Watch collectors come in all sizes and types. From all sorts of personalities, styles, and tastes. While it is interesting to see what Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes like own when it comes to watches, there is nothing more rewarding than to see the watch collection of that normal guy or gal that we can relate to as mere mortals. As we’ve done it since day one, here at WCL we don’t recourse to using musicians, movie stars or major athletes when it comes to showing you impressive watch collections, instead, we just like to keep it plain and simple and showcase those collections that belong to those discreet and somewhat mysterious watch collectors with a fine taste for timepieces.
A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of viewing a very interesting collection of mostly precious metal Rolexes, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille. With forty timepieces totaling seven figures, it was like walking into a Rolex authorized dealer as our friend started pulling out the cases out of his safe. From Rolex Daytonas to GMT-Masters II, Sky-Dwellers, Presidents and everything in between, this is one hefty precious metal Rolex collection that can put any Rolex AD to shame, especially if you’re looking for the good stuff that is currently impossible to find. All precious metals where properly represented across all brands and models, including yellow gold, rose gold, Everose gold, white gold and platinum.
Conformed of over thirty Rolex watches, three Richard Mille icons, three Audemars Piguet classics and two very coveted Patek Philippe complicated watches, this watch collection is one of the most impressive ones we’ve seen lately. Despite the crazy amount of bling in this collection, if these watches could talk, they would tell a very different story about their owner who happens to be a very humble and down-to-earth person.
When you can have them all, why wouldn’t you right? Well, this watch collection includes each and every one of those impossible to find Rolexes with a major skew on Daytonas and Sky-Dwellers. Remember that new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Everose Rainbow ref. 116595RBOW we reviewed here that just came out during Baselworld? Yes, its part of this collection, and so is the new GMT-Master II Pepsi ref. 126710BLRO and the GMT-Master II Everose ‘Rootbeer’ ref. 126715CHNR, amongst others.
Not to also mention the Daytona with Oysterflex bracelet ref. 116518LN in 18K yellow gold, the Submariner ‘Hulk’, the platinum Daytona ref. 116506 with ice blue dial and chestnut brown ceramic bezel, the Sky-Dweller in stainless steel with blue dial, the platinum Day-Date 40 ref. 228206BR with ice blue dial and dark blue roman numerals and yes, all the other special ones in platinum or gold that you can think of —including a Yacht-Master 40 with full pavé dial ref. 116655DSR— are all right here in these boxes.
And even when all precious metals are this watch collector’s favorite treat, a box full of 18K rose gold and everose goodness wouldn’t be complete without a pair of President Day-Dates with olive green dial ref. 228235, a black dial 18K rose gold Royal Oak ref. 15400OR on bracelet and the newly released 18K rose gold Royal Oak Offshore Grey Ruthenium dial ref. 26470OR on strap.
While to many, this collection could be perceived as somewhat redundant in terms of having multiples of the same watch with slight variations such as having diamonds or not, this is what this savvy watch collector responds when asked the question about it:
“I just love Sky-Dwellers and if I can have them all, why wouldn’t I. It’s one of my favorite Rolex models along with the Daytona. The Sky-Dweller and the Daytona are complete opposites and I like that. The main reason why I like the Rolex Daytona so much is because is very easy to wear with anything. Furthermore, I just pull it out of the box, I set the time and I’m ready to go. Not having to set a date is simply perfect. I also love GMT-Masters, especially the new Pepsi and new Rootbeer.”
And when asked about why he likes diamonds on his watches, this is what he has to say:
“I like diamonds because they give you that extra bling that you sometimes need for a special function. You know I’m a simple and humble guy, but there are times when you need that extra punch to make an entrance.”
But as impressive as this collection is, it would’ve not been complete to us, had it not had at least one Patek Philippe in it. As we all know, there is no such thing as a complete watch collection; however, one cannot have a proper collection without a simple Patek —if that is even possible— or a Patek Philippe Complication in it.
Therefore, in this collection, two very special pieces fill in the Patek Philippe spots for when sometime more tasteful and less flashy than a precious metal Rolex, Richard Mille or AP are needed.
A grail for many, the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5905P in platinum with blue dial is one of this watch collector’s dressy watches of choice, while the other —no less important than the first— is the Annual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5961R in 18K rose gold with ebony black opaline dial with 8 baguette hour markers and 36 baguette-cut diamonds on its bezel. A dynamic duo not for the faint of heart.
Lastly, and just as if all the watches mentioned earlier weren’t important enough, then comes a Richard Mille trifecta that rounds out this impressive watch collection. Composed of an RM 11-01 Roberto Mancini in Titanium —one of our all time favorite Milles—, an RM 011 Felipe Massa in 18K rose gold and a RM 030 with factory diamond pavé 18K rose gold case, this collection goes through the rough in terms of bling, versatility and value.
Thank you for opening your doors to us and for allowing us to document this very special day we will always remember for years to come. Oh, and before we forget, please remove the stickers on some of those Sky-Dwellers you have and start enjoying them.
As Mr. Thierry Stern —President of Patek Philippe— told us once: “I want watch collectors to wear their watches and enjoy them. If they get scratched we’ll polish them, if they break, we’ll fix them.”
Until next time!
