Anyone successfully convert from multi to single watch owner?

[Barada7]

I enjoy watches immensely, but only prefer to wear my Explorer 39. So I’ve had as many as 3, but I’m down to 2, and looking to trade in my DJ41 on another … Explorer (40).

[russ86]

One of my closest friends tried to downsize his big collection, he failed miserably. My philosophy is, own whatever you enjoy wearing, whatever you dont wear anymore, sell it or gift it to your family members, let them enjoy it.

[Snipe10]

Have two, a Panerai and a Deep Sea (I don't count my Casio's) but really want a Vacheron Overseas

[1Daytona]

I agree with alphadweller in the post above. I have 4 Rolex, 4 Breitling, 1 Omega, 1 Seiko, and 1 Casio, totaling 11 watches. I enjoy every one of them and I wear a different watch every day. I like the variety and each one has its own uniqueness. I thought about selling a few because I don't need 11 watches but I have too much fun wearing them, cleaning them, etc. They are definitely a part of me and I know once I let them go, I would want them back. Keeping them avoids the dreadful "seller's remorse"...Just my 2 cents.

[Tokyo Time]

I rotate 5 Rolexes, 1 Cartier and 1 Panerai which makes for a different piece each day of the week or the perfect number in my book. I'm a frugal simpleton so although just 1 piece is attractive I don't think 7 is excessive and if I suddenly need to sell a piece to buy crack I'll have backups.

[agsstructures]

Got down to 2, getting down to 1 would be ideal but a difficult task!

[Boopie]

No, but more for practical reasons as well. I have a huge sentimental attachment to my first one, and so I’ve recently been keeping it in the safe and wearing others out in public.

Separately, I enjoy wearing my vintage Tudor snowflake Sub when I’m driving my classic sportscar. There’s something fun about going retro with the car and the watch, both of which have patina, and neither of which will ever be my “daily.” Both a manual transmission and an automatic movement are throwbacks that are still functional.

[Jason Bourne]

I have 4 rolexes: DJ41, Sub, PM Daytona and BLNR. Can't help wearing Batgirl as my daily and wondering why do I need others...

[MILGAUSS88]

Can you really call consolidating successfull?

[Flypanam]

Every time I try to downsize (and truly, I have downsized... 2023 alone I sold about 20 watches), I end up buying a bunch more later on. It's a cycle. But hey, I find this hobby fun, and I like variety.

I buy a watch, I wear it and either I love it enough to keep long-term, or I pass it on to another owner who will give it the wrist time it deserves.

The watches in my sig are after a careful curation (I used to own a lot more Omegas and Tudors for example, and with the 16710, the BB GMT is also on the chopping block), but I'm feeling like there's room for more cuts. For example, I love my IWC Petronas watch, but don't wear the Top Gun or the Big Pilot as much as I'd like to, yet I have an infatuation with the white ceramic Lake Tahoe. Might just consolidate those two into one.

I will say that the only Rolex I've ever parted with is a rhodium dial OP39, and I do kinda regret that.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by stockae92

Many tried, most failed. haha

Exactly this

[ol' Rex]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

I may be wrong, but I think collecting watches is far more about, "Collecting," than, "Watches."

Perfectly said!

I myself am by no means a "collector", but I realized a long time ago that there is simply no reason to have only one watch, guitar, woman etc.

[forg]

I don’t think own just one watch is possible

[colonelpurple]

I am down to 6. Its a big achievement for me. I plan to sell two and buy one more, so 5 is as close to 1 as I can go. But never say never ;)

[Chefinspecteur]

I just went down from 5 to 4.... and I feel miserably.

[geoach]

I have four only wear two now.PP 5066 and Rolex very early flat 4 2003 y ser #16610lv. The other two only once in awhile for one day or so. 18078 my dads's and 16613 serti .

[Andad]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

UNpossible.

INimaginable.

[Harry-57]

It's unlikely I will live long enough to achieve this, which is good news for my children and grandchildren. Occasionally I do the logic in my head and still manage to end up with more watches than any sane person could reasonably want, let alone need.

If my WG target comes through and I like it enough to buy it I will consolidate, but only somewhat.

[travisb]

Wouldn't work for me.

[1William]

It could work if you choose for it to work. But why? I am a believer in two is one and one is none. Years ago I only had one Rolex and when it went for an extended service I found that I wanted another. So in came another and have never had an issue since. I would not.

[MINOLI]

Same here, had to send me SD43 in for service and it was all I had at the time. Bought a Hamilton that I later sold, just to have something while I was without the SD.

Ended up getting a BLRO a few years later, and an OP41 somewhat recently. Only time I could see myself with 1 watch is when I'm older, and I've given the others to my kids.

Originally Posted by 1William

It could work if you choose for it to work. But why? I am a believer in two is one and one is none. Years ago I only had one Rolex and when it went for an extended service I found that I wanted another. So in came another and have never had an issue since. I would not.

[gates]

I think youre asking the wrong crowd:-) most of the people on this board probably have more than a passing interest in watches and I agree with the other posters, the hunt is sometimes more fun than owning the watches but I do love the hobby and truly enjoy being able to wear and own fantastic timepieces. When I lose interest or need the money I'll downsize but I doubt that will ever happen.

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by stockae92

Many tried, most failed. haha

Ageeed! I sometimes get those thoughts: “ I really like this watch a lot, and I could be happy wearing it every single day.”

Then the silly notion passes.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

Yes, but I think collecting was never for me.

Had a lone Sub for 4 years, added a second watch, didn't like having multiple watches, so traded both back to a single watch again, where I intend to remain.

I may be wrong, but I think collecting watches is far more about, "Collecting," than, "Watches."

I would guess that most watch-collectors also collect other things like knives, pens, guns, wine, etc. Whereas single-watch-owners don't collect anything else.

You’d be wrong , in my case. I only collect watches.

Kat


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[watchwatcher]

There's nothing wrong with consolidation, but best to take baby steps and give yourself time to think it through.

You don't want to make your first cut the deepest. My two cents.

[In-N-Out]

I plan to consolidate, but maybe down to 7 watches. Have 4 APs, 1 Rolex, 3 Grand Seiko, 1 Cartier, and many quartz watches. I plan to get at least 2-3 more APs, then I need to figure out how to consolidate to 7 total watches (exc quartz)

[espanol]

I know of many single Rolex watch owners. Oddly, they all own 4 or 5 digit Rolex. Yet, I don't know a single one-watch person for modern Rolex. Only collector's mindsets for modern Rolex.

Makes you wonder... why?

[zoenatenich]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

The fun is buying them all back.

This!^^. I sold my 116610LN to make way for an incoming 12LV in 2021, and I am now scouring Chrono24 and visiting TRF's trusted seller sites for a deal.

[Mountain66]

While I have several watches, after buying my explorer 36mm about 18 months ago, I’ve hardly worn the others. So, I know I could do it. I have no reason to sell my other watches, but it is a shame that I wear them so infrequently.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by espanol

I know of many single Rolex watch owners. Oddly, they all own 4 or 5 digit Rolex. Yet, I don't know a single one-watch person for modern Rolex. Only collector's mindsets for modern Rolex.

Makes you wonder... why?

I know plenty of colleagues who are single watch owners that own a 6 digit Rolex. They are not into watches like we are and regard them as “nice watch” to own and wear

Not just Datejusts either variety including Sub and GMT and Yachtmasters