How to catalogue your watch collection
To catalogue a watch collection, record each watch's identity (brand, model, reference and serial number), its purchase details (date, seller, price, and whether it came with box and papers), a few key measurements, and good photos of the dial, caseback and paperwork. Keep it all in one place you'll actually update: a spreadsheet, or an app that can fill most of it in from a photo.
Updated
Why catalogue at all?
- Insurance. If a watch is lost or stolen, a detailed record with photos and serial numbers makes a claim far easier.
- Selling. Buyers want the reference, the year, the service history and the paperwork. Having it ready makes a sale smoother and can make it more valuable.
- Servicing. Knowing when each watch was last serviced saves money and worry.
- Your family. If something happens to you, a catalogue tells the people you leave behind what each watch is and what it's worth.
- Clarity. Seeing everything you own in one place is the first step to collecting with intent.
What to record for each watch
Identity
- Brand and model
- Reference number (usually on the caseback, the papers, or between the lugs)
- Serial number (keep this private, but keep it)
- Year of production, if you know it
Purchase
- Date and where you bought it
- What you paid, and in which currency
- New or pre-owned, and whether it came with box and papers
Photos and paperwork
- The dial, straight on, in good light
- The caseback, which often shows the serial or reference
- The warranty card, receipt and any service paperwork
History
- Services: when, where, what was done, what it cost
- Warranty end date
- Battery changes for quartz watches
Spreadsheet or app?
A spreadsheet is free and flexible. The catch is that spreadsheets are tedious to start and easy to abandon.
An app removes most of the typing. In WristLog.app you can snap a photo of the dial and let it suggest the brand, model and other details, keep service history and warranties with each watch, and import an existing spreadsheet in one go. It also does something a static list can't: it shows you how you actually wear what you own.
Common questions
Where do I find a watch's reference number?
It's usually printed on the warranty card or papers, engraved on the caseback, or engraved between the lugs (on many Rolex watches, the reference sits at 12 o'clock under the bracelet, so you may need to remove it). The brand's website can confirm it.
Should I record the serial number?
Yes, keep it in your private records, as insurers and police use it to identify a watch. Avoid sharing it publicly, for example in photos you post online.
How often should I update my catalogue?
Add each watch when you buy it, update it after any service, and refresh estimated values once a year or so, especially if you use the catalogue for insurance.
WristLog.app
See it for your own collection.
WristLog.app catalogues your watches from a photo and shows you how you really wear them. Free on iPhone and Android.
