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How to organize my watch collection?

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laptop

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How to organize my watch collection?

Post13 Jan 2013, 06:42

Hi,
Im new to this forum, so I'm trying to understand how things work in here. Please forgive me if Im posting this on the wrong field.
I need help on how to organize my watch collection. I would like to know how other collectors, store, maintain, list, care, categorize, etc etc etc their watches.
I started collecting watches a few years ago, and on this never ending hunt for new pieces, the found ones, sometimes, becomes forgotten and/or lost again (in my own house).
My watch collection has around 200-300 pieces (I don't even know how many or exactly what I have already). Most of my collection is made of LED watches, but I also have a few LCD, and a few other pieces.
My biggest issue is my lack of space, because I have everything on my attic (only space available on my 1 bedroom house).
Taking pictures of each watch to catalog it and removing the batteries to store them is my only idea for now (my budget is very small, and it is an important factor to be taken in consideration).
I'm open for new ideas, suggestions, comments, etc.
As soon as I start taking pictures I will post them here.
Thank you.
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66Cooper

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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post13 Jan 2013, 17:26

If that many watches, I would start a spreadsheet of some kind. What you can do is to setup a place and position for taking pictures. I would suggest you mount your camera to a tripod in a well lit spot. If the camera is set right, one shot will be all you need. Start with 1, take down all the info you can and snap the picture. Then go on to 2. Take down info and snap picture. Then you will can go back and insert each picture with its info on a spread sheet.

While you are doing that, you need to put them in storage. That I am not too sure about. Maybe some rubbermaid bins and just make dividers out of cardboard. If cost needs to stay down, the more stuff you can build yourself the better.

If something like a plastic bin will work. You can build the dividers and number them so that watch 1 goes in space 1 so it easier to find. If you go with a deep bin, you can fill the entire first layer, then put a sheet of cardboard down to act as a base for the next row.

Not sure any one this makes sense but this is just off the top of my head. I guess i would try and group the watches by there brands and styles as well. Maybe even buy some paper hang-tags to write their number on so when you take them out, you know where they go.

So, how did you acquire this many LED watches? You have to start snapping pictures. Even just a few group shots to wet everyone's appetite.
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post13 Jan 2013, 19:24

I have a glass display cabinet plus a couple of wall display cabinets with 42 watches in each....

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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post13 Jan 2013, 19:27

Damn!!! Thats awesome looking!

I never thought of it but LED watches really make nice art. More so then traditional watches. If you were to do that with an assorted brands of traditional watches, it would not look so clean. Because most LED's look similar (SS or Gold, with a red screen) when you put them all together they look very pleasing to the eye. Very sweet.
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post13 Jan 2013, 19:31

Hi 66Coper,
I've been buying watches for a few years, some of them i bought on ebay, some at garage sales, fleemarkets, etc etc, you know how interesting the hunting could be.
Everywhere i go, i always have my eyes wide open :)
A few years and a few $$$; sometimes $1 sometimes $500, keep the feever always high!!!
I liked your ideas, and we had pretty much the same idea. I bought already some white tags with the little rope and some ziplock style bags (different sizes). Also i bought 3 watch storage box (for my preffered ones lol lol lol) and 2 plastic rubbermaid "storage" unit (4 drawers) (it was cheap, $14 each).
I will take some pictures tonight, if i have time, to see the result.
My concern is about the broken warches. Should i start fixing them, or finishing the omes already opened?! Or should i take pictures of the finished ones?!
I have modules, bands, case, boxes, manuals, tags, etc etc everywhere lol lol lol.
I would like to display it in some way. I really like to admire them.
I would like to ask my wife to help me to organize the collection, but im really jealous about my watches and im afraid that inexperienced hands could damage or maybe misplace some parts, etc etc
I will see how i can untangle this : )
Thank you for your ideas and im opened for new ones.
Take care : )
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post13 Jan 2013, 19:37

Hi Bucko170,
I loved your displays : )
I think that is a great idea!!!!
Very nice way to display the watches, easy access to mantain, plus if i build it myself, shouldnt be too expensive.
My only problem is to convince my wife to let me hang it in our living room (only wall available in our house) lol lol ; p
Thanks again : D
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post13 Jan 2013, 20:38

Hi laptop and welcome to this incredible forum from all us mods.

I only just recently found the perfect solution if you have a lot of watches :-D

check out the bay : 400314646842

these are the smallest i could find..just enough space between the watches..took me a year to find the right ones :-D

Image
Image

we all are looking forward to see you collection of course :-D
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post13 Jan 2013, 22:54

Kasper/Mick - love your displays but what do you wife's think about the room they take up?

