That is crazy, I couldn't write a list of all my watches. I would forget one, I found a Blancpain x Swatch the other day I'd forgot about! And last month I went out without a watch and found one in my car. I don't think I'm wired up quite like Mike, in fact I know I'm not because I have one big tupperware with random links and screws in it, everything from Pagani - AP all mixed up.
@@douglasmoss1176 Right?! But he's cool with things. He's not self-flagellating like SO many of the others. There's a few I could mention that look ridiculous, but believe that YT is the place to show off their drip. (A lot of narcissists about in this game).
Hands down the most informant voice in the watch wearing community. Tells it like it is but also enjoys not afraid to explore watches. I appreciate when you separate the joy of watches from the facts, but also not degrade either thought processes.
I went to a watch meet-up last weekend, wore my friend's Tudor Pelagos, and thought to myself, "I'm 63. I simply don't have enough years to justify the cost of this watch," so I left the meet-up content with my 5-watch collection. Thanks for the excellent presentation.
Great way to look at it. Watches are not an investment and they don't enhance memories. These are the lies we tell ourselves to justify our rampant consumerism.
Interesting, however your 5 watch collection costs more than the Pelagos. Some people prefer to have 1-3 watches only that are more expensive. I feel like people overthink this whole addiction. End of day, wear what makes you happy and what you actually wear
Yeah, I look at it just the opposite. I only came to watch collecting 3 years ago when I was 59. And my attitude is that I'm going to buy the watches that I want cuz I don't have much time left to enjoy them. I'm leaving behind enough money for my daughter's to live on and they are my only heirs. I have someone who can sell my watches when I die. I'm glad I own the watches that I do. And honestly, I have a cancer that is more than likely going to kill me sometime in the next 5 years. So I feel like I don't have any time to wait on not having the watch that I want.
You could argue the exact opposite. You may as well enjoy yourself in your 'senior years', and you look like you are in great shape, so you could live until 90 or 100. Dollar cost average on that basis and it could be worth it!😁
I wear three different watches a day. Tudor GMT for work, Tudor FXD copy (saving up for the real thing) gym, sauna etc and then my grail watch, seiko flight master white dial. I have a Hamilton Ventura chronograph white dial as my dress watch. I when I get the Tudor fxd I will demote the copy to my beta watch. Love looking at watches but I think I am now very happy and they all get worn so cost per wear is getting lower with everyday 😊
Strange in the best way. TH-cam watch content is filled with a lot of annoyances, fluff and goofiness. It's strange this channel, and Mike himself, isn't like that😁
Nothing but admiration from my end for the channel and the strange man who runs it. (I also have a spreadsheet -- though not one tracking my wear time -- quite yet).
It's a curious thing that intelligence is considered strange but an annoying, loud, fat guy, constantly screaming into a camera about Hublot considered appealing by some people!
I’ve got a few g-shocks that don’t get much use. But I have 5 solid ones in the rotation. Like a woman mentioned in the comments that she wears more than one watch her day. I wear a watch to work. I change it immediately when I get home. And if I go out that night, I may wear a third one..
Impressive amount of quality content. The difficult part for most of us is defining whether we most enjoy : 1) buying watches 2) owning watches 3) wearing watches Some will tick one or all boxes here, but understanding one’s motivations is key to happiness. I very much fall into the third category, meaning a larger collection of expensive pieces isn’t for me. 💯 agree, from a twelve year experience in the hobby, that there is no correlation whatsoever between price and enjoyment.
Fantastic analysis. I started in 2015 and now have probably close to 100 watches. Most are vintage Seiko chronographs that I have spent a lot of time verifying authenticity. I use them now to help others when they are looking to buy a specific reference. Chances are that I have it and I can use it to help others find a correct reference.
On the one hand, I’m tempted to say “Dude, get some counseling!” On the other hand, this is such an insightful, and helpful, video. I say this as someone who has been mulling over my next purchase (and using a spreadsheet for the analysis), and whether I need to part with some watches, due to lack of use. Thank you for sharing your insight!
Best watch channel on youtube. I have over 30 mechanical watches but find myself wearing my F91W/A158 more than any other watch nowadays. Something about a weightless watch you never have to insure, service, or hide from the public when traveling. Like all Casios, it follows whatever is the inverse of the law of diminishing returns :)
You’re absolutely right Mike…I had twelve “proper” watches (by which I mean £3,000+ each) and soon realised that most were being worn only a handful of times per year….MADNESS! Today I am down to three and hopefully soon only two; a GP Laureato beater and a GP Vintage 1945 gold dress watch….who needs more?
This was eye-opening and (likely) convinced me what piece will be my next purchase. And that maybe a rotation of five is all I ever will need. Not want, but need. My wife doesn’t know this, but she would thank you. Except for how much that “last” watch costs.
Mike- you are simply a treasure. I always enjoy your content, delivery, opinions, and non-pretentious style. Keep up the terrific work. Cheers , Eric (NM, USA)
Thanks for talking me out of a high horology purchase. 🙂 I've been on the fence about it, but I think I'll focus on watches that are more durable and easier to maintain.
I been watching your videos for some time now. I just subscribed. I enjoy your content and perspective even though I don't always agree. Please, keep them coming. Cheers,
I have the same viewpoint. Which is why i think keeping a small selection of watches, like 5-6, is the way to go. No need to waste money on mindless consumption. Especially since the reality is the enjoyment i get from the watch peaks at the moment of purchase and will slowly reduce as time goes on
As another 40+ watch collection person, I found this very insightful and a bit of a wake up call. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I’ll be taking much of this to heart. Keep it up with the great content.
I've had the privilege of being able to view several large car collections in my life. I made the mistake once of asking the owner when was the last time he actually drove a certain car. I think a little part of him died at that moment. Everyone should do what they love, but for me, I want to use my stuff, which is why I purchased them in the first place.
@@jager6863 Key difference between watches and cars is that it is easier and less expensive to buy another watchbox than buying a house with a bigger garage.
