Horological Meandering

Hi everyone, I am not "new" here, but generally lurk a lot, and sometimes reply to messages. I summoned the courage to ask the following question, as this place definitely feels like a place where "there is no dumb question or statement". Anyhow, my quest... 

I don't see myself wiating for 20 years before getting MY dream watch, but I saw some examples. I met a gentleman at the JLC Paris Boutique who saved for 15 years. The gentlema wanted to gift himself a nice watch for his 60th B.DAY, and he chose a YG Duom... 

Wow 15 years... so there are others who do this!

I have averaged about 1 watch per year for the past 10 years. Lately I've been going for $500 to $600 watches as that is all I can get away with without encountering resistance from the 'boss'. That said there is lots of fun to be had in that price range ... 

Thanks Richard, I too have affordable pieces such as my Seiko Samurai and a few G-shocks. I had a Eberhard which was way to large for my wrists so had to be sold off. Anyhow, I certainly am not saying "affordable" watches don't give satisfaction. But ther... 

I never want to wait too long for my dream watch..not that i have any dream watch that i want to own now. I thought about getting an Exp II but after a period of time, the wants had not turned to needs, i mean really need that watch to be part of what i h... 

Hi KCKL, Yes I agree that if you wait to long, you don't get to enjoy it at all. My current lineup includes a vintage IWC Cal. 89, Rolex datejust, GO PML, Omega 3573.50, Seiko Samurai, a Korean Prosecutor's Office watch that I got from a friend at the pro... 

No message body This message has been edited by KCKL on 2011-03-09 01:38:15

You need to save at a rate that's going to keep up with how these guys increase their price every year! If Rolex had a fund out there, I'd probably put money on them First off, I think that there is a watch for everybody such that one man's Dufour can be ... 

To get my own watch, now the question is what to get.. a number of very good watches or just one amazing watch My uncle waited for 25 years in total to get his to dream watches (a PP Nautilus and a PP minute repeater), I think waiting is the best part, if... 

I am not unhappy with my current collection. I guess the question is do i spend money now and get joy from pieces that I like very much, or hold still for about 5 years of purgatory and really get a dream watch. I guess it all depends on the person, but i... 

There is a large literature on "temporal discounting" of rewards, which is a pretty hardwired thing in our brains that shows big interindividual differences. The most useful way to to plot out that curve for yourself is to ask questions like would you rat... 

..there will come a time where priorities changed, and wants and necessities get mixed up a little and we start to stay focus a bit and in the end, whether to buy the dream watch sooner or later, would have considered the other more important factors. My ... 

Each of us may have a grail watch, but I suspect that it is a holier grail for some of us than it is for others. When I try to identify a true "grail" for myself, the pieces that come to mind as candidates are so wildly beyond my means that the exercise d... 

sounds like a good one. i'm thinking about my 50th myself and i've already thought about a simple calatrava for that milestone. but as KCKL said, things change along the way and so maybe that won't be "it" for my 50th. maybe another JLC. I'm turning 43 th... 

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Thanks for your comment Andreas, I do understand some waiting is required to acquire my dream. I have several watches that I like in the "medium" range, so I am thinking I will go for those for now every now and then, but overall try to save up for the BI... 

No message body This message has been edited by foversta on 2011-03-09 12:40:22

Man ! It's like you know exactly what I am going through. I am in the same situation, I love watches and read about them all the time but I have yet to buy a serious watch. All the watches I am in love with are out of my range right now, so I feel the sam... 

the more you should celebrate to buy one to commemorate the arrival of your lovely twins. I initially wanted to buy one to celebrate my daughter's 1st birthday.. But other things came along This message has been edited by KCKL on 2011-03-09 16:33:32

Alot man, I wish I could buy a watch to commemorate the occasion brother, but maybe next year on the one year birthday! Best SamEE

Hi Sam, Glad to hear someone is on the same boat! I like how you said it - our time will come. I trust that 100%!

don't forget to live each day as it comes. As the song by Alanis Morissette goes.... "An old man turned ninety-eight He won the lottery and died the next day" Regards, Richard.

Haha good point. I actually just put in my order for a Habring time only. Dial color inspired by your jumping seconds!

You demonstrate excellent style and good taste. Hopefully we'll see some pictures soon enough. Regards, Richard.

How long? Only you can really answer that question. But here are my thoughts: You don’t need dozens of watches to love horology, but you need to have some personal experience with watches to start to understand them. So going without completely is cruel a... 

Particularly this: So going without completely is cruel and unusual punishment and counterproductive to enjoyment of the hobby.

The watch may be discontinued and it becomes "rare" and naturally more expensive. You may need to save and wait for another 15 years. Or, the watch may or may not be discontinued but the used watches flood in the second market, you may just need a fractio... 

...15 years or to spend 10 thousand dollars for a watch which may give you more than 50% or more enjoyment now?

You're right. You don't have to own a timepiece to enjoy the hobby of horology, but forums, horological books, and even the Time Zone Watch School can only go so far. There is pride and enjoyment in ownership you're not going to find anywhere else and fif... 

I am the former!

There will always be the next watch. And that's fine too, but we have to know ourselves, and not have unreasonable expectations. Andrew

...before making any purchase, large or small. This has been the case for me with everything from Champagne flutes to acoustic guitars to watches. So, I find that I am often waiting (and saving) because I am not 100% sold on something. I don't buy anythin... 

Honestly , all my timepieces r never acquired out of necessity. It all happened out of passion, interest n preferences . I wanted those pieces. I don't need more than a watch, basically.The difference lies between " need " n " want ". To answer your quest... 

some may never come, but I am at peace with that. I have an annual watch budget, a want list and a grail list. This process has really forced me to focus on the pieces that are truly important to me and has eliminated impulse purchases... for the most par...