Cleaning House // Culling the Watch Herd

Streamlined Watch Collection: My Ideal Setup

My watch collection has once again surpassed a dozen pieces, but like many times before, it consists of a mix of inexpensive and cheap watches that I rarely wear. I’m now focused on culling the herd and narrowing it down to four essential watches:

Rolex Explorer 114270
Victorinox INOX
Casio G-Shock DW5600
Casio A168

Here’s my thought process for establishing an ideal collection.

I. Classics that Obey Form + Function

Over the years, I’ve realized that I prefer simple tool watches that balance reasonable size with classic styling. My everyday wear usually consists of the humble Casio models, while I reserve the Automatics and the INOX for more formal or special occasions.

Interestingly, the Casio A168 brings me a lot of joy. It meets most of my daily needs without the worry of wear and tear, which is a huge plus for an everyday watch.

II. You Don’t Need Every Style or Design

One mistake I made early in my collecting journey was the desire to “complete” my collection with various colors and styles. If a model came in three or four different colors, I felt the need to own them all.

In reality, you don’t need to have a “one of each” collection that includes a chronograph, dive watch, dress watch, etc. It’s more valuable to curate a selection that resonates with your personal style.

III. Sizing and Fit Matter

Just as with shoes, comfort is key when it comes to watches. Proper sizing and fit are crucial for a watch you plan to wear regularly.

I find that watches between 36 mm and 42 mm are optimal for my wrist size, with the Victorinox INOX at 45 mm being a rare exception that I can still comfortably wear.

IV. Buy What You Would Wear

It sounds straightforward, but I’ve often experienced buyer's remorse by purchasing watches that looked great but didn’t quite suit my style when worn. Even the most coveted watches may not fit everyone's aesthetic.

Focusing on watches that align with my personal style has led to a more satisfying collection, as each piece is something I genuinely enjoy wearing.

By refining my collection to these four watches, I’m aiming for a blend of functionality, style, and personal significance, ensuring that each piece is both practical and enjoyable.

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