need of some advice which would seriously affect my watch collection (and my wallet for that matter hahahaha). So I am basically giving you a one time only look in my full private collection. 

So lets start

How do I collect?

I am fond of collecting different themes. I collect themes that to me have an emotional attachment.When I look inside my collection, there are some pieces I could never ever sell. These are the watches under the “ Family pieces” theme and also I would never sell my Portofino. Maybe at one point I would sell my Ingenieur. I love that watch, but I am not as emotional attached to that one as to my Portofino.The other pieces I might sell one day. Some would hurt my more to let you than others. I have to say. 

Theme 1: Family pieces 
[list]
[]Baume et Mercier Hampton Milleis steel in Quartz                                 
[]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                                                             
[/list]
Theme 2: IWC. Passion starter and a lot of collector friends 
[list]
[]IWC Vintage Collection Portofino in steel                                                  
[]IWC Vintage Collection Ingenieur in steel                                                 
[/list]
Theme 3: The vintage Vacheron Constantin lugs 
[list]
[]Vacheron Constantin black dial                    Flamed lugs                            
[]Vacheron Constantin ref greyish dial           Cornes de Vache                   
[/list]
Theme 4: Independent watchmakers. Creativity and uniqueness
[list]
[] Christiaan van der Klaauw Orion two-tone steel and rose gold 1 out of 2   
[/list]
Theme 5: The beach watches and outdoors pieces 
[list]
[]Seiko Blue Samurai                                                                                      
[]Seiko Grey Turtle                                                                                         
[]Seiko Green 1965                                                                                        
[/list]

The rest/ just liked them Seiko’s
[list]
[] Seiko Arctura Chronograph                                                             
[]Seiko Premier retrograde day                                                           
[]Seiko Chronograph steel                                                                  
[/list]

[list]
[]Tissot Heritage Navigator white dial                                                           
[]Frederique Constant Slim Line blue dial and Roman numerals      
[]Timor WWW                                                                                    
[]Swatch system 51 1st series and black dial                                      
[]Corniche Roquebrune                                                                       
[/list]
So what is the thing now?

I have been looking to expand my watch collection with an absolute grail worthy watch.

I have been looking at a Vacheron 4178, but got outbid twice. This made me reflect. Would I really want to chase this watch if it would set me back around €30.000,- ( for a good example)? I love this watch and I want this watch. But you guys know how young I am. I am starting to get doubtful with putting that amount of cash on the table for a single watch.

So at least it got me thinking. Fact is that I am more gravitating towards my IWC watches and like some other watches for other events too. For example the Van der Klaauw.

In private contact with our moderator Tonny I have expressed my interest in a Portuguese ref 5441-07 for Pisa. I love that watch for a lot of reasons. For me that one is a watch that is a grail worthy piece.

Fact is that, just like everyone, I collect what I like. And sometimes you just fall in love and you can help yourself. By the time you fall in love, its already too late.I am a huge fan of classic watches. To me a timeless watch is above anything else. You would always appreciate an iconic, well made and well designed time only piece.

So my question to you is: “What would you think would complement my collection really well, if I were to focus more on IWC watches?”

Please note that I am not in need of selling anything before a possible purchase of the Pisa 5441-07 Portuguese.

Please don’t hesitate to share pictures.             

Koen, your insight in your collection and collecting habit is awesome and shows that you already reflected and collected very well despite your young age. For comparison: I made it to my first Mark XV at the age of 32.
I know you a bit now because I was fortunate enough to meet you again the last week in beautiful Amsterdam and I appreciate you as a very nice person and watch collector and I'm proud to call you my friend.
If you ask here around and guys like me, of course the answer to your question is YES. It's always a good idea to focus on IWC watches. I did all my collectiing life and I cannot imagine doing something else. I looked around a few times and bought something else in the beginning too but it was never the real deal so I ended up with just IWC.
The IWCwatches are different than other brands. They have a clear statement and appearance. They have character and charme. So do the IWC collectors. They represent all what's good about the brand and the watches too. And last but not least the people working for IWC make a difference as well. They are passionate about their brand and products. They're skilled and they're great characters and wonderful to meet and talk and share the passion with.
The PISA Portugieser is an awesome piece and would fit your collection and your style perfectly. It's something that will last a whole collecting life and even longer. The perfect watch for you, Koen. I can only support and encourage you to go for it and wish you good luck to find one rather sooner than later.

