Safe Queens???
So here’s the thing, I wear the watches I buy. I imagine I’m like many of you, in that I enjoy looking down at my wrist and seeing a little piece of mechanical history. I also enjoy the occasional conversations that all start because someone notices my watch or I notice theirs. Today I was grabbing a coffee outside of the studio when someone saw my watch and commented, “what are you doing? You shouldn’t be wearing that!”. I’m just curious how you feel about your collection. Do you wear your watches? Do you display them and enjoy them that way? For those of you who are deeply into vintage watches, do the age and potential difficulty of finding replacement parts keep you from wearing them?
For me, much of the fun in collecting is in the sharing. cheers!
I’m likely here for the same reasons as you. I enjoy wearing, collecting, looking at, and talking about watches. Insta @percushon
That sort of behavior reminds me about the people that buy their new Corvette that then sits covered in the garage for almost the whole year until they can no longer drive. At which point it is discovered that tens of thousands of people across the country have done the exact same thing, so the prisitine preserved specimen is utterly unspectacular and of almost no particular extra value. Compare that to the person that actually drove the damned car to their heart's content and still has a healthy residual when done. I'd say the latter got a much better deal.
I like all of my watches. Mechanical and quartz, modern or vintage, equally.
I've liked them since I was a kid and never wondered why.
I only talk about them on online sites like this, I find real conversation of watches kind of boring.
I don't even own a safe, they all live in the same kind of 20 slot box.
I refuse to say how many.
You’re just another example of how there is no one “right way” to be involved in this hobby. I am also a big fan of just purchasing watches that I think are cool, regardless of the type of movement or the brand name on the dial.
I like all of my watches. Mechanical and quartz, modern or vintage, equally.
I've liked them since I was a kid and never wondered why.
I only talk about them on online sites like this, I find real conversation of watches kind of boring.
I don't even own a safe, they all live in the same kind of 20 slot box.
I refuse to say how many.
@foghorn putting away one of his 20 slot boxes:
Wow! That's a crazy story. I don't think I have a single watch that anybody would ever recognize out in public, but the idea of having to talk to a random stranger, about anything, just terrifies me. I mean, people... ewwwww.
When it comes to my watches, this is what I'm like:
[Come on! Somebody has got to recognize this obscure reference!]
If I had a watch that I was afraid of scuffing up or where it would truly bother me if it got dings and knocks from daily life, that's how I know I shouldn't have purchased that watch.
And, per @OscarKlosoff's brilliant observation, yeah, WTF? I mean, I'd be on car forums and dudes would have had their car for like 2 years and then sell it on with 5,000 miles on the odometer! Why the ever-loving F&^% did you buy the car??? So weird!
It’s weird times because…Internet. the Guy likely saw a ridiculously inflated price on the watch and made a random (not so intelligent) remark. I’m a live and let live guy.
I had a vintage Speedy that I didn't enjoy wearing. It was all original, but it needed service. Because of the condition of the tube, the watchmaker said there was a good chance that at least the minute counter hand would need to be replaced. Possibly the chronograph hand as well.
The problem is that the lume of the chronograph hand had turned that lovely creamy yellow and the white of the minute counter hand was also discolored.
There's no way to find replacement parts that look the same, so the possible result was that A. the watch wouldn't be fully original anymore and B. the Speedy would have odd parts that didn't match the color of the rest.
In the end, I sold it. It hurt a bit, but the possible bad outcome would have hurt more.
“Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself.”
“A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile.”
[Ferris caresses the car in admiration]
“No. No! Apparently, you don't understand!… Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper!”
I had a vintage Speedy that I didn't enjoy wearing. It was all original, but it needed service. Because of the condition of the tube, the watchmaker said there was a good chance that at least the minute counter hand would need to be replaced. Possibly the chronograph hand as well.
The problem is that the lume of the chronograph hand had turned that lovely creamy yellow and the white of the minute counter hand was also discolored.
There's no way to find replacement parts that look the same, so the possible result was that A. the watch wouldn't be fully original anymore and B. the Speedy would have odd parts that didn't match the color of the rest.
In the end, I sold it. It hurt a bit, but the possible bad outcome would have hurt more.
Ouch. I understand why you would move on, but sometimes moving on isn’t easy. Cheers!
“Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself.”
“A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile.”
[Ferris caresses the car in admiration]
“No. No! Apparently, you don't understand!… Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper!”
Precisely. 😂😂😂
Snoopy!! What a glorious watch. I think it’s fantastic that you’re wearing it and haven’t turned it into a safe queen.
