Collector resources

Newcomers

Firstly, welcome! Some important brands that you may not know about if you're just thinking about getting your feet wet.

  • Christopher Ward: the posterboy of British watchmaking, for the most part mass produced, but have elevated themselves by making Swiss design more attainanble and some collaborations with very high-end watchmakers

  • Grand Seiko: big brother to the well-known Seiko brand, offering high-tech movements and accuracy alongside stunning dials

Micro brands

Often less than £1000, using mass-produced movements; which is often looked down upon, but arguably that makes them more reliable and servicable. The focus is usually more on the aesthetic and associated lifestyle.

Miyota

Seagull

NH35

There's a big modding culture with these movements.

Alien technology

Brands that aren't afraid to ignore centuries of watch design.

In-house movements

Serious, will cost more than a car.

Watches you should have bought

But are sold out now so tough.

Straps

Low- to mid-priced

Mid-priced

Mid- to high-priced

High-priced

Stores

Price trackers

Enthusiast cleaning

Enthusiast books

Enthusiast tools

Also see the pro tools section below.

Getting on the Rolex waiting list

See this article.

  • Meet with multiple dealers
  • Some value purchase history, some value relationships
  • Set up appointments and multiple ADs and assess which store is best
  • Work your way up
  • Only buy what you love, don't fall for dealer tricks
  • Grow the relationship, be the person they want to call

Setting the date safely

Move the hands to 6 o'clock, change the date to the day before today, and then move the time forward to get the correct half of the day. Never fiddle with the date between 9pm and 4am; but, if it has a phantom date then good luck!