How to Start a Watch Collection: Our Guide for First-Time Collectors
How to Start a Watch Collection: Our Guide for First-Time Collectors
Starting a watch collection is an exciting journey. Whether you've admired watches for years or you're buying your very first timepiece, one thing is certain—there has never been a better time to become a collector.
At Olivier Meylan, we speak to people every day who are buying their first "proper" watch. Many ask the same questions: Where do I start? How much should I spend? Should I buy Swiss? Automatic or quartz? Which brands are worth considering?
The truth is, there isn't a single right answer. Every collection is personal, and the best collections aren't necessarily the most expensive—they're the ones built with purpose.
This guide shares what we've learned from designing watches, speaking with collectors and helping customers take their first steps into one of the world's most rewarding hobbies.
Buy a Watch That Means Something to You
If there's one piece of advice we'd give every new collector, it's this:
Buy the watch because you love it—not because someone on the internet says you should.
It's easy to get caught up in discussions about resale value, investment potential or what's currently trending. While those conversations have their place, your first watch should be one you'll genuinely enjoy wearing.
Years from now, you'll remember where you wore your first watch far more than what someone online thought about it.
Learn the Different Styles
One of the joys of collecting is discovering just how many different types of watches exist.
Most collections eventually include a mixture of styles, including:
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A classic dress watch for formal occasions.
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A dive watch that works just as well in everyday life.
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A field watch with rugged simplicity.
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A chronograph for a sportier look.
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A GMT for travel and multiple time zones.
There's no need to own them all immediately. Part of the enjoyment comes from discovering what suits your own style over time.
Quartz or Mechanical?
This is probably the question we're asked most often.
Our answer?
Neither is better—they're simply different.
Quartz watches offer exceptional accuracy, reliability and affordability. They're ideal for anyone wanting a dependable everyday watch with very little maintenance.
Mechanical and automatic watches, meanwhile, appeal to collectors because of what's happening beneath the dial. Hundreds of tiny components work together without a battery, creating something that feels as much like engineering as it does timekeeping.
Many experienced collectors own both, choosing different watches depending on the occasion.
Don't Rush Your Collection
One of the biggest mistakes we see is people trying to build an entire collection within a few months.
There really is no rush.
Some of the most interesting collections have been built over decades, with each watch marking an achievement, a memorable trip, a birthday or another important milestone.
Your taste will naturally evolve as you learn more about watches, and that's part of what makes collecting so enjoyable.
Explore More Than Just the Biggest Names
Brands like Seiko, Citizen and Tissot have earned their reputations by producing reliable, well-made watches that offer excellent value. They're popular for good reason and remain fantastic starting points for many collectors.
At the same time, there's never been a more exciting period for independent watch brands.
British watchmaking has seen remarkable growth over the past decade, with fellow British watch makers alliance brands such as Christopher Ward, Fears, Bremont, William Wood, Monro Adventure and Studio Underd0g bringing fresh ideas and distinctive designs to the market.
Independent brands often produce watches in much smaller numbers, allowing collectors to own something a little less common while supporting businesses that are passionate about their craft.
Why Swiss Heritage Still Matters
Swiss watchmaking has built its reputation over centuries through precision, craftsmanship and innovation.
For many collectors, Swiss heritage remains an important part of choosing a watch—not because it's fashionable, but because it represents generations of expertise.
At Olivier Meylan, we've always believed that collectors shouldn't have to choose between heritage and affordability.
That's why our watches combine British design with Swiss heritage, allowing first-time collectors to experience traditional watchmaking without entering the world of luxury price tags.
Limited Editions Create a More Personal Collection
One thing we've noticed over the years is how much collectors enjoy owning something that isn't mass-produced.
Limited edition watches aren't simply about rarity.
They're about knowing your watch is part of a carefully produced collection rather than one of hundreds of thousands leaving a factory every year.
For many collectors, that creates a stronger emotional connection with the watch itself.
It's one of the reasons we've chosen to focus on limited production runs at Olivier Meylan, ensuring every release remains something special for the people who own it.
Choosing Your First Serious Watch
When customers ask us which watch they should buy first, our answer is usually the same.
Choose something versatile.
A watch you'll happily wear to work, at the weekend and on special occasions will almost always see the most wrist time.
Look for:
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A timeless design rather than something overly fashionable.
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High-quality finishing.
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A reliable movement.
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Comfortable proportions.
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A brand whose values you connect with.
If you start with a watch that genuinely excites you every time you fasten it to your wrist, you've already made the right decision.
Why We Created Olivier Meylan
When we founded Olivier Meylan, our goal wasn't simply to create another watch brand.
We wanted to build watches that reflected the qualities we admire most as enthusiasts ourselves: thoughtful design, dependable quality, Swiss heritage and the satisfaction of owning something produced in limited numbers.
We also believed that exceptional watches shouldn't be reserved exclusively for luxury budgets.
That's why every Olivier Meylan watch is designed to offer collectors genuine value without compromising on the details that make mechanical watchmaking so rewarding.
For many of our customers, an Olivier Meylan becomes the first serious watch in their collection—and we're incredibly proud to play a small part in the beginning of their collecting journey.
Enjoy the Journey
No collector ever truly finishes collecting.
Your tastes will change.
You'll discover new brands.
You'll learn more about movements, materials and design.
Some watches will stay with you forever, while others may make way for something new.
That's all part of the experience.
Whether your first watch comes from Seiko, Tissot, Christopher Ward, Farer, or Olivier Meylan, what matters most is that it sparks your curiosity and encourages you to learn more.
Every great collection starts with a single watch.
If you're just beginning yours, take your time, ask questions, enjoy the process and choose a watch you'll be proud to wear for years to come.
At Olivier Meylan, that's exactly the kind of watch we set out to create.