The most rational, intelligent watch guy on YT still chases every pretty girl that walks by, just like the rest of us. It's comforting.

"It was TGV's fault." I have no idea why, but that cracks me up.🤣

The compromise buy is the worst trap, in my opinion, and one most of us fall into. Either because you don't have the budget at the time or your target watch is nowhere to be had, you end up sinking money into a watch that 90% of the time you end up regretting buying. And most of the time it doesn't see any wrist time either because it just reminds you of what watch it is not.

Much more useful than a state of the watch collection video. This explains the lifecycle of a watch purchase from birth to grave and the reasoning for the acquisition and disposal. Very helpful for those, like me, who would rather not cycle through many watches if better decision making can make that possible. Thank you.

What a fantastic video. I wish more watch KZfaqrs would release a comprehensive video like this. I’ve also enjoyed videos explaining why a collector ended up selling a particular watch they had pined for for a long time.

70+ watches ... Haven't sold one yet (given 3-4 away to family as i improved that style of watch) ... I enjoy having multiple brands, multiple styles in my collection ... While some get more wear than others i still enjoy them ALL. That said to each their own collection style and technique and criteria that is what makes this hobby great - the variety.

every watch tuber should do this video.

The mention of an excel sheet had me chuckle for a bit, but after a bit of consideration I'm now thinking I might pick up on that. Might be very fun to look back to the wearing habits from months or years prior.

Fascinating video 👍. Well done for admitting TGV influenced you, I love his videos, but not his taste in watches. I don't regret any I have sold, but then I've only sold two! I've given away more, but when they cost under £50 there's not much point selling 😁

Mistake purchases are part of the journey. They help you really understand your own tastes and style. Pretty much unavoidable at some point and just part of the hobby. I only buy used watches, so the financial risk of buying the wrong watch is muted quite a bit. In the coming years, I plan on purchasing watch brands that I currently don't own just to see what I might be missing. Some will be mistakes, but if I buy them used it's no big deal.

Invaluable. The one in, one out rule is tough. I giggled over the Excel spreadsheet but remain impressed

This watch hobby really is an illness honestly.... in 3 years I've sold three Speedmasters , two Aqua Terras, an IWC, two Hamiltons, two Seikos, given away a bunch of Casios... obit to be left with a G shock and IWC Mark Xvi. Trying very hard just to be content and not waste any more money now

Pretty diverse collection. Clearly you thought about this often and have had great reasons to change your collection. This journey we’re on.

The watch collecting experience is unique to every individual. There are no mistakes, just that everyone’s tastes change as we mature. My style of collecting today is to add a watch that I want to my “buy list”. Then I go back and review every so often. If the watch appeals to me again then I watch it until it gets to the “right price” that I determine to be right. I find that some of the watches on my list from last year no longer appeal to me, so I remove them.

I've never sold a watch. After watching this, my small collection of 10-12 watches, with only 5 that cost over $300, and only one over $2000, doesn't seem so obsessive and expensive. One of my "nice" watches is a dress watch (Seiko SARB065), and it hardly ever gets wear, so I don't seriously considering buying more, although I still like looking at dress watches with a classic vintage style. I continue to buy $30- $50 Timex's as daily beaters and for whitewater kayaking. I really like their "indiglo" feature - it's way more functional than lume. Expensive watches are jewelry that also tell time for me.

I reget selling my PAM00024, I sold it because People start hating on Panerai. After selling it I learned that I dont care what people think I want a PAM🎉

I love your channel, I hope you grow more and more, you deserve it!

Great advice. Now time for the real watch collection video!

Mike, I have been following your videos for qiute a while now and I really find them standing out from the usual watch videos. I like the way you look at both, Brands and Watches, while not being blinded by widespread brand perception. Always fun and entertaining. I have been collecting watches for over 30 years now and like you - bought some, sold some. What I regret to have sold is the 4940 Girard Perregaux Traveller II, Time-Zone + Alarm. I did even use the alarm function when travelling. ( using the second time zone though was quite cumbersome) I sold it to make space for something new ( don´t even recall for which) - but anyway: I miss it. best from Berlin. Andre PS: my latest is the Moser Pioneer 40 mm, which I love - and plan to keep.

