cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17027
Care & Feeding of a Watch Collection 1: Introduction & Overview
Care & Feeding of a Watch Collection 1: Introduction & Overview
Hi, my name is Mike and I am a watch collector (audience claps, nods and says "welcome"). Then I say but I'm not recovering, I'm still into it.
I collect watches, but watches are only one of the items I collect. Having spent more than a decade chasing watches, it seemed time for me (as a collector and PuristSPro moderator) to share some of the principles by which I operate. Please understand that these are only MY collection's operating rules and I expect you may disagree with or add to my perspective.
We could say that there are at least 3 types of watch collector:
Casual (I've got a Hamilton, a Casio G Shock, a Fossil, a Swiss Army watch, and a Seiko diver)
Mainstream (I've got 5 Omega dive watches, 3 Sinn divers, a couple Bell & Ross, a Submariner and 5-6 other automatic watches; plus a few beaters)
Serious (I drink with Peter and Kari, talk APs with the Traveling Purist, and I am on the Stern's Christmas Card list).
I'll aim at categories Casual and Mainstream, with hopes of saying something you Serious collectors will appreciate and perhaps expand upon. But first, let me say a bit more about my collecting background.
I am a mechanically-inclined, do-it-yourselfer. After working in a bicycle shop (fixing hundreds of flat tires, shift cables, bent wheels, etc), I spent my working career in the publishing industry creating information for professional automotive technicians - aka "shop manuals". I am good at working with metal, competent with wood, experienced with electricity and electronics, and better than average with diagnostics. I started collecting watches as a way to wean myself away from collecting and restoring cars (I've bought nearly 100 vehicles).
After I had amassed 20-30 different watches, I stepped up a level and got an IWC GST Perpetual Calendar Moonphase Chronograph (seen here today).
This watch, retailing for $15,000, was a real commitment for me, but sadly, it quickly needed a trip to the shop. Talking to the repairman about working on my watch, I got interested in the inner mysteries of watch movements. I talked my way into my watchmaker's confidence, and he talked me into sitting at an adjoining bench for one day a week over a period of four years (doing hundreds of strap changes, bracelet cleanings and battery replacements). I joined NAWCC, a watch and clock collector's association, and went to regional shows. I have a little bit of knowledge and a small watch "factory" in my basement. Thus I know just enough to be dangerous...
I have purchased about 200 watches in total although I've also pared my collection down to about 60 at the moment. I like Seikos, but I have watches from all countries and with all sorts of movements, cases, bracelets, straps, etc.
Now on to the subject - this series is about HAVING and ENJOYING a collection, not about BUYING or SELLING the individual components of the collection, and certainly not about telling you WHICH watches to collect.
Your taste in watches may vary from mine in appearance, quality, functions, nationality of the company, etc. In fact, you (or more likely your spouse and friends) might wonder WHAT IN THE WORLD is interesting about watches to collect? If I may speak just of watch FUNCTIONS, I have come up with this list:
Accuracy & Convenience
Tourbillon
Automatic
Milgauss / Magnetic Shielding
Power reserve
Beauty or Novelty
Carrousel
Parachute
Reversed movement
Ultra Slim
Skeleton dial
Foudroyante
Dead seconds
SmileDay
Larger Units of Time
Date; Large Date
Calendar
Annual Calendar
Complete Calendar
Perpetual Calendar
Calendar Week
Leap Year
Non-Western Calendars (Chinese, Hebrew)
Zodiac
Different times
Japanese (wadokei) hours
Multiple times
Equation Of Time
Multiple Time Zones
Travel Watch / World Timer
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) or ...
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
24-hour Dial
Astronomical / Lunar Features
Moon phase
Sunrise / Sunset
Equation of Time
Date of Easter
Astrolabe
Planetarium (Credit Don Corson)
Star Charts
Tidal (credit Nicolas)
Diving Features
Helium valve
Depth gauge
Timing
Chronograph
Flyback Chronograph
Split-second Chronograph
Auditory
Alarm
Minute repeater (of various sorts)
Sonnerie
Other Striking variations
Non-Timekeeping Complications
Altimeter
Barometer
Thermometer
Compass
Braille touch dials
Convenience Features, not Complications
Crown Protection (or not)
Luminous Material
Solar Recharging
etc.
So given all these choices (avoiding pocket watches and clocks), it's natural that we might not have the same interest in the SAME watches, even though we all like WATCHES. That's why PuristS has many forums (or fora).
Notice that I didn't even mention dials, or color, or material of the case, or size of the watch, or straps ....
