How to curate your watch collection, according to industry experts
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CNA Lifestyle
How to curate your lookout man collection, according to industry experts
Just as you wouldn't build a business firm without a decent foundation, your timepiece collection should include the essentials. CNA Lifestyle quizzed three watch industry pros to notice out just what these fundamentals are.
(Photo: Unsplash/Hunters Race)
25 Jan 2022 06:30AM (Updated: 04 Jul 2022 ten:18PM)
At that place comes a indicate in every man's life when he starts to realise the value of, well, value. Information technology'southward about spending fourth dimension and money on but the things that affair: Family, friends, belongings and maybe a nice timepiece or two to mark life'southward milestones. As Alvin Wong, Editor-in-Chief of Crown Watch Blog puts it: "Watches, more than anything, are bang-up mementos and signposts of our lives."
Just how do y'all decide which watches define those moments? Which ones are essential? Which ones will keep you looking sharp at work and at play? Which ones volition stand up the test of time, hold their value, and make meaningful heirlooms? How do you begin to curate a coherent starter drove?
If yous discover yourself asking these questions, well, know that advice is on the fashion.
We picked the brains of three influential figures in the local sentry industry: Peter Chong, co-founder of the blog Deployant, and a watch collector himself; Tom Chng, founder of the Singapore Picket Club and also a collector; and Wong, who is quick to point out that he isn't a collector, only simply someone who has chronicled the sentinel industry for many years.
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"I would recommend three checkboxes for beginners," Wong offered. "I, go with reputable brands. Two, get for mechanical watches. Three, go for models that will give you lots of mileage – that is, watches that look and feel comfortable to you, and something that you would wear oft. No 1 tin can tell yous that what you like is wrong."
For Chng, information technology's watchmaking legends that make the most sense for those looking to build a drove.
"Evergreen icons are always compelling options for the modern discerning gentleman. They have withstood the exam of time, and take proven to be relevant despite the trend changes in shape, sizes and colours. It's always a practiced idea to stay on the mainstream at the start, venturing into more niche genres every bit your gustation matures," he said.
In terms of numbers, Chong suggests having "3 or maybe four watches" comprising "two sporty/tool watches and one or ii wearing apparel watches". Whereas in Chng'due south experience, "the numbers usually stabilise between 4 and vii".
START WITH A BUDGET
First things first: Begin with a budget in mind. "Information technology's important to gear up a budget, as otherwise the options are limitless," explained Chong. "A proficient budget to start with is South$3,000. Or if you can afford it, Southward$6,000 or Due south$12,000 for each watch. Save to reach the target."
Some due diligence is necessary also, of course. Chong recommends reading reviews and expert opinions from sites like his own, which has articles contributed by the local watch collecting community.
For those on a upkeep and in the market for sporty/tool watches, he recommends starting out with diving watches such equally the Denizen Fugu, Seiko Tuna, Seiko Samurai or Seiko Sumo, as they are all below the Due south$1,000 marking.
Moving up the calibration – to a budget of up to S$6,000 – Chong nominates marques like Bong & Ross, Oris, Sinn and Tudor. "The Sinn tool watches similar the EZM or the U2 series are proficient places to offset," he said. Too good starting points are the Omega Seamaster, Omega Planet Ocean or Breitling Superocean.
Stretching that budget a footling bit further gets you the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch (S$seven,150) – the watch that went to the moon. This icon is Chng's selection. "The Speedy is fun, coincidental and convenient. It is without a doubtfulness the watch with the virtually interesting story, and as well a relatively friendly price tag," he said.
For those with more means, must-haves in the tool sentinel segment are Rolex sports watches in stainless steel. "Either the Explorer, GMT Master, Submariner or fifty-fifty the Air King are adept starting points," suggested Chong.
The Submariner is also Chng's choice. "Probably the virtually iconic watch in the world, this living legend from 1954 is so popular in both the primary and secondary markets that it's basically liquid cash," explained Chng.
"Information technology set the tone for what a diver'southward lookout man should expect similar, and went on to inspire various designs from different brands all around the world. A great option for whatsoever occasion, whether diving in the waters off Yongala, Australia or desk-diving in the comforts of your own function."
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DRESSIER OPTIONS
Despite what you might call up, respectable, high quality wearing apparel watches can be had for below South$5,000. "Consider Thou Seiko, Longines and Hamilton," proposed Chong. "Most [dress sentry] models are within that price range, and are expert choices."
In the next rung up – around the South$x,000 marking – budding collectors tin "await at Breitling, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre or Omega. The Omega Speedmaster Professional person Moonwatch is a expert option. Equally are the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso or the Main, IWC's Portofino or Breitling Premier."
Chng, too, puts forward the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, alongside the Cartier Santos and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, equally essential clothes watches in a man's collection.
"[The Reverso] is well-nigh recognisable for its rectangular swivel case, designed to protect the timepiece'southward crystal when worn past British Officers playing polo in colonial Bharat. This timepiece looks great under a tuxedo sleeve, and is frequently paired with a hand-winding movement."
Every bit for the Santos, Chng shares that it was the first pilot's watch ever produced – a fiddling known fact. "Starting time introduced in 1904, the Santos hasn't actually inverse that much at all, albeit [having been] resized for a more than contemporary flavour. Most suitable in a professional office setting, its conservative monochromatic livery keeps the timepiece discreet and elegant."
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The Royal Oak, Chng believes, is "the grail to work towards… the end game for many". A timepiece that's aggressive yet elegant at the same time. The famous octagonal timepiece demonstrated a bully corporeality of horological excellence, and was a breakthrough in instance and bracelet finishing."
But, even if you've reached the end game, you shouldn't close yourself off to other options. Wong believes that reviewing or taking stock of one's watch collection is an ongoing process, as is acquiring new knowledge of timepieces.
"Tastes evolve and finances [hopefully] grow, and then that would certainly have an effect on what watches one wishes to add to his collection," he said. "It is also mutual for collectors to allow go of older watches to fund new purchases."
Chng concurs. "Equally we go about our horological journeying, our sense of taste changes, evolves and matures. We discover watches we never even knew we wanted. This process of consolidation and upgrading is both rewarding and fulfilling. Low wrist time is usually a good sign for review, specially when it will take you closer to your next grail."
And, Wong added, in that location is no need to set a finite date to assemble your ideal collection. "I think if a person loves watches, he wouldn't be putting a deadline to his passion. It'due south like asking a music lover when he ought to stop his Spotify subscription!"
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