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Horological Meandering

Philosophy or Viseral Thrill?

 

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 links, however I have chosen watches over and over for the inspiration I have felt in either the "hunt" in acquiring them or the circumstances in which I found myself when I purchased them.  A particular trip to Paris, looking in shop windows for days and finally settling on "the one".  A spirited auction where the piece I had interest in suddenly came on the block and I found myself bidding against collectors in 4 different countries (based on the currency being bid).  Finding a watch I had not seen before and learning of its provenence from doing due diligence on the internet and in the watch guides I have accumulated, to name a few examples.

When I put a watch on, all these memories flood my mind and a warm glow comes about me. Sometimes I will wear a watch, and carry a pocket watch in the oft chance that I might meet someone who has a similar passion, I am seldom dissappointed.   Thanks for the question, it has brought about many emotions concerning my love affair with the study of time, and the beautiful pieces that have been developed to measure it.  xx DD

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11 Comments view entire thread 

A philosophical question on watches

 
By: Baron - Mr Red : July 28th, 2009-23:42
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 en... 

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... 

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...