I wish I can do the same, I.e. Sell watches that I don't use. I just don't have the courage to do it 😢 Great video. Now I want to see your keepers

"It was TGV's fault." That was hilarious. It was his fault that I bought the Seiko SARB017 Alpinist in 2018. At least it still gets some wrist time. The watch I will never part with is an Omega mid-size Seamaster 300. It was my first luxury watch and I bought it in 1999. I have worn it everywhere, from the mountains and high deserts of Nevada to weddings and everything in-between.

You make alot of sense my friend, every watch has a story,the sign of a true collectior , well done sir well done..,.....

Well I think you covered everything I have ever done!! 😂😂😂 Well done! Love your content!

I resonated with a lot of this and have made many of the same "mistakes". I'm getting better at buying what I like, what sparks joy, and pleases my eye and my soul. I have watches that are less than $300 that give more more joy than others I have for five figures. I don't have a lot of regrets but mine would be an Omega Aquaterra--bought it b/c everyone said we are supposed to. And I regret selling my Grand Seiko SBGJ217. A boring watch for others but an absolute stunner for me. I thought I had too many dress watches--I don't really need any dress watches in my line of work. But that dial, finishing, and movement brought a light of joy. I still gaze at the pictures I took...sigh

Great idea! Thanks for taking us through your journey!

I really enjoy this channel. Very clean presentation without all of the hype and sizzle. The pivotal point in my watch collecting journey was when I started keeping and buying watches that I like vs what I’m supposed to like. Once this lightbulb went off…the churn in my collection slowed…and I was much happier and content

The honesty is refreshing!

Great video. Thank you for sharing. This is a side of watch collecting I rarely hear about.

I never got connected to my Submariner but I did with my Oyster Perpetual. It is weird what we are meant to love vs what we actually do. Props to you for shunning common mindset and responses and selling. I may not yet be able to get rid of the Sub as I think the only thing that replaces it is another multi year wait for an Explorer ii.

“Liked the idea of the watch “. After 7 months sold my Explorer 124270. Truly wanted to love my first and only Rolex, but simply couldn’t get over how diminutive it wore and looked on my wrist.

I also bought some watches which were loved by other collectors (mostly vintage Omegas), and then I realised that I bought them to feel part of those collectors circle, but they didn’t mean anything to me. Most collectors friends couldn’t understand why I sold them. It would be interesting to have the logic why you have certain watches in your collection and what they represent for you.

Great video, it lets us see how emotive the watch collecting is! We are very much influenced by the KZfaqrs. I’ve eventually learned to be less impulsive and a little bit more objective with my watch collecting journey.

shifting taste with age and emotional bonding with a specific watch are the main two factors fighting for keeping or selling a watch .

What a great idea! A negative "state of the watch". Surprised more people haven't thought of it For me I concur with many that it's impossible to learn and grow as a hobbyist without making mistakes. And for me the mistakes occur when I haven't mulled over a watch enough, from enough angles and use cases. Being a perfectionist, if I find one negative about something, it may ruin my perception of that thing. So I don't mind spending weeks, months even, over-analyzing to death a product against its opportunity cost

Thank you. Your video caused me think over my watch decisions. Unlike you, I don’t have the discipline to sell the watch’s I don’t wear. I retired so my dress watches don’t see much action other than “date nights.” My sport watches are in a rotation except during home projects, then the G Shocks get their moment in the sun. The only discipline I have is holding out for watches I really want to own, but they don’t come available often. (A lot of watches tempt me during my wait, but I know I won’t like them as they will remind me of compromising my goals.) As a rule, I have learned not to sell my watches, guitars, and guns. I think of when I violated my rule and get sick when I see what they have done in value.

Really interesting set of reflections- thanks for this video.

Good point about DJ41 and how you didn't build memories with it because you wouldn't wear it during occasions such as traveling. I wonder if there was less threat of theft, it would have been different.

This is so relatable as a watch hobbiest/enthusiast! Thanks for sharing. I regret buying: beaten and incomplete 16570 polar I regret selling: beaten and incomplete 16570 polar Very long story 😂

Great video, I wish more people did this style of video. I still have my Stowa Flieger 40mm, definitely waiting until I can grab a speedy

If we were to compare KZfaq watch channels to the written word, this channel would be what I consider a classic novel and a lot of the other ones would be like comic books only. Thank you for that different perspective and tone.

