My Watch Collection Rules: How I Classify My Collection – Material Type (Part 3)

In Part 1[1] of a series of articles regarding watch collection rules, I mentioned the importance of following your own set of rules for this hobby. The first that I follow is to categorize my collection to movement types. In Part 2[2], I mentioned about category types. In this third installment of the series, I shall explain another rule that I follow: material types.

Under this rule I have five categories: (1) Stainless steel; (2) Titanium; (3) Precious metals – Platinum, Silver; (4) Other base metals – bronze, brass, Aluminum; and (5) Plastic watches. I only collect watches made out these materials. 

I generally do not buy watches with precious gems imbedded profusely on them. My only exception is when gems are used as indexes on the dial.

Some of my stainless steel watches are coated black. I can still accept them subject to them being the only model available. If there is a choice between stainless steel or coated, I will choose stainless steel.

If you notice, gold is excluded from the list. It is a personal choice that I don’t collect gold watches.

 

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[1]My Watch Collection Rules: How I Classify My Collection – Movement Type (Part1)

[2]My Watch Collection Rules: How I Classify My Collection – Category Type (Part2)

My Watch Collection Rules: How I Classify My Collection – Category Type (Part 2)

In Part 1[1] of a series of articles regarding watch collection rules, I mentioned the importance of following your own set of rules for this hobby. In this second installment of the series, I shall explain another rule that I follow: category types.

I classify watches into six categories: (1) dress watches; (2) diving watches; (3) sports watches; (4) chronograph watches; (5) dual time watches; and (6) specialty watches. Do note that this is my own classification. You may want to follow the more commonly accepted definitions or you may want to create your own. Below are some examples of watches classified in their respective categories as I defined them.

Dress watches
Diving watches
Sports watches
Chronograph watches
Dual time watches
Specialty watches

For me a dress watch is defined as a watch that does not have any other purpose than to adorn your wrist for formal functions. It is elegant and not built primarily to withstand high impact activities. Generally a thin watch with permanent bezel; either in bracelet or leather straps will qualify under this category. 

A diving watch is much easier to categorize. Watch manufacturers would design their respective divers to fulfill the ISO6425 divers’ watch compliant requirements. 

A chronograph watch is also easier to categorize. As its name suggest, a watch with a chronograph function will automatically comply with the definition of this sub-group. 

However, if a watch has additional complications that are unique, it should fall into the specialty watch grouping instead. This rule also applies to dual time watches. Any extra functionalities and it should fall into the specialty watch grouping as well. Examples of what can be classified as a specialty watch are watches with stop watch capabilities, compass orientation, altitude indication, temperature measurements, among others. 

A trickier grouping is what I would define as a sports watch. These are watches primarily designed to withstand high impact activities. In this case, commonly defined military watches and pilot watches are included in this group. However, watches defined by most but comes with a compass reference bezel should be classified as a specialty watch. Reason; such a complication is unique.

Should you follow my way of categorization? No, you don’t have to. It is your choice to create your own definitions. It is important that you do so as it will create an identity to your collection.

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[1] My Watch Collection Rules: How I Classify My Collection – Movement Type (Part 1)

My Watch Collection Rules: How I Classify My Collection – Movement Type (Part 1)

To be a watch collector, you must have a system or philosophy to rule how your collection grows. Otherwise, you can easy fall into the category of a ‘hoarder’! For me, there are a number of rules that I follow. In the first part of a series of articles regarding this, I shall explain the first rule that I follow: types of movements.

Generally there are only two major types of movements currently available now; pure mechanical or natural powered and electrical powered. What I meant by this rule is that watches can be either in the first or second grouping depending on the motive power for timekeeping. For example, a winding watch would be in the first category whereas a battery powered watch would be in the second category. Another set of examples, solar powered watch would be in the second category but a sundial watch is definitely in the first category.

The picture shows a sundial watch that requires the sun as well as the correct North-South alignment to work. Made as a decorative piece with very little practical value.

Personally, I like mechanical watches much more than electrically powered ones. In my collection, although the bulk is mechanical, I do have some electrical examples. I do know of other collectors that have a completely different focus i.e. purely mechanical or purely electrical or a range of both in their personal collections.

An important consideration is personal preference. There is a strong tendency to try to replicate well known collectors by virtue of information available on them. However, those collections reflect the personality of the individual owners. By copying, you may end up with a collection that does not suit your personality. Imagine the time and money wasted.

An important question that you want to ask yourself is this: what do I truly appreciate in a watch? If you can answer this question, you are on the right path to be successful in this hobby.

Ocean7 LM-8 Professional Deep Diver - With a Swiss movement and a ceramic bezel, this diver rocks, A Review

Ocean7 Watch Company is a small micro-brand American company operating from Coral Springs, Florida. It is creation of owner Mitchell Feig. He has created a transparent operation which means he keep close, even personal, connections with the people who have bought, and will eventually buy, his watches. From the beginning, Ocean7 started building not only watches, but watch collectors. Daily, one can find Mitch conversing with owners, collectors, and soon-to-be both on the Ocean7 forum and the Watchuseek Ocean7 forum. This is how Mitch gets input and advice from his customers.

OCEAN7 design objective is to create beautiful watches that are tough and functional. Use of new case materials, hardening concepts, and construction methods also endears the brand to its growing legion of enthusiasts. Apart from stainless steel, the company has used ceramic and titanium. The best thing of all is the price point which is sometimes unbelievably low.

I am what you would like to call a fan of the brand. I already own the Airnautic Early Bird and the LM3 V2 1250m Dive Watch. I got my eyes on three more before Ocean7 announced the launch of the LM8 late 2013. Now there are four that I have to prioritize. I decided to go for the LM8 first. I shall explain why later.

Suunto t3d Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Training Watch - If Suunto can work on using better materials to protect the watch face as well as the strap, this watch can be a winner, A Review

After getting my Suunto T1c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch (see:Suunto T1c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch (Black Panda) - Many Unique Function For A Watch, A Review) from my wife for my birthday, I decided to get one for her too since she is also very active in the gym.

This time, Suunto t3d appears to be a better option as it can also link to a foot pod for running or a cycle pod for cycling. This gives the watch a lot more optionality in tracking training performance.

Apple iPod Nano - A Joy to have but There are Better Options Available in the Market, A Review

This iPod Nano is strictly not a watch. However, it can act and look like a typical wristwatch due to its adaptability. Coupled with the excellent functionality, this iPod Nano can be considered the "Swiss Army Watch" of the 21st century.

There are 18 different dial design for the iPod Nano. From analogue to digital, there are enough choices for most people.

Tissot Seastar II T55.8.483.11 - A Refine Watch, A Review

In February 2011, I was in Switzerland. While there, I got a couple of watches. One of them is this Tissot Seastar II for my wife. Although defined as a gentleman's watch, its diameter size of just 36 mm makes it more "feminine" than "masculine".

It is an all stainless steel construction. With a white dial, it has markers with gold plating, including the hands. It has say and date functions situated at the 3 o'clock position. Apart from the brand "TISSOT 1853" at the North of the dial, the South has "AUTOMATIC 25 JEWELS SWISS MADE". All along the perimeter of the dial are micro-markers in 0.2 second intervals.