For @pbandwatches, the appeal of watches has always gone beyond simple mechanics or status symbols. Best known for his presence on Instagram, his approach to collecting is rooted in storytelling, photography, and personal connection. From the moment he convinced his parents to buy him an ESQ watch as a teenager, watches became a way to mark milestones, express interests, and capture moments in time.

Unlike many collectors who chase the latest trends or focus on investment potential, @pbandwatches takes a different path. His collection is shaped by sentiment, experience, and an appreciation for craftsmanship. Whether it’s the TAG Heuer Carrera that he and his brothers still wear as a silent tradition or the Tiffany-stamped Patek Philippe Nautilus he once debated selling, each watch in his collection carries a story.

In this conversation, we discuss how @pbandwatches’ passion for watches evolved, the impact of Instagram on his collecting journey, and why, despite all logic, watches continue to hold a deep emotional significance for him.

In Conversation with @pbandwatches

Isaac Wingold: Thanks for taking the time to chat. Let’s start from the beginning—how did you get into watches?

@pbandwatches: Honestly, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in them. My first real memory was when I was 13—I begged my parents for a watch. At the time, everyone was getting a TAG Heuer Formula 1, but I saw an ESQ watch in a magazine and became obsessed. I convinced my parents to get it for me, and I even wrote to the brand asking to be in their campaign. Never heard back, of course, but that was the beginning.

IW: And from there, collecting watches became a lifelong passion?

PB: Yeah, every birthday or milestone, I’d want a watch. Instagram played a huge role in deepening that passion. Before that, I was into forums, but Instagram made watches more visual and accessible. When I started my account, everyone was taking quick wrist shots on their phones. My approach was different—I wanted every photo to be magazine-worthy, blending my love for photography and watches.

IW: Did that philosophy shape how your collection evolved?

PB: Definitely. My first real watch was a TAG Heuer Carrera, a gift from my dad. He surprised me and my two brothers with matching ones, and it was the first time I had what I considered an expensive watch. At the time, it was a big deal for our family—we had always joked about it but for my dad to go out and get us all the same watch was something really special.

To this day, whenever we have a family dinner or celebrate a milestone, we’ll all wear them—without even discussing it. It’s this unspoken tradition we’ve kept for years, a connection that goes beyond just watches. Even though our collections have grown, that Carrera remains one of the most meaningful pieces any of us own.

IW: Do you attach sentimental value to other watches in your collection?

PB: 100%. That’s actually a huge part of why I rarely sell watches. Every watch I own is tied to a specific moment in my life, and once it’s gone, you can’t get that back.

I learned that the hard way with my Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5164A-001. I had one and absolutely loved it, but someone offered me a wild amount of money for it. At the time, I thought, “This is insane—I could take this money and buy five other watches.” So, I sold it. Almost immediately, I regretted it. Not because of the market or the resale value, but because I realized I’d let go of a watch that meant something to me. And, of course, once I wanted it back, I couldn’t find another one at a price that made sense.

Eventually, I was lucky enough to add another 5164A back to my collection. But this time, I wanted to make sure I never made the same mistake again. So when I bought it, I put my late dog’s name on the paperwork as a personal reminder: This one stays.

IW: What was the first significant watch in your collection?

PB: A Panerai PAM00510. I wanted it for years, but life kept getting in the way—wedding, buying a house, other priorities. Five years after we got married, my wife surprised me with it on a trip. She even arranged for a friend in the watch world to help her get it. That watch marked a shift in my collecting—it pushed me to explore higher-end pieces.

IW: And since then, your collection has definitely grown. How has your approach to collecting changed?

PB: Over time, I’ve refined my taste. I’ve had phases—big watches, smaller watches, saying I’d never buy vintage and then chasing neo-vintage pieces. But now, I just buy what truly resonates with me. I don’t chase hype; I focus on watches that fit my lifestyle.

IW: What’s your favorite watch in your collection right now?

PB: Easy—my Patek Philippe 5164A. It’s versatile, sporty, elegant, and practical. I love the dual time function for travel. It’s the one watch I’d keep if I had to sell everything else.

IW: You’ve also got a Tiffany-stamped reference 5712 Patek Philippe Nautilus in your collection, no?

PBs: I do–it’s still here, though it doesn’t get much wrist time. I had an astronomical offer for it during COVID—one of those life-changing numbers—but I didn’t sell. Probably a mistake, but oh well.

IW: What’s next on your hit list?

PB: An F.P. Journe Élégante. It took me a while to appreciate the brand, but now I love the concept. The Titalyt version in black suits my style perfectly. Also, a Patek 5726 with a white dial—it’s a great balance between the 5711 and 5712.

IW: Why do you think you continue to collect?

PB: Honestly, I don’t know. Watches make me feel something. We objectively don’t need them, but they connect to moments, memories, and emotions. I’ll probably do this for the rest of my life because I’m a complete watch-obsessed psychopath.

IW: That might just be the most honest answer I’ve heard to that question. Thanks for the conversation.

PB: My pleasure, man.

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- Isaac Wingold