Mr.Gatsby
2973
This is a great post.....
first of all very well written and second of all it evokes a lot of thoughts from the collectors. I really like what that wise guy said, but there is one element that's missing in stock picking versus watch collecting (for real collectors/purists, not investors) -- and that is passion, which would drive your emotions.
These days I've become more zen about watches. No themes on the collection, I just buy when I see value in the watch and that I like it. You can build collection after collection but there will not be a limit or stop to it and at some point it becomes meaningless. I rather have a smaller collection and remain passionate about it. Because adding more watches wouldn't necessarily improve your utility curve. The amount of satisfaction decreases with each addition -- speaking from personal experience.
I can't give you a straight answer on what my last watch would be, because when I get to that point things would be different. But I suspect the last watch could very likely be some crazy timepiece that cost an arm or a leg 
and then end it off in a big way! I think that's my style.
and then end it off in a big way! I think that's my style.Great post Baron, and congrats on your lovely Omega additions. That fat arrow is nice!
What if you could only buy one more watch?
OK, this won't be a long philosophical debate about collecting. Those who have read my comments over the years already know that I am tortured about collecting. And those that haven't read those comments need not read them now......or maybe just a bit. My...
I would be happy to close the book.
If I could buy only one more watch, it would be Patek Philippe ref. 5078P with white enamel dial. This watch has everything: right size, stunning movement, right case material, enamel dial plus a great complication. At the same time it's not too shiny. If...
A magnificent ambition!...
A perfect watch with which to 'close the book'. Good luck with the budget... ...then good luck with thinking "I'm done!" :-) Cheers, pplater.
I second pplater's observation...
and re-iterate, "good luck with being done"... As one's knowledge increases, so does the appreciation and I suspect the ability to "turn off" the world of micro-mechanical art, will be next to impossible to do. Given available funding, you will find other...
Very nice time telling for sure.....
Exquisite taste you have Kari, stunning simplicity. Hope the budget works:) Cheers Francois
Way in, way out... Tortured in both ways....
Way out: How to reduce the collection to 10 watches? Way in? How to add 10 more watches to the collection? I never told you, but I am a total dumb in Maths. ;) If I had to buy only one more Watch, it would be by brand: Longines? Big 11. Blancpain? One mor...
1665 MK II... That would mean that I would have to let the Triple 6 go.
If I have to rationalize, then I should rather jump on the 1019. If I let my heart speak, and that I don't have to play this game, then, of course, 1665 MK II! ;) Best, Nicolas
There is no such thing as "only one more" ...
Joe, Even if I go broke, there is always a $ 25 Casio that looks cool. And then, another one. It's endless, my friend. Going to the hypothetical "only one", it could be a real NOS Seamaster 300 165.024 with the original box and papers (I know that there a...
Nilo.....
I think if the day comes when I can say, I just bought my last watch, then I will probably be a happy guy....not a sad one. When Kari says that he could happily buy his next Patek and conclude..."I'm done".....well, I have to say, I am jealous of that.......
I will handle to The King my answer ...
The beauty (or sadness) of this hobby was also described by Susan Sontag "The Volcano Lover" 1992 " The great collections are vast, not complete. Incomplete: motivated by the desire for completeness. There is always one more. And if you have everything, w...
I do not know about you guys
but I'm having only one left wrist... If you have an opportunity to drink Chateau Latour 1945 as much as you want during one evening, how much will you drink? I would have one or two glasses and remember the taste for the rest of my life. And then no reas...
Kari...the best sex i ever had is the next time I have it.
.....I would be wondering if the 47 Cheval Blanc was better.
The taste is not satisfied by memory....
Kari, you say that " I would have one or two glasses and remember the taste for the rest of my life." Can't imagine that. The memory of the taste would drive me on to the next taste.
Indeed Seth, I'm with you on this too
I'm not sure we as collectors and appreciators of "fine things" can now just turn it off...maybe I'm naive, but as an observer of human nature and given the available funds, we will almost allways want add something to "The Collection". Nothing in life/na...
When I started this journey, there were . . .
. . . two passions: Glashütte Original Karrées and vintage Omega. Thanks to Khalil and Mike, and later, Ken, a third entered - Grand Seiko. A few detours along the way, yes, but with time, I've come to appreciate the saying, "The human heart feels things ...
You once said...."Less is often more"
...... the depth of that comment just echoes in my head a lot.
Joe,
Been there … done that. After a mad '13 this year was to be a quiet year… I swear. What do you think has happened in H1? I'd be happy discussing this with you around a glass or two… There are many different strategies for a soft landing. Some might work f...