Really enjoyed the format of this episode… you continue to mix subjects, style, perspectives etc in a way that keeps the channel fresh and different to the watch world norm. Keep up the good work 👍….oh and yes, compromise purchases truly are the ones that really hurt on the watch collecting journey, 😂

Thank you for your thoughts here! It's sort of works as a 'top tips before you buy a watch' kind of video. Very insightful!

Just out of curiosity how many watches do you currently own and do you have a 1 in and 1 out policy?

Wow that was a great, different take. Also really helped me gain perspective on a few of them that I want.

Thanks Mate! I have 2 big regrets: Cartier Santos Medium sold, to flashy for me, now i regret it. 2. Rolex Explorer 36, wanted to sold it via watchmaster. Then it got stolen from watchmaster...yea until now i didnt saw 1,- euro from the insurance...

i love how you have a spreadsheet tracker for 'times worn' amazing! A pure analytical collector in top calibre form. Cheers

Nice review Sir, thanks for sharing it, i see myself doing the same in some of your examples. Cheers

Great concept for a video! I really enjoyed this one.

Great video! I regret selling my first automatic watch, Oris Aquis Blue Wave. I wore it for a long time and now I miss it

This is an incredible watch journey... You have owned some astounding pieces! I love the left field watches like the Nomos'es and the Sinn's! I cant wait to see what you actually own if you got rid of these gems! I only regret selling one watch and that was my grandfathers Omega Seamaster Jubilee (BA 196.750 MZ) I was young and stupid and needed the money at the time and man has that bothered me ever since. I have looked for it for years but have yet to find it. What's done is done I guess. 😞On another note I hope your wife is paying you "braai broodtjie tax" for borrowing that Black Bay haha!

Great video of an exciting journey! That was very interesting and joyful to watch 👍🏻 Keep on with such great content!

1. I adopted the "one in, one out" policy in 2023. 2. I have never sold a watch from my collection. Why? Because I keep them until they fail. Fail = not worth the cost of repair. Then I give it as a discarded gift for parts to my favorite local dealer. This week it was a failed Longines watch. The last time it was a cheerished Hamilton. 3. Like our excellent pundit, there are watches for different occasions. This week, a strap failed. After consideration, I replaced it with a different leather strap. If you wear other than a metal bracelett, like leather, it will fail sooner than metal. So, rather than selling a watch, I contemplate and sometimes change a strap to metal, so I can keep the watch longer.

Great to see your watches and hear your reasoning and regrets etc. Not many are my thing, but that's what's great about watches IMO ; )

Accent plus voice crunchiness makes you so smart. How do you bust out such epic voice crunch?

This is a very interesting idea for a video. Given your extensive watch owning background, it’s very interesting to hear why you bought and then sold many watches, such as the Rolex, Patek, and Lange watches.

Excellent video as always Mike. Turning the tables on the SOTC video, genius! So interesting to hear how your collecting journey has evolved. It makes me think about whether I have too many Watches. Keep up the great work brother. ✊

Thx for the insights. Get going 🚀

I knew you were wierd but not excel sheet for what watch i wore wierd. A joke i love you❤

When it comes to Squale 1521. I will be getting the blasted version. You had an excel sheet of how much you worn a watch. The nerd meter just broke

Another great interesting video. Thanks👍

Really love this. I imagine that lately the increasing "limited edition" and "limited sales window" situation is also resulting in a lot of mistake purchases b/c people are buying into hype/a sense that they need to act now even if they know deep down that it's not THE watch they want etc.

That was a hugely helpful review as we learn far more from what we in hindsight do not like than from shouting about the great things we have. Keep up the good work - you provide a different style of channel that is unique among the many watch channels out there

It’s a personality thing. If you are by nature a hoarder, you probably don’t sell much. If you are more minimalist, less sentimental, you sell a lot. I’m in the later category, sold a lot of watches over the years - Tudor GMT, omega Seamaster, Rolex Explorer 39, Air King, Zenith El Primero. I’m just wearing a simple green dial Quartz PRX today.

I can relate a LOT to your collecting habits. I have a similar history of trying to replace and compare and contrast. Shame we can’t (or don’t want to) keep multiple versions of similar watches!

