Goldilocks vs. The Grail
Here’s some more incoherent rambling from me. I hope it’s not a complete mess.
I got a watch that made me wonder about the collectors quandary. It made me question my progression forward on my hobby-Hobbit-walk (because who wants to say journey again…). Wearing this watch makes me think a little think of “what if’s?”, and “what now?” games in my head. Made me ask myself: am I collector, a hobbyist, an enthusiast, a casual noob? What am I? What is satisfaction? What am I doing? What about this makes any sense? I never realized this, but I seem to be a habitual collector. I started with hats, then ties, then bags for whatever reason, then knives, now watches, what next, train sets and cars?
Too far, too far, bring it back it in. I tend to prattle on, so bear with me. I wondered mostly about the grail concept and the stabilized forever collection. I try to have a buy-it-for-life approach to my choosing, so I guess when I find what makes me happy, I get a sense of personal satiation and don’t need to perpetuate the search for anything beyond my selection.
There’s always going to be the dreamers among us that think if only, one day I’ll get that Grail. However there might be some of us that will never settle on any detail, who say perfection is an illusion. Some of us claim the opposite, that they’re all perfect, there are no mistakes or blemishes, only details—details we can’t get enough of. Then there’s others of us who walk the fence and take a little column A, little column 2, whatever suits the current mood. Some of us spend years, decades, several lifetimes even, searching for that elusive something or other, that ghost in the fog or that crystal clear vision, it’s the chase, the hunt that drives one onward. However I imagine most of us just keep on keeping on to the beat of our own drum and find each addition to be equally intoxicating, reliving the romance with each acquisition.
And some of us just might stumble upon a discovery that wasn’t ever questioned to begin with, some of us might actually have caught what we were looking for all along. Either catch and release, found then lost, not realized for what it is yet, or our current collection favorite, there is that watch for each one of us that will always stay true no matter what. To who each of us is, there is that Goldilocks watch that is always welcome to wear, or the stabilized forever collection that won’t ever let us down.
It’s a crazy concept for a collector to think that one could stop collecting. Yet to most humans It’s a crazy concept to collect in the first place. However when I wonder enough about it, I suppose a lot of humans do like to channel that personal interest into some form of a collection.
Looking back, just here on WC, there are collectors who find the end of the line just by filling a box, or checking off all the boxes to create that complete collection. That’s kinda weird to me, but I accept it.
What would happen if a rabid hobbyist finally caught that elusive car their enthusiast dog was chasing after for so long? Do they stop hunting and live with that moment the rest of their lives? Or do they grab the tail-of-the-dragon and keep on hunting? Sell one, trade one, buy another, save up, track down, pull the trigger, rinse, repeat. Or does one realize and move on to another facet of their life’s interests and carry their prize proudly ‘til death?
Where do you currently find yourself? I’m not sure that I’ve quite found my forever collection, or that I’ve found my Goldilocks watch, but I know I’m not a grail chaser. More of a wait-and-see-and-patiently-pluck-what-I-can-when-I-really-want-to-and-hope-for-the-best kind of approach.
Thanks for Crunching.
Not the fanciest of collections. Just an amateur enthusiast, with a little interest in some things EDC as well. And tennis. And F1. And nature. And science.
Wow! You pretty much covered that subject well.
I'm a collector of US Comm Stamps, Hopi Kachinas and watches. I've sold most of Kachinas and now I'm selling my stamps which I have collected for 50 years. They gave me a segway into learning of the subjects I collected. Learned quit a bit. I'm retired and need to down size stuff.
So I will keep my watches which I can enjoy everyday and every moment when it's on the wrist. So I'm at the point in my watch collection that I will go for my grail watches now. Gives me something to look forward to and I like the hunt lol.
Retired, Debt Free, and Enjoying Life!
Good luck and enjoy the watch!
Cheers!
Wow! You pretty much covered that subject well.
I'm a collector of US Comm Stamps, Hopi Kachinas and watches. I've sold most of Kachinas and now I'm selling my stamps which I have collected for 50 years. They gave me a segway into learning of the subjects I collected. Learned quit a bit. I'm retired and need to down size stuff.
So I will keep my watches which I can enjoy everyday and every moment when it's on the wrist. So I'm at the point in my watch collection that I will go for my grail watches now. Gives me something to look forward to and I like the hunt lol.
Retired, Debt Free, and Enjoying Life!
