Law of Diminishing Desires

I think it is simply the paradox of choice lurking in the background. Had you chosen a watch, you would have been immediately presented with a plethora of watches that you didn't choose, and it would have been very easy to second guess yourself.

I ordered a William Wood and special edition BelCanto from C Ward. There was a lot of exiting brands, but a lot of repetitive styles.

I have yet to go to something as big as that show…has to be a bit overwhelming all that eye candy

The line is thin where you feel you must bring something back with you. You get to a point where the feeling is almost an obligation and you're ready to buy for the sake of buying. You're forcing the purchase because you had set your mind to it.

Then, nothing tickles your fancy the right way. You almost feel discouraged because you didn't buy anything.

If you can't clear your mind of that feeling, you feel like you missed out. You feel unaccomplished.

When there are too many options, it's hard to focus on one thing/event in particular. It's almost as if you need to let it come to you. The feeling will be that much more rewarding instead of rushed.

The excitement may give you the rush you are looking for. If the purchase was precipitated, there usually comes a crash or realization that you may have pressed the matter.

You did well not getting anything. Next time you're out, maybe something will jump out at you. Then you may feel the connection with this piece that you wouldn't have otherwise.

Don't feel down about it. It just wasn't meant to be.

I go through this every time I go to a comic convention or a fair or even scrolling AliX for watch parts.

Too many options & my brain just says "Nope, not today!"

I had your exact feel yesterday at a Jewelers downtown Quebec City. I always stop in to check out the new stock. I was kinda left just whelmed. Not under nor over. A simple meh... 😕 There was a panda Speedtimer that I had lusted after the last time went. I didn't have that over excited feeling like the time before. Maybe I'm over it? The Orises (Ori?) were lovely but I don't want to spend that kind of money right now on a watch....

At the right time and place, I'm sure I will find the one. And it will be love at first sight!

Take a break for sometime from anything that has to do with watches.. the appreciation will be back.. pick up a new hobby to spend more money..

Two/three things come to mind. One, if you had a specific watch you're hunting for, then these things are great to help you seek out that particular bargain and be blinkered to all the others. Or two, you're looking for inspiration, then browsing may help.

I wonder if you're somewhere between (three) and, more importantly, in a couple of weeks once you have reflected, will you still feel the same. Maybe come back to this discussion and let us know if you do?

I can relate. It was much. Though I was feeling ill, so I left early. My opinion may change tomorrow.

That wasnt the point of this post - I am still very much in love with watches and its not a hobby - its a true passion. I was referring to excess vs desire paradox and how having too much choice and overwhelming variety takes away the magic of finding and yearning

I used to go the San Diego Comic Con and walking around the floor was both overwhelming and a test of self controls. Hundreds of rows of vendors, selling everything that you’d be interested in, but I had to pace myself and just not buy everything and spend all my money at the first booth I came across. I tried to limit myself to limited editions and exclusives first, then expanded from there.

Are there any Windup Limitee Editions or exclusives? Or is it just the same stuff you can buy at home from the comfort of your couch? Maybe once you get home you’ll be able to fully process the last couple of days and narrow down any pieces that really caught your eye. And it’s ok if the opposite is true and nothing really did either.

Hope you feel better tomorrow!

I’m a little under the weather myself. Think it’s allergies.

Some of the brands carried limited editions and vintage ones too

I approached it like your first visit to a car showroom. I’m not buying during the first visit unless I have the financing, am well researched and nothing else interests me at the moment. It’s a test drive. The watches aren’t going anywhere so why rush? Soak in the spectacle.

Exactly - i think these shows are great to feel the watches in your hands and on your wrists but its better to walk away and then feel which one among them you truly miss or desire

Now I get it and I stand corrected. It is a passion. I too am going through something similar with so much around me and easy access to pretty much anything. So I have been avoiding going to big watch events (just one every year) but always try to make it to local events where you get to meet people with similar passions (watches being one of them) and talk about the journey rather than the actual commodity. Cheers!

Since i do not get to see that many watches at one time unless im on vacation (i live in a 3rd world city in a 3rd world country), i still get very excited for such events. On my last trips to japan and singapore i took pics of so many watches on display 😄

As for my collection, i have not reached the point of burnout yet and really feel happy everytime i open my watchbox to change out for the next daily watch. Seeing all my watches lined up neatly in a row every morning is still a great part of my day. I hope it lasts ☺️

Maybe there’s no logic or philosophical perspective to call on in these situations. My brother and I went in expecting to walk out with certain watches. We looked at Oris, Gshock, Zodiac, Christopher Ward and many others. I walked out with a Marathon Diver not expecting to take a diver today. But it called me. That’s not rational. My brother picked up a microbrand aviator. We discussed our choices over steaks. We agreed that the watches we expected to get didn’t feel right on the wrist, looked better in pictures, didn’t have a price point that felt right, or didn’t draw the eye in a way that said take me! Sometimes you don’t find what you would love. Sometimes you do.

The first show I went to I researched all the brands and available models and made a list of what I was interested in. Once I got hands on there were some that missed the mark, some that hit the mark but the best were the ones that exceeded…I love the ones out of left field

I didn't get to go, very philosophical but brilliant. I am in the throes of serious watch addiction, and things are not laid out like a buffet interesting analogy, . Frankly I wish I would start saving better ,, as I just made it through 2 months and then went and spent several thousand.Thank goodness I don't drink or smoke, I like your take a lot and feel better about missing it

I've had the same feeling visiting a high end bordello in Amsterdam. The solution to that dilemna was to pick two -- or three.

I feel you! As a musician I used to attend the annual NAMM show in Los Ángeles, which is basically the show you went to but for musical instruments. You would think it’s incredible but at the end of the day it’s just exhausting.

You don't buy a watch for the sake of it, that is probably the worst possible thing to do and events like this is a classic example

Time to start collecting vintage watches...

When modern watches begin to bore you...

You can rekindle your passion with some of these kind of gems...at price points across the spectrum...

Try going there with 100k in hand. It would be more fun 😄

I already know it would be exactly the same.