Thanks for the interesting story!

Great video! Really good, out of the usual approach. I've sold many watches as well in the last 12 years since I've been into watches. Mostly to fund a watch I liked more than the one I was willing to part with as I had no deep emotional connection. I have 3 keeper watches, the ones my 3 kids will get when they are 25-30 years old. Keep up the great work and I still believe that you could do an awesome job with an IWC Mark lineage video. Cheers, Dan

I feel honoured to be the first viewer and seemingly the first commenter as well. This is a very interesting video concept and that sort of videos are why I am subscribed to your channel: it provides a different perspective. Thank you! Edit: As for my collection, I am very new to the hobby (It's been about 3 years but I haven't made many purchases) and very very much on the low end in terms of budget. My entire collection is worth under £300 (brand new prices as I bought them), and interestingly enough, the 2 watches I wear the most are the cheapest, both coming in at £30 each brand new. I haven't sold any of my watches, mainly because I don't see a reason to (there's no real cost to regain) and as such, I don't feel qualified to speak about that, but 2 out of my 5 watches have seen literally no use over the last 6 months or more, likely closer to a year.

Great video. It made me think. I also had a 39mm Rolex explorer and thought I should love it but didn't really. I sold it and never looked back. I almost sold my 34mm air king that I have owned for a long time. I would have regretted that.

What a great SOTC variation! I enjoyed your journey and insights immensely: ) I too bought a 214270 (modern 36 ver) but rapidly moved it on- too expensive/dressy for a field watch. I'm much happier with my Speedbird III. I am gradually learning to follow my own preferences.

The mental gymnastics my watch buying logic requires deserves a gold medal. Glad to know I’m not the only one that would be standing on that podium.

Fascinating. Really enjoyed seeing a lot of watches I wasn't familiar with. I've gone in pretty much the opposite direction - vintage, mostly dress watches and yellow gold. No regrets about selling the divers, GADAs and field watches which the internet tells you to have in your collection. Just not my cup of tea. There are still some I can't bring myself to sell even thigh they get little wear as they would be exorbitant to rebuy if my tastes change in future and were so cheap when I bought them - Seiko SKX007 and black SNK.

I don't think I regret any watch sale. Perhaps I regret selling too cheap, and not waiting for a better offer, not the sale in itself. I have only one watch that I wouldn't sell, the yellow dial Seawolf that I bought after completing my degree, as a mature age student.

Wow! I feel like I am watching myself in 10 years, hahaha. The degree of similarity in my taste of watches and your watch journey is insane! I literally have looked at all the watches you just mentioned with the intention of buying them at some point. Such an insightful video, because now I have the perspective of a more experienced person who lived through the different phases of watch collecting. Thank you!

Nice post! I was lucky enough in my time to own a Rolex Air-King Date in 1980, with a sensational slate grey dial. It cost just £300 then. I sold it on in 1984, and did not lose out on the deal but I miss it still to this day. Later on in 1988, I managed to get one of the last Rolex Explorer ref: 1016 watches left in the UK, for the princely sum of £610! What a watch and what was I doing selling it?! I did sell it in 1992, and still regret that decision. Finally, after buying a Rolex GMT 2 16710 in 1995, I found I just did not wear it enough and that went in 2006. It would appear that the 'about to be discontinued' rolos are the ones to consider first dear friends!

I haven't sold a watch before, and I hope I never need to. But it gets harder to add meaning to the collection the more I have. The most recent additions (still waiting to receive) are the Moonphase and Bel Canto from CW. I hope they bring as much, if not more, joy than my earlier acquisitions. Excellent videos!

Some of the best watch collecting content on KZfaq. You certainly deserve more followers.

I only regret selling my Tudor BB ETA burgundy bezel. I wish I took it slower and thought it over a bit more.

This was a wonderful idea for a video. It’s great to know thinking behind a collection and especially why certain watches leave. A recent podcast I heard had a similar concept that I found equally cool: if you had to find upgrade versions of your current watches, which would they be / which of your watches are already “end game” watches that you wouldn’t upgrade from?

This inverse perspective is quite refreshing.

Thanks, very informative. I would still love to see your state of the collection as it seems we have similar taste. I sold a Explorer 36 that somehow I regret selling as it was my “special occasion” watch. As I did not have many of these it was just sitting there most of the time.

