The recent buying and internet frenzy surrounding the TimexQ and not least the identical phenomenon with its BLNR sibling has got me to thinking as to the reasons I collect watches and not least what type of collector I have become. It’s a somewhat lengthy discussion but I’d welcome your thoughts and alternate viewpoints as to how you see yourself as a collector and how we compare (no offence is intended and my opinions are my own)
Of course if asked why we collect we all typically churn out the usual answers - enjoyment, passion, interest in micro mechanics, appreciation of craftsmanship, Reward for an occasion/success, appreciation of the finer things in life or perhaps just a harkening back to the good old days - these are all reasonable albeit well worn answers. No matter what you collect be it exclusively luxury brands or a collection of Seikos etc etc the same logic applies.
I’m fortunate to have a reasonably sized collection and wear everyone of my watches Each commemorates something and means the world. Having went from 1 to 10 to 30 etc etc I recently found a reduced level (7) in where I Wake up every day and put on a different piece and everytime it brings a smile to my face, I don’t baby my watches and be it diving, eating out, doing the garden or playing golf with them on I’m generally having fun in addition to the above.
I guess what I’m trying to get at here is why do we buy? how much is too much? when does it start becoming meaningless? what constitutes as a “fun” watch- is that even a new thing? and not least are we being taken for mugs by an industry marketing machine?
There are many of us fortunate to have nice and on occasion substantial collections, some may mix things up whilst others chase a particular theme however there are many others that have a sizeable and stellar collection that will go and buy one of these Timex offerings having per persuaded themselves its a “fun” watch. I ask however - Are your other watches not fun? What does it mean to you? Will you retire the big guns and wear these daily? When you pass will your kids say there is a drawer full of my dads “fun” watch collection I’m going to sell the Pateks and wear these every day because he only had fun with them on? To be clear I’m not seeking to pick on the brand here, you can name numerous other brands in their place. The thing is, and don’t get me wrong here i think I’ve been there, done that and got the T-shirt but only opining that i was being taken in by the hype and a manufactured perception of “fun” I chose a different route.
I firmly believe you CAN have to many, a mass collection when loaded with cheap trinkets not only becomes a burden but is arguably and realistically unwearable, potentially meaningless and undoubtably a waste of money and when did wasting money become fun? There will of course be many that will say I spend my money on what I like and that I enjoy cheap fun watches in addition to my main collection and kudos to you all. Who am I to judge but do we as a community ever think we are taken in too much by marketing hype and when all said and done do we really get anything from such Christmas cracker trinkets?
Finally - To the best of my knowledge no one has urinated in my cornflakes and I’m not judging anyone here but merely raising an opinion (and yes we all know what they are like so save me the response)
Pass me the helmet and I’ll get my coat.... 😂