Meet Matt. Known for his focus on timeless design that balances sport and elegance, he is part of our growing community shaping the future of watches on Collected.

Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you first get into watches?

I’m a dad of 4, husband, gearhead, orthodontist by training, and avid watch collector...so precision, patience, and small details are part of my daily life. In dental school, you’re literally taught to work on a millimeter scale—and in orthodontics, a single millimeter can be the difference between a good smile and an amazing one. That level of craftsmanship made watches feel like a natural extension of how my mind already works.

What kinds of watches do you collect today, and how do you decide what makes it into your collection?

I gravitate toward clean, timeless, classic designs—pieces that balance sport and elegance and actually fit my lifestyle. I like watches I can wear in my practice, on the water, to dinner with my wife, or while going for a drive without feeling overly delicate about them. A watch makes it into the collection if it has thoughtful design, great finishing, and a story or purpose that resonates with me.

*Top Dad’s Father’s Day gift Rolex Submariner ref. 16610; bottom Rolex GMT-Master II Batgirl ref. 126710BLNR*

What’s the story behind the first watch you ever bought?

My first watch was actually gifted—my parents gave me a Movado when I made National Honor Society in high school, and I wore it religiously, and still have it. Later, my wife gifted me a Cartier Tank on our wedding day, which remains one of the most meaningful pieces I own.

From left: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 4100BA, Cartier Tank, Rolex GMT-Master II Batgirl ref. 126710BLNR, Rolex GMT-Master II Rootbeer ref. 126715, Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711/1A, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26331ST

The first watch I bought for myself came in dental school, when I fell in love with Audemars Piguet. After finishing residency, I picked up a Royal Oak as a reward for ~12 years of hard work—that was the moment the hobby really became a passion. For reference, I walked into the AP in NYC and walked out with a Royal Oak. Times have most definitely changed!

*Left Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15202ST; right Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 4100BA, Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711/1A*

What’s the most meaningful piece in your collection and why?

A few pieces are meaningful for different reasons. The Cartier Tank from my wife has obvious sentimental value. But the real heart of my collection lies with my Genta designs: the Patek 5711 and my Royal Oak Jumbos. I’m a sucker for blue dials, and there’s something timeless about the lines, proportions, and history behind those watches. They’re the pieces I can see handing down to my twin boys one day.

And I have to shout out Wes at Collector’s Corner NY—I bought my yellow gold Royal Oak from him, and he’s been a great dealer. Highly recommended.

What’s a brand or reference you think is underrated right now?

Jaeger-LeCoultre. They’re one of the true watchmakers’ watchmakers—the brand that quietly supplied ultra-thin automatic movements to Patek, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron for decades. Both my Royal Oak Jumbos use movements derived from JLC’s legendary Caliber 920 lineage, which speaks volumes about their technical pedigree. Despite that history, their modern pieces still don’t always get the mainstream attention I think they deserve.

What’s one watch currently in your collection you’re most excited about?

I’m always drawn to pieces that blend sporty elegance with real-world wearability—Royal Oaks, Daytonas, GMTs...I recently picked up a "Ghost" Daytona on Oysterflex that's been getting a lot of wear.

What do you think most new collectors get wrong when starting out?

Cliche response, but chasing hype/whatever everyone else is wearing at the moment instead of developing their own individual taste. The best collections come from buying what actually resonates with you, not what the market pushes. And patience—the long pursuit of a piece (The Hunt, as it's often referred to) is often part of what makes it meaningful.

What trends or shifts in the market are you paying closest attention to?

The slow shift back toward intrinsic value: heritage, finishing, proportions, and wearability over hype cycles. I’m especially happy to see mid-sized sport watches coming back into favor.

If you could add any watch to your collection tomorrow, what would it be?

Right now, a Patek 5164A Aquanaut—it fits my love for GMT-style watches and tracking multiple time zones. Unfortunately Patek discontinued it last year and they've gone up in price quite a bit. I’m also becoming increasingly fascinated by F.P. Journe and the technical artistry behind their movements.

But if money were no object and we’re talking pure end-game grail territory, I’d have to say a Patek 5270P. It’s the perfect blend of heritage, complication, and presence—the kind of piece you aspire to over a lifetime.

What else are you into (beyond watches)?

Besides spending time with my family...cars—especially Porsche 911s. I have a 992.1 GTS (with a manual of course!) in my garage. I’m currently on the hunt for a 964 to add a classic air-cooled 911. I’m also slowly going down the rabbit hole of espresso—dialing in grind size, puck prep, and chasing the perfect shot at home.

*Top: 2023 Porsche 911 992.1 GTS, Carmine Red/Black; bottom: La Marzocco Linea Mini and Weber Key Grinder*

Anything that blends engineering, precision, and hands-on craftsmanship tends to pull me in, whether it’s watches, cars, boats, bourbon and wine, orthodontics, or coffee.

@c4ss

Louped: @c4ss

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