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Old 18 January 2021, 10:49 AM   #1
rolexgirl1998
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How Many Rolex's Does One Need To Have To Call Themselves a Collector?

Always been curious about this. Obviously collecting Rolex's is a very specific thing to do and can't be compared to many other types of collectors. But, what do we think is considered a "collection," and not just a hobby? Thanks in advance!
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Old 18 January 2021, 10:51 AM   #2
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Old 18 January 2021, 10:53 AM   #3
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Old 18 January 2021, 10:54 AM   #4
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Great question. I think if you have more than one, you have a collection. And if you have more than one, !!
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Old 18 January 2021, 10:57 AM   #5
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Old 18 January 2021, 10:59 AM   #6
envuks
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Anything more than one IMHO

This is because of the old saying one is none, and two is one.
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Old 18 January 2021, 11:03 AM   #7
ndrs63
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How Many Rolex's Does One Need To Have To Call Themselves a Collector?

None. Rolex is not a mandatory presence in a collector’s assets

Now if you are talking Rolex, specifically, it’s very subjective. I personally would call someone a collector if she has at least one historically significant Rolex. Not the current hot ones. And she also knows it’s history, features, etc.


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Old 18 January 2021, 11:04 AM   #8
kieselguhr
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Personally think the word is plural so a “Rolex collector” specifically would have more than 1 Rolex. A watch collector on the other hand would not necessarily need a Rolex at all but more than 1 watch of any kind.
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Old 18 January 2021, 01:43 PM   #9
danwang0520
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more than one watch would be considered a collection
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Old 18 January 2021, 01:44 PM   #10
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Old 18 January 2021, 01:59 PM   #11
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I think it's not the number of watches you own, but your mindset that determines whether you are a collector. Same as with other items. If you have some coins in your wallet, it does not necessarily make you a coin collector. Or if you have a roll of first-class postage stamps that does not make you a stamp collector.
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Old 18 January 2021, 02:01 PM   #12
MILGAUSS88
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20 and actively looking for another.
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Old 18 January 2021, 02:14 PM   #13
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I would vote that you have at least One, as you collected at least one and you have a passion to research the brand and find joy in that.
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Old 18 January 2021, 02:21 PM   #14
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All it takes is one carefully curated piece :)
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Old 18 January 2021, 02:22 PM   #15
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I would say 3
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Old 18 January 2021, 02:23 PM   #16
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Collecting is more of a mindset than a quantifiable state. To me, a collector is a person with a non-monetary interest in horology who own two or more watches, regardless of the brand(s).

I differentiate a "collector" from an "enthusiast" or "someone who's into watches" or an "investor," though there's overlap and shades of gray.
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Old 18 January 2021, 02:26 PM   #17
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There are many facets to watch collecting but 1 watch is a start. But a collection doesn't have to include a Rolex
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Old 18 January 2021, 02:29 PM   #18
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Collecting is more of a mindset than a quantifiable state.
Yes. Plus there is a difference between collecting and investing.
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Old 18 January 2021, 02:52 PM   #19
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1 = Single
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3+ = Collection
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Old 18 January 2021, 03:00 PM   #20
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All of them :)
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Old 18 January 2021, 04:07 PM   #21
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Collection of Rolex = more than 2 Rolex

Collection of Watches = more than 2 watches

We have a saying in spanish
One is none, and therefore two is one, and since one is none then let's buy another....

Keep in mind this is blurted out while drinking and referencing reasons to keep drinking....

Lol.

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Old 18 January 2021, 06:40 PM   #22
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A watch collector has 20ish watches in his collection and sell them all to fund his grail, is he still a collector? I don't believe that the number of watches someone currently has is an indication of whether or not they're a collector, imho.
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Old 18 January 2021, 06:57 PM   #23
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I don't collect J. G. Ballard books but on my bookshelves I see nearly his complete oeuvre.

With expensive watches it's very different. If you have two you're well on your way to a collection. Unless you're very peculiar, they don't turn up just by accident or in a fit of absence of mind.

If you don't have a watch, or watches, simply to tell the time, you might also be termed a collector. It's another peculiar person who needs more than one watch to know the time of day.
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Old 18 January 2021, 08:12 PM   #24
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I never consider myself a collector. I consider myself an enthusiast. Collectors and enthusiasts have different traits.

With that said, you should probably have 3 or more watches to be considered a collector.

1 or more to be an enthusiast. I have 3.


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Old 18 January 2021, 08:34 PM   #25
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20 and actively looking for another.
Yep. Ten years ago you could have gotten away with having five and calling yourself a collector. Those days are gone. Now you have to buy five from your AD just to get on the list to get a Daytona.
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Old 18 January 2021, 08:38 PM   #26
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A watch collector has 20ish watches in his collection and sell them all to fund his grail, is he still a collector? I don't believe that the number of watches someone currently has is an indication of whether or not they're a collector, imho.
No. He's just a guy (or gal) with a nice watch. Anyone who has just one watch is obviously not neurotic enough to be called a collector.
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Old 18 January 2021, 10:28 PM   #27
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I think it depends on the pieces how they are acquired. If you receive a Rolex as a gift without having much interest in them (at that point) I don’t think that instantly makes you a collector
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Old 18 January 2021, 10:30 PM   #28
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Old 18 January 2021, 10:33 PM   #29
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More than one is a collection by definition but that does not make you a “collector”. I am a “wearer”. Collectors I think of as baseball card collectors etc. You really learn about the product, their values, trade up and down etc etc. I just buy what I like that I think looks good and wear them. While I own 4 Rolexes and plenty of other brands I don’t call myself a collector at all.
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Old 18 January 2021, 10:40 PM   #30
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More than one is a collection by definition but that does not make you a “collector”. I am a “wearer”. Collectors I think of as baseball card collectors etc. You really learn about the product, their values, trade up and down etc etc. I just buy what I like that I think looks good and wear them. While I own 4 Rolexes and plenty of other brands I don’t call myself a collector at all.
I agree. In part it is largely a mindset. The actual number is less important. Ask art collectors how many pieces does one need to be considered a collector? The answer will be along the some line of “collecting is a state of mind” and when being pinned down to 1 raw number it will be “it depends”.

Same here :)
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