What Type of Watch Collector Are You?

Hang around in watch circles long enough and you’ll start to notice some trends among collectors. Yes, they may value uniqueness in their wristwear but collecting mechanical objects draws in some similar types. I’d even go as far as saying that broadly speaking you can fit most watch collectors into one of seven categories. Of course, there will always be outliers and people that don’t fit neatly into stereotypes, in the same way the Planet Ocean Chronograph is a travel watch, diver and a racer all in one, but most watch lovers lie somewhere on this spectrum. And, if you don’t think you fit into one of these, you’re probably a blend of a couple of them. Or simply lying to yourself…So, what type of watch collector are you?

The Engineer

A workshop dweller, the Engineer has more screwdriver sets, timing equipment and ultra- sonic cleaners than a small service centre. He insists on timing every one of his watches and has a quartz regulator clock hanging on the wall, only because his partner won’t let him bring an atomic one into the house (although they still reference International Atomic Time). He has considered ordering a hand-turned lathe for metalwork projects and scoffs at those who simply swap their own straps. He’s dabbled in Seiko modding but considers it too low brow; why buy third-party components when you can forge your own?

Favourite Brands – Buys anything with an ETA or Sellita movement so he can service it himself, but admires Greubel Forsey, Roger Smith and anyone in the AHCI.

The Nostalgist

Doesn’t even consider it a wristwatch unless it’s post-quartz crises. A fan of revived brands, retro/vintage design and a time when watches were either dress or tool, no in-between. If it doesn’t have a lovely patina or Bakelite components, what’s even the point? A fan of the Disco Volante, Calatravas, tonneaus and other unusually shaped watches, as well as seventies slanted designs not by Gerald Genta. Generally, won’t wear anything over 40mm (unless it’s a Ploprof or some other hefty diver) and favours undersized watches all day long, the kind of person deep-cut re-issues are built for.

Favourite Brands – Cartier, Heuer, Nivada Grenchen, Eska, Universal Geneve, Breitling, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet.

The Outdoorman

Often bearded with a penchant for anything military or rugged. A self-proclaimed lover of coffee and craft beer and likely owns an axe for chopping firewood, he’s usually spotted wearing some sort of checkered over-shirt like a well-heeled lumberjack. He has a keen interested in Rolex and Tudor’s relationship with various armed forces and understands that Panerai’s history has been somewhat overstated. Usually wearing a pilot’s, field or dive watch. If it’s good enough for the SAS, it’s good enough for him.

Favourite Brands – Hamilton, Glycine, Luminox, Tudor, CWC, Zodiac, Smiths and Rolex (but only the older stuff), G-Shock.

The Hypebeast

Literally only interested in watches for the clout. Owns a 5711 Tiffany dial, a Platona, all the Moonswatches (but has never worn them), an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept and several Richard Milles. Pays attention to the celeb watch spotter Instagrams and cites Mark Wahlberg as their number one source of inspiration. A smoker of Cohiba cigars, holidays in Dubai, and owns artwork by Alec Monopoly. Can be spotted driving a Mercedes-AMG G63 6×6 or Urus around London, cruising past the queues he’s paid someone else to wait in.

Favourite Brands – Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, Rolex, Moonswatch (are there any other watch brands worth owning?)

The Reference Guru

With a personality bordering on the neurodivergent and a memory like Rain Man, this is someone whose knowledge is vast, impressive and a touch dull. Encyclopaedic is an understatement. Usually, a specialist in a select few brands that tend to be more accessible (this way they can collect lots of watches). Runs a website and/or a social media account devoted to a brand’s back catalogue (which occasionally the brand themselves will reference). Collects catalogues, memorabilia or any other brand related swag. Always wears a blazer and non-matching trousers and shoes.

Favourite Brands – Any brand with a vast back catalogue (see Certina, Breitling, Tudor, Favre Leuba, Doxa, Longines, Tissot, Vulcain, Universal Geneve, Movado, Eberhard & Co).

The Investor

Similar to the hypebeast in his wristwear but starting to consider Cartier as a genuine investment. This guy is absolutely despised by the community and will flip any watch for a profit. He has amassed incriminating evidence on several ADs, hates depreciation and residual value is his favourite term. Likely works in finance, wears a gilet unironically and couldn’t tell you the difference between a quartz and mechanical movement – just which is doing better on the preowned market. He’ll even form syndicates to get discounts on smaller brand watches that he wants, just beware of backstabbing.

Favourite Brands – Anything that will make him a profit.

The Designer

With a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design, a black turtleneck and tortoiseshell glasses, the designer is an aesthete incarnate. With a house full of Ercol and G-Plan furniture, tasteful prints from up-and-coming artists and an obsession with natural light, he’s most often found at his mid- century architects’ drawing table to sketch out some initial designs for a brand he’s launching. He of course has a couple of collaboration watches under his belt but is returning to more minimalist routes next.

Favourite Brands – Nomos, Junghans, anOrdain, Brew, Ressence, Swatch, Möels & Co.

The Racer

Believes the chronograph complication has never really been topped and the best material in the world is carbon fibre. His collection of watches is only topped by his collection of cars, which he takes for regular track days and meets. He of course has a custom or branded watch for each of his favourite marques, wears a Ferrari jacket but absolutely hates their new line of clothes. He admires sapphire cased watches as it enables you to see the ‘inner workings’ but his absolute favourite is his El Primero movement Daytona.

Favourite Brands – Tag Heuer, Rolex, Zenith (purely for the El Primero), Omologato, Richard Mille.

Illustrations by Mark Frudd.