Interesting, and I thought you only had a few watches. I regret selling or trading over the past 30 yrs, Old style Seadweller, Sub no date, Tudor Sub, Oysterquartz, Datejust old style 36mm, 2008 36mm Rolex Explorer. Cheers, Chris

Good conversation about collecting and things to consider. I regret discarding my childhood Casios and Timex watches along with my high school graduation gift watch from my grandfather. I wasn’t interested in watches and didn’t know any better 😢

Excellent video. Thanks.

One in and one out is the same rule I follow, although my budget is nowhere near yours. I own 5, in a five slot watch box my wife gifted me. I also have a strap collection. And even that is a lot for me. I haven't sold a watch yet - so far I have always given them away. Too many watches dilute a collection. You can tell from many of those SOTC videos that folks often own "filler" watches, or they have a lot of overlap in their collection (three black dial divers or something like that). Not to mention that when people have 10 or 20, it means they're not really wearing them.

I really enjoy your content. Clearly you take this hobby very seriously. What this video proves [however] is that regardless of the money spent, it's easy to discover that sometimes the "connection" was "all in the mind". Needless to say, I think that knowing what works and what doesn't can only be achieved through a bit of trial and error. It's maybe worth being somewhat measured in deciding to make that purchase. Buying on an impulse is more likely to result in disappointment. (Especially if the mistake happens to be a Patek Philippe or an A Lange & Söhne). Serious dollar!

Very nice video that resonates with us that have this watch disease. Sold my Tudor bb 41 Heritage red bezel when I purchased a Tudor bb chrono reverse panda. I miss it all the time and have considered repurchasing but will not if I stick to my guns, maybe? A watch that I really really wanted but after purchase only wore a couple times? A Longines big eye.

“Why did I sell many of my watches?” Well Sir the answer is simple, I’m an idiot. I miss my 1998 transition Speedmaster.

Great video as usual. We still waiting Q & A video 😅

That's an interesting take on a SOC video. To me, it's often easier to say what I don't like than what I do. So I could relate. I haven't sold any watches yet, but I've gifted some. My collection sits at 4 pieces now. Though I'd be fine with just 2. So I might be selling the other 2 down the road. Just need to figure out which ones.

Regret: Grand Seiko SBGC001(I think; black dial). Felt premium; loved looking at the movement; loved the size (easier to read). But while I liked the feel of the pushers, but I didn't like unscrewing them. Also felt the dial was too busy since I'm mostly interested in the time and the day of the week. I'm struggling to find a replacement that 100m water resistant day/date in stainless that I like the look of. Lots of options, but they typically feel cheap, or the day/date don't line up... The search for a replacement continues.

Great vid

Fascinating video. I rarely ever sell a watch so I don’t have any regrets. I do regret selling the 1973 Porsche 914 that I restored many years ago however. I won’t ever get something like that back.

This was a great video!

About collecting, I’m taking the opportunity to share the journey. I’ve been (seriously) collecting for 20 years (slow buying, considered choices) and sold the first watch a few years ago when the collection reached near 15 watches, to keep a streamlined rotation and make place for new watches (one in, one out). I reached a point when all the watches are above 9/10 in wrist presence satisfaction and now it is hard to sell. I’ve tried lots of “affordable” microbrands to scratch the ich but sold all except for Zelos and Christopher Ward (not exactly a mb). Social media has enhanced the “addictive” aspect of collecting. I currently own Omega Speedmaster (2021), Rolex Submariner (2010), Rolex Explorer II (2009), Zenith Defy Ceramic (2022), Tag Heuer Carrera Glassbox (2023), Tudor BB58 (2018). I sold Tag Heuer, Longines, Sinn, Seiko, but the only watch I regret selling was a Citizen America’s Cup I purchased in 92 and sold to be compliant with the in and out rule. There are a few I don’t wear much these days (Rolex Explorer 36 from 2009, Speedmaster Reduced from 2002) but would like to the kids to have when they are older. I’m constantly lusting after the next watch but make a serious effort to appreciate and wear the ones I’m fortunate to have.

