Horological Meandering

A philosophical question on watches

Women have their shoes and jewellery. Some men have their jewellery, but really its not many. Instead, men have their watches. What is it about watches that is so fascinating. It goes way beyond the pure aesthetics of jewellery. I am curious what other enthusiasts get from their watch collecting. Here is my perspective....

I collect watches but have a number of golden rules. First, i have to feel that in order to buy a watch, I must be able to wear it quite regularly. Second, a watch must have a personality. When you wear a watch, it needs to define "who" it is. I have some watches that I bought when i first started collecting that do not have personality, and i find i rarely ever wear them now. I am not sure how i would define personality, though. Nicolas made a very apt description of the 5070G recently when he said it was a watch that chose its owner. Very funny, but actually it implies this element of personality. Third, a watch must constantly call me to wear it. I have a great watch on my wrist at the moment, but i can almost hear various watches in the safe calling me. Fourth, a watch must have a "side" to it. Whether that "side" is its rarity (which really appeals to me personally) or an unusual complication or even design, but it needs its specific angle within my overall collection. Finally, when a watch goes on my wrist, I have to get a thrill from wearing it. It has to feel special almost every time. Now, having enough watches to keep that feeling may well be a part of the need to have a "critical mass" in the collection, but its not all of it. I have some watches that no longer thrill me even though i haven't owned them a year whereas I have others that i have owned forever that still thrill.

I am curious what others get from their collecting.

This message has been edited by Joe R on 2009-07-28 23:59:00

A kind of coherent excitement?

By: amanico : July 28th, 2009-23:56

That it a very difficult question, oe, as each of us certainly as his own good reasons to collect watches. I think that our common point is the pleasure to see it, feel it, wear it, in opposition with the pleasure of the Safe, of course. Then, I will add ...

As a non-collector

By: respo : July 29th, 2009-06:11

I do not view myself as a collector of watches. With no aspirations to collecting many peices nor to pursuing a theme of any kind, I like having and always working towards a very select few pieces that for whatever reason just amaze me. I like the feeling...

So....

By: MiniCooper : July 29th, 2009-19:09

you would not own two perpetual calendars? Cheers

What do I get from my watches?

By: anaesdoc : July 29th, 2009-07:36

Hi Joe, it´s an interesting question that you raised in your post! If not for pure greed or voraciousness, what is it that I like about my watches? (I also would like to point out, I do not consider myself as a collector in the sense of buying with a...

I fully agree with the above views and would add...

By: nikolaj : July 29th, 2009-14:53

that I personally also enjoy my watches, because they represent a safe-haven of the technical world where it is not all about cost/benefit, optimization and rationale (Ok, I am aware that these terms may be very present amongst watch producers, but that's...

I think.....

By: MiniCooper : July 29th, 2009-18:08

that you what you wrote is to the point for me, a watch belongs on the wrist and not in the safe. I also want my watch to call me to wear it and also like the specific or unique angle and of course to be thrilled about wearing it- so you pretty much summe...

Vaults of Time

By: amerix : July 30th, 2009-01:47

I would never want to get to the point where I am living FOR the watch, rather than WITH the watch. At least that's what I keep telling myself. The truth is, I have often approached, and even crossed, that borderline - the borderline of sanity? Then I bec...

Lume initially

By: iceheller 1945 ✌️ : July 30th, 2009-21:15

I was attrached the wacth lume initially. But after learning more about the brand and what it has to offer, i brach out into style, ie pilot style, track style and etc. It is a pity sure a nice and good watch is not commonly discuss in this forum.

An appreciation of all things mechanical and aesthetic?

By: mrsnak : July 31st, 2009-10:37

Certainly from my perspective. I've never worn any jewelry aside from a wedding ring and a watch. I do enjoy having a perfectly designed little machine on my wrist that performs a function while satisfying my love of machines. The aesthetics of a beautifu...

i would qualify that....

By: Baron - Mr Red : July 31st, 2009-13:39

woman CAN rank a bit higher

Philosophy or Viseral Thrill?

By: daringdave : August 2nd, 2009-12:47

Over the last 40 years since I acquired my first "good" watch (a 1969 Rolex Submariner) while in Hong Kong, I have had a love affair with the gleaming piece adorning my wrist. I wear very little jewelery; a wedding ring and a watch. Occasionally, cuff lin...