Horological Meandering - Of the influences of our better half!

Of the influences of our better half!

Jul 18, 2017,17:48 PM

Wanted to float this out there for your comment and input.

In our strange and peculiar hobby of collecting watches that we wear, we (at least I) are influenced by many factors when choosing a watch. It could well be branding, status, movement, watchmaker etc., and I think no matter which way we deal, one or more of these factors do come into play in us making our choices. These same factors play in our decisions to keep a watch or to eventually let it go.

I'm probably more influenced by wearability, some level of exclusivity, the cost of ownership and versatility. Also, in the last 2 years, I've been trimming my collection down to a manageable number to be worn and loved....and all was and has been well. Until a few days ago....

Was out with my wife looking at some watches and then she made this comment, I think your watch looks old and doesn't suit you too well. While I'd like to think I'm a man who makes my decisions and stick by them, this comment now is making me seriously consider selling that particular watch, which BTW, is one I took a long while to consider before pulling the trigger. I'll attribute this to a probable reason that she knows me and my lifestyle better than anyone else, but even then, I'm beginning to think that maybe I'm going mad to even be moved by a simple statement like that.

Any of you have this same issue or predicament? How do we limit the extent of influence of these outside forces?

[Photo added by editor]

Multicoloured Swapshop

This message has been edited by MTF on 2017-08-01 02:45:44

Comments: view entire thread

Nah...

By: Esharp : July 18th, 2017-18:18

You're not going mad, Richard. On the contrary - this shows you 1) have good communication with your other half and 2) a reasonable approach to your hobby. For what it's worth, I am similarly swayed by Mrs E. "honey, what you think of this?" "Oh, no, it's...

--

By: S F : July 19th, 2017-09:03

Yes, she usually has a point that I'm seldom able to dispute :-) [nt]

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:04

You're not the only one!

By: Esharp : July 19th, 2017-23:44

Hehe Best E.

.

By: Vcf.camper : July 18th, 2017-19:12

It could be that your taste has somehow changed over time without you realizing. Maybe just small and gradual changes, but they happen such that the watch (and for other people, myself included, dressing style, hobbies and interests, ideologies and even p...

I did, and it makes a lot of sense, from her viewpoint

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:06

I bought the timepiece for a certain vintage look and feel, which also is non-conventional, and she's pointed out that based on my general preferences that she's observed and my lifestyle, it wasn't something that fit in. She makes a really good point.

She says your watch looks old? What she might actually mean is: You can buy a new watch! 😁

By: Luis6 : July 18th, 2017-22:22

LOL! You're always the one to see things from a different perspective. [nt]

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:06

I stick to my decisions. Before I take a decision on a watch, there is a long " self process "... So, others' opinion doesn't have a consequence on my decision. [nt]

By: amanico : July 19th, 2017-00:24

There's a certain legal perspective to your decision making process, my friend

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:08

I'm a lot less decisive than I think I am, sometimes ;-)

No no no... I am the only one to pay it and to wear it, so I'd better be sure. ;) [nt]

By: amanico : July 19th, 2017-23:45

I just pay attention to what my heart (first) and brain (second) say. To summarise, I'm influenced by myself 😉

By: Alkiro1 : July 19th, 2017-00:55

Best wishes Alkiro

Of course, you must take note....but

By: MTF : July 19th, 2017-01:14

If you still like the tired old watch, it 's amazing how much a new accessory can change things. Use the trick learned from ladies when they change their hair or lip colour or shoes and handbag. Give the old girl one last chance (the watch and not the wif...

Taking that first point as a trial...am ordering a new strap

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:09

Will see how that goes. The second option will land me in hot water ;-)

How did it go? 🏃 (nt)

By: MTF : August 1st, 2017-02:39

? MTF

Strap ordered, but will take 2 months before it is delivered, so I'm deferring decisions until that arrives :-) [nt]

By: rnaden : August 1st, 2017-18:11

How fortuitous and convenient.... 😜 (nt)

By: MTF : August 1st, 2017-19:14

MTF

Difference of opinion

By: chippyfly : July 19th, 2017-01:40

Allow me to share this harmony. A few years ago on impulse I saw and bought at auction against very little bidding opposition a circa 1985 men's Cartier Tank, which has a good quartz movement, attractive dial and case all in amazingly good condition as a ...

