8 Ways We Get Emotional About Watches

In this thought-provoking essay, pingtsai explores the profound emotional connections collectors form with their watches, delving into the myriad reasons these mechanical devices transcend mere timekeeping. His insights illuminate why watches often become deeply personal objects, reflecting identity, history, and aspiration. This article remains highly relevant, offering a timeless perspective on the human element in watch collecting.

Watches & Emotion

Watches are undeniably linked to our emotions in a strong way. They have the ability to consume our hearts, minds and psyche. They’ll make a play on our personalities and infiltrate our identities. With all the ways that watches can affect the way we feel, one thing is likely agreed upon; watches will give back so much more than what was given up to acquire them.

So why do we get emotional about watches then? After all, are they not simply over-priced, often over-the-top and over-hyped little mechanical devices that were once-upon-a-time used to help keep time and have since evolved into so much more? The boundaries are still being pushed. The innovation is still alive and thus we are still excited and still buying.

I once saw a man get choked up as he told me the story about how his mother had presented him with his father’s vintage Patek after he had passed away. Not only had his father survived the Holocaust but the watch had too. Wearing the watch was like carrying a part of his father’s soul he explained.

I have also witnessed tremendous relief by another man. The husband and father originally thought that thieves had made away with the Bulgari watch that he had purchased for his wife. He later joyously learned that his daughter was in possession of it the whole time and kept it safe.

Perhaps there are several different reasons why watches engage our emotions and our attention. They have the power to evoke emotions because they are usually so personal and personally reflective of the owners who wear and collect them. The meaning behind each piece often delves deeper than the dial’s surface. They are ever changing in their dynamic virtues and therefore always seem to keep collectors on a hopeless hook by which they are nearly powerless to escape. Additionally watches may serve as bridges to worlds outside of ourselves whether that be to times past, endeavors in the future or across geographical borders. Watches connect people, technology and art. Indeed they can hold a great deal of significance in many ways. Here are some ways they might impact your life.

8 Ways We Get Emotional About Watches

1.  They can show how proud we are. Watches can serve as tokens of pride to mark accomplishments in our life. Quite often I hear about someone spending the first big paycheck on a new watch. It’s a great way to reward yourself and show the people around you that you’ve made it!

2.  They can make us nostalgic. Watches are sometimes remnants of times that have passed or special people who have passed. It can be a way to keep the memory of someone alive and close to your heart.

3.  Happiness…of course, especially when someone you love gives you that “Limited Edition” you’ve been ogling for the past year.

4.  You feel lucky. Landing a rare vintage Rolex sometimes takes a little more than perseverance, resourcefulness and money. 

5.  Excitement - It’s hard not to get excited about the release of a highly anticipated new watch. Novelty almost always imparts excitement and the world of horology is continuously changing and developing. We get excited about movements, new materials, impeccable craftsmanship, finishing and things that have never been done before.

6.  They can help us to feel more confident. Watches can help us to reflect our sense of self and be a means for enforcing individuality and with it confidence. What you choose and wear often does say something about who you are. And you’ll certainly feel confident when you know more than the average watch salesperson. 

7.  They can make us feel like a kid again. Watch enthusiasts who order watches are like kids on Christmas morning. They will eagerly await the arrival of the deliveryman like a kid waits for Santa. I would suggest that we start leaving some milk and cookies for the Fedex guy. He could be carrying a Tourbillon or your next Grande Sonnerie.

8.  Disappointment is sometimes a given. When there is happiness and excitement, there will likely be disappointment at times as well. Like when a watch is damaged, stolen or lost. And when we can’t get the piece we want because it is sold out. Hopefully these moments will be kept to a minimum and we continue to exploit all the rewards that watches continue to offer us. From what I can see so far, that’s exactly what they have done.