Collecting: A Purist's Reflection on 2014

moc · 2014-12-27T06:44:43Z

A collector reflects on a 'virgin year' without new watch purchases, re-evaluating the meaning of collecting, quality, and challenging industry marketing.

moc

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

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Moc shares profound reflections on his 'virgin year' of collecting, a period without new watch purchases that allowed him to re-evaluate his passion. His introspective post delves into the true meaning of being a 'Purist,' emphasizing subjective quality, craftsmanship, and a critical stance against pervasive marketing strategies in the luxury watch industry.

2014 has been a “virgin”year for me,no purchases,no new watches,and to be frank,I don t regret it at all.

First time in my short collecting career ,it gave me the chance to enjoy and cherish my collection,make a few consideration,reflect on the meaning of “collecting” and re-enforce what being a Purist really means to me.

After a few years spent trying to quench the compulsive thirst of beefing up my collection,I feel now contempt with how it turned out,I made a few mistakes of course,I ve learnt a lot and a lot more is to discover. I never tried to go for quantity,even if I was tempted many times,learnt to resist temptations for a while and discovered that many disappear with time,other set roots in my brain and became obsessions that I still carry.

Quality is what drives me more and more,or better “subjective quality” ,I bring emphasis to the personal aspect of quality perception,I stress the importance to shape one’ s knowledge according to personal taste ,criteria,ambition. I am attracted more and more to exclusivity,real craftsmanship,well made watches…friendship….

Being a purist means never being satisfied with my own knowledge,means digging deeper and deeper,being driven to pursue the road of excellence and trying to get as close as you can to it.

2014 gave me the chance to reflect and analyse what I really love and what I really despise….yes strong words,but you have to take firm position when you become a purist.

I grew tired of he patronising tone that the majority of the big brands use in their campaign wars”the thinnest,the thickest,the oldest ,the newest,the smallest,the biggest….the lighter ,the heaviest.the…the…the..”STOP please…this marketing strategy is now over!A broken record vomiting the same old rubbish over and over……. I understand the importance of marketing for the brands,I understand the importance of revenue,but isn t all in life about that?Revenue,profit,Money……Yes it is unfortunately…. So please spare the philosophical attitude towards a simple(or not so simple at times) product,spare the repetitive story about your traditions,history,DNA….because at the end …it all about money.

But is it watchmaking or money making? Thats when being a purist comes handy…a magnifying lens on the obnoxious world of MARKETING,this horrible enemy insulting our own intelligence….bombarding our souls. Marketing is the exact opposite of what being a Purist is,even if the world cannot do without it.

The present times are hard ones for brands,decline in purchases from the east,embargoes etc are giving a hard beating to the whole industry,after years of abundance spent filling up every stock room in the world,now its time to reconsider and reflect.

Us purists are left with our baggage of knowledge and beliefs,standards and principle,carrying on our pursue of the next perfect watch,or the one that fits our collection optimally. As far as I am concerned I will carry on purchasing watches one at a time,watches that are meant for me and me only,no investments,no trends,just and purely what makes me happy and excites me……Never keeping an eye to the future but more to the present…..whatever the future will be will be ,I live NOW.

Yours,Mo

Key Points from the Discussion

Mark in Paris resonates with the author's sentiments, noting that tastes evolve over time, leading to a more selective approach and periods without new acquisitions, emphasizing the non-rational aspect of collecting.
TdotBean agrees with the critique of big brand marketing and sales tactics, noting a shift towards acquiring older, coveted models rather than new releases, and a desire for more 'honest' pricing.
Masterspiece highlights the value of the PuristS community for its honest discussions and diverse knowledge, which helps him make informed decisions based on personal preference rather than fleeting trends.
Donizetti largely agrees with the author, viewing marketing as 'makeup' but condemning deceptive practices, and notes that not all big brands are stagnant, citing Cartier and JLC as examples of innovation.
Subexplorer thanks the author for sharing a 'maturation point' perspective, affirming that his own purchases are driven by intense passion and love for a watch, never by trends or investment potential.
Moc reflects on the challenge of offering critical reviews publicly due to personal relationships within the industry, suggesting a tendency towards 'sugarcoating' on the site to avoid rudeness.

The Discussion

amanico

Dec 27, 2014

You buy watches. As per a coincidence, it has been a Virgin year for me too. I have some dreams, but I couldn't ehcieve them. One thing is sure, like you it is not because of an investment, not because everybody loves the same watches than me. It is just because I am mad for them. Nothing else matters. Nothing. Making a pause is mandatory. Thnking of watches you own watches you want, watches you will consider letting go... That, too, is funny, exciting, and very interesting. Not a bad year at al

moc

Dec 27, 2014

I have a little project but it s way too early to know If i will manage or not... Watch detox is good....I need a diet anyway!!! Mo

amanico

Dec 27, 2014

I feel it will not be a Virgin year, but I have no stress with that. At least, I am focusing on the collection, and will let some watches go and rationalize it. Best, Nicolas

moc

Dec 27, 2014

My collection is nowhere near yours and to tell you the truth there is not a single watch I would let go now.... I am pretty happy and its a great feeling... Mo

amanico

Dec 27, 2014

Service costs, maintaining them, wearing them all is not possible. So, reducing the collection is, for me at least, a must. To fully enjoy it... And, from this point of view, I admire your collection. Best, Nicolas

Subexplorer

Dec 27, 2014

... as the previous post of Nicolas showing his own thought after his own virgin year. I thank you and Nicolas sharing these feelings which reflect the point of view of a collector reaching the "maturation point" we all should achieve some day. I personally agree with these thoughts in spite of my usual greediness. I have never bought a watch because of mode or trend, much less thinking about it as an investment for the future. I had never thought of watches or any object of collection as an ine

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