Rosneathian
1471
Hear hear.
Let me say that I subscribe to these sentiments.
I may not operate in the watch spaces that you do, or spend quite so much time arriving at a decision, but it's easy to agree that a period of gestation is something to savour in its own right.
In my own experience I've tried to understand the process in layman's terms as an interaction between the head, the heart and the gut. Quite how this happens I'm not able to say though it's clear that each plays its part and I want each to be heard, as it were. The passage of time (in my case that can be up to 12-18 months) can build momentum towards a certain pick. I might just drift away not to return (from 'hot' to 'not'). Alternatively I might tune out altogether only for a particular urge to well up of its own accord.
Waiting for a watch to be made is also a pleasure. Having lived in countries where custom-made furniture and fixtures could take 3-6 months to deliver, there's a lot to be said for old-world rhythms and how they reconnect us to human-scale endeavour. In fact, I would go as far as to say that my watch experience has helped slow down time - and life - to a pace I'm much more comfortable with, and which is healthier for both mind and body. No more hurly-burly, least of all in my personal, private space.