Meet Skip, aka @skiplikesvintage. Skip is currently Head of VIP at Oliver & Clarke and has refined his taste on both sides of the transaction for many years now. He is part of our growing community shaping the future of watches on Collected.  

How did you get into collecting watches?  

I can't say I've always been a watch collector, but I've been interested in them for as long as I can remember. My dad got himself a 16610 around the time I was four years old. One of my earliest memories is trying to turn the bezel (and failing). I constantly asked to see it. Handing a Rolex to a child was probably annoying or, at least, nerve-wracking for him. I think that experience planted the seed for me.

*Skip’s dad with his Rolex Submariner 16610 on the wrist.*

What kinds of watches do you collect today, and how do you decide what stays in your collection?

My collecting skews toward sportier, less fussy watches. I like military watches, or watches with a story. Oftentimes it's both. Vintage Tudor would be top of the heap for me, currently. I had the pleasure of seeing some excellent ones recently, and that experience is really keeping the flame alive for me.

*Some favorites: Tudor Submariner 7928 and Tudor Submariner 9401/0 Snowflake*

That said, the watches I've bought lately have honestly surprised me. So far this year, I've picked up a 'Dirty Dozen' Lemania 'P' dial, Breitling 817, and an early Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Aqua Lung. I don't really hunt for a specific piece. I just buy what I like when a good example presents itself.

As for deciding what stays in my collection, I only have an emotional attachment to a couple of pieces. The others can go on their merry way if I have to liquidate them for the next watch.

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

I would have to say my 16660. I bought it from Jacek Kozubek in 2014 while he was still with HQ Milton. I had just gotten paid for my first billboard (I used to be a photographer) and blew the whole paycheck on that watch. I wore it when I got married and for the birth of both of my daughters.

If you had to start your collection over from zero, where would you begin?

The first watch I'd replace would be my daily: a blue Tudor 'snowflake' 9401/0.

*If you need a* *Phoenix NATO-style strap* *Skip is your guy.*

What else are you into beyond watches?

Fly fishing, cars, art, clothes, etc. My wife refers to it all as "my items." Other than all that, I like being a dad.

*Can’t go wrong with an AMG wagon. Plate game is unmatched.*

What do you look for when you're deciding who to buy from?

Honesty, above all else. Luckily I've been around this industry long enough to have made some excellent and trustworthy friends.

The best dealers and collectors go out of their way to over-describe a watch, if that's even possible. Don't just tell me what's right about it. State exactly what's wrong with it. There's a common denominator that needs catering to; never assume a base of knowledge. Under-promise. Over-deliver.

Another point is that patience goes a long way. Not everyone is an expert, and friendly guidance pays dividends. A new collector is minted every day. I wouldn't want to be the one to spoil it for them.

Even as a veteran dealer, I can be out on a limb with a watch. If my ignorance is met with enthusiasm for a new collector of a brand or model, that always impresses me.

Tell us about a time you got burned: a deal that went wrong, a watch that wasn't what it was supposed to be, or a relationship that shifted. What did you take away from it?

I bought a few watches back in 2019 from the same seller. The seller had altered the images to improve the watches' condition. Missing lume photoshopped to look perfect, etc... In that instance I was too trusting or maybe just naive. The old adage, "Trust, but verify," became a moniker.

*No Photoshop here, just careful evaluation and attention to detail.*

What's the most important thing you've learned buying and selling watches?

A salient takeaway is that for most people, this is a hobby, and it's supposed to be fun. Any collector or dealer worth their salt should try to keep it that way. Watches can be worth serious money, it's true. But, If you get too caught-up by the financial side of watches, it stops being fun. I know I'm part of this community's business sector, but it's good to be mindful of that.

*Phil, Skip, Ruslan,* *Robi, and* *Wes* *(of* *@collectorscornerny*)

Who do you respect most in the watch world, and why?

Yikes. I don't want to leave any names off that list, so I'll just say they know who they are. I've made a point of telling them so.

What would bring the excitement back to the watch community for you?

The excitement never left! "Community" is the operative word for me, though. Events and get-togethers are my favorite part of this job/hobby.

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Louped: Skip Powell

Fresh to Market: Case No. 005