Comments:
And what a superb one it was. I am so impressed by your thought process and elegant expression in words. Thank you for your detailed and thought provoking response. I believe you have put in to words what so many here have thought about and felt during their watch purchases. Looking forward to many more great responses from you. Excellent first post! Keep it up
Usually buy if..
There is a In-House movement.
The older the company the better.
Can not be made in the U.S.A. and
I need to feel the magic of attraction!!
This "magic" is crucial for many people it seems...
...Many have said they simply have to feel something. What exactly initiates this feeling for each person is sometimes a mystery which makes it so interesting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
If I see a part of me in it...
It has to embody something that I hold important. It can be an ideal that I try to live up to, a state of mind that I am in or struggle to be in, an attribute that I find lacking in today's workplace that is standard in a piece, or a design aesthetic that goes hand in hand with how I want to look for a particular period in time.
And, the dealbreaker? Well, it has to sit nicely on my wrist
First Time Poster/Longtime Reader
This is an great prompt by the OP (pingtsai), and I'm sure something that many watch enthusiasts spend WAY too much time pondering...
With limited funds and time for research set against a limitless pool of potential (current and vintage) purchases- some "heuristics" are necessary. Or shall I say, "hororistics."
In order to begin to answer pingtsai's question I first begin with what I DON'T like.
Step (1)
Initial Filter
It is totally arbitrary. But it is helpful, and serves as the first chapter in the "collecting philosophy" that I think many enthusiasts pine for. And, I'm not sure if others agree, but for me there is some notion of being motivated to reject what I don't like.
For me:
I don't like:
Roman Numerals
Yellow Gold
Anything >42mm
Equation of Time
Skeletonization
If something can survive that list, I can move on... (Sadly, the Richard Lange fails)
Step (2)
Mental Justification
Again, let's face it: this hobby has nothing to do with need. However, there is no fun in impulse buying. Sure, who wouldn't like to have a fourth "black tie" watch. But since I only go to a handful of black tie functions per year, I need to give myself some plausible reason why? If "I went to person X's wedding in March, and then his sister's wedding in November... and the mother of groom saw me with a black face watch in March," well, I bloody might NEED a white face black tie watch for November- JUST IN CASE!
Needless to say, sometimes we NEED a specific watch for a Cuban sportfishing vaction- somewhere in-between a Breguet Marine Chrono and the Aquanaut.
Again, it is all arbitrary- but to analytical men engaging in an expensive postmodern hobby, these mental justifications MATTER!
Step (3)
Aesthetic Justification
A great deal of the fun of the horological hobby derives from the aesthetic pleasure one derives. And I think that to experience that more fully, one must have an aesthetic philosophy. It is not good enough to stick with one brand, or one movement- but to build, over time, some coherent belief system about why a particular "collection" of watches is "you." So, for example, having some take on why you like Breguet hands, or not- or what it is about Gerald Genta design, or Grand Seikos, or Greubel Forsey, or Vianney Halter, or whoever- is you. The fact there are no right answers is what makes this fun!
I like overlapping subdials. I think they look great, and for the amount of information loss a designer gives up- he/she gains unique, attractive ways of composing the dial.
There may be a couple "one watch guys" lurking around- but if there was any aesthetic judgment we could place upon anyone else's watches, it would be on the 2, or 10, or 100 watches we have combined together as a whole that matters. To me a big motivation is trying to refine an idea of collecting, and finding material things in typical and unexpected places alike to challenge my hypothesis.
Step (4)
Should I?
Mycroft's earlier suggestion is spot on:
"- one significant high value purchase is always better than multiple small purchases of watches that may be cosmetically attractive but not horologically significant. Sometimes, however, while waiting for your dream watch to come along, you may have difficulty abstaining from a "fun" purchase. Try and resist this."
I totally agree
In other words, this step is a budgetary check, coupled with a disciplinary check. "Can I afford it?" is not enough. Even if I can afford it, I'm gonna ask: "should I purchase this?"
Yup, so those are my 4 motivators!
Jason
Hi Jason! Thank you for your response!
And what a superb one it was. I am so impressed by your thought process and elegant expression in words. Thank you for your detailed and thought provoking response. I believe you have put in to words what so many here have thought about and felt during their watch purchases. Looking forward to many more great responses from you. Excellent first post! Keep it up
I'm troubled by this statement "one significant high value purchase...
is always better than multiple small purchases of watches that may be cosmetically attractive but not horologically significant. Sometimes, however, while waiting for your dream watch to come along, you may have difficulty abstaining from a "fun" purchase. Try and resist this.
