Epilogue
1398
A collector's collecting crisis
Jul 10, 2022,11:48 AM
Hello everyone,
I've been collecting watches since I was 17 and I've always considered myself a Collector. I never questioned what it meant, I just knew that I was one. Why? Well, similar to a student earning the title of Doctor, I wanted a status that reflected my knowledge, the time I spent on horology and that unsatiable desire to own specific watches. It was a way to differentiate from people who merely "liked watches" in the same way that anyone "likes" a luxury good. With time, I also admitted to myself that there was an equal part of pride and snobbism to this title, but I think that's OK.
Some months ago a close friend referred to me as a "watch speculator". I was completely shocked. After a riposte that came from the soul and an assertion that I was in fact a "Collector", they just squinted their eyes and shook their head. At the risk of sounding dramatic, this was the catalyst to a painful chain of reactions, doubts and questions. Especially because they knew how deeply involved I was in the hobby.
I should stop here. BUT I need to take a step further and introduce a new dimension. The dimension that I am never content with my collection as a whole. Individually, I'm proud of my pieces, but as a whole, my eyes are restless. The collection looks messy, disorganised and theme-less. This causes some rotation in the collection as I continue to learn, explore and refine my tastes. Is that OK?
Over the last months I distilled this chaos into 3 questions. There are many more but I'll keep it short in the hope of getting your ideas. They are consuming a significant amount of my energy and your ideas would greatly help bring peace to my mind and balance to my collection. So, I ask you:
1- What makes a collector, a Collector?
2- What should a Collector's collection look like?
3- How do I find peace, balance and satisfaction in my collection?
Thank you for your time!
Hugo
PS: I hope it's OK to post this in the HM section?