I respect a person who can speak about the negatives as well as the positives of their chosen passion. Probably not going to have the scale of issues discussed and that makes me more cautious about future watch buying decisions. Love your channel thanks for keeping things realistic.
I don’t think it’s an easy task to justify a passion, just ask us collector car guys. I ask myself one question , do I like the money more than the item? Depending on how much money I have, my answer is fluid and I try to enjoy life. Keep having fun…
The fact that you’ve got so many years worth of data across these dimensions is incredible. For anyone getting started or early in the watch collecting hobby this will be a must view from me. Thank you as always for the insight and willingness to share!
Interesting way of looking at the cost of a collection. But of course you don’t only get pleasure from wearing the watch. There is the pleasure (and pain) of the pursuit and acquisition, and the more passive enjoyment of seeing it in your box and knowing it’s part of your collection and having the option to choose to wear it when the mood strikes you. More difficult to quantify those other elements.
Another fantastically informative video, thanks for keeping track of so much information so consistently for so long! Quite useful advice you gave out.
Another fantastic video from the best watch content creator! The one question I'd love for you to do a video on, is what do you look for when buying a "used" watch? I have to believe that you have a formula Mike!!!
Thank you for this video. It places my watch selections and wearing patterns in a different light and helps me to figure wear patterns etc. I enjoy your videos immensely. Keep it up and until we dive into more, I look forward to watching and listening.
Great video. Interesting facts for a numbers guy like me... So, I was a one watch guy for 32+ years, my Rolex Pepsi GMT which I wore 24/7, 365 for the first 22 years [1983-'05]. So given the $400 initial purchase price plus another $800 for two services during that time, then 365 X 22 = 8,030 divided by $1,200 = 14.9 cents per wear. Just saying. 🤔 FWIW, a GIA watch appraiser recently valued my full set, one professional pilot owned, meticulously maintained watch for $20K, so even given inflation, I'm doing OK. Never selling this watch!
For some of us mortals it’s: Quartz-Quartz-Quartz!! I found the hard way owning mechanicals, the maintenance cost brought me to my knees. So I have kept 4 high end mechanicals (to what I consider Holy Grails), Omega, Rolex, Breitling and IWC. And my 5-6 daily beaters for the most part are sub-$700 quarts watches.
Mike, I've had thousands of watches over 40 years of collecting, mostly in South Africa, over the years. My happiness grew from finding an interesting vintage watch rather than acquiring an expensive bling timepiece. There was that great satisfaction of bringing an old watch back to life, though the expertise of a skilled watchmaker, who had a good stock of original parts. Sadly many of these great 'old-school' watchmakers have passed, or have grown too old to service them anymore. I was really privileged to have known them. Viva South Africa. 😊
8:06 The biggest vacation disappointment is taking a diver to the beach... looks good on the ocean, but they never tell you about beach sand grinding under your bezel
I agree. I only have 2 watches. A black sub date and a silver bullet. I love my watches, but can only wear one at the time. As the one I’m not currently wearing, is ALWAYS in a bank safe, it’s rare I bother swapping them over. Did I become twice as happy, when I got my 2nd watch? No! I think for people like me, one watch makes more sense.
This a brilliant video. So informative. I loved the cost breakdown in terms of how much a watch is worn, it certainly made me think about my own buying habits. Also brilliant advice in this video and I loved your honesty with your own experiences. Fantastic content.
I love seeing your channel continue to grow; it speaks to your talent in this space, Mike. I subscribed when you had roughly 20k subscribers; you've only been doing this for two years - and you're fast approaching 100k! That's crazy growth like I've never seen before. I couldn't be happier for you, sir. Congratulations, I'm here for the long haul. Lastly, and quite honestly, every morning your channel is the first one I check - seeing a new video upload is like getting a present. P.S. A dedicated "your thoughts on Sinn" video would be greatly appreciated.
I understand what you're saying but I look at it very differently. I own 17 watches. Two of them are in for servicing. I have twelve of them in my watch box. I spend time with all of those watches every single day. I enjoy them every single day even if I'm not wearing them. I look at them under different lighting. Sometimes I pull out the loupe. And other times I simply buff them and admire them. So I get joy out of my watches every single day. I generally spend 30 to 45 minutes a day on my watches. It makes me happy. Also, some days I'll change watches two or three times. Wearing a watch for an entire day isn't the only manner in which I can enjoy it.
Take it out admire it, wind it, change a strap or two, put it on, admire it again, wear around for half a day, put it in the box, admire it again, repeat process.
I like how you put this video in a different lense for thinking about the expense for cost of daily wearer versus cost. I remember when I rationalized the value in a good night sleep with purchasing a $9,000 mattress. The typical sales pitch of it cost $0.18 day… I remember thinking why am I spending so much but as I use it each night I don’t care as I wake up feeling good. In the watch example, whether a $2000 or $10,000 if they are seldomly worn it’s a like a monthly car payment. lol. Keep up the great content. Look forward to your next video.
I’ll admit I only own two watches, and Apple Watch that was a gift from my kids and a roughly 25yr old Tag Heuer Professional that needs a battery change. I’m retired, living off my investments so my peak earning days are over and the only real time critical appointments I have are doctors’ appointments. I bought 1 older (meaning cool) Roger Dubuis for myself but Federal Express stole it so I only received the insurance money. I’m not certain if I’ll buy another watch for myself but I have enjoyed purchasing a Tag, Cartier and JLC for my wife and a couple of Sinn’s for my sons. My daughter is now due for the next purchase. I think other people will wear “my collection” going forward. I have learned a great deal about watches from this channel. I would be interested what watches Mike would purchase for a partner or daughter in his life.
Instead of value retention, I think more about value stability and bid/ask. If a ceramic panerai is 20k at retail, has a secondary market ask of 12k, a bid of 8k, and value stability that threatens the bid, then I’m not going anywhere near that watch in order to preserve the funds I make available to enjoy this hobby. The wrong watch costs enjoyment more so than it does money...
