The Nuances of Building a Watch Collection: Collecting 102
The Nuances of Building a Watch Collection: Collecting 102
Introduction: The Next Step in Collecting
Building a watch collection is more than just a hobby; it's a passion, a culture, and even an investment. In our previous article, we shared the basics for new collectors. Now, we are ready to advance to the next level of the collecting journey. In this article, we will take a deep dive into topics you can focus on to make your collection more conscious, valuable, and personal.
1. Focus on Complications: Discover the Art of the Movement
After you have a good grasp of the fundamentals, it's time to explore the complications that truly make a watch special. These complex mechanisms go beyond simply telling time and turn a watch into a work of art.
Perpetual Calendar: One of the most complex complications. It automatically adjusts for the number of days in each month and for leap years, with the correct display continuing until the year 2100.
Tourbillon: A rotating cage system that minimizes the effects of gravity to improve the watch's accuracy. It is often considered the most fascinating part of a watch movement.
Minute Repeater: A mechanism that chimes the hours, quarter hours, and minutes on demand.
At Bless Luxury, we help you add watches with these special movements to your collection, increasing both its technical value and aesthetic depth.
2. Discover Independent Watchmakers: Beyond the Mainstream
Iconic models from large, established brands will always form the foundation of a solid collection. However, to take your collecting to the next level, turning to independent watchmakers offers a unique perspective. These brands often create artistic and innovative designs in small workshops, free from the production pressures of larger brands.
F.P. Journe: Considered a genius who blends traditional Haute Horlogerie with modern aesthetics.
De Bethune: An innovative brand known for its futuristic designs and unique movements.
Urwerk: Known for its futuristic and industrial designs that display time in non-traditional ways.
Independent watchmakers show that a watch's value isn't limited to its brand logo. Bless Luxury guides you in discovering these special and rare pieces.
3. Develop a Collection Theme: Tell a Story
Collecting becomes much more meaningful when it's shaped around a specific theme or story rather than being a random hobby. Viewing watches not just as individual pieces but as parts of a harmonious whole makes your collection more valuable.
Military Watches: You can bring together models produced for military use from various periods.
Iconic Chronographs: Chronographs inspired by famous racetracks or space exploration can be the main theme of your collection.
Diver's Watches: You can collect diver's watches from different brands dedicated to the exploration of the underwater world.
4. Master Watch Care and Maintenance: Preserve the Legacy
Your watches are not just objects; they are engineering marvels. To preserve their value and pass them on to future generations, mastering regular care and maintenance is essential.
Service Interval: Take your automatic watches to an authorized service center every 5-7 years to have their movements lubricated and cleaned. Water Resistance: Regularly have your watch's water resistance checked to ensure the gaskets are in good condition.
Proper Storage: Store your watches in special watch boxes away from direct sunlight and humidity.
Bless Luxury offers reliable consultation on the care, repair, and certification of the watches in your collection with its team of experts.
5. Research High-Investment Models in Depth
In Collecting 101, we discussed high-potential investment brands. At the 102 level, you need to focus on a model's specific features and market trends.
Reference Number: Different reference numbers, production years, or special serial numbers of the same model can create significant differences in market value.
Dial Color and Material: Rare dial colors (e.g., "Stella" dials) or cases made from special materials (ceramic, titanium) can multiply in value over time.
"Brand New" vs. "Vintage": While new and lightly used watches generally hold their immediate value, rare and well-preserved vintage models can appreciate exponentially over the years.
Conclusion: Passion, Knowledge, and Trust
Collecting 102 is not just about recognizing watches but also about understanding them, exploring their stories, and investing in them. Having the right knowledge and working with a trustworthy partner are critical on this journey. Bless Luxury continues to be your most reliable guide on this exciting journey with its showroom in Istanbul, Etiler, and its "Trusted Seller" status on Chrono24. Would you like to learn more about specific topics at the Collecting 102 level or about models you are considering adding to your collection?
