Horological Meandering

This question struck me this morning, when as part of my well-honed wedding anniversary routine, I asked my wife if there was anything special she wanted me to do today.
Her reply was for me to clear out all those boxes of books I will never read again.( This seemingly less than romantic response is explained by the fact that this is our 43rd anniversary!)

Amongst the books was the Wristwatch Annual 2001,which was about when I had the time - and a little money - to look seriously at watches.

Re-reading the book, I realised that the watches that really attracted me then no longer did, and also that watches that I pretty much ignored then really caught my attention now.

Here are some examples - then first followed by now - AP ROO / Jules Audemars Mechanical, Blancpain Trilogy Air Command / Aqualung, Breguet Aeronavale Transatlantique / Classique Auto, Chopard St Moritz / L.U.C Sweep Seconds, IWC GST Aquatimer/ Mark XV, JLC Reverso Gran Sport Chron / Master Ultra Thin

And some brands which I overlooked then really caught my eye now - for instance Chronoswiss, Paul Gerber, Lange and Phillipe Du Bois with the wonderful looking Montre Calendrier 1798.

I hasten to add that most of these watches are way over my budget,but I am curious to know if anyone else has experienced this change in taste- essentially I guess away from the bulkier more robust watch and towards the simpler, less complicated. And why do our tastes change - or is it just me?

colinwillsher

PS Strangely my favourite watches from the 2001 Annual remain the same today - the UN Marine Chronometer and the fabulous Urban & Jurgensen Reference 5

I thought that Rolex, and Omega were the watches to own 4 years ago. That changed when i started to read a lot about watches in general, gaining in depth knowledge about calibres, history, and watch culture. In particular, I hang around this forum a lot, and Revolution is the only magazine i read. I also await montres and wristwatch annual magazines yearly.

Almost 4 years have passed in my hobby and i developed unusual penchants and dislikes. Previously, I thought that all i need were dive watches, but oddly, i don't own a single dive watch in my collection. Why? I dive a lot, and won't wear a dive watch in the deep blue, fearing dings and scratches from unpredictable factors.

I developed a strong liking for watches with interesting histories, like the mickey mouse, and Zenth chronos. They raise interesting topics of discussion rather than just the "wow it's a nice diamond watch,but it's a run-of-the-mill calibre inside. I like the diamonds, not the watch". Watches with strong DNA, histories and good movements speak of refined taste.

 When i look down the road 10 years from now, i fear the risk of looking at a particular piece and thinking " what's this abomination?" I'm sure many would have their opinions and predictions of which watches will become skeletons-in-the-closet: read post about "bringing back the dead".

The pieces I'm coveting for are GG Mickeys, JLC reversos, Piaget polos, and perhaps, a VC overseas when i start seeing white hair.

Good question raised!

 

Hi Colin,

Evolution, Education and Maturity.

You are not alone, my unknown cyber fellow watch lover, not alone in you thinking about watches, or how they may seem important today and blocks of metal tomorrow. That is miniscule part of our human evolution.

I think it is human nature to be attracted to anything that is beyond our understanding, and as such many of us are intrigued by these miniature mechanical marvels. We want to know more and understand them.

At first, when we can so afford, we reflect on our past wants and fill that need, but then we get a little education and realize that, may be our previous wants were not the best pieces to enjoy... or the best pieces at all..

So Education becomes a very cruel tool.

The more we learn, the more we exclude.

Then comes the master of all our behaviors... Maturity.... this is the governing ability to totally assess everything we have ever done, wanted, known or valued, and it gives that rare chance to make a decision based on all the facts we have collected over our lifetime.

For some, it is to be happy with what they have... for others, it is a case of clearing out the draws, and settling for a single piece that meets all our needs.

But all of this is hypothetical... because if you are a watch lover... you will always be a watch lover.... and always tempted to get just one other piece.

And like you, I am Mature, I have reached this Master State.... but like you.... I have my eye on a UN Marine Chronometer, a 160th Anniversary model with the great Serial No. 28 at an AD... ( I wont disclose which AD), but for fear of divorce, I am hoping the Global Recession in particular to Luxury Goods will see this watch wait ...... until my wife has a weak moment.

kindest regards,

Jack

My taste and preference changed over the last ten odd years of watch collecting. 