Excellent presentation, agree with every point you make. I happen to have 40+ watches as of now and I'm going through the same journey. You get wiser in your selection as you go further into this watch collecting hobby.
You are such a breath of fresh air in the watch content genre. You are able to articulate what I have swirling around in my head. In my opinion there are very few watch content TH-camrs that are commenting on their experiences and not just shilling for a brand that sponsors them. I look forward to your videos every week. Keep up the good work, sir.
For the first half of the vid my inside voice was screaming "STOP, STOP, JUST STOP! My watch collection makes perfect sense and you're ruining it!!" After some deep breathing and zen thoughts I made it through the rest of the vid and was even smiling by the end. :) Love what you do here Mike!
Now i want a spreadsheet 😂😊 excellent video. I often change watches when i get back from work, which helps the 'value' concept, but I am also very content knowing that some of my older pieces are part of the story without getting as much wrist time.
The cost/wear analysis was eye opening. Applying it to my own collection (and it's nowhere near as valuable as yours) makes me feel silly. Extravagantly silly.
Wearing my watches are only part of the pleasure i get from owning them. I love to just look at them, maybe swap straps, do some photography.... I love setting them all in sync and monitor them going out of sync at their various rates. I spend lots of time with my watches even if they're not on my wrist.
@3:22 the classic Pareto distribution! I recently began tracking my wear stats too. I also developed my own rating system for purchasing watches on my want list that considers things like cost, service costs, service intervals, and warranty length. In the end, I know I'll just buy what I want, but it's still fun to try to put a systematic approach to it. Similar to you, I wait a pretty long time before deciding to make the purchase.
Crazy that you keep that level of recordkeeping, but that is extremely useful info. I dont know any TH-camrs that can present such pragmatic info and advice backed up by data. Always enjoy your content Mike. Keep it up. Also nice to see a Saffa on TH-cam
Watch collecting is like building a respectable wardrobe. It takes years, it costs a fortune, you learn a lot but also make a lot of mistakes along the way. The really maddening thing is that you may not understand your own tastes until you've experienced quite a few watches and spent enough to buy yourself a nice car. I have well over twenty watches, all but one of them costing thousands... I really should sell off most of my less-worn pieces but a collector is too often a hoarder, loath to part with what's his. I wish I could start over with what I know now, and build a leaner but more satisfying collection. Too late.
i’ve been in this hobby a long time as well as cigars & I can tell from experience large collections do NOT translate content with collections. i’ve had at a time upwards of 40 watches & now as a middle aged man I have a collection of 4 (for life) watches & space for 2/3 I allow myself to interchange. there is no need for anyone to have a collection so big you need to blow the dust off the watch everytime you wear it. that’s not a love for watches that’s a love of shopping
One of my favorite videos Mike. Keep stuff like this coming if you like. I’ve only been actively collecting watches for about a year. I just started tracking what I wear this January 1st. I’m excited about the info I can begin to pull from this data. I do like variety and being new I am much more keen on getting that new watch than I am to move on from another watch, even when I know that doing so is part of the game in acquiring the next one. This video should helpful in rationalizing my decision :/ Even though the math is obvious the idea that a 24 watch collection only allows for 15 wears per year apiece, and that’s only when it is equal which isn’t going to happen, some of those watches might only be worn 5 times, that is eye opening stuff! Thanks as always Mike
Mike, I always say thanks for the upload, but today is different. These were useful insights into watch collecting for me, a person that started collecting in December 2023. I have nearly 40 watches already. Many of them are on the very affordable side because I love Casio, and I appreciate inexpensive but high value watches. I do own luxury watches, so I appreciate your insights. I find I go through streaks of wearing digital watches, inexpensive watches and luxury watches. It's according to how I'm feeling and dressing. I love my F-91W. I love my San Martin. I love my IWC. They each have a time and place where they feel the best. I may eventually trim the collection as there are definitely watches that don't get worn as much. You're the second person that has recently told me that very high end watches are more fragile, so I will take that to heart because I had been eyeing JLC and more expensive watches. And that brings me to your observation that your sweet spot is $3k-$5k. I'm still figuring that out. I like cheap oddities. I think what San Martin does for $200 is impressive. I find myself drawn to microbrand designs because they're further out of the norm, but I have a tough time committing to them. I love the engineering in Grand Seiko and Omega. I love the craftsmanship of the high tier luxury brands. Maybe I need just one of those and then some spread of the others. My buying style has been completely different. Sometimes I research a lot and wait. But other times, I see it, and I know, and maybe I give it a few days or a week. I definitely buy with my heart. But I'm trying to be more methodical now, which has caused me some regret when I talked myself out of watches that I later wished I had bought. I know that's long. If you made it to the end, kudos to you, sir! I really appreciate this video. I'm certain I will watch it multiple times to get anything I can from it. Thanks for your veteran insights.
@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch You, sir, are not a noob. Now, I understand what you're saying. One of the members of my Redbar chapter bought his first Holy Trinity watch the year I was born! And I'm 45.
Cost per wear is a very weird metric! I get a lot of “value” (happiness/joy) from simply owning a watch and knowing it is there for me to wear (or simply fondle!) when I want to.
Yeah , I am in the same boat. I wouldn't buy a watch and think about how much it costs for me to wear it per month or year and based on that I decide whether it's worth it for me to own. If I buy it, it means I have money to buy it and keep it forever , no plan to sell it either. It so absurd to me to keep track of how many times you wear a watch but hey , analytics based people are like that. I am boring like that too, but I still have some pure emotion left
This is actually how I think about things like tech appliances and furniture I'm more willing to spend on high use items, because I'm paying less for each unit of utility
I raises enough issues for 10 comments but firstly I’d like to comment on your usage issue. As a woman, I feel the watch should match the aesthetic of your ensemble of your outfit, so I change my clothes throughout the day depending on what I am doing. Morning daywear, going out for leisure, shopping, yard work, household chores, company visiting, seeing friends/family, etc. Weather and time of year can give variations to this as well. As a result I use usually two watches per day and three more often than one. Coincidentally my collection is also about 40 watches but I use each of them about twice a month. I think I inherited this attitude about changing outfit from my mother. For clarity she was not a woman of leisure, she married my father when she was 15 and he was a plumber. The values prevalent at the time was that there was no shame in being poor or having a lack of a formal education, there was shame in speaking poorly, and not educating yourself.
