7 Steps To Build Your Watch Collection [0:00:00]
All right, gentlemen. In today’s video, seven steps to start your watch collection.
[Music] Rule number one for building a watch collection,
gentlemen. Build it for you. Don’t build it for anyone else because your wife your
girlfriend your partner, they’re not going to understand your obsession. Your friends,
when you tell them you can spend a thousand bucks on a watch, they’re going to think
you’re crazy. Whenever you talk to another watch collector
and they’re like, “Hey, I’m going to – I’m going to buy this one.” They’re
going to say, “You’re crazy. Go buy this other watch.” And you’re going to disagree
and you have to be able to stand your ground. You’ve got to know what you want why you’re
buying these watches what’s driving you why do you collect. And understand you do
this for you, nobody else. Step number two. Do your research. Guys, there’s
tons of information out there, almost too much information, but you could start with
some great blogs. There’s Hodinkee, there’s A Blog To Watch. You could look at podcasts,
tons of great podcasts out there. You’re going to see Spending Time, the No BS Watchmaking
show, Unwound. When it comes to books, A Man and His Watch,
great book. But there’s other books out there like the Wristwatch Handbook, Watch
Repairing as a Hobby. Now, when it comes to vlogs, there are tons of influencers tons
of gurus. You can go follow them. You just type in here on YouTube, you will find tons
of them and they know a lot of information. But, guys, an unused resource I think so many
people could benefit from, going in and actually speaking with salesman because an interesting
fact is that most salesmen who are actually talking about these watches, they are collectors
themselves. Step three. Decide how you want to collect
and put together your list. So, maybe you were a pilot, well, start off with aviation
watches. Maybe you spent a lot of time on the open ocean, buy a diver’s watch. Maybe
you wear suits quite a bit, you’re going to start off with dress watches.
Now, that’s up to you to put it together. Some people go with brands, other people choose
particular years. They want to go with a certain classification of watches. Again, it’s up
to you, but put together this list ahead of time before you walk into a store and you
buy anything based off emotion. Now, you want to buy things based off of logic and the list
that you put together beforehand. Step number four. Find your tribe, find your
community, surround yourself with likeminded people in a group. There’s tons of online
groups, there’s forums, there’s Facebook groups, but you want to find a place where
you feel at home, so that you can have fun as you’re collecting these watches.
You can take a picture of that new watch right on your wrist and share it with everyone in
the group and you’re going to get feedbacks. And make sure you’re part of a group where
you feel at home. Now, if you’re looking for an amazing membership
service, check out Watch Gang, they’re the paid sponsor of today’s video, guys. And
I was skeptical until I had these watches right here in front of me sent to me and I
was like, wow. This is actually pretty darn cool. They did a good job through their system
I was going at I gave them my preferences. They sent me watches.
So, Watch Gang has three levels of their monthly subscription service. They got their classic
level at $29 a month. And the watches you will receive here once a month they’re going
to be in the $50 to $150 retail range. Then, they’ve got their Black Tier. And
the Black Tier, that’s $99 a month and what you’re going to see is watches here are
going to from $150 to $500 retail. And then, they’ve got their Platinum Tier. And at
the Platinum Tier, that’s $299 a month and you’re going to get watches that range from
$500 to over $1500. So, I have to admit, I was very skeptical.
I talked to the guys at Watch Gang, I’m like, okay, send me one from each of your
collections, treat me like a normal customer. So, I went in and chose, you know, the watches
that I would prefer to receive and all of a sudden I got three boxes.
And, this first one starting off in their lowest collection that’s the classic right
there. You see this Armand Basi? I went online and I found this for sale, I think it was
what? €185 this is selling for and I like this watch. I – I mean for $29, a very nice
watch. And, again, this is at their lowest membership level.
So, I was like, okay, that’s pretty impressive. Let me see what you guys can send me at the
next one. I’ve got this one now from Pure Dial. And when I went and looked for this
watch online, the Pure Dial space compass leather, this sells for $500 online and it’s
a nice watch. It’s an automatic watch. So, what did they send me at the Platinum
level? Well, they sent me a watch from the Melbourne Watch Company and this is the Portsea.
And this is basically the design is off of an old deck watch. I mean just the whole lines
everything about this is absolutely beautiful. I love this watch. And this one retails for
AU$875 which I think is like US$670. Again, this is their $299 level their Platinum level.