Surprisingly, it is a change towards the more simple watches. Gone is the desire for more complication, but I do have to add that Perpetual, Minute Repeater, and long Power Reserve continue to have their attraction.

Looking at the watches that I have acquired over the more recent years, I have moved to the manual wind and to those with time only function. I have taken to liking special dials such as enamel and porcelain more than the standard fair.  So what will happen to my older collection?  Honestly, I do not think I will part with them anytime soon despite this change of taste.  I still wear my older watches and it carries with it a memory and a feeling that I did at one time like them enough to purchase them.  In fact, most of the new purchases are bought to be viewed and enjoy visually and is seeing less wrist time.  Maybe, they are more "artful" than "technical".

So Colin, you are not alone in this changing of taste as we travel on this watch collecting journey.  As several posters mentioned,  it has to do with our experience and our increasing knowledge on watches.  What fascinated us may no longer be the case and with maturity we moved on and continue to explore new experience.  But one thing which is still true, I continue to be attracted by watches.  I still can't help myself linger in front of a fine watch shop each and everytime I see one.  Maybe one day, even this behaviour will change and be contented with what I have and enjoy them more as they deserve.

/W72

A thing is certain : Education is an important factor which may bring you to a change or an evolution on your perception of watches.

There were very simple, minmalist watches I didn't ever seen at the very beginning of my Passion for watches.

Now, I love them.

An Example?

I sold my Royal Oa Alinghi from 2003, to buy a Royal Oak Jumbo Vintage.

I pay more and more attention to some Vintage models, like Diving Watches, fior example.

But, on another side, there were watches I always ( and still ) admire, like the PP World Time, the UN Freak, The Panerai Logo, the GP Tourbillon under 3 Golden Bridges, etc...

You may have an evolution or vhange in your perception on watches, but you're not alone, as even the brands change!

Like you, sometimes I look at these Catalogues of the Past, let's say 10 / 15 years old, and it is funny and interesting to see how things changed.

Best,

Nicolas

. . . with one notable exception: I've developed an appreciation for the watches of Richard Mille that I didn't have even a few years ago. Also, I find myself veering more towards vintage than modern these days . . . why, I'm not completely sure . . . cordially, Art

...due to a longing for times past, when watches were of a more manageable size and the Rolling Stones were at their rock 'n' roll peak? 

*smiling*
Daos

. . . confessin' the blues, Art

NT

When I was a kid I had an Elgin or similar Mickey Mouse watch, which I eventually took apart, re-assembled (pre-WIS days, wow), and it worked for a few minutes (my teacher, Sister Something Elephantus, was amazed and ready to make me eat a bar of soap, a very Catholic punishment thing to do, for God knows why, maybe she was mad that I was treating a watch my parents gave me, like that!).  More recently (and over the years) I've owned some nice Seikos (alarm-chrono, perp calendar) and finally a Seamaster Pro and a Speedy date (and I had a Seamaster when I was 15, solid back, and I destroyed it, everything came out the front!).  So, yes, my taste has matured somewhat, now I'm on the hunt for the SMAT with the cal. 8500, and maybe, just maybe, a Rolex (used, probably, love them Datejusts) one of these days.

Enjoy!  And don't eat no soap, eh?!     =:^D

...this seems like an opportune time to reprise a morality tale from an earlier thread: if you can be enticed,  click here

All in good humour, of course!   ;-)

 

Cheers,

pplater.

Well done, Pplater!  I laughed out loud while reading the original post you linked to!  Too funny! 

Cheers,
Daos

Dear pplater
Your post in link (that I failed to read back than .... damn I must
read all pplater post repeat after me I must read all pplater posts)
is just pure literary work of art and genius ...

the title should ne
12 commandments of WIS

You was describing me more precisely and perfectly that I can ever admit to myself.

How do you know all this things about me? :0))
  (just hope that I will avoid commandment 12)
 
Kudos and chapeau

Yours

Damian

No message body

our tastes change as we get older... not just Watches but rather everything  else.

in the case of Watches,??  my taste has changed from a small size Watches (40mm) to larger size 44 to 48mm.

 from a BLING Yellow Gold Case to a brushed or polished Steel.

 i used to LOVE Metal Bracelet. now i hate them. i love Leather and Rubber.

 i used to only love Rolex now  don't.. i don't even like them anymore .!

 

Tony