Single brand or many brands?

[hoshi8]

i am trying to start watch collecting....i dont know if i should buy all Rolex or 1 watch per brand.......

thinking of trading my pam111 with another rolex...after which i will concentrate on just buying rolex...

oh...the dilemma....i actually wanted to get an omega planet ocean next...then B&R 93...then if wife permits...a Hublot Big Bang or AP ROO....

i want to have a display cabinet done after a few years to showcase my watches....my plan is to get 1 to 2 watches a year...

bros....what are your thoughts?

[Hary]

Different strokes for different folks

Some people they collect single brand, very loyal. Some they collect single complication type, for example diver, pilot or chronograph watches. Some collect certain movement. May type of collectors out there.

I personally like diversity in my collection. Of course over the years you would lean towards certain brand, but die die must buy one brand would never be the case in my purchasing decision.

[Ender]

I tried to keep my collection towards a single brand - pam, but could not resist the many fine pieces out there... at one point or another, I've have had pams, rolex, vintage tudor/rolex, heuer, vintage omega, vintage seiko... now contemplating a contemporary omega ...

[Darkangel]

I will diversify into other brands in future...not possible to stay in Rolex all the way..that's tough man!

[coldzy]

Go for the one that u like best.

[triton]

to answer your question.

first u need to ask yourself, what you like in your watch collection.

some of the follow questions may help you decide. but believe me, halfway through when you start collecting, your goal will change. so it is better to stick to a brand you like best first.

do you like to have watches to have good movement?
do you like to have watch brand which have good reputable hisotry?
do you like to have different functions of watches?
what is your budget?
do you want watch that will retain or at leasts does not lose its value too much?
do you want watch that is produced with special casing?

i aint no expert in rolex and panerai movements. but i can tell u something about my experiences with both of them. i would choose rolex over panerai because they have in house movements for at least their basic sports models.

im not saying panerai does not have in house movement, but are you willing to pay premium price for their in house movement?

there are many different types of functions available such as chronograph, double split, rattrapante, flyback, alarm, GMT, power reserve, and so on.........

some brands basically the day u buy them, u lose about 50% of its value. take for example, JLC has one of the loudest alarm in the market, even some other leading brands are using their movement for their alarm models. JLC has one of the most number of patents in watch movements, but locally, resale value is bad for this brand. so how? u buy or u dont buy?

some watch brands are selling well because of their 'prime' concept. for Bell and Ross, it is the square that is their trademark. for hublot, it is their big bang, same movement, just use different material for casing to generate variants. AP is the special shape that makes its trademark, does many ppl know of their millenery line? dont take me that i wont own a hublot, B&R or AP, but i need to convince myself that i really like the design, the brand, its movements before i get one.

i have looked to buy a panerai for at least 5 years, till today, i dont have 1 yet. but i do have couple of rolex. different people buy watches for different reasons. most important is that you like the watch first, that is the crucial factor.

as for your idea of getting a display cabinet, i personally dont like the idea. i think it attract too much attention.

[wolfeyes1974]

diversify and you'll find it very interesting every year after BaselWorld.

[116520]

Rolex...

Now looking at other brands but don't wanna pay first hand price for other brands...

[116520]

hoshi8, I agree with triton, display cabinet is a bit showoff. Why dont you get a glass top watch box? Hide it somewhere in your house, when your friends come, take out your watch box and I am sure your friend will give you this face >>>

i am trying to start watch collecting....i dont know if i should buy all Rolex or 1 watch per brand.......

thinking of trading my pam111 with another rolex...after which i will concentrate on just buying rolex...

oh...the dilemma....i actually wanted to get an omega planet ocean next...then B&R 93...then if wife permits...a Hublot Big Bang or AP ROO....

i want to have a display cabinet done after a few years to showcase my watches....my plan is to get 1 to 2 watches a year...

bros....what are your thoughts?

[wolfeyes1974]

wah..display cabinet...can ask Orbita Corporation to customize...winders + storage + locking mechanism...

[Nooch]

Bro, simple - follow ur heart. Buy wat u like. YMMV.

[hoshi8]

thanks alot for your feedback bros...especially the detailed explanation by triton...

first off....if i concentrate on rolex...then i wont worry so much about resale value however i will be having alot of the 'same' watches....example 5 different variations of the submariner...seadweller...GMT...daytona...then i will considered a true collector of rolex...

if i diversify the brands...i get alot of variety and movements...but resale wouldnt be as good as rolex.... and as what triton says earlier...collect different 'types' of watches can be really tough and expensive....example..minute repeater...perpetual calendar...tourbillon....the list goes on and on...

guess i got to go with my heart...not my wallet...hope to make watch keeping a passion for many years to come....

after considering what you guys said....i dont think rolex has many unique looking watches and they are 'too common'....so different brands direction is where i would go even though resale is worse!

about the display cabinet....i thought its like a piece of art in the house...heehee...never thought of the showoff factor....anyways...not many people come to my place....its mainly for my own pleasure....saw my friend with a large cabinet with thousands worth of 'toys' and it looks great! want to share my passion with friends and family and hope to poison them when they see the display cabinet...

once again..THANKS!

[116520]

Ha ha... don't get your maid poisoned as well.... later she runaway with your babies.....

thanks alot for your feedback bros...especially the detailed explanation by triton...

first off....if i concentrate on rolex...then i wont worry so much about resale value however i will be having alot of the 'same' watches....example 5 different variations of the submariner...seadweller...GMT...daytona...then i will considered a true collector of rolex...

if i diversify the brands...i get alot of variety and movements...but resale wouldnt be as good as rolex.... and as what triton says earlier...collect different 'types' of watches can be really tough and expensive....example..minute repeater...perpetual calendar...tourbillon....the list goes on and on...

guess i got to go with my heart...not my wallet...hope to make watch keeping a passion for many years to come....

after considering what you guys said....i dont think rolex has many unique looking watches and they are 'too common'....so different brands direction is where i would go even though resale is worse!

about the display cabinet....i thought its like a piece of art in the house...heehee...never thought of the showoff factor....anyways...not many people come to my place....its mainly for my own pleasure....saw my friend with a large cabinet with thousands worth of 'toys' and it looks great! want to share my passion with friends and family and hope to poison them when they see the display cabinet...
once again..THANKS!

[hoshi8]

wah..display cabinet...can ask Orbita Corporation to customize...winders + storage + locking mechanism...

with my watches' value and range....i think johor contractors is more appropriate...

however...i think it will look damn nice with spotlight beaming on top of your prized possessions all seating nicely in their respective winders...

dont think i will ever get tired of sitting in my living room 'admiring' my own watches....thinking of all the years struggling within myself which watch to get to finally get that collection...

just a dream....hope my 'plans' goes well and have at least 1 to 2 acquisitions every year...

P.S....Disclaimer: I am trying to start a family so when my child comes...i may not have enough money to make new acquisitions...so to all the bros who have advised me....my query is hypothetical...pardon me if my watch collecting passion is put on hold...

[psee]

I started out collecting mainly Omega / Rolex watches but have since diversify into other brands ... Some current personal favourites include Glashutte Original, Jaeger LeCoultre ...