You know me too well, Z. ;)
But I am also the kind of guy to be able to sell a lot of my watches, I mean the vast majority of them, to be able to add a few, very few GRAILS, and stop.... But before, I have to live some expériences.... Best, Nicolas
Tirez les premiers Messieurs les Anglais...
Show me the way and I'll follow. :-) I'd love to discuss this further with you ... long overdue since our last distant meeting! I am sure our grail list would be very close in the vintage world. In the modern I guess you'd go for JLC and UN whilst I'd for...
Tirez les premiers, mais pas trop fort. ;) More seriously....
Narrowing to 10 shows a great maturity in horology. What is Horology, according to you, in 10 watches? Interesting, isn't it? Therefore, narrowing to 10 has another interest: Humans only have two wrists, and only a few humans wear a Watch on each wrist. I...
and women have only 2 feet, yet...
I know, but I do no buy your theory. Would you refrain from a getting a Speedmaster 1st gen if you already own a the Seamaster and Railmaster Broad Arrow simply because it is watch nr. 11? There is much more to horology than wearing watches. Off course it...
Believe me, a safe in a bank limits your joy of wearing a different watch every day.
In fact, I started to think about it after my burglary.... A safe in the bank is mandatory, frequent visits at the bank are just boresome.... So you need to think it differently... Even on Holdays, when I bring with me what... 20 / 30 watches, I don't fee...
You're right
Accessibility is the real drawback. As for KV, I'll submit him the question. He'll be at Salon QP, I believe. The rumour has it that KV's daughter has a budding interest in horology. De Bethune is much more a concern, I must admit. Regards Z
Yes, please, ask him. Good news to know that Kari's daughter is
Interested in Horology. I love this gentleman so much. Best, Nicolas
Interesting question Mr Baron.......
The comparison between stocks and watch collecting is, hmmm, interesting and odd, in my view. As you pointed out, how many stocks should one "hold", that's right, one "holds" a stock or many for that matter but a watch? One doesn't "hold" a watch, no no. ...
After reading your reply . . .
. . . twice, this . . . . . . came to mind. Gnosis . . .
Nice response.....
....and much of what you say resonates with me. Watches are not stocks and that element of passion may well be why the approach is different.....after all, I seem to need to keep adding watches to my collection but have absolutely no desire to keep adding...
This is a great post.....
first of all very well written and second of all it evokes a lot of thoughts from the collectors. I really like what that wise guy said, but there is one element that's missing in stock picking versus watch collecting (for real collectors/purists, not inv...
I think....
.....in my mind, I would like to think that one day I might be satisfied to say...."You know what, I'm done". I think I find this a psychologically complete situation! I think it was Art who once said about collecting...."Quite often, less is more". I thi...
Only one more...
The last watch... A personalized Reverso. The engraving comes from a ring my grandmother gave me 30 years ago. The ring belonged to an distant Italian relative who was a viscount and lived in Sanremo. Best Regards Livius ...
Interesting topic...
for the weekend and great responses and sharing from the rest. Whenever the itch hits, I ask how many more do I need? How different and in what perspective will this new one tell the time. A watch is to tell time right??- it is still a 2 hander or throw i...
Again...thats a great answer...
.....our tastes change and that should mean that our collections change and evolve too.
mmhhh ...
tough question .... maybe the choice would be a 5517 RN ( " 0552 " ) delivered in 1978 , much rarer than 5517 " W10 " ( Army ) and most likely with a more interesting history behind ......
My views on this great post
When will I be done? According to my wife: NEVER; I guess when I drop dead or run out of spare cash. How to enjoy your collection on a daily basis: get a safe, insure your watches and get into the spirit of less is more. One comment about Kari MR: 2 weeks...
Last watch
Hi thats a difficult one - for me one of the elements of getting a new watch is the decision making process, the hunt and the consideration that if I have x I can't have y. So as long as I could take my time and had the funds (well if its going to be my l...
In this game only help is...
financial deprivation :) For us less fortunate guys (dough wise) it is not hard to imagine one more watch only :) There is also "Only Watch" maybe that was basic idea behind ;) Sincerely yours D
NOS vintage Omega Seamaster/DeVille chronograph with a cal. 321 in stainless steel
Hi Baron, you rise the issue of the "exit watch" and some forumners already broadened the discussion on the field of self-control. I would admit for myself that I do not believe THE WATCH exists that will satisfy all my desires forever so that I will no m...
Hey Doc.....
I like that methodology......that would make collecting a really challenging process....but it would put a stop to the ever-ending expansion of the collection...but at the same time keep it very refined. Best Joe