It's always great to meet you, Koen, my friend

Wonderful people working for IWC, always a great pleasure to meet

You have already an outstanding collection! What could be maybe a nice addition is a pilots watch, at least I haven't seen one in yoor list. When I got interested in IWC it was always about pilots watches, of course that has changed over the years but that is their DNA.

And Tilo, I was already 39 when I bought my first IWC :(

Koen,
As Tilo I've narrowed it down to one brand ..
I have one breitling in my collection but a friend is wearing it for me (so that doesn't count). It is also a divers watch as you probably would have guessed (LOL).
Starting of with pilots MArk XII, UTC classic and a perfect 3608 chrono, I realised that it would be more fun to stick to one IWC-line. And since I'm a fanatic diver and seen less often in planes ("unless it is to go to a diving-spot abroad") the choice was easy.
Being recognized as the AT-man on the forum is to much credit, but I must say I like it and thinking about my new purchase already.
although the portofino 459008 for my wife sets me back a bit.
So choose wisely (free from the movie:'Life of Brian') Koen.
but don't ask me, because you know the answer (..)
yours sincerely

I think if I were to truly focus within one single collection in IWC, I would focus on collecting Portuguese. This collection , overall, fits me best.

[i]Reference 325 first series
Reference 325 second series
Reference 325 third series

These are absolutely out of reach for know. But dreaming doesn’t hurt. [/i]

So on a more realistic note. I have made this list. This would be a pretty solid time only IWC Portuguese collection. Also , eight is good number for fitting in a box :) 
[list=1]
[]Reference 5441                      Pisa
[]Reference 5441                      Steel/ gold numerals Jubilee
[]Reference 5444                      Steel and blue numerals or titanium for Singapore
[]Reference 5703                      Pure classic white dial
[]Reference 3531                      Black dial and Jaeger movement
[]Reference 5102                      Steel 75th anniversary
[]Reference 5442                      Steel F.A. Jones
[]Reference 5445                      Platinum Vintage collection
[/list]

I think it's a fine list you have made. I only have two of the Portuguese on your list but I am very fond of both. The favorite Portuguese in my collection is the Automatic ref. 5001 though. Good luck with your considerations.
Jens-Kristian

Fantastic watches you have there Mr. Soegaard! All three Portuguese watches are true classics. No doubt.

I think the black dial Portuguese in steel is a perfect moderately sized classic. The black dial is a great match for the overall styling of the piece. The Jones is also really cool for the movement decoration, limited production aspect, styling of the numerals and crown. Very nice, well thought pair in a stunning collection you have. 

It's always interesting to do some thought experiment and although I don't know you personally, Koen, I chime in. I consider myself also as one of the younger "collectors" here in the forum. Therefore I might be somewhat closer to your thinking. Just a few thoughts:
- I personally would not spend € 30'000 for a watch in your age. Of course, it always depends on the coins you have available but life might change so quickly in your age. Sometimes it happens rather sooner than later that you would like to buy an appartment or house or you will have a family. Sure, you could re-sell the watch but I would not take this risk. 
- You seem to be torn towards the Portugieser line, which is completely fine. I own two of them myself. However, having eight time-only Portugieser would give me not enough versatility. On which occasions do you buckle on which watch? For me it would be too difficult to choose. Of course you could argue that such a collection is "focused" but for me it would be rather "boring" (excuse the harsh wording). 
- I think if I were you I would rather search for more casual style IWC. And as you like classic and time-only watches there is one perfect candidate: The Pilot Mark XII [edit: of course I mean Mark XI]. It is an IWC icon and would give your collection an additional dimension. 

Good luck with your further collection development!

Hi there Lyles, 

Thank you so much for your elaborate response. I think you are completely right. I also really do like a classic Pilots watch and that's true IWC dna. I personally think the Mark 11 is a pretty sweet watch. Here are some pictures. Not my pictures. I like the old font and the tritium dial. 

Of course I meant Mark XI, not Mark XII. Edited my post above. 

Lyles, I agree. It's a super nice watch that meets my wishes for being timeless and iconic. I have decided that I first will add a 5441 07 Pisa to my collection. Who knows what happens from there. I think this one might be a good next candidate, but first things first hahaha. Thanks for your help buddy