I am relatively easily pleased; also willing to discard those that don't keep my attention, and jump quickly after watches that do click or catch my attention aesthetically or technically.
I guess I'm just a nerdy engineer sort of watch buyer, going for the Corvair or Citroen or Honda NSX of watches rather than the Ferrari or M-B of the watch world.
At least the watches don't prompt my neighbors to leave me notes saying:
Why, I ask? Only some people have a dream watch. Others just revel in the world of tic-tac, tick-tock of any sort.
Over the past decade, I have grabbed multiple "dream watches" but always felt a slight fraud while wearing them.(Of course I have to ask myself, Why?)
And I felt certain that even the slightest knock on a door jamb would erase 1000's of dollars in value. So I became uncomfortable buying gold watches.
On the other hand, I love this titanium perpetual calendar chronograph and have kept it from 2003, a very long time ago in a watch collector's life, I think.
I guess not having a single "Dream Watch" in mind is why I have found myself wallowing in cosmetically attractive, slightly significant watches...
I am relatively easily pleased; also willing to discard those that don't keep my attention, and jump quickly after watches that do click or catch my attention aesthetically or technically.
I guess I'm just a nerdy engineer sort of watch buyer, going for the Corvair or Citroen or Honda NSX of watches rather than the Ferrari or M-B of the watch world.
At least the watches don't prompt my neighbors to leave me notes saying:
"You drag down our property values by being parked out on 'our' street"
Cazalea
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2014-06-09 15:50:38
Cazalea
Such a profound answer. ..
All I can say is that I totally get it. And especially the fit. I don't believe in buying a watch unless it fits just right - physically and emotionally.
The watch has to be an extension of myself and my personality
Without both, the watch will never come home with me. If it did, I would have buyer's remorse and sell the watch off in the very near future.
- AT
First of all
the N# 1 reason: I need a watch just because I like them. Always have, always will. Why? No idea. It's an emotional primary thing which needs no reasoning.
Now
When the virus gets lethal (expensive) reasons do come in to play for me.
- what model will fit the collection best. I like to have a diverse collection. Brand wise, Style wise, complication wise, colour wise, metal wise, dial wise, case wise, etc.
- In house manufacturing (really, we do not need to translate this word into French for it still means exactly the same)
- Finishing
- Timelessness (will the watch not be a short lived fling)
- Brand (if you dislike a brand one way or the other you will not buy it)
- Mechanical worthiness
- Price (alas)
The difficult thing however is evolution. The longer you spent time on watches, the more your taste and knowledge will develop. This a good (fun) and bad (will cost your kids part of their inheritance) thing. So apart from some basic motivations or reasons for buying a watch at that particular moment in time it will be an ongoing proces that will never stop. Unless the one really exists. But I do not believe in fairytales. Do you?
For me the motivation to buy a particular watch has changed over time.
At this time there are a number of factors that come into play:
1. The story - every watch that I buy has some kind of story associated with it. The pursuit, the relationship with the watchmaker/company, where I was when I got the watch, what was going on with me at the time of the purchase, etc.
2. The exclusivity of the watch. I have long since stopped buying art prints, only uniques pieces. It suits my persona to know that you are not going to see the same watch on other's wrists. Yes it's part ego, I admit it. But it is also a conversation piece.
3. Loyalty to a company. There are several companies that I support and I prioritize their products. There are also a number of companies that I won't purchase a product from because I don't agree with their philosophy as I see it.
4. Relationship with watchmakers. I have a very soft spot for independent watch makers. Getting to know them, spending time with them, learning why makes them tick gives their watches a true personality that rings true to me. I have been so very fortunate to have a lasting relationship with a number of these people and their families and i treasure it along with their products.
5. The finish of the watch. It has become a crucial component to my purchase.
6. Technology. There are watches where the technology takes precedence.
Bottom line: the watch has to strike a chord in me. To buy a watch is a leap of faith in the maker, the seller, the bank account but mostly faith in my eye and my inner sense. When I see the watch I listen to that inner voice and trust it.
Mitch
Being fortunate enough......
to have the money to buy the watch that makes you happy!
Heart...... and bank balance!!
Hello,
If a watch 'sings' to me then that surpasses everything. Some watches just make me smile or go 'oh wow'!
How I find out about a watch can be from seeing a post on here, to seeing someone wearing one, to a magazine or book etc but when I've discovered it I still need to love it, feel comfortable wearing it and be able to afford it!! So how I discover a watch and why I buy it are two different things.
