As the leading producer of custom rubber watch straps, Rubber B consistently strives to innovate and improve on our existing product catalog, which features custom rubber watch straps for watches from leading watchmakers around the globe, such as Rolex, Tudor, Panerai, and Audemars Piguet. We are also passionate about helping those who are new to the world of watch collecting find their stride, and to that end, this post will primarily focus on mistakes to avoid when putting together a watch collection.
The world of watch collecting, especially when someone is just starting out, can be a bit opaque and difficult to read. With this in mind, we thought it would be prudent to look at some common, as well as some not-so-common, mistakes that people make when they are assembling their watch collection of luxury timepieces.
Don’t Be Swayed By High Prices or A Large Number of Complications
This is arguably the most common error that new collectors make, and it is very easy to see how a person could come to this conclusion. On the surface, the idea that something is very expensive or that it has a lot of complications means that it must have some sort of inherent value.
However, the fallacy with this line of thinking is that it does not take into account the entire set of facts. For example, while having a watch with a lot of complications sounds nice at first, many new collectors often underestimate the cost of servicing these watches, and later on, find themselves selling the pieces because they no longer wish to deal with these bills regularly. Unless you know what you are getting into with regards to complications, be reasonable with your approach.
Don’t Think That the Movement is the Most Important Part of a Watch
While this is certainly an error that a lot of newer collectors make, it is not limited to that peer group – even more seasoned collectors sometimes fall under the sway of this philosophy. And when you look at the issue more closely, it becomes readily apparent that this fallacy is not really the fault of the collector.
For years, the very savvy marketing departments at various watchmakers around the world have used the fact that they manufacture their movements “in-house” as something to be prominently touted in their marketing materials. They use this exclusivity as a way to justify their pricing, but under scrutiny, it doesn’t make very much sense.
Thinking that the movement is the only important part of a watch would be the same as thinking the engine is the only important part of a car – yes, it is an essential part of the machinery, but it’s far from the only one of import.
Be Very Cautious About Taking Forum Posts or Social Media Comments as Fact
This mistake is tangential to something that has been previously covered in blog posts – the importance of verifying that the watch you are planning on purchasing is, indeed, the genuine article and not a disingenuous reproduction of the timepiece you were looking for.
This also applies to evaluating comments on websites that are dedicated to watches or social media posts. Simply put, if you do not know someone’s legal name, it is unwise to be spending large sums of money based on their forum posts or Facebook or Instagram comments.
If you are planning on making a financial commitment of any kind with regards to purchasing a watch, do so only with the aid of a trusted dealer. It should come as no surprise that not everyone is who they say they are on the internet, and many people do not have the best interest of the buyer at heart, unfortunately.
Believing That High Auction Prices Are Only the Results of Companies Bidding on Their Own Watches
This isn’t necessarily a mistake that could cause you any kind of financial harm, but it is something that, as with the watch movements, when you look at it closely, the logic behind this thought process just does not hold up.
While there have been a handful of occasions when a watchmaker has purchased one of their own watches at auction to add to their corporate museum, this is something that happens very few and far between. This really only happens when the watch is extremely rare or has some kind of fascinating backstory behind it, and if the company doesn’t have a private collection or museum of their own, this theory begins to falter even more.
Finally, at the risk of stating what should be obvious, an auction requires two parties to drive up the price of a timepiece, so one company could not undertake such an action of their own accord.
Stating That You (Or Someone You Know) is “The World’s Biggest Watch Collector”
While making this kind of statement would not be able to harm you financially, it is certainly likely to harm your reputation, as most people would immediately find it off-putting.
At the end of the day, the watch collecting community is very much a niche one. This means that one of its primary preoccupations should be finding new ways to welcome people in and making them feel at home, not applying some sort of artificial (and tawdry) standard that makes people want to flee in the opposite direction.
There are numerous mistakes that can be made in the world of watch collecting. For example, buying watches solely based on their popularity without regard for personal taste or collecting goals. Likewise, failing to create a budget and investing beyond one’s means can lead to financial stress and regret. However, it is not only important to acquire watches, but also to protect them. They discuss the importance of protecting collectibles in general in a recent article on “Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Collectibles” To ensure the longevity of collectibles, the article emphasizes the importance of proper storage, insurance, and regular maintenance. It is critical to focus not only on building a watch collection but also on taking the necessary precautions to protect it.
Are You in Need of a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Timepiece? Visit Rubber B Today
All of our watch bands are made from 100% vulcanized rubber and manufactured in Switzerland by industry professionals with decades of experience behind them. All of Rubber B’s straps are also non-toxic and non-allergenic, ensuring a quality product that is sure to last for years to come.
If you would like more information on our full product catalog, pricing, or shipping policies, please visit our website to learn more.
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