Why do you collect watches?
Just like any hobby, as enthusiasts, we never fail to find a reason to buy more than what we truly need. I mean, let’s all be honest. But as much as we seem crazy, I believe that everyone has a reason to why they collect. While there are various items that one can collect, it’s always interesting to dive a little deeper into why we chose watches. As they say, “you only have two wrists” and you only wear one watch anyways. So, what’s the point of buying more watches when your phone already tells the time anyway?
While thinking about it, I’ve come up with three reasons that resonate with myself and might resonate with you. Firstly, collecting timepieces might be a way to own a piece of the past. I guess it’s just one of the nerdy things that we geek about. Think about it, when we’re talking vintage, you’re buying into an experience where you get to own something made fifty to sixty years ago and might be a predecessor to the modern-day equivalent. For example, owning a Seiko Astron would be a significant thing as it was THE watch that started the started the quartz crisis. Although we were never part of the story when it happened, we’re able to buy into the user experience.
Next, some collect to complete a certain theme. And of course, one theme might lead to another because there’s just so much to discover in this little world of watches. Besides, when we bring rarity into the equation, collecting based on one theme might be a pursuit of its own.
Lastly, the one that resonates the most with me, I collect watches because of how they make me feel. In other words, each watch means something to me. A huge part of why I collect is to build memories with my watches. As we buy certain pieces to mark certain occasions or milestones in life, these watches will become more than just watches at the end of the day. And it’s this process that I find the most interesting. For instance, my favorite example would be how my Rolex 6694 and my Oris BCPD makes me feel like home whenever I put them on.
Regardless of why you collect, this is always a great point of conversation as we get to look into the perspective of other collectors. Watches aren’t just watches if they mean something to you.
