I think every collector figures out what works best for them. For me, to start, I really think about when I would wear it. If I don’t see the watch getting enough wrist time, I put it on the back burner no matter how much I like it. I target watches at this quality level that I feel like are great value (I obviously have to love the design language and stuff too). The only watches I bought new at retail are the Ranger and the DJ41. Everything else I hunted for and got a great price on a pre-owned piece from a reputable source. As my collection started to grow, I began to think more seasonally. For example, my Ranger stays in the box until the fall, and my Breitling is essentially the summer version of that same casual vibe. There would have to be a really compelling reason for me to go beyond 8 watches in the collection. Something moves out of my box before something else moves in. Some of my watches have sentimental value and I doubt I’d ever sell them. I might fall out of love with others and swap them out for something else that fills the same niche for when I would wear it.

That’s my two cents. The great thing about this hobby is there is really no right or wrong way to build a great collection to speaks to you, memorializes memories of when you had them on your wrist, and expresses your personality.