Breaking Collecting Plateaus: Finding More Interesting and Unique Watches
Watch collecting is a unique hobby that has near limitless possibilities in terms of taste and design. Most collectors start their collections by purchasing or being gifted an entry level watch. From this point you might be one of the unfortunate ones who catch “the itch,” at which point you are doomed to a lifetime of spending money on wrist-worn gadgets.
But still, there are times in collecting where we feel stuck after having exhausted many mainstream choices. Things start to feel stale and year after year, new releases seem to repeat the same styles and dial colors. Much to the dismay of spouses and bank accounts out there, we’re going to help you remedy this issue. Here are some solutions to overcome your watch-collecting plateau.
Go For Gold
In the last couple of years, we have witnessed an unprecedented, never-ending stream of stainless steel sports watches being pumped out of Swiss factories straight onto the wrists of every dude with a comfortable desk job and a fleeting dream of adventuring into the outdoors. Honestly, it can get a bit boring, and if you’re reading this, we bet you feel it too. If so, we urge you to try something gold.
For the longest time in watchmaking, gold was the end-all-be-all of style and class. It has an outstanding weight, and wearing a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in 18K Red Gold feels elevated beyond the standard steel version, proving a devotion to independence that you just can’t get with more basic materials.
Or, try a Sedna Gold Omega Speedmaster. It has the same well-known design as the “garden variety” Moonwatch, but the gold provides a lot of extra flair. These watches are a step above what you can get with a normal Speedy. Plus, Omega’s proprietary gold alloy means Sedna watches have a warmth and wonder that’s hard to find anywhere else.
If your finances are a bit more humble than Mr. Monopoly’s, get something gold-plated. They scratch that precious metal itch with a bit less of a toll on your wallet. We recommend pieces from the likes of Seiko with their Prospex SLA006 or the Raymond Weil Millesime Collection.
Collect Complications
Tired of chronographs, GMTs, and three hand watches? Honestly, same. We all need something different. Luckily, there’s plenty out there for us.
First, take a look at a Ulysse Nardin Freak. True to their name, these watches look like nothing normal. They feature a unique movement that rotates fully around the dial. On top of this, the Freak was the first watch to feature a silicone hairspring. You get all of this packed into one watch that is sure to break your collecting habits.
Next up, take a look at German watches, especially the Nomos Glashütte Zurich Worldtimer. This watch features one of the easiest to use worldtimer complications we’ve seen. With a simple push of a button, the hour hand and city ring advances to make timezone tracking a cinch. Not only is this complication super useful, it’s also fun to play with.
If those options don’t fit the bill, you can try out some high horology. Frederique Constant’s Manufacture line is the most affordable way to get into the world of perpetual calendar tourbillons. Never before seen at such a reasonable entrypoint, FC has built a reputation for value without compromising on quality: the perpetual calendar in this watch will keep an accurate day, date, year, and leap year tracker until the year 2100!
Check out our blog on unique time displays for more!
Try a Dress Watch
Dress watches aren’t just for black tie affairs. After a short lull, collectors have recently begun to come back to the simple, classy style. They’ve realized that dress watches are perfect for nearly every moment in life that doesn’t involve outdoor sporting equipment or anything more treacherous than a commute to the office (which is to say, most of the time). Dress watches can both elevate a casual situation and fit right in to a formal one!
For a dress watch that fits both casual and formal wear, Breguet always comes to mind. From its stainless steel to solid gold offerings, the Classique line contains the perfect watch for every occasion. The non-offensive, classical design language fits a linen vacation outfit or a t-shirt and jeans. Plus, the rose-engine turned engraving is a level of finishing that has made Breguet famous in the world of watches.
If you’re considering Breguet, be sure to also check out the Blancpain Villeret. Although a less well-known pick from the Blancpain catalog, the Villeret is a fantastic leather-strap watch with a host of original design choices that mix complication and simplicity. From simple three-handers to calendars, the Villeret has long been a top choice for those seeking to add an elevated dress watch to their collection.
Evaluate Vintage
Vintage watches can really mix things up with your collecting. If you thought there were too many choices already, then brace yourself for a shock: pre-owned watches (including vintage) make up more than half of the entire watch market! From dress to sport and steel to gold, there is no shortage of vintage watches to scratch that itch of finding something off the beaten path.
Everyone who explores vintage watches is drawn to something different. Maybe you’ll pursue vintage divers, or perhaps you’ll explore the early era of automatics. Or maybe you’ll discover the world of neo-vintage watches from the 1980s and 90s?
In regards to the latter, these designs involved colors and shapes that most watch brands shy away from in today’s market—which is what makes them so fantastic. And here’s the best part: Feldmar has a great selection of pre-owned and vintage watches to start your journey. Vintage watches are a game of condition and authenticity, so you can be sure that what you’re getting from Feldmar is in great shape and 100% authentic.
While our selection is always changing, we like to recommend pieces with heritage and unique designs. This recent Heuer Autavia fits the bill: this watch is an excellent condition piece with extraordinary racing heritage, featuring marvelous patinated lume and a rotating timing bezel.
Pre-owned watches are also the only way to get past limited editions you didn’t snag the first time around. This recently acquired TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph “Tom Brady” is a beautiful example of the Carrera with a bright blue dial. The watch celebrates the career of the “GOAT” quarterback with his number “12” featured on the 12 o’clock subdial in New England Patriots font.
Explore our entire current pre-owned watch catalog here!
About The Author: Spencer Rodman
