Rosneathian
1471
It's liberating to first free one's mind of the dependency, and then to free one's storage space!
There's no compromise involved either. In life we all go through phases. Some are more expansive than others. It's like breathing: we need to both inhale and exhale to keep the body going. Growing and shrinking a collection of things is the same. The only thing that matters is the quality of what we let pass through. As I exhale now, I've simply adjusted to what I feel makes sense for me going forward.
As for giving, it's possibly the most rewarding thing one could do. It almost doesn't matter if the gift is used or just becomes a keepsake, because it's as you say - it's a piece of you and once given it's theirs to make of it what they will. So I've given one custom-made watch to my mother, a number to my wife and daughter, three to my sister and nieces, one to my sister-in-law, and six to my wife's cousin, a young man who I'm very fond of. The giving has two elements to it: the first is as an expression of love and good will. The second is pure relief to be able to walk away with fewer watches! 
Your cousin is fortunate to have you. You're right to say that it's the intangible aspects of giving that are the most powerful. A collectible might be very nice (and a Rolex Air King is certainly that). But it pales compared to the bonds it creates.
Have a safe trip.
More posts:
A bit of a status report
Hello all, This is Rosneathian (the artist formally known as Age_of_Surfaces). I've decided to harmonise my personae across platforms ahead of moving two weeks from now. Over the last two and a half months, I've sold a large chunk of my collection, severa...
The journey is more important than the destination
You definitely had a great one, which is still ongoing
And it should always be enjoyable too!
On a more serious note, it's one reason i have no time for longing for watches I can't have or that require self-degradation to get lol, but that's because I don't think masochism is much fun
Hi, thanks. I've written occasional posts over the last few months explaining the rationale and my evolving thinking, but in summary...
I'm of a certain age now, and I'm relocating after 30 years living, travelling and working all around the world. I've collected things for longer than this period, and watches have formed the latest tranche. I've reached a stage where I'm both satisfied w...
Like i said before big respect for your decision . Very brave move imho
I know there will be a day when i will shrink my collection like you did. I am now on the point of not buying everything i like anymore and just adding more pieces . Maybe thats a small step towards the next face š¤·š»āāļø
Hah. Thanks. When it happens it'll just happen... as for the pause you describe, it could be that you're just taking a breather before starting up again. I found I'd reached a natural limit, had to stop, and turn around
And I think I mentioned this too; I'll be keeping a lookout for how your own thinking evolves. That's always the most interesting part of collecting for me, regardless of what the collectibles are. All the best,
You're welcome. Writing itself helps to reflect and hone. Since I've written quite a lot about it in recent months a certain watch publication contacted me for an interview next month.
Also, I've inevitably forgotten to mention 2-3 additional watches sold and an additional 10 that I've gifted, but that's my instinct for the audit talking. The general thrust is what matters and I hope my post was useful in that regard.
Hello Rosneathian for sharing your experience. It was very interesting to read your post and specially about the reasons which moved you to make that brave decision. IĀ“m also ...
... "of a certain age" and a long time collector of many objects and IĀ“m feeling like you though I still didnĀ“t find the courage to make a "cleaning" or downsizing of my several collections including watches. I feel is time for me to "travel light" in thi...
Hello, fellow traveller and comrade. I genuinely appreciate your thoughts, as well as the many others over the last three months. These have been truly heartening exchanges. Thank you, too.
Let me try and reflect on what you've said. If you'll allow me I'll do so by elaborating my own perspective. First, like you, I'm a collector of things of a similar "certain age." I've always collected. First comics, then vinyl records, then books (ongoin...
Hello dear Rosneathian! Thank you so much for your answer to my previous message. ItĀ“s full if deep thoughts which I appreciate so much for sharing with me. You surely inspire me a lot...
... of thoughts elaboration around your words. Yes, IĀ“m hearing that little voice inside me lately. And yes I recognize I have developed a strong dependency on my collected objects which sooner or later I need to learn to break. Of course collecting objec...
Hi, yes it's been a medieval blood-letting (which was something folks did for good health before modern medicine!)
As for what's coming round the corner, it's going to be a combination of nice, modest and place specific; something to mark the return of the native. Won't say more!
I am too! It's also a psychological stopper. I have one of 18 slots left and will keep it for that 2023 watch. I have no intention whatsoever of going above 18 again. Those days are done.
After taking a breather, I'm going to see if I can turn 18 to 12. Right now I don't think that would work because I still enjoy having a reasonable spread for daily choices to feel whimsical and free.
Yes it isā¦
ā¦ It wonāt be anything like the top tier because thatās out of step with how I want to proceed. So itāll be a modest thing. The makers are already known for some distinguished work at a certain level. The symbolic aspect is that itās a watch that comes fr...
Amazing decision and it must feel good
Hoarding is not a good feeling. One feels cloistered and not mobile. I can imagine you are feeling lighter now and less bogged down by pieces you will no longer want to keep. I have given away a large part of my collection previously. Itās a good feeling ...
It's liberating to first free one's mind of the dependency, and then to free one's storage space!
There's no compromise involved either. In life we all go through phases. Some are more expansive than others. It's like breathing: we need to both inhale and exhale to keep the body going. Growing and shrinking a collection of things is the same. The only...
Twist of fate
Rolex got taken by wife. She checked my bags before i left. She put in another piece. A Grand Seiko. Her orders were: u keep the Rolex because you like it so much. Wonāt be able to get it back if u let it go, like your old Kermit. Happy wife happy life th...
Many thanks for your always interesting updates ā the much-anticipated next chapter of your journey is really about to start!š
Also very interesting (at least from my perspective) is that of the two watches which survived the selection and are *not* shown in the collageā¦.it looks like one is a Patek!š Is it the beautiful 5124G that we share (choice of strap asideš)? In any event,...
Good day, Sir, and thank you once again (again). I've tried to reduce the number without compromising scope. Eighteen watches now (maybe as few as 12 eventually) means ample room for variety within evolving tastes...
As for *that* watch I'm afraid forum rules don't permit me to elaborate. Our moderator has already intervened to clarify the point, so I'll leave it at that
Excuse-moi... my previous reply reached you incomplete and sounds quite rude...
... Patrick corrected the OP because of forum rules, which I respect... but thank you again for your unerring fealty to the 5124G
Many thanks and obviously no problem (Patrick is 100% correct in that we simply want to avoid "shilling" of models currently on sale on CM, which is why we'd rather not see them simultaneously discussed in the main fora :-)
I'll be curious to follow how your beautiful collection will continue to evolve after you complete your relocation --- perhaps (or perhaps not ) also including a 5124! ;-) Cheers.
Thatās quite an undertaking.
My collection is small, but I get it. It sounds like youāre very happy with your goal and the progress youāre making. As has been said by others here, I think that ācollectingā is a dynamic process. Thank you for illustrating this.