Here's a general outline of what I propose to cover in approximately 8-10 posts. The details of each post may vary as we go.:
EDUCATION and UNDERSTANDING
Researching a Watch
Obvious sources, such as PuristS
Visiting dealers
In keeping with PuristS philosophy, no discussion of pricing, bargaining, dealer recommendations or tips on bringing in/out of the country
Understanding a Watch (or a "Watch Family")
User manuals
Online instructions and information
Theory and operation of your watch movement
Technical discussion of construction, lubrication, parts and repair procedures
Brochures & Marketing materials
Period Reviews of the watch
WIS discussions on OEM sites, PuristS and elsewhere
Getting to Know a Watch Company
Dealers
Company website
Events, Trade shows, Factory visits
Significant people in a watch company (or getting to know your AHCI watchmaker)
STORAGE and TRANSPORTATION
Ways to carry or ship / transport watches
Shipping and Receiving
Keeping a collection convenient and safe
Insurance & c laims
WINDING and SETTING Watches
Manual / Automatic
Solar
Winders
Reference time
Specialty - moon phase, push pins, winding tools, etc
BOXES and PAPERS
Boxes
Papers
Photo documentation of condition and accessories
BRACELETS, STRAPS, ETC
Bracelets
Straps
Spring Bars
Buckles and Deployants
Changing the strap and buckle
Sizing and Fit
Options - Dealer, Watchmaker, Self
Changing and adjusting the bracelet
Sizing and Fit
Options - Dealer, Watchmaker, Self
Tools and Equipment Required
DOCUMENTATION and PHOTOS of the Collection
Documenting the collection
Record and retain documents and events if you can
Individual Photos (for the collection record, not Friday's wrist-shot)
SOTC (State of the Collection) photos
Organizing the photo library
SAFETY NOTE: Decide whether you wish to use the GPS location feature on phones and cameras. If you share photos, why broadcast (in the image metadata) where you and your watches reside?
MAINTENANCE and REPAIRS
Cleaning the outside of the watch
Toothbrush and sink
Ultrasound machine
Cleaning the bracelet (this single bracelet coughed up all this dirt!)
Polishing a crystal
Reconditioning the strap
Brushing or polishing the case and bracelet
Changing a battery
Dealer, Watchmaker, Self
Minor Repairs
Dealer, Watchmaker, Self
Cleaning and servicing the watch
Dealer, Watchmaker, Self
Limbo
"Mechanical total" - what to do with watches not worth fixing but too nice to throw out
Long-term storage to eventually give to heirs, friends, etc
Enjoy the reading and may it help you enjoy your collection even more. If I forget something along the way, please remind me, or chip in with your 2 cents.
Note that I am going to try to illustrate my points with my own photos, but I may draw on some others found here on the PuristSPro website. Please forgive me if I show your photo and fail to credit you.
Cheers,
Cazalea
LINK TO POST TWO
More posts:
Care & Feeding of a Watch Collection 1: Introduction & Overview
Care & Feeding of a Watch Collection 1: Introduction & Overview Hi, my name is Mike and I am a watch collector (audience claps, nods and says "welcome"). Then I say but I'm not recovering, I'm still into it. I collect watches, but watches are only one of ...
Definitely looking forward to this!
learning from the experts and seasoned collectors like yourself here is what I really love!
Great Post Mike!
I will call it Watch Collecting 101, a Crash Course. This will definitely be useful to any beginner. Thanks for putting this together.
You provoked this Ping, I hope you enjoy it!
There are many words and photos to come ... some will be familiar to diehard collectors. Mike aka Cazalea ...
Thank you for this great intro....
Looking forward to read upcoming parts! :) Best Blomman
Not a small feat
but you are the man up to it Thank you in advance dear Mike for this PPRO references and Bravo Sincerely Damjan
This kind of post should be highlighted for the long term
Which is kind of what I had in mind with my suggestion for a "Research" forum (link below). This kind of article (series) represents the institutional knowledge of PuristSPro and should be catalogued in a way that is easily accessible for Purists over the...
Watch Collector Type 4
Mike, My nom de plume is MTF and I\'m a physician, formerly in psychotic drugs R&D. My considered diagnosis: You is sick, Man. Da Loony-Bin has nuffin\' on ya! Prognosis: With strong drugs and psychotherapy, you may progress to Collector - Type 4, at best...
Classes?
First off, thanks for doing this post. I am really looking forward to it. I am currently a "mainstream" collector that is looking to take a step up the ladder. I read PuristSPro as much as I can given my work schedule, etc (don't you hate it when real lif...
Education is good but I don't know what classes are offered
I have taken several classes online, and worked with a group to dismantle and reassemble certain Seiko movements. I purchased a series of videotapes (back in the olde days) that go through pocket watches with tips and techniques from the watchmaker, Bob T...
Well done, Cazalea. very helpful to those just starting out, trying to come to grips
with this gentle madness. Bravo
Articles with some advice and some (self-wincing) observation
I can't help thinking what a crackpot (nutcase, wild man, enthusiast, Purist?) I become when I get my teeth into a hobby ... sigh. You should see what's become of my office, with tools strewn about, straps and bracelets everywhere, watches in various stat...