The great thing here is that you have a watch to wear that you actually like

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:11

...and that there's a lot of ability to express true and honest opinions without the need to sugar coat anything. That's an indication of great relationships. Thanks for sharing this background and your viewpoints.

Funny: my girlfriend said exactly the same . . .

By: Dr No : July 20th, 2017-09:16

. . . about this . . . . . . not looking 'right'. As in, too small. On the other hand, she appreciates this . . . . . . on my wrist. Go figure. Here's the kicker: she asked if she could have the Omega tank. I told her 'yes', after I get another so there i...

I love your approach! :-)

By: rnaden : July 20th, 2017-23:36

I'm getting similar feedback, with the exception that my wife is not asking for my watch, she's suggesting I sell it to fund a different one I guess both ways, it is going to be a good ending.

I see you chose her well...

By: KMII : August 1st, 2017-23:50

Also from a horological perspective, Art

First of all, you're a lucky man...

By: JToddH : July 19th, 2017-01:49

to have a wife that appreciates your passion and have her own opinions on the subject. I too have a wife who supports and encourages my love of watches. That said, I certainly respect her (my wife's) opinion and enjoy sharing dialogue on the subject. Last...

That, I am

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:12

She definitely understands my passion, but has an uncanny ability to know which and what attracts me and will keep me happy as well as what I'll get tired of in a short while. She's probably on a 98% accuracy rate on this latter point, so her views defini...

I agree

By: Broxi : July 19th, 2017-02:10

I make my own decisions by listening to my head and heart and rarely seek the thoughts of my wife. That said if she doesn't like my choice is time in the collection is limited

This wasn't even seeking opinions...she made the comment about the watch on my wrist while I was checking out another piece :-)

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:14

But I know what you're getting at....and strangely enough, like you, the watches that she says isn't nice, will usually end up boring me one way or another and it exits the collection.

Mrs B always says: "If it makes you happy do it."

By: brauner : July 19th, 2017-05:29

She wants me to be happy. And in most cases she likes my catches. So she would never discourage me. Thank you Mrs B

Lucky you! :-) [nt]

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:15

Mrs. Z also does not interfere with my watch decisions.

By: zabreg1 Mr White : July 19th, 2017-06:11

Unless I ask. And I am usually very sure of the watches I like and run them by her just to keep her happy and 'involved'. But, if I have any doubts, she is always the first person I turn to for advice. Because, like it or not, she knows me and my tastes, ...

Having that is a real plus!

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:15

An additional and solid weight against the decisions for a greater accuracy on landing a keeper or otherwise

Exactly.

By: zabreg1 Mr White : July 20th, 2017-00:39

And, as additional bonus, she can't complain after...

Richard, I salute your for having such open

By: S F : July 19th, 2017-09:10

communication with your wife in your hobby . The only remark my wife makes when and if she realises i made a purchase is "do you really need another watch"? My answer is always a simple "Yes". I never ask anyone for opinion in a should I get this or that ...

I think she realised that question about another watch always had a default answer ;-)

By: rnaden : July 20th, 2017-02:05

But yes, she accepts the madness even if she doesn't always agree with it

To quote Michel de Montaigne

By: Hororgasm : July 19th, 2017-10:21

A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband. 😉😁 Best, Horo

LOL! A lot of truth in that [nt]

By: rnaden : July 19th, 2017-23:13

Like you

By: sham1 : July 20th, 2017-00:41

I focus on wearability (many know my fixation with the size of the watch! ), cost of ownership, resale value, finishing of movement and accuracy. But most important of all, I would only buy a watch that I truly love just like I would only marry a woman th...

I hear you...

By: KMII : August 2nd, 2017-00:00

And I occassionally find myself in a similar position. There will be a watch I quite like, to which my wife exhibits a meeh reaction. While occassionally somewhat distressing, she often has a valid point. On the topic of distressing, she was not over the ...