Horological Meandering

about quite a bit in the last 2 years.  A number of the watches I have were bought on impulse without taking a long time to think about the purchase.  I think with any new purchase there is the initial excitement of having a new piece, and it typically gets most of the wrist time for the short term.  It is after the new phase is over when it is determined whether I really like the watch and decide if I made a good choice.  I feel fortunate that I actually like all the watches I have bought and have no desire to sell any of them.  I have never bought the same brand of watch twice and look for complications that I don't have, so every watch I have is unique to me in some form or fashion.  Having said this there are some of these watches that don't get much wrist time.  There are always going to be favorites of the group, and those are worn the most.  Not wearing a watch regularly doesn't necessarily mean it should be sold.  If you have a collection there are always going to be some watches that don't get worn regularly.  I doubt many people give equal time to every watch they own, and you can only wear one at a time (or two I guess, I think AndrewD has said he wears two).  As long as a watch has some unique quality in relation to the other watches in my collection, I will keep it even if I don't wear it a lot.

 

Stewart

...that watches do not need to be worn in order to be kept.  Otherwise, most collections would need to remain quite small.  There's only so many days in a week, a month etc.  The vast majority probably aren't.   Thank you for your comments.

Exceptionally thoughtful and a provocative.  Thank you for the effort you put into this.  I truly enjoyed the read and am soaking this in.  

George

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The essence of our hobby,the true spirit of it.

Never believe any watch fan telling you that its over,or that after that watch the collection will be complete or done.A watch collection is always in a slow movement.

As a relative newbie in the game,I tend to be over enthusiastic about almost anything (within criteria of course)new that comes out.The danger of a sensless accumulation is always present,the anxiety to have more and to add one more is constantly there.

At first you are influenced by others,opinions,general consensus etc,you cant have the serene tranquility that comes with time,knowledge and wisdom.

There is no way that you are going to take your time,you need to learn on your skin(wallet)before settling and developing your own taste.

Taste ,either you have it or not,but it developes with knowledge and it changes constantly,but at slower pace with time.

The desire to upgrade is a constant drive for me,unfortunately anyone make regretteble choices,but all in all I am fairly happy with my selection so far.One criteria I adopted at the very beginning was to never sell any watch just because they meant little achivements to me;well I must say that that criteria has failed,long way from being a flipper but I understand the necessity of letting something go,maybe regretfully,to make space for a bigger brother....

Anyway,a slow moving collection will make a great one one day,brick by brick,thats how anything solid should be built.

Great post.

Mo

...to build a collection  and even then, it will always be changing because we are always changing, kind of the beauty of it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I completly agree and I would add that I think there exists no miraculous recipe.

Taking time, seeing more and more watches before a purchase helps collecting datas about our tastes, understanding what we like and what we don't,  and helps mitigate the risk to make a mistake.

... and to try hard to ignore the general opinions about a specific watch (that is the most difficult part I guess)

 Thanks for this very true thought. 

Best,

Mark

This message has been edited by Boréale on 2012-02-02 03:41:29

....I agree that research and especially trying a watch on on person is very important in minimizing buyer's remorse, short or long term. But what about those times when you are up and there's a long list of names behind you who are ready to pull out their credit cards?  I guess you just have to get good at knowing your instincts and listening to them. Thanks for sharing your coimments.

cheers

PAt

that has stayed with me through the years - and for good reasons.  All others have come and gone; usually a spur of the moment purchase that I later wondered about.

For me, the one watch is:

http://jlc.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-2/pi-4404698/ti-684198/s--39/

and so it remains.  Cannot see anything else coming close so it will probably always be!

Great stories.

Andrew H

Thank you Andrew for sharing yours.  When a watch and an owner are meant to be together as clearly was the case in your situation,  I don't think they will ever be separated.  Thanks agian.

...and emotions will change as you grow and change through life.  Other than that, sentimental value would probably remain the most constant reason to keep a watch (no matter the value), whether it belonged to a cherished family member or was part of the "soundtrack" to a special time in your life.

...what I was trying to get at was why...why does one watch hold onto sentimental value longer than another one.

Thank you for your comments

I for one tend to have grouped my pieces into two areas.  One that stays forever (heirloom) pieces that are associated with significant moments in my/our lives that are marked by a timepiece.  These may not be of collector quality but due to its emotional value, will forever be in the collection.  My first big watch purchase, the birth of my kids to name a few. 

The other group of pieces are pieces that I "play" with in my watch collecting hobby.  Some are approaching the move to heirloom group as I can't fathom moving them.  Some I bought due to the points you have listed as "hot" or "chase" purchases (two traps that I have carelessly fallen in the past). 

Mid last year, I went thru a 3 month period where I moved 5 piece around.  A lot of the movement was due to the "hot" or the "chase."  Afterwards, I actually felt spent emotionally with these pieces.  I am at a stage right now where I am planning on sitting tight and enjoy these pieces that I have. 

That's until the next "hot" one..LOL

Nice read Ping and thank you for stirring my mind. 

Very interesting collecting habits  Although I'm willing to bet that you are not alone. Maybe that is what keeps it fun. Thanks for your comments!

Hi Ping This message has been edited by cazalea on 2012-02-02 10:36:32

I have seen and realize that this post has brought out all the different ways that people collect and enjoy their watches.  It's very interesting how personal it can be.  Thanks for sharing your comments.

I personally like to buy watches some times after they are released because I need to understand fully the watch before buying it. After this I always find myself discovering new things after several months.

I really try to avoid the "brand new" effect.

...very smart and great control on your part  Thanks!

Hi Ping,

thank you for your interesting question and some observations you made while answering it for yourself.

My headline seems to be a tautology, because a watch you like will be regularly worn and stay in your collection.

But I have observed that a watch which I did not fancy that much and which I had thought to sell, increased in my esteem simply be wearing it more regularly. Suddenly I realized how nice it was, how well it suited my wrist and how comforably it allowed me to tell the time. "The more you get to know it, the more you like it" - that´s how you put it in analogy to an acquaintance that becomes more intense. In my perception this deepened relationship grows best if the watch is on my wrist. The time that you spend together is the crucial point.

So before selling (usually with a loss of money) give the watch another opportunity to convince yourself while being on your wrist!

Kind regards

anaesdoc

...The physical experience of a watch is definitely a big part of connecting with it. For it is sometimes moving the senses that gets us the most.  Thanks!

Ping,

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My collection  shows no rhyme or reason . Some pieces I buy because of pedigree, Some I buy on a whim and they are still keepers.Some are keepers because of emotional attachment. I tend to be a hoarder and have sought advice from a few here on how to overcome this chronic condition LOL. This message has been edited by dreamer8 on 2012-02-02 22:58:27

...There can be beauty in chaos as well..."There is always something about dreaming...."    

NT

Sometimes, especially when there's a extreme rare and coveted watch, people 'TRY TO LOVE' it even if it actually does not look good to them.

Because if you buy it, everyone will envy and pay attention to your watch. And there would be many other reasons also

For me, AP ROO was the case(i was seduced by its unique design, reputation, originality, etc.) but it looked kinda terrible on my dryboned wrist. I was very sad but i had to give up.

 

Now, a year passed and i have absolutely no regret.

What if i have bought it on impulse? Maybe my AP ROO would be on the collectors market...

...I think we have all experienced the case of trying to "fit a square peg in a round hole."  ...trying to fit ourselves to something or someone instead of finding the right thing that fits us. I'm glad you realized this