I've tracked things down having been caught by the 'hype' a couple of times and then been disappointed.
There are also watches with loyal and great followings that I've tried to like, but just can't. So it's not about the name or being in with the 'in crowd'.
I like some for their movements, some for their design, some for heir heritage, and sometimes for a combination of qualities.
Maybe if my budget was larger then rarity, investment criteria etc would come in to it, I don't know.
Just my humble thoughts on my perspective.
Best wishes,
Vernon.
The Reply to this question could open hundreds of other discussions..
regarding:personal brands awareness,psychological motivations, exclusivity perceptions etc etc....very stimulating....
In order:
-WITH KNOWLEDGE COMES WISDOM....
Hence my own personal tastes evolve and adapt to my culture and maturity.....what moved me to a purchase 5 years ago,might not apply now and viceversa.
Disillusion and disappointment might kick in on the way to enlightenment ,I need to be able to discern and not throw away the baby with the washing up in the river....
Brands(especially BIg ones belonging to groups)are big let downs at times.......thats why I do not obsess with one or a few brands but...
-JUDGE A WATCH FOR ITS OWN MERITS,NOT THE LABEL PRINTED ON THE DIAL......
I agree with Nico....I ,like All,have my stable of champions,but ultimately I concentrate on the next prey for its own horological content that is significant to me...nevertheless I ....
-NEVER BUY A WATCH FROM A BRAND WHOSE CUSTOMER BASE I DONT WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH.....
from sports watches to refined ones....I won't name but you can guess.....as a direct consequence I..
-NEVER BUY A WATCH ENDORSED BY AN EVENT/SPORTSMAN/CELEBRITY etc....
the two points above are a huge turn off for me,for various reasons,the main one being that the products in discussions are almost always aimed to pure easy prifit(nothing wrong with that mind you)and never intended for connoisseurs (not that I claim to be one but I am trying my best...)
ultimately I believe in ..
-QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
I believe above 10 12 watches it will become difficult to enjoy my collection...I d rather consolidate and upgrade...
The list above not exhaustive ,more personal criteria come into play when deciding on to a purchase:price,deal,timing,place in the collection etc...but they are all small steps on the path leading to satisfying purchases.
Departing from a large sum of money in order to own an object needs to be an enjoyable experience,the journey towards a satisfying watch is very interesting and exciting...the ownership must be equally gratifying.
I am looking more and more for exclusivity,tailor-made satisfaction,not necessarily Limited editions(disappointing more than often)but finding watches after a long quest ,understanding that they are made for you,according to your taste and criteria...rarely buying on impulse...
The more I search the more I feel let down by big brands lately.....maybe its just another phase in the path....
Mo
+ 1 on practically all you said.. Several very well taken points.. And..
.. for me, as you so well have implied also, it often is quite a complex process,
but not necessarily so - and definitely not really always purely rational:
Allthough not at all in a position, to have ".. tailored watches.. " for myself,
and also very often operate within a certain budget..
This dialogue ( maybe):
- true attraction, a beauty to desire.. says the heart,
- "wait a minute, you've got enough watches, and what does your wallet say ?", insists the brain
( well, at least for me, this one may have to prevail from time to time.. )
- ".. but this one or this time is something else..", whispers the heart,
in the end, for me at least, it turns out:
" if " says the brain, "when" says the heart,
AND many here know the outcome..
I might have known it as well, from the first moment on.. - .."surrender..", woes the brain..
Strange pathways sometimes, but very human .. - aren't they ?
For that dialogue, my best
- with just humble 2 cents..
hs This message has been edited by hs111 on 2014-06-12 10:23:13
but not necessarily so - and definitely not really always purely rational:
Allthough not at all in a position, to have ".. tailored watches.. " for myself,
and also very often operate within a certain budget..
This dialogue ( maybe):
- true attraction, a beauty to desire.. says the heart,
- "wait a minute, you've got enough watches, and what does your wallet say ?", insists the brain
( well, at least for me, this one may have to prevail from time to time.. )
- ".. but this one or this time is something else..", whispers the heart,
in the end, for me at least, it turns out:
" if " says the brain, "when" says the heart,
AND many here know the outcome..
I might have known it as well, from the first moment on.. - .."surrender..", woes the brain..
Strange pathways sometimes, but very human .. - aren't they ?
For that dialogue, my best
- with just humble 2 cents..
hs This message has been edited by hs111 on 2014-06-12 10:23:13