I, too, wear more than one watch in a day. Typically, I may wear one when I'm at home, and then change to another if/when I go out (change of outfit, and change of watch accordingly). I currently have 18 watches, so it's rarely the case that some watches get neglected.
My watches very much follow my clothing as well. Winter clothing calls for different watches. Formal business attire in summer is different from formal attire in autumn. Pub vs michelin restaurant etc 😀😀
I've had Omegas, Rolex and IWC, and my current 6 watch collection worth £600 is giving me the most fun I've had in this hobby: a G shock, casio W59, an issued CWC G10, vintage 1970s Tressa on alligator leather strap, a citizen, vintage Enicar..... It's humble, cheap, and care free... that's my main lesson - don't need to spend thousands.... to be fair, I'm saving for something special, but that's a long way away and there is no rush... take your time
Somehow, I find so many watch repairers and watch enthusiasts praising over the brand Seiko. They've always been on my radar, but I never happen tried it. My interest grew on their divers recently, so I'm willing to try them out soon.
You only need one watch for vacation. It’s easier to make memories with the watch. Also the focus should be on the vacation, not picking out what watch to wear each morning.
Keeping a spreadsheet for 20 years and tracking every time you wore a watch to work out the cost per wear is some next level ocd
What is amazing is the compatibility of Excel versions.😀
i second this. it’s useful information but man…
That is crazy, I couldn't write a list of all my watches. I would forget one, I found a Blancpain x Swatch the other day I'd forgot about! And last month I went out without a watch and found one in my car.
I don't think I'm wired up quite like Mike, in fact I know I'm not because I have one big tupperware with random links and screws in it, everything from Pagani - AP all mixed up.
I started using the WristTrack app to track my wear for a year to see what watches I can remove from my collection
One life.. chill and live.. its just watches... or is there is nothing else to do?
You're missing the obvious solution: wear 2-3 watches at the same time, on both wrists.
Take gmt to a whole new level
Ankles: free real estate
Why stop at 2 or 3? 😂
LOL! I have a number for you to call, she’s a very good therapist!
NATO's for the ankles!!
You sir, are rapidly going towards the "best content for watch aficionados" prize on yt
Absolutely. None of the bs and bluster a lot of the other Ytubers exhibit.
💯
Scholarly
@@douglasmoss1176 Right?! But he's cool with things. He's not self-flagellating like SO many of the others.
There's a few I could mention that look ridiculous, but believe that YT is the place to show off their drip. (A lot of narcissists about in this game).
I agree. Most intellectually rigorous
Hands down the most informant voice in the watch wearing community. Tells it like it is but also enjoys not afraid to explore watches. I appreciate when you separate the joy of watches from the facts, but also not degrade either thought processes.
I went to a watch meet-up last weekend, wore my friend's Tudor Pelagos, and thought to myself, "I'm 63. I simply don't have enough years to justify the cost of this watch," so I left the meet-up content with my 5-watch collection. Thanks for the excellent presentation.
Great way to look at it. Watches are not an investment and they don't enhance memories. These are the lies we tell ourselves to justify our rampant consumerism.
Interesting, however your 5 watch collection costs more than the Pelagos. Some people prefer to have 1-3 watches only that are more expensive. I feel like people overthink this whole addiction. End of day, wear what makes you happy and what you actually wear
Yeah, I look at it just the opposite. I only came to watch collecting 3 years ago when I was 59. And my attitude is that I'm going to buy the watches that I want cuz I don't have much time left to enjoy them. I'm leaving behind enough money for my daughter's to live on and they are my only heirs. I have someone who can sell my watches when I die. I'm glad I own the watches that I do. And honestly, I have a cancer that is more than likely going to kill me sometime in the next 5 years. So I feel like I don't have any time to wait on not having the watch that I want.
You could argue the exact opposite. You may as well enjoy yourself in your 'senior years', and you look like you are in great shape, so you could live until 90 or 100. Dollar cost average on that basis and it could be worth it!😁
I wear three different watches a day. Tudor GMT for work, Tudor FXD copy (saving up for the real thing) gym, sauna etc and then my grail watch, seiko flight master white dial. I have a Hamilton Ventura chronograph white dial as my dress watch. I when I get the Tudor fxd I will demote the copy to my beta watch.
Love looking at watches but I think I am now very happy and they all get worn so cost per wear is getting lower with everyday 😊
One of the most unique and original watch channels on TH-cam. Keep up the great work man. Love your content
Just trying to do something fun 😀
You are a very strange man. I really enjoy your channel. Thanks.
Strange in the best way. TH-cam watch content is filled with a lot of annoyances, fluff and goofiness.
It's strange this channel, and Mike himself, isn't like that😁
I would argue "particular" is a better at describing him.
Strange has a specific innuendo that doesn't really fit who he is imo
We youtubers are a strange lot indeed..
Nothing but admiration from my end for the channel and the strange man who runs it. (I also have a spreadsheet -- though not one tracking my wear time -- quite yet).
It's a curious thing that intelligence is considered strange but an annoying, loud, fat guy, constantly screaming into a camera about Hublot considered appealing by some people!
Just want to say this was one of my all time favorite watch videos. Insightful and fun. Thank you!
Thank you 😀
I’ve got a few g-shocks that don’t get much use. But I have 5 solid ones in the rotation. Like a woman mentioned in the comments that she wears more than one watch her day. I wear a watch to work. I change it immediately when I get home. And if I go out that night, I may wear a third one..