It's weird, I only ever find myself thinking "should I wear this watch to do x?" is when it was a gift. If I bought it, it's only passing through and can be driven like a rental car.
My wife got me a DOXA for our engagement 15 years ago. In a gap in my nerdery, it was my only watch for ~5years, but now I'm starting to be more precious with it, since it has so many memories (wedding, birth of my daughter, etc.).
There's no reason it can't surf, dive, etc., but I'm happy to use it for lighter duty, these days.
WOW! congrats on the Snoopy! I am on a waitlist forever! I own a few Omegas but I still have not made the cut to own a snoopy.
It's weird, I only ever find myself thinking "should I wear this watch to do x?" is when it was a gift. If I bought it, it's only passing through and can be driven like a rental car.
My wife got me a DOXA for our engagement 15 years ago. In a gap in my nerdery, it was my only watch for ~5years, but now I'm starting to be more precious with it, since it has so many memories (wedding, birth of my daughter, etc.).
There's no reason it can't surf, dive, etc., but I'm happy to use it for lighter duty, these days.
I completely understand, and your story made me think about some of my own watches. That Doxa is a special watch indeed. Although it may sound strange to say, its a one of one. All because, by wearing it, you have imparted a unique history to it. Maybe it has reached a place where it is your “Sunday drive” watch. Cheers!
WOW! congrats on the Snoopy! I am on a waitlist forever! I own a few Omegas but I still have not made the cut to own a snoopy.
Those are beautiful watches!!! For me, part of the pleasure I get from this hobby is the journey that brings a watch into my collection. Seeing it for the first time, learning about it, growing to want it, searching for it, saving for it, and sometimes waiting and waiting for it. I hope you are able to get one soon. In the meantime, enjoy the journey. Cheers!!
Amazing watch. I think if you like it then wear it. They're meant to be used. Unfortunately, they've now become a commodity and vehicle for investment.
While it is certainly nice that many watches have become appreciating assets, it’s unfortunate that folks who are not necessarily interested in the watches for what they are have driven values beyond the means of many of us who would appreciate them more.
I wear them, but I understand those who look at it as collection only and enjoy the display they have in their homes or Man caves. No right or wrong way, as long as it brings joy to your life and not stress. I always loved watches, but never became fanatical like I find myself now. I'm 58 and this crazy thing started 18 months ago. I'm having a lot of fun and not trying to figure out why. I tell my wife that no one notices my watches, but when I wear one of my Kiss Concert Tee Shirts, I get about six thumbs up a day. lol. Much cheaper to collect tee shirts if I want that kind of attention. lol I find this site a great outlet to express this hobby and so far, the people involved with it, seem like very cool people! If learning about watches low or high horology, keeps us from dwelling on some of the crazy things going on in the world, I think it's a good thing.
P.S. I love that watch! Not a luxury watch collector and don't even like chronographs, but this one is probably my grail (if I let myself have one).
I wear them, but I understand those who look at it as collection only and enjoy the display they have in their homes or Man caves. No right or wrong way, as long as it brings joy to your life and not stress. I always loved watches, but never became fanatical like I find myself now. I'm 58 and this crazy thing started 18 months ago. I'm having a lot of fun and not trying to figure out why. I tell my wife that no one notices my watches, but when I wear one of my Kiss Concert Tee Shirts, I get about six thumbs up a day. lol. Much cheaper to collect tee shirts if I want that kind of attention. lol I find this site a great outlet to express this hobby and so far, the people involved with it, seem like very cool people! If learning about watches low or high horology, keeps us from dwelling on some of the crazy things going on in the world, I think it's a good thing.
I completely agree, there is no one “right“ way to enjoy this hobby. In the end, the watches we collect are for us to enjoy however we like to enjoy them.
They are tools that should be worn. However if you are going to be doing something that is highly likley to cause damage, maybe take it off for that activity.
Example 1: I need to change a belt on my car. There is a high change of my catching my watch badly as I need to get my hands and arms into tight spaces. I wouldn’t wear it
Example 2: I’m going to work where I sit at a desk. I would wear it.
Example 3: I need to walk the dog. I would wear it.
That sort of behavior reminds me about the people that buy their new Corvette that then sits covered in the garage for almost the whole year until they can no longer drive. At which point it is discovered that tens of thousands of people across the country have done the exact same thing, so the prisitine preserved specimen is utterly unspectacular and of almost no particular extra value. Compare that to the person that actually drove the damned car to their heart's content and still has a healthy residual when done. I'd say the latter got a much better deal.
LOL I drive my Vette and wear my watches. Life is too short !