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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 22,683
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Criteria for Rolex collecting-CREDIT ABEL
A bit difficult to explain in few words and little space.
As a matter of fact, many books have been written about collecting, its true deep sense, and the internal personal reasons which actually dictates the behaviour of a collector. After all, collectors have existed for centuries! There are also books covering collections of many objects, and the usual "rules" which govern the gathering a true collection. In my personal point of view, whichever is your interest in collecting, from stamps, knives, guns, art pieces or watches, you should distinguish between accumulating pieces, and real collecting. True collectors usually gather pieces with a connection or story in common. A collection "must tell something" which connects the pieces together. It usually requires speciallizing in a variant, or model. A collection "tells a story" to the viewer: the story of a development, the different models of certain brand, the evolution of a particular model, etc. Speciallizing has its strong points. It letīs concentrate your budget focused in one direction, instead of spreading in other objectives. Available money never seems to be enough and helps to use it well! Speciallizing helps also to center your attention studying efforts, reading, etc. in one specific area. Studying books, reading and knowing well your object of desire, is of superlative importance to a true collector. Helps to recognize and find pieces, its variants, to detect fakes, and also to know about market values. Specializing allows you to concentrate efforts, budget and attention, and also allows to more profitable use of your time and hard work required. As an example of difference between collection and accumulation: You could get a collection of Diverīs watches of many brands. Or a collection of diversī watches from Rolex, from the first models to the last ones. You could collect Rolex "Bubblebacks". You can specialize in Rolex GMT variants since its introduction up to day models. You may wish to collect "chronographs" of different top end brands made under certain period of time. Any of these could be called "a collection". Now, accumulating, means buying what you see, what you like and can afford, without paying any real attention to follow "a line". The pieces of your accumulation do not follow "a string" and says nothing to an occasional viewer, except telling which was the course of your fancy when you bought such or such watch. You can buy different watches of many brands, or any of the several models of same brand (e.g. Rolex) just to satisfy your desire and own personal "gusto". This is nothing bad IMHO, but not collecting, just gathering. Of course, every true collector brakes from time to time, the rule of buying only what itīs related with his serious collection, and buys something his fancy dictates. There is no Law prohibiting that! So you can brake the rules. Arenīt they made to be broken anyway? Iīm not watch collector, though Rolex is my favorite brand, and like Rolex dive watches in special, but I got some other brands which I really like, and other Rolex models I love. By the other hand Iīm an antique gun and knife collector, and know this branch of collecting very well, as well as having connections with collectors world wide, and the rules are similar to what I have written here. Also know well other objects collectors (stamps collectors, electric train collectors, pen collectors, etc.) and this general division between true serious collectors and accumulators, always apply. I guess most important thing in collecting or gathering, is enjoying what you do, and enjoy what you buy, and feeling happy with both your pieces, and the sharing of the experience with other fellow collectors. This human connection, is always rewarding, and help to make more enjoyable this activity. Feeling happy oneself, is also a final goal in pursuing your collecting (or just gathering). Hope this personal point of view helps a little to answer your question, and Iīm sure other TRF friends will bring here their own views, and experience. Best kind regards, Abel __________________ |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Hollywood
Watch: Sub 14060M
Posts: 22
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Thank you for clarifying the difference between "collecting" and "accumulating." It is important!
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Mark
Location: canterbury
Watch: new pussycat?
Posts: 635
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Superb post from Abel
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#4 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Real Name: Abel
Location: Down South
Watch: Rolex Submariner
Posts: 2,234
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Rolesium,
Mark: Thank you for your kind comments!! It´s a pleasure to share my feelings about this matter with TRF friends! Very cordially, Abel
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50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub. |
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#5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London U.K
Watch: Rolex Deepsea
Posts: 167
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Excellent post Abel,
Best Regards Umster |
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Allan
Location: California
Posts: 3,210
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Well, I do a lot of accumulation! A whole houseful!