This has to be one of the best watch videos I've seen in a while. Numbers don't lie. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!❤
Impressive amount of quality content.
The difficult part for most of us is defining whether we most enjoy :
1) buying watches
2) owning watches
3) wearing watches
Some will tick one or all boxes here, but understanding one’s motivations is key to happiness. I very much fall into the third category, meaning a larger collection of expensive pieces isn’t for me.
💯 agree, from a twelve year experience in the hobby, that there is no correlation whatsoever between price and enjoyment.
This has to be about the top rank of all watch collecting videos! Great job.
Kind words - Thanks a million
Fantastic analysis. I started in 2015 and now have probably close to 100 watches. Most are vintage Seiko chronographs that I have spent a lot of time verifying authenticity. I use them now to help others when they are looking to buy a specific reference. Chances are that I have it and I can use it to help others find a correct reference.
Probably the best video I’ve seen on watches, hats off 👌🏽
Thanks for that - Really kind 😀😀
Hard data in a mostly emotional hobby! This is why I am subscribed!
Useless data seems to be a popular topic. I'll see if I can oblige some more 😂
On the one hand, I’m tempted to say “Dude, get some counseling!” On the other hand, this is such an insightful, and helpful, video. I say this as someone who has been mulling over my next purchase (and using a spreadsheet for the analysis), and whether I need to part with some watches, due to lack of use. Thank you for sharing your insight!
I'm past the point where I can be saved. Save yourself 😂😂
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch 😂I am trying. Thankfully, I haven’t been fully captivated by the siren’s song, so there is hope…🤣
Best watch channel on youtube. I have over 30 mechanical watches but find myself wearing my F91W/A158 more than any other watch nowadays. Something about a weightless watch you never have to insure, service, or hide from the public when traveling. Like all Casios, it follows whatever is the inverse of the law of diminishing returns :)
You’re absolutely right Mike…I had twelve “proper” watches (by which I mean £3,000+ each) and soon realised that most were being worn only a handful of times per year….MADNESS! Today I am down to three and hopefully soon only two; a GP Laureato beater and a GP Vintage 1945 gold dress watch….who needs more?
Nice pieces.
Three is my maximum, too - two would be ideal but rather difficult, tbh.
Laureato beater. Based 💪
This was eye-opening and (likely) convinced me what piece will be my next purchase. And that maybe a rotation of five is all I ever will need. Not want, but need.
My wife doesn’t know this, but she would thank you. Except for how much that “last” watch costs.
😂 about the "My wife doesn't know this"
I've lost track of the times I've said to my wife "This watch? I've had it for a long time" 😂
Mike- you are simply a treasure. I always enjoy your content, delivery, opinions, and non-pretentious style. Keep up the terrific work. Cheers , Eric (NM, USA)
Cheers 😀
Wave to cloudcroft if you're ever in the vicinity. I have friends there 😀
Fascinating perspective. Sobering for sure. I need a drink 🍻. Well done!
We all need a drink 😂
That was unexpectedly fascinating. Thank you Mike, for presenting this quirky analysis! Italy will miss you.
I'll probably come to Italy anyway. The food is too good 😀
Thanks for talking me out of a high horology purchase. 🙂 I've been on the fence about it, but I think I'll focus on watches that are more durable and easier to maintain.
I been watching your videos for some time now. I just subscribed. I enjoy your content and perspective even though I don't always agree. Please, keep them coming. Cheers,
Welcome aboard. Thanks a ton 😀
I have the same viewpoint. Which is why i think keeping a small selection of watches, like 5-6, is the way to go.
No need to waste money on mindless consumption. Especially since the reality is the enjoyment i get from the watch peaks at the moment of purchase and will slowly reduce as time goes on
Ok. I will subscribe. I have seen a lot of your videos and I find them very entertaining and interesting. Keep up the good work.
Welcome aboard. Will try 😀😀
As another 40+ watch collection person, I found this very insightful and a bit of a wake up call. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I’ll be taking much of this to heart. Keep it up with the great content.
I've had the privilege of being able to view several large car collections in my life. I made the mistake once of asking the owner when was the last time he actually drove a certain car. I think a little part of him died at that moment. Everyone should do what they love, but for me, I want to use my stuff, which is why I purchased them in the first place.
@@jager6863 Key difference between watches and cars is that it is easier and less expensive to buy another watchbox than buying a house with a bigger garage.
Completely agree. Use it or move on from it.
I would LOVE to get read-only access to this excel sheet. You are my kind of people, Mike. Keep up the best content on YT.
Honest advice backed by hard facts that people need to hear, great video 👍🏼
Glad you liked it!
I respect a person who can speak about the negatives as well as the positives of their chosen passion. Probably not going to have the scale of issues discussed and that makes me more cautious about future watch buying decisions. Love your channel thanks for keeping things realistic.
I LOVE that you made this video. Outstanding!
Thanks a bunch 😀
I don’t think it’s an easy task to justify a passion, just ask us collector car guys. I ask myself one question , do I like the money more than the item? Depending on how much money I have, my answer is fluid and I try to enjoy life. Keep having fun…
The fact that you’ve got so many years worth of data across these dimensions is incredible. For anyone getting started or early in the watch collecting hobby this will be a must view from me. Thank you as always for the insight and willingness to share!
Interesting way of looking at the cost of a collection. But of course you don’t only get pleasure from wearing the watch.
There is the pleasure (and pain) of the pursuit and acquisition, and the more passive enjoyment of seeing it in your box and knowing it’s part of your collection and having the option to choose to wear it when the mood strikes you.
More difficult to quantify those other elements.
I think this is the best video you’ve done thus far! I really appreciate the detail and “real world” view. Awesome you’ve kept track of everything!!!!
Thanks a ton 😀
Superb content sir! Makes me pause before purchasing another watch. Okay sometimes the pause is a brief one before buying the new watch.
It's always only a pause. A rolling stop.... 😂😂
Another fantastically informative video, thanks for keeping track of so much information so consistently for so long! Quite useful advice you gave out.