I've still got mine in watch cases like Ebay's 300844942072 although I have a few less than you laptop at around 50 :mrgreen:
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post14 Jan 2013, 13:57

the psycho of the female species ..
-" ohh no..what are you going to do with all these crap watches..do you have nothing better to do...buy something decent..no i don't like these etc etc"
and then to other friends
" yes, he has a nice collection..special yes..some i like, other i don't like...yes, better then drinking in a pub or smoking..oogh no i have no problem with it...it's his hobby :eek: :eek:

M:)W:)M M:)W:)M
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post14 Jan 2013, 14:26

Ade51 wrote:Kasper/Mick - love your displays but what do you wife's think about the room they take up?:


The eldest son left home, I jumped in and quickly made his old room into my hobby room (come guest room) so my best advise would be get rid of the kids they are too expensive and only take up valuable watch space. ;-) :lol:
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post14 Jan 2013, 16:29

Hi Kasper,
When did you talk to my wife??!!! Lol lol ; p
Those are exactly her words, lol lol ; p
And as far as space available Bucko170, the only space available is "her" living room. So yesterday night i showed her the pictures of the displays and she said "oh pretty, i liked, nice, dididi dadada...", so i jumped in and shot "so, where can i put mine?". And guess what i got?! "what about under the stairs?!!"
I have to buy her flowers and try again, lol lol ; p
Bucko170, did you buy the displays or build it? I really liked your idea. Where do you keep the boxes (if any), manuals, etc
And how do you catalog them, as far as technical information, and/or some sort of database correlated?!
What is methodology to fix them? Do you go to the easy fix ones first? And how far do you go on the restoration?
Im sorry for so many questions, but i really want to get my collection organized by the end of this year. Ive been postponing for too long already.
Any tips, suggestion, advise and/or orientation will be more than welcome.
Thank you guys for the great ideas so far : )
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post14 Jan 2013, 17:39

laptop wrote:....Bucko170, did you buy the displays or build it?


I purchased them from 'Argos' a shop here in the UK, they were originally oak style (laminated) but I didn't like that and sprayed them silver to match the floor standing glass display cabinet, I was very pleased with the results. I think you might be able to find something similar on eBay.

laptop wrote:.....Where do you keep the boxes (if any), manuals, etc.


Some of the boxes I use to display the watches in the display cabinet, HP-01, Pulsar's, GP Casquette, Omega etc, using the if it looks nice it goes in process, other boxes, manuals etc I store in a separate cupboard but I tend to chop and change things around from time to time.

laptop wrote:And how do you catalog them, as far as technical information, and/or some sort of database correlated?!


At the bottom of my post is a link to my gallery, these galleries are an excellent place to make a photographic record of your watches and also to show them off, information about the watches can also be added as and when you want, Hanno has just installed one here which I will be making full use of in due course.

laptop wrote:What is methodology to fix them? Do you go to the easy fix ones first? And how far do you go on the restoration?


I send them to other people who are far better at repairs and restorations than I could ever hope to be.

Hope this helps.
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post15 Jan 2013, 00:08

Really nice those display cabinets Bucko.
I think i should get me those aswell, can they be locked?
He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.
The reason i collect watches is because it feels like i'm buying time.
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post15 Jan 2013, 00:22

Cesar wrote:Really nice those display cabinets Bucko.
I think i should get me those aswell, can they be locked?


No lock, just a sliding glass front. :-(
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post16 Jan 2013, 22:21

Ikea used to have nice display cabinets, haven't been there in a while not sure if they still have them.

Laptop - you need to grow a pair, you don't ask her if you can put a display in, you tell her your putting a display in ;)
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post16 Jan 2013, 23:07

I know ,they are not LED's ,but it's to give you an idea how i store them.
You might have seen these cases before.
I don't have a very big collection, so for me this is a very good way to store my watches. ;-)


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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post17 Jan 2013, 00:10

bucko170 wrote:
Cesar wrote:Really nice those display cabinets Bucko.
I think i should get me those aswell, can they be locked?


No lock, just a sliding glass front. :-(


Hi bucko is there no way you could use one of the adjustable locks that you see in the shops???
Not that it would help with security just stop mucky little fingers!!
NICE DISPLAY by the way :O`~
"I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member" Julius Henry Marx

"If necessity is the mother of invention, then mother is now standing at the door calling us in to do our home work"

IF YOUR MOBILE PHONE OR SMART WATCH DOESN'T NEED CHARGING AT LEAST EVERY WEEK YOU EITHER...
A. HAVE NO LIFE/FRIENDS. OR NEED FOR ONE.
B. YOU NEED TO SWITCH IT ON.
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post17 Jan 2013, 00:18

jagmad wrote:Hi bucko is there no way you could use one of the adjustable locks that you see in the shops???
Not that it would help with security just stop mucky little fingers!!
NICE DISPLAY by the way :O`~


