Collection Review: Seven Pairs from Seven Brands

Setting a limit on the number of watches per brand can help enforce discipline and identify the long-term keepers.

When I began collecting watches in 2018, I initially thought that owning one watch per brand would be a solid starting point. Fast forward five or six years, after buying, selling, and trading, I found myself with two watches from some of my favorite brands.

This wasn’t intentional, but it turns out that having two watches per brand might be a good strategy. First, we're all limited by our financial resources, so establishing some boundaries is a prudent approach. It forces us to think more carefully about which watches we want to keep long-term. This rule also makes it easier to thin the collection when necessary and reinforces the discipline of "one in, one out" after the limit is reached.

Additionally, acquiring one dress watch and one sports watch from a brand can be an excellent way to narrow down your options. So, without further ado, let me share with you these seven pairs of timepieces from seven outstanding brands.

Colorful Seiko Divers

Seiko is truly a master at creating fun and colorful watches, particularly through its many collaboration pieces.

The watch on the left, named “Color Block,” is the first collaboration between Seiko and Rowing Blazers in 2021. Eric Wind played a key role in the design of this model, as well as in the subsequent collaborations. I’m especially fond of this watch because its four colors align with the colors of the Google logo.

The watch on the right is a special edition “Turtle” featuring the PADI logo. This model remains in the Seiko catalog, offering both professional divers and “desk divers” a fantastic choice.

Neo-Vintage Cartier Pashas

I admire many Cartier models, but the Pasha is the only one I’ve added to my collection. The bold design, mythical story, and Gerald Genta connection are simply too intriguing to resist.

I purchased both pre-owned Pashas from Japan. The model with a grille, reference 2379, was first sold in July 2001. The removable grille even comes with a red plastic tool for easy removal and can be positioned upright or at a 45-degree angle. It's just so cool.

The second watch, reference W31037H3, was originally sold in March 2002. This rounded Cartier includes two of my favorite complications: a dual-time display and a power reserve indicator.

Two Iconic Rolex Timepieces

It’s tough to choose just two watches from Rolex’s vast offerings, so I took the easy route – selecting one dress model and one sports model. 

The Datejust “Green Palm” was in production for only three years and is no longer available from boutiques or authorized dealers. Despite Rolex producing a million watches annually, I have yet to encounter anyone wearing a Green Palm Datejust. It’s a classic model with a refreshing dial.

I was fortunate to acquire the ultimate Rolex professional model, the “Panda” Daytona. My watch is the reference 116500, which was replaced by the newer 126500 last year. However, the changes are minimal—proof that it’s wise not to tamper with a classic and iconic timepiece.

A Pair of AP Royal Oaks

Here are two 41mm stainless steel watches that represent the relatively entry-level offerings of the AP Royal Oak collection. The first is reference 15510ST with a stunning white dial, and the second is reference 26240ST featuring a deep blue dial.

Watch collecting is a hobby that requires patience, persistence, and a bit of luck. After many years of waiting and longing, I’m thrilled to finally own this pair of beauties.

Two Patek Philippe Calendars

After touring the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, I began to appreciate the vast array of horological creations achieved by this legendary watch brand. Even today, there are around 150 models in the current Patek Philippe catalog.

I’m particularly fond of Patek's calendar watches due to their practical functions. Patek Philippe invented the annual calendar, providing clients with a more affordable alternative to the perpetual calendar. Among the various dial designs, I favor the blue 5205G the most. The exquisite sculpted lugs are simply stunning.

Another remarkable standout is the 5212A Weekly Calendar, which displays the day of the week, month, week number, and date. The fonts, derived from the handwriting of a Patek Philippe designer, lend this watch a unique and charming character.

F.P. Journe Beauties

The F.P. Journe Boutique Nacre Collection, launched in 2012, was discontinued earlier this year. For me, this news was both disappointing and fortuitous. I had been eagerly waiting for an Automatique Lune Nacre, but it is no longer available. Fortunately, I own a Chronomètre Souverain Nacre with a rose gold case, which also sparked my love for mother-of-pearl dials.

Four years after acquiring the Chronomètre Souverain Nacre, I added my second Journe watch: the Linesport Automatique Réserve, reference ARS2. This watch stands out with its vibrant yellow dial and lightweight titanium case.

A. Lange & Söhne Duo

A. Lange & Söhne offers six product families: Lange 1, Zeitwerk, Saxonia, 1815, Richard Lange, and Odysseus. A die-hard Lange collector might aim to include at least one watch from each family. While I don't have that luxury, here are my choices for a two-watch dream collection.

Although the Datograph Up/Down is one of the most renowned chronographs, I opted for the “purer” 1815 Chronograph. The smoothness of its chronograph operations is a hallmark of Lange haute horology and remains unmatched.

The Odysseus, a new Lange product family introduced in 2019, was designed for a more active lifestyle on weekends and holidays. Due to the low production volume, the steel Odysseus is rarely seen in the wild.  Nevertheless, Odysseus is truly impressive in person. The pushers for the day and date are crafted with unmatched ingenuity and craftsmanship, and the bracelet’s micro-adjustment is perhaps the best ever produced. 

The combination of an 1815 Chronograph and a steel Odysseus perfectly fulfills my dream collection.

Now, what do you think about the two-watches-per-brand approach? Clearly, it won't work if you want to focus on a single brand.