Another fantastic video from the best watch content creator! The one question I'd love for you to do a video on, is what do you look for when buying a "used" watch? I have to believe that you have a formula Mike!!!
"buy the seller, not the watch" 😀
Thank you for this video. It places my watch selections and wearing patterns in a different light and helps me to figure wear patterns etc. I enjoy your videos immensely. Keep it up and until we dive into more, I look forward to watching and listening.
Great video. Interesting facts for a numbers guy like me...
So, I was a one watch guy for 32+ years, my Rolex Pepsi GMT which I wore 24/7, 365 for the first 22 years [1983-'05]. So given the $400 initial purchase price plus another $800 for two services during that time, then 365 X 22 = 8,030 divided by $1,200 = 14.9 cents per wear. Just saying. 🤔
FWIW, a GIA watch appraiser recently valued my full set, one professional pilot owned, meticulously maintained watch for $20K, so even given inflation, I'm doing OK. Never selling this watch!
This is the Mikiest Mike that ever Miked! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
For some of us mortals it’s: Quartz-Quartz-Quartz!!
I found the hard way owning mechanicals, the maintenance cost brought me to my knees.
So I have kept 4 high end mechanicals (to what I consider Holy Grails), Omega, Rolex, Breitling and IWC. And my 5-6 daily beaters for the most part are sub-$700 quarts watches.
Mike, wow! Thanks ,it’s fun to watch your level of dedication to the hobby ,and I get a great deal of motivation from your weekly fireside chats.
Very welcome 😀
The Italy take had me cracking up 🤣
It's an expensive watch country 😂
This is… incredibly eye opening 👀 Thanks so much for sharing this. I won’t look at my collection the same again! 🙏
Hopefully still in a good way 😀😀
Mike, I've had thousands of watches over 40 years of collecting, mostly in South Africa, over the years. My happiness grew from finding an interesting vintage watch rather than acquiring an expensive bling timepiece. There was that great satisfaction of bringing an old watch back to life, though the expertise of a skilled watchmaker, who had a good stock of original parts. Sadly many of these great 'old-school' watchmakers have passed, or have grown too old to service them anymore. I was really privileged to have known them. Viva South Africa. 😊
Yebo 😀😀❤️
This is one of the more interesting watch channels. Not only just watches but also of the hobby as a whole.
Just trying to put my own spin on things 😀😀
8:06 The biggest vacation disappointment is taking a diver to the beach... looks good on the ocean, but they never tell you about beach sand grinding under your bezel
So what? Let it grind then. A watch is meant to be used
@ That is not just cosmetic wear and tear, it can cause the bezel to jam and render it unusable.
I hate sand. It gets in everywhere.... 😂
Got to say, this is such a great video! So much USEFUL information that nobody is giving. Excellent content!
Glad it resonated with you 😀
I agree.
I only have 2 watches. A black sub date and a silver bullet.
I love my watches, but can only wear one at the time. As the one I’m not currently wearing, is ALWAYS in a bank safe, it’s rare I bother swapping them over.
Did I become twice as happy, when I got my 2nd watch? No!
I think for people like me, one watch makes more sense.
This a brilliant video. So informative. I loved the cost breakdown in terms of how much a watch is worn, it certainly made me think about my own buying habits. Also brilliant advice in this video and I loved your honesty with your own experiences. Fantastic content.
I too have an excel sheet. 8 years now. And I have about 40 watches, 3 grails. Everything you said is correct
Lol. Thanks for confirming 😂😂😂
I love seeing your channel continue to grow; it speaks to your talent in this space, Mike. I subscribed when you had roughly 20k subscribers; you've only been doing this for two years - and you're fast approaching 100k! That's crazy growth like I've never seen before. I couldn't be happier for you, sir. Congratulations, I'm here for the long haul. Lastly, and quite honestly, every morning your channel is the first one I check - seeing a new video upload is like getting a present.
P.S. A dedicated "your thoughts on Sinn" video would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the kind words. I should take a look at Sinn. Noted 😀
This should be a "watch collecting for beginners" video. Great content!
Watch collecting for people with OCD 😂
Great video, very informative. I had not thought of the daily cost of wearing the watch.
I understand what you're saying but I look at it very differently. I own 17 watches. Two of them are in for servicing. I have twelve of them in my watch box. I spend time with all of those watches every single day. I enjoy them every single day even if I'm not wearing them. I look at them under different lighting. Sometimes I pull out the loupe. And other times I simply buff them and admire them. So I get joy out of my watches every single day. I generally spend 30 to 45 minutes a day on my watches. It makes me happy. Also, some days I'll change watches two or three times. Wearing a watch for an entire day isn't the only manner in which I can enjoy it.
I get this, even if I don't wear a watch I find myself in the watch box just having a look/play
I think you have the right number here.... and ur approach is spot on for me
Take it out admire it, wind it, change a strap or two, put it on, admire it again, wear around for half a day, put it in the box, admire it again, repeat process.
@dmac9777 yes! Exactly!!!
@@altal2993 thanks!!!
I like how you put this video in a different lense for thinking about the expense for cost of daily wearer versus cost. I remember when I rationalized the value in a good night sleep with purchasing a $9,000 mattress. The typical sales pitch of it cost $0.18 day… I remember thinking why am I spending so much but as I use it each night I don’t care as I wake up feeling good. In the watch example, whether a $2000 or $10,000 if they are seldomly worn it’s a like a monthly car payment. lol. Keep up the great content. Look forward to your next video.
Great video. You gave me the justification I was looking for to sell some watches in the collection that get close to zero use.
