【F】 How To Get The Most Out Of Collecting Watches

Collecting watches can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. For some, it’s a slow accumulation of pieces they like. For others, it’s a focused, evolving pursuit built around themes, eras, or even specific references. In this episode of Fratello Talks, RJ, Daan, and Nacho discuss how to get the most out of the hobby — not in terms of value retention or flipping strategies but, rather, in terms of enjoyment. How do you keep things fresh? How do you avoid burnout? And how do you build a collection that actually reflects your interests rather than the algorithm’s? Let’s kick things off with a wrist check.

Wrist check

RJ is wearing his Omega Speedmaster Calibre 321 “Ed White.” With its straight lugs and beautifully finished 321 movement, it represents RJ’s deep-end approach to collecting Speedmasters. This reference, though simple to the untrained eye, is a treasure to anyone who understands the history, the movement, and the subtle details that separate one reference from another.

Daan has on his Oris Art Blakey fitted to a Joseph Bonnie Bonklip bracelet. It’s a slightly off-the-beaten-path choice that combines minimalist charm with a playful twist thanks to the bracelet swap. This is a great example of how small changes can refresh a watch you already own.

Nacho is wearing a ’90s Poseidon-branded Seiko with a PVD black case and gold-plated accents. It’s quirky, specific, and very much of its era. As an affordable quartz watch, it’s also proof that collecting doesn’t have to revolve around the usual suspects or cost an arm and a leg to be meaningful.

Fratello Talks: How To Get The Most Out Of Collecting Watches

A big theme in today’s discussion is focus. One way to get more out of collecting is to narrow your scope. That could mean concentrating on a single brand or watch line — diving deep into Speedmasters, Datejusts, or Seamasters, for instance — and learning the nuances between references. RJ argues that this kind of depth makes each acquisition more satisfying because you understand exactly where it fits in the bigger picture. Another approach is era-based collecting. Maybe you’re fascinated by ’60s skin divers, ’70s integrated-bracelet sports watches, or ’90s tool watches with bold design language. Daan notes that anchoring your collection to a time period gives it coherence and helps you avoid random purchases.

Nacho champions getting specific — not just “sports watches” but, specifically, vintage divers. Not simply “chronographs” but Valjoux 72-powered ones. The more defined your interest, the more rewarding the hunt becomes. At the same time, the guys caution against over-structuring the hobby. Leave room for surprises. Try different straps. Rotate often. Sell occasionally if your taste evolves. Getting the most out of collecting isn’t about accumulating the most watches; it’s about staying curious. Finally, the guys address the hypothetical of how they’d refocus their collections if they could start from scratch today.

Over to you, Fratelli: are you a focused collector or a free spirit? Let us know in the comments, and tune in again next week for a new episode of Fratello Talks.