Super interesting, yet again! I must say I have never sold a watch, and I am not sure I will ever convince myself to do it. Truth is, I like all the watches I own, even if some more than others. I like your ideas of watching "growing" with memories or occasions. Some of my watches (like the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean) I only wear when I am relaxed and have downtime (i.e never for work, even if I work from home). So that when I wear these watches, I know I am in relaxation mode. Others are the other way around: the minute I wear them, I know I have to focus on work or getting things done, and it kind of gives me the energy and the confidence. It's all self-imposed psycho tricks, but it kind of works for me. I get your point about wanting the Lange I, but I have to say the one you sold is absolutely gorgeous and I would never have sold it. Anyway, it's all very personal.

Ha it was TGVs fault I bought a SARB017 when I should have purchased a 033 SARB Seiko and he influenced me to also buy the SInn104ST also which was great but just too chunky . I replaced that with a Tudor Ranger on the bracelet which I am still very happy with. Love your channel .

mid week update, pleasant surprise!

Really enjoyed this episode. I'm on a day off and puttering around watching youtube, and for some reason this hit the spot for me, and allowed me to relax. My sort-of answer to your question at the end: I got rid of two watches a couple of years ago. Since they weren't worth a lot of money, and since I never learned much about buying and selling things, I just decided to give them away. The immediate issue was that I had a daily-wearer gold-plated Seiko Kinetic with an unusual (to me) green dial that I liked and bought in the early 2000s, but once I fell out of the habit of wearing it, it did not fare well sitting in a drawer. The capacitor or battery tended to like being used, and not just sitting (at least I think that's what happened). In addition to this, I don't like the idea of collecting a dozen or so watches.... I like to see watches used and enjoyed by people. So, once I realized I couldn't keep it in good repair, and once I realized I was just stuck on deciding what to do with it, I just gave it to a local store to go ahead and sell, as they saw fit. At the same time I had a Pulsar solar mall watch that worked excellently for 20 years (I think it predated the Seiko) and I had not worn it much. It never needed a minute of maintenance since the day I bought it. I think it kept good time, AFAIK. It could not have cost me more than $60, and so I just gave that one away on the same day, kind of on impulse. I did kind of like it, but I wanted someone else to get enjoyment out of it, even if just as a cheap breakable daily wearer. In both cases, even though I think it was, overall, the right decision for me to get rid of both watches (regardless of prices or give-aways), I do sometimes regret both. There are a number of reasons here or there, when through a given day or month I'll sort of wish I could put one of them on again. --------- A few other accumulated comments: In this cell phone age, it's often said we don't actually need a watch, but I do think watches can help us be less rude in some business situations, and are easier to check for the time in some other hands on situations, where a cell phone is not accessible. Come to think of it, I've also bought a few wall-clocks over the last few years, which help actually tell the time in some home or work situations where I don't want to look at my phone or computer or TV screensaver. Another issue that comes to mind is I sometimes travel in a slightly dangerous urban neighborhood and, out of an abundance of caution, avoid all possible flashy clothing and watches. The cheap-but-quite-functional and not-horrible-looking mall-watch Pulsar though might have been good for that situation, though I might be kidding myself ... I think in a lot of situations, someone might look at one's wrist and project many multiples of value compared to what a watch is actually worth. Maybe if my existing Casio was not a huge 3-sensor type, then I could use it in that situation. But I do think I was guilty of giving away a perfectly functional solar watch that could have resumed a role as my daily-wearer under some more rugged use cases. That decision to give the two watches away left me with four watches. Two of those are light-powered, and, combined with the Seiko and Pulsar, stay with this theme of exploring unusual and hopefully sustainable power options in watches. I work in sustainable industry analysis, and so to me, that was probably what guided me to them. I might some day pick up a vintage thermal powered watch, but I'm not sure how well they really harvest energy, and they're hard to get, and with very limited selection. So, I'd probably end up giving it away again if I didn't wear it that much, especially if it had a battery or capacitor that liked to be used.

As a new collector and enthusiast (2 years), I have sold nothing...yet. My hesitation stems from not quite knowing which platforms to use for selling. If I may ask you (and all watching), which platforms have you used to sell your watches? Note: what I will be selling tend to be of an entry-level variety (e.g. Unimatic, Laco, etc.). Thanks for your help!

I've never liked the Tudor Ranger but.. it looks great (and makes sense) on the strap you found for it!