22 Watch Collectors Reveal Their Biggest Buying Regrets

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This week, Esquire asked a group of notable names across the watch industry - auctioneers, historians, brand founders, journalists and collectors - about their biggest watch regrets. The stories range from missing out on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like Steve McQueen's Heuer Monaco, to buying watches that just didn't suit the collector's style, to selling watches that later skyrocketed in value.

Why it matters

Watch collecting is an emotional hobby, and these stories highlight how significant watches can be to people. The regrets showcase the thrill of the hunt, the pain of missed opportunities, and the lessons learned from both good and bad purchases. Understanding these personal experiences provides valuable insight into the psychology and passion behind watch collecting.

The details

The stories cover a range of regrets, from Jeff Stein passing up Steve McQueen's Heuer Monaco, now worth £1.6 million, to Nicholas Foulkes missing out on a Vacheron Constantin 222 that sold for less than he was willing to pay. Other collectors regretted buying watches that didn't suit their style, like Matteo Violet-Vianello's bold Urwerk UR-103, or selling watches that later surged in value, like Alexandre Ghotbi's F.P. Journe Résonance. Many also lamented missing opportunities to buy Journes and other independent brands when they were more affordable.

• In the summer of 2016, Geoff Hess was offered a 37mm rose gold Philippe Dufour Simplicity.
• Around 2000-01, Alexandre Ghotbi fell in love with the F.P. Journe Résonance.
• Around 2009-10, Alexandre Ghotbi sold his F.P. Journe Résonance "Souscription" model for around €35,000.