Unless they have some sentimental value, I personally say get them out of the collection 😀
The videos are spot on.. I love how organized they are
I try at least to make them reasonably easy to follow 😀
I’ll admit I only own two watches, and Apple Watch that was a gift from my kids and a roughly 25yr old Tag Heuer Professional that needs a battery change. I’m retired, living off my investments so my peak earning days are over and the only real time critical appointments I have are doctors’ appointments. I bought 1 older (meaning cool) Roger Dubuis for myself but Federal Express stole it so I only received the insurance money. I’m not certain if I’ll buy another watch for myself but I have enjoyed purchasing a Tag, Cartier and JLC for my wife and a couple of Sinn’s for my sons. My daughter is now due for the next purchase. I think other people will wear “my collection” going forward. I have learned a great deal about watches from this channel. I would be interested what watches Mike would purchase for a partner or daughter in his life.
For me it was just a date just for my wife. Will be good for her for the rest of her life
Having only two watches isn't something that you need to admit, it's something to be proud of. The rest of us are in need of an intervention.
The video we didn't know we needed. Thanks!
You bet 😀😀
Amazing information, data collection and data analysis!
Instead of value retention, I think more about value stability and bid/ask. If a ceramic panerai is 20k at retail, has a secondary market ask of 12k, a bid of 8k, and value stability that threatens the bid, then I’m not going anywhere near that watch in order to preserve the funds I make available to enjoy this hobby. The wrong watch costs enjoyment more so than it does money...
You really make great videos. Thank you.
I love the honesty.
I try - Thanks 😀😀
Excellent presentation, agree with every point you make. I happen to have 40+ watches as of now and I'm going through the same journey. You get wiser in your selection as you go further into this watch collecting hobby.
You live you learn - for sure 😀
You are such a breath of fresh air in the watch content genre. You are able to articulate what I have swirling around in my head. In my opinion there are very few watch content TH-camrs that are commenting on their experiences and not just shilling for a brand that sponsors them. I look forward to your videos every week. Keep up the good work, sir.
Just trying to do something interesting. Glad you enjoy it 😀
Absolutely perfect and hilarious. I enjoyed every moment.
Happy to hear it - thanks for watching 😀
Excellent data driven analysis and fascinating/entertaining conclusions. I could’ve watched 10 more minutes of this. Keep up the great work.
Will try - thanks a ton 😀
For the first half of the vid my inside voice was screaming "STOP, STOP, JUST STOP! My watch collection makes perfect sense and you're ruining it!!" After some deep breathing and zen thoughts I made it through the rest of the vid and was even smiling by the end. :) Love what you do here Mike!
Lol. Numbers can ruin the fun of many things 😂😂
Now i want a spreadsheet 😂😊 excellent video. I often change watches when i get back from work, which helps the 'value' concept, but I am also very content knowing that some of my older pieces are part of the story without getting as much wrist time.
The cost/wear analysis was eye opening. Applying it to my own collection (and it's nowhere near as valuable as yours) makes me feel silly. Extravagantly silly.
That's how I feel every time I watch these. It's why I keep coming back😂
Yeah - Not something to share with the wife 😂
A very data driven approach to a very emotional and personal hobby 😅 I love it!
I'm insane. just say it 😂
Wearing my watches are only part of the pleasure i get from owning them. I love to just look at them, maybe swap straps, do some photography.... I love setting them all in sync and monitor them going out of sync at their various rates.
I spend lots of time with my watches even if they're not on my wrist.
Absolutely. And the joy of the loupe
@ Yeah I do that as well but that can be a double edged sword 😉
This takes being a watch nerd to a different level!! 🙌🏼 Love it!! ALWAYS look forward to your videos! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
and here nobody realising that I'm sponsored by microsoft... 😂😂
God, I love good data! Excellent
lol. Thanks 😂
I continue to think your content is the best thought out and researched content on watches. You are The Economist magazine of watch collecting.
Italy = bad…. Because I buy too many watches there 😂😂😂 Love the video!
The logic tracks 😂
Great video Mike,
As always very interesting and informative.
Thank you so much.
@3:22 the classic Pareto distribution! I recently began tracking my wear stats too. I also developed my own rating system for purchasing watches on my want list that considers things like cost, service costs, service intervals, and warranty length. In the end, I know I'll just buy what I want, but it's still fun to try to put a systematic approach to it. Similar to you, I wait a pretty long time before deciding to make the purchase.
Lol! Didn't even realise, but yes - pareto it is 😂😂
Absolutely love this video, straight to the point and made me really look at my collection more practically, great content👍
Glad to hear it 😀
I do have 40 watches. And this is the video I need to watch 40x.
Lol - Excessive probably on the viewing, but appreciated 😀😀😀
Crazy that you keep that level of recordkeeping, but that is extremely useful info. I dont know any TH-camrs that can present such pragmatic info and advice backed up by data. Always enjoy your content Mike. Keep it up. Also nice to see a Saffa on TH-cam
Yebo! Cheers to my fellow saffa 😀
Watch collecting is like building a respectable wardrobe. It takes years, it costs a fortune, you learn a lot but also make a lot of mistakes along the way. The really maddening thing is that you may not understand your own tastes until you've experienced quite a few watches and spent enough to buy yourself a nice car. I have well over twenty watches, all but one of them costing thousands... I really should sell off most of my less-worn pieces but a collector is too often a hoarder, loath to part with what's his. I wish I could start over with what I know now, and build a leaner but more satisfying collection. Too late.
Thanks for coming clean. Is there a watch collectors anonymous?
That's the paradox - you can only know what you know now by having done it.
A highly detailed oriented person who love watches. Fast becoming my favorite watch channel on youtube. Well done👍
Thanks for the praise. Appreciated 😀
i’ve been in this hobby a long time as well as cigars & I can tell from experience large collections do NOT translate content with collections. i’ve had at a time upwards of 40 watches & now as a middle aged man I have a collection of 4 (for life) watches & space for 2/3 I allow myself to interchange. there is no need for anyone to have a collection so big you need to blow the dust off the watch everytime you wear it. that’s not a love for watches that’s a love of shopping
Good points - thanks for sharing 😀
One of my favorite videos Mike. Keep stuff like this coming if you like. I’ve only been actively collecting watches for about a year. I just started tracking what I wear this January 1st. I’m excited about the info I can begin to pull from this data.
