Discussion
ThomasM initiates a thought-provoking discussion on the motivations behind watch collecting and sharing, questioning the fine line between genuine passion and 'showing off.' His 'Head Scratcher' series delves into the subconscious drivers of enthusiasm, inviting the community to explore how personal appreciation intersects with public perception.
Watch collecting and enthusiasm is like all other passion driven interests, in some ways -
we often are not sure what, exactly, that captivates us so;
we know there are some clear driving ideas;
but can we be sure the ones we "know" are true and correct?
Are there others that linger just below the surface of consciousness?
Others that swirl and pull and push deep in our sub-conscious, like a power undertow in the ocean?
How often do we hear other PuristS write, "I love solid backs because it doesn't show off. I like the discreetness of having something so beautiful and complex, completely hidden from view."
A variation on the theme are "classic" designs and obscure brands - "I like it that only I know what it is, no one else recognizes."
Of course, in the best tradition of means-ends inversions, where an incidental end (no one else knows or recognizes) becomes a primary means (to reach a decision: to SEARCH OUT brands and models that no one else knows, recognizes, and this quality itself becomes something to be sought after, along with beauty, tradition, prestige, performance, quality, etc etc etc) Something like this also occurs in branding - Harvard became famous because it offered a quality education. Today Harvard is a highly sought after educational institution because of the reputation it earned, which may or may not equal the actual educational experience delivered today, for everyone. What about Patek? Vacheron? (I mention these two specifically because the "brand premium" for these two is very strong, and not necessarily only in dollar terms.)
All of which leads me to this editiion of my head scratcher series -
Is it possible to "share" without "showing off?" Can they be two distinct and different ideas, concepts, motivations?
I remember attending an APEX mixer in Taipei many years ago; with me was a very dear, long time family friend. She didn't know I was into wines. I met a fellow "oenophile" (even the name of the interest sounds so pompous, or impressive, depending on how you feel about language...similar to "horology" 
) and we really got on and into the whole wine thing - "1982 Bordeaux"; long finishes; powerful but overoaked CA Chardonnays; blah blah blah...
Afterwards, my family friend commented to me, "Boy, you are such a wine snob showoff!"
I was taken aback, as I thought I was engaging in a spirited, passionate discussion with a fellow aficionado (there's those fancy smancy words again.) Neither of us, I thought, were trying to impress the other, we were simply sharing opinions and experiences. Certainly neither of us (at least, not me) would have waxed poetic about wines with someone not into wines and showing no interest to learn.
I often hear comments from Europeans like, "You Singaporeans/Chinese/Asians so love to show off. You talk about your watches so publically, and wear them so publically. We Germans/Swiss/Europeans are so much more discrete; we don't like to talk about our material possessions."
I wonder where they learn their information from, then, to more intelligently appreciate their "passions?" Who do they share their passion with? Or are all Europeans hobby loners, retiring to their private vaults to pull out their prized possessions for their sole and solitary enjoyment, completely in private?
Obviously, not all Europeans feel this way, and not all Asians are not showoffs...
I've had the opportunity to experience and enjoy, through the generosity of fellow PuristS, these two (among others)
Now certainly neither can be said to be low key. But also equally certainly, one is much more high profile, much more flamboyant, even show offy?
So, would a Mucielago driver or owner necessarily be a show off?
A driver of any Ferrari?
What about those who really, really care about the drive, handling, "performance?"
What about those who really, really love the sheer beauty of the styling, oh, so knee weakening sexy and/or elegant?
What about those who have fallen in love with the styling, but are conflicted because simply being in one of these vehicles guarantees that one WILL be the center of attention, whether one wants to be or not?
This is, by the way, a frequent reason cited for watch collecting - it is less ostentatious, less "show offy" and more "discreet."
Means - ends inversion again? an incidental by product that actually becomes a primary consideration?
My head spins, and my hair is falling out, from all the head scratching...
Cheers,
TM
not sure if this warrants a separate edition, so I tack it on here as an addendum: When I was driving the Murcielago (and the Fiorano) I found I was regularly blipping the throttle when I was passing young boys or men who seemed to be genuinely enjoying seeing the car drive by. I remember three specific incidents in the Murcielago, among many, that really shows the powerful magic these rolling dreams play on people: a young man on the island on a busy metropolitan street actually got on his knee
..my opinion? i do things for me, and for no one else. let them think what they think. makes no never mind. short and simple. cheers, hollywood
Is it possible to share without showing off? Yes. Depends on the motivation of the one sharing but also on the perception of the audience with whom h/she shares. You were showing off your wine snobbery to your friend, notwithstanding your pure intent. She perceived it that way, and so it was. That’s how showing off works. To your friend the aficionado, you probably weren’t . Unless your friend was European, in which case he probably determined you were just another show off Asian! But that’s his
Thomas, If you came to our office you would see what we call the "Learning Center"...which has a plaque at the door stating that "This Learning Center is dedicated to intellectual curiosity, intellectual honesty, and intellectual debate". There are some who do not appreciate intellectual sharing and sparring. For those, they often see individuals who display knowledge or expertise as bragging. Hopefully, at least for the Purists, we appreciate the things that are truly excellent...whether it is
by Kurosawa with his masterwork Rash?mon. It's true that memory is not relevant to your question, but one's true intent is known with certainty only by oneself. Those who interact with you are bound to place their own interpretations on your behavior. Some would (perhaps reasonably) react negatively if you were to drive by them and rev the engine of a car that costs more than countless people around the world earn during a lifetime of hard labor. Others, as you point out, would share in your app
Picking up on the knowledge/show-off aspects and the inversion that results... Certainly in the UK, there's a sort of weird inverse snobbery that I'm sure makes many people react "inversely". My brother had two business cards, one showing his doctorate and other qualifications (for the boardroom and senior management, to establish his credentials), the other with just his name and phone etc. The reason is that he'd too often got remarks along the lines of "who the f*** does he think he is" when
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