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#7 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Real Name: Abel
Location: Down South
Watch: Rolex Submariner
Posts: 2,234
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With some delay in answering:
Umster: Thanks!! Allan: Enjoy your accumulation in good health!! Kind regards, Abel
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50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub. |
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 31
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My accumulation is going to be a collection
Wow that is so true!
I do a little of both, mostly accumulate now. Now after reading that I want to thin out my accumulation and hone it more into a collection! ![]() |
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#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Richmond, Va
Watch: Sub C
Posts: 79
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Great post/article Abel. Really enjoyed reading it.
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#10 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Real Name: Paul
Location: New Haven, CT
Watch: 116610 Sub-C
Posts: 6,552
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Great reading! It changes how I look at the hobby. Thanks!
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#11 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Real Name: Abel
Location: Down South
Watch: Rolex Submariner
Posts: 2,234
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Thank you friends! Iīm delighted to know you enjoy reading!
Very cordially, Abel
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50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub. |
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#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 1,543
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Under this definition: I think accumulating is healthier than collecting. I think its a bit nerdy to have many variants of the same piece. IMHO of course.
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Here and there
Posts: 12,485
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sounds like i'm a mixture of both...
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Fine Quality is Long Remembered After the Pain of Spending Money is Forgotten |
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#14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: chicago
Watch: yachtmaster
Posts: 28
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very helpful explanation !!
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#15 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: nova scotia
Watch: the shiny one
Posts: 18
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I go for the best deal available. A rolex presidential for $5000 in any shape is a better option than a common gmt or submariner. anyone remember the pawnstars episide where one went for $4000 ? he said the i) bracelet being aftermarket ii) dial being diamond studded cut the value of the watch considerably. I don't agree with that assessment, presidential watches don't really have much collectibility value. it's more the instrinsic value :)
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#16 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: united states
Watch: A few
Posts: 66
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Great read, thanks for sharing.
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#17 |
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2018
Real Name: Mike
Location: Parkland FL
Posts: 727
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Great read
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#18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 117
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Purpose behind the purchase
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#19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: NYC
Posts: 25
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great reading!
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#20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Real Name: PP
Location: USA
Watch: Omega Seamaster
Posts: 26
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Great way to define both terms. Thanks
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#21 |
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 100
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Excellent post Abel...
Thank you for clarifying the difference between "collecting" and "accumulating." It is important! Great clarification.... |
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#22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Here
Watch: Sub 114060, 216570
Posts: 2,157
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I just like watches and buy almost nothing as you must have been shaped with a incredible net worth to really collect Rolex watches the way you describe collecting
So a occasional buy once in a year or so would be good and for me it isnt important what i add but what to enjoy and wear. If i collected for reason above ot would be safe queens that are purely worthy collectibles |
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#23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Miami
Posts: 16
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This is particularly interesting, especially with more and more collection revieew you see on youtube nowadays. I think there is a fine line to draw between collecting and accumulating - however, I wouldn't say they are always mutually exclusive. I think one can think deeply and reason out why certain acquisitions are made, even if they aren't part of a specific "thread" that you speak of. For example, I would not consider John Mayer anything short of a collector. He knows the reasons behind why he wanted each watch, he is well versed in their histories, and he makes sure there is a story behind all of them.
Maybe I am missing something? |
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#24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: Pepsi
Posts: 20
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thanks for sharing your viewpoints Mike. very interesting and informative for a newbie like me.
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#25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 3
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A great explanation for sure!
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#26 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 75,977
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I’m not so sure to be honest … sound complicated to me
![]() I think of a collector as someone who has an appreciation of all things horological. The collection could consist of just about anything IMHO. It’s a very individual thing. |
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#27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: Asia
Posts: 75
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Very interesting points. Thanks for the post
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#28 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2023
Location: INDIA
Posts: 15
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Quote:
I'm thrilled to hear that the reading had such a positive impact on how you perceive the hobby. It's always refreshing when something can shift our perspectives. You're very welcome, and happy exploring!networth |
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#29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Canada
Posts: 15
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Very cool! Thanks for posting this !
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