Now, these watches are great. I like them. And compared with the retail price versus
what the membership cost is, you’re getting a steal here. But, what I really like about
Watch Gang is the gamification. So, they’ve got this wheel of watches that members can
go in and you can basically spin to get a watch. They’ve actually got it, so it’s
set up on Tuesdays they’re giving away every Tuesday a Tag. On Fridays they’re giving
away a Rolex. Yes, every single Friday, they’ve got these giveaways they’re doing and any
member can win. [0:05:05]
Now, I also like that they’ve got a 23,000 person strong Facebook group where you can
go in and if you don’t like your watch, you could exchange it you can sell it. And
they’ve got this great community in there where people are posting pictures of themselves
wearing the watches talking about the watches. Guys, I’m linking to Watch Gang down in
the descriptions of this video -- watches, they’re a good quality for a fraction of
the price. Step number five. Resolve to make mistakes.
Here is the deal, anytime you take action anytime you go out there and you start a collection,
you are going to make mistakes and that is part of the game. You’ve got to understand
– let me just share with you some of my stupid mistakes.
Yeah, look at that Rolex. That’s not a real Rolex. I got this in Hong Kong in Kowloon
on the street. We have a Breitling. Yeah, another fake Breitling right there. This is
back I think it was like 2005, 2007. And, no, I never wore them and I never – it was
a mistake, I wasted hundreds of dollars here, but it’s a lesson.
And, understand that, yeah, maybe start slow start at a lower price point if you’re really
scared, but go out there and find something. Don’t let that hesitation that fear of making
a bad decision stop you from buying watches. Step six. Make the purchase. So, do not go
in a credit card debt to make watch purchases. They’re not an investment. Let’s say you
want to save up for a really nice watch. You want to get a Rolex, you want to get – I
don’t know, a Tag. You want to get something really nice that’s going to cost thousands
of dollars. Then, set aside a little bit of money every single week.
Make sacrifices make this something so when you purchase it you’re going to feel great
about the purchase. Or maybe buy something that’s at a lower price point that is similar
to what you want and is going to be a step in that right direction.
Now, let me give you a warning. No deal is ever too good to pass on. And do not make
a purchasing decision especially a big one on emotions because it almost happened to
me. I was in looking out watches. I went into look at a Datejust and all of a sudden, I’m
being shown a gold Daytona. And it was beautiful rose gold and I’ve got a friend with me
who’s like, “Oh, that’s a great-looking watch.” I put it on. That is a great-looking
watch. It’s 25% off. Sure, it was like double the price of what I was expecting to spend,
you know it’s like, hey, I can start to justify it. I almost fell into the trap.
Now, I didn’t make that purchase, but I came, oh, so close and I’m very happy that
I did not. No deal is worth – you’re getting kicked out of the house. If I would have made
that purchase, my wife would have not been happy.
Now, this next step is incredibly important. Have fun. Wear your watches, enjoy your watches.
They’re yours. You’ve collected them for you and enjoy them. But, if you’re not enjoying
the watch, well, sell it, get rid of it because if you’re not enjoying the watch collection,
you’re doing it wrong. Now, guys, like I talked about Watch Gang,
awesome company. Did you want to see – I didn’t actually show this watch right here.
They sent this one to me as a mistake and this one is by William Gregor. I like it,
but I’ve got a lot of watches like it, so here’s the deal. Because I can tell you
that I’ve got to get rid of some of these watches because like I said this one right
here by William Gregor, I like it, it’s a nice watch. I’ve got another watch like
it. The Puredial, it’s too large. It’s a great watch. And, maybe one of my fanatic,
one of – why do you guys – or fanatical supporters here at Real Men Real Style maybe
one of you guys want this. I want you to go do me a favor though. Go
check out Watch Gang. Go through their website, look at what they’re offering. Let me know
down in the comments. I’m going to choose a couple of you guys, you’re going to be
winners. Now, this one right here, I’m going to keep
it even though it came from the lowest level, I like this one. And the Portsea, I’m keeping
that one. That one is just a beautiful watch. Let me know down in the comments, again, do
you like these watch videos. Again, I changed the whole setup. I’d love to hear from you
guys. Take care and I will see you in the next video.
Who am I fooling? My wife isn’t happy with any of my watch purchases. I always say, “They’re
for the business, hon.” That’s my excuse. [Music]
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