I am not sure, the glass slides from side to side in either direction so I think it would need two locks on it. I find a lump hammer works fine for stopping mucky little fingers. :lol:
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post17 Jan 2013, 00:33

bucko170 wrote:
jagmad wrote:Hi bucko is there no way you could use one of the adjustable locks that you see in the shops???
Not that it would help with security just stop mucky little fingers!!
NICE DISPLAY by the way :O`~


I am not sure, the glass slides from side to side in either direction so I think it would need two locks on it. I find a lump hammer works fine for stopping mucky little fingers. :lol:

Have a look at a sliding glass cabinet lock next time your in a ethnic type shop or jeweller, the lock is on the front pane and a hook shaped piece goes between the panes and hooks
around the back one to stop it sliding. Hook then locks to the piece attached to the front pane. Hey a bit like this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sliding-Door- ... 415c8e3004
Although A LUMP HAMMER WORKS JUST FINE TOO.. M:)W:)M
"I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member" Julius Henry Marx

"If necessity is the mother of invention, then mother is now standing at the door calling us in to do our home work"

IF YOUR MOBILE PHONE OR SMART WATCH DOESN'T NEED CHARGING AT LEAST EVERY WEEK YOU EITHER...
A. HAVE NO LIFE/FRIENDS. OR NEED FOR ONE.
B. YOU NEED TO SWITCH IT ON.
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post17 Jan 2013, 03:43

I got good news everybody : )
Im going to build a display in the corner of my living room, by the way, I got all permits and needed authorization, ...from my wife lol lol lol!!!!
Im think in a vertical display from the floor to the roof 83" H x 8" W X 15" D. I will copy Bucko idea of putting glass shelfs and I'm thinking in maybe a big glass or acrylic door. Some stripe lights (from Ikea) will be installed on the inside to create a dramatic effect. I believe it will hold at least some of my pupils.
Well, so far, it is only an idea. But what concerns me a bit is: (and please give me your opinion), each 8" shelf will hold/fit only 2 to 4 watches right? And been 83" hight with a space of approx. 6" in between shelfs gives me 14. So 14 x 3 equals only approx. 42 watches : (
I think is going to be too much of an expense for just a few storage capability.
I have already 8 boxes similar to this one (http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-12-Slots-Gr ... 1e73aa8fc8). But in my opinion it doesn't give us the same joy as Bucko's displays. Bucko's displays puts capital "P" in Pride : )
And Richard_uk, to tell you the truth, my wife is right, our house is so small that if we put the displays as I wanted on the living room we have to get rid of the TV, all pictures, one sofa and the dog, in order to make enough room to fit it ; p
I'm always messing around about my wife's permission, etc etc etc, but she is very supportive on my ideas, hobbies and dreams. If I give her a chance, she would most probably help me out organizing all my collection and EVEN SELLING EVERYTHING ON EBAY, lol lol lol lol (her dream). So, I have to keep always one eye open ; p By the way, she was the one that gave me the storage boxes for the watches, as a gift : D
I believe my biggest issue is lack of space before anything else.
I took pictures of an old QED Hamilton to try a little photo booth that I put together yesterday (on my kitchen, lol lol). How can I upload pictures here?
Well guys thanks for the new ideas, and feel free for more comments and/or suggestions.
Thank you again.
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post17 Jan 2013, 13:02

To hopefully give you a better idea on dimensions the external measurements for the display cabinet that I have photographed are (HxWxD) 905mm x 480mm x 85mm (35.5" x 19" x 3.5") and the shelves are spaced 123mm (4.8") apart.

I have six watches on each shelf but I could squeeze another one on each bringing the total number of watches in each display cabinet to 49, the clear acrylic stands that Kasper has photographed are not as wide as the black ones that I have used (50mm v 62mm) the internal width of the display cabinet is 445mm so using the clear stands a maximum of 8 watches could be displayed on each shelf so 56 in total.

The clear acrylic stands are for sale on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/390515758909?ru ... 26_rdc%3D1

Or maybe you might be able to create something with this...http://www.ebay.com/itm/230649235768?ru ... 26_rdc%3D1

BTW: The gold, silver, silver, gold layout is not compulsory. :lol:
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Re: How to organize my watch collection?

Post17 Jan 2013, 16:08

Hi Bucko
Thank you for the heads up with the measurings. I just found out that i made a mistake. Been 83" x 15" x 8", it is going to hold approx 6 watches per shelf (just like yours), because it is 8" deep and 15" wide!!!! On anterior post i calculated to be 15" deep and 8" wide (my bad). So, im more than happy with the news, because it is going to hold approx 96 watches : )
I just bought yesterday 75 acrylic stands on ebay for $90 with shipping (similar to the ones your shown).
Thank you again and i will keep you informed with later upgrades on the project.
Have a nice day : )
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