I do like variety and being new I am much more keen on getting that new watch than I am to move on from another watch, even when I know that doing so is part of the game in acquiring the next one. This video should helpful in rationalizing my decision :/
Even though the math is obvious the idea that a 24 watch collection only allows for 15 wears per year apiece, and that’s only when it is equal which isn’t going to happen, some of those watches might only be worn 5 times, that is eye opening stuff! Thanks as always Mike
Mike, I always say thanks for the upload, but today is different. These were useful insights into watch collecting for me, a person that started collecting in December 2023. I have nearly 40 watches already. Many of them are on the very affordable side because I love Casio, and I appreciate inexpensive but high value watches. I do own luxury watches, so I appreciate your insights. I find I go through streaks of wearing digital watches, inexpensive watches and luxury watches. It's according to how I'm feeling and dressing. I love my F-91W. I love my San Martin. I love my IWC. They each have a time and place where they feel the best. I may eventually trim the collection as there are definitely watches that don't get worn as much.
You're the second person that has recently told me that very high end watches are more fragile, so I will take that to heart because I had been eyeing JLC and more expensive watches.
And that brings me to your observation that your sweet spot is $3k-$5k. I'm still figuring that out. I like cheap oddities. I think what San Martin does for $200 is impressive. I find myself drawn to microbrand designs because they're further out of the norm, but I have a tough time committing to them. I love the engineering in Grand Seiko and Omega. I love the craftsmanship of the high tier luxury brands. Maybe I need just one of those and then some spread of the others.
My buying style has been completely different. Sometimes I research a lot and wait. But other times, I see it, and I know, and maybe I give it a few days or a week. I definitely buy with my heart. But I'm trying to be more methodical now, which has caused me some regret when I talked myself out of watches that I later wished I had bought.
I know that's long. If you made it to the end, kudos to you, sir! I really appreciate this video. I'm certain I will watch it multiple times to get anything I can from it. Thanks for your veteran insights.
I'm still a noob to be honest, but happy to hear your thoughts and how my video resonates and gets you thinking. Cheers 😀
@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch You, sir, are not a noob. Now, I understand what you're saying. One of the members of my Redbar chapter bought his first Holy Trinity watch the year I was born! And I'm 45.
Brilliant! Informative and enjoyable. You know, your usual 😊
Lol. Cheers 😀
The comment on Italy is hilarious!
Agree. Taking Italy off of my vacation list.
Italy has too many tourists anyway 😀😂
Great vid w/ wonderful insights for a novice collector...you've given me a (healthy) pause...thanks!
Cost per wear is a very weird metric! I get a lot of “value” (happiness/joy) from simply owning a watch and knowing it is there for me to wear (or simply fondle!) when I want to.
"it's there for me to wear when I want to". Bang on 👍.
Yeah , I am in the same boat. I wouldn't buy a watch and think about how much it costs for me to wear it per month or year and based on that I decide whether it's worth it for me to own. If I buy it, it means I have money to buy it and keep it forever , no plan to sell it either. It so absurd to me to keep track of how many times you wear a watch but hey , analytics based people are like that. I am boring like that too, but I still have some pure emotion left
It’s like books. You know you’re never likely to read them more than once but would never part with some if not all of them.
This is actually how I think about things like tech appliances and furniture
I'm more willing to spend on high use items, because I'm paying less for each unit of utility
@UnrealMkIV I am willing to spend more on a top quality item because it will last longer
Thanks for sharing this Mike. I've been interested in hearing about it ever since Teddy's end of the year video, cheers.
Cheers to you too 😀
I raises enough issues for 10 comments but firstly I’d like to comment on your usage issue. As a woman, I feel the watch should match the aesthetic of your ensemble of your outfit, so I change my clothes throughout the day depending on what I am doing. Morning daywear, going out for leisure, shopping, yard work, household chores, company visiting, seeing friends/family, etc. Weather and time of year can give variations to this as well. As a result I use usually two watches per day and three more often than one. Coincidentally my collection is also about 40 watches but I use each of them about twice a month. I think I inherited this attitude about changing outfit from my mother. For clarity she was not a woman of leisure, she married my father when she was 15 and he was a plumber. The values prevalent at the time was that there was no shame in being poor or having a lack of a formal education, there was shame in speaking poorly, and not educating yourself.
I, too, wear more than one watch in a day. Typically, I may wear one when I'm at home, and then change to another if/when I go out (change of outfit, and change of watch accordingly). I currently have 18 watches, so it's rarely the case that some watches get neglected.
My watches very much follow my clothing as well. Winter clothing calls for different watches. Formal business attire in summer is different from formal attire in autumn. Pub vs michelin restaurant etc 😀😀
Brilliant and Helpful Video!!!
I've had Omegas, Rolex and IWC, and my current 6 watch collection worth £600 is giving me the most fun I've had in this hobby:
a G shock, casio W59, an issued CWC G10, vintage 1970s Tressa on alligator leather strap, a citizen, vintage Enicar.....
It's humble, cheap, and care free... that's my main lesson - don't need to spend thousands.... to be fair, I'm saving for something special, but that's a long way away and there is no rush... take your time
Somehow, I find so many watch repairers and watch enthusiasts praising over the brand Seiko. They've always been on my radar, but I never happen tried it. My interest grew on their divers recently, so I'm willing to try them out soon.
You only need one watch for vacation. It’s easier to make memories with the watch. Also the focus should be on the vacation, not picking out what watch to wear each morning.
Diver watches are the answer for vacations. My seamaster gets all the love for pool/snorkeling.
This is what my wife says. I don't listen to her 😂
This was a damn good video. Definitely has me rethinking my next watch purchase. 🔥🔥
Double wristing it halves your $/day calculations 😅
I wear 2 watches very often.
true. One could also add a watch to each ankle 😂
Great content Mike. Thanks for your insightful information. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Cheers