Good luck and enjoy the watch!
Cheers!
Love this. I remember you mentioning your Hopi Kachina collection before, quite the thought/emotional provoking collection to have.
Makes me wonder if watches might be my “forever hobby” the one collection that will just stick around, because of all there is to learn about them.
That's a great post, and an interesting discussion point.
Here's my take: when I was a kid (say late 80s - early 90s) I was fascinated by some of what was available in digital watches, with lcd screens mimicking analog dials, timers and stopwatches.
I got my first Citizen watch at 23, for my bday, and it combined a digital display with a true analog dial and hands and I thought it was the most amazing thing (seeing the hands move when controlled by the watch electronics). I loved that watch. Still have it, but it's in need of repairs and not worth the investment now.
That was when I got the 'bug'. I started to buy watches based on their look, but was on a very tight budget and went with lower-end Amazon brands (for example, I bought two Invicta Force 'Lefty' quartz chrono watches because I thought they were neat and I wear my watch on my right hand). They were about $120 each. Not high-end by any stretch but they have worked flawlessly since I got them and have only had to change batteries.
When I found out that Citizen head office here in Toronto has an annual clear-out sale in their warehouse I was doomed. I now have 11 Citizen watches plus the original non-functional one. Did I intend to be a 'Citizen' collector? Nope, but the fact I could get quality timepieces with eco-drive tech at low prices was amazing, and I still wear all but one or two of them in rotation.
Eventually, however, I realized that I needed to broaden my horizons... The watches I bought needed to be interesting, different from others in my collection. But, I still had the 'buy a bunch of cool cheap watches' mentality.
So, I got a tsar bomba from Ali Express with the Seiko vk chrono movement. The watch is illegible. And big. But the movement is cool! Oy... This was a mistake.
So... With that, I've entered my new phase of watch buying:
Save a bit of money to buy a quality timepiece, ensure it'll be useable / wearable / versatile.
I'm avoiding watches that need batteries if I can, so I'm moving into auto/mechanical watches. I've gone from wanting the 'coolest' digital tech to appreciating the complexity and beauty of mechanical movements (love see- through case backs).
I'm even wondering what the market is like for used citizen watches to free up some space!
Finally - I have one grail watch, which was chosen after a lot of research, and will stay with me forever. Does this mean I'm done? Heck no!
Our tastes change over time, our desires and interests. I think we need to roll with these changes and try not to regret our decisions from the past - just learn from them.
Love this. I remember you mentioning your Hopi Kachina collection before, quite the thought/emotional provoking collection to have.
Makes me wonder if watches might be my “forever hobby” the one collection that will just stick around, because of all there is to learn about them.
Watches are it my watch friend!
Cheers!
Love your post. I think you explored the journey and the impetus's (impetii ?) very well.
I read alot of posts about working towards a 3 watch or 1 box collection. Or the chase for one grail watch to rule them all. I just don't relate or understand. I guess I'm more of a collector, but one who does have an endgame in sight.
For me there is a goal. I may wander and go off script now and then, but there is a time when I will feel the collection is finished (mostly). I've done it with sneakers, guitars and other interests.
I feel like I'm nearing the end of collecting with watches as well. My collection is not luxurious nor an investment. But its diverse and one that makes me happy. I feel like i have options for any occasion. Maybe I'm kidding myself, and every new season will spawn new "must haves." We'll see.
But for now, I feel like there is an end in sight. At least I hope there is 😂
Damn, how does this watch forum makes me think of the existential foundation of life? It happens all the time!
Well, if you constantly seeking this 'grail' as your way out, why did you get in in a first place? Like, if the only thing that you care about is a destination, well, then the path would be a burden. And hobbies are supposed to be fun and enjoyable.
Limitations are generally good for you. Limitations help to shape your vector and your vision. If you want to have a 3+1 collection, for example - dress, casual, sports and quartz beater, because it makes sense for you it's great! You just saved yourself a lot of time and money by making intentional purchases. But life isn't stable. And you should be aware that your logic might change, your preference might shift, you may find yourself drawn for the certain direction, which is different from your initial plan and this is absolutely okay. Your goals will change over time. Setting some rules beforehand is reasonable, but obsessing over those rules is absolutely not.
So, what's more important? Getting sourced your ideal 3+1 pieces, putting them into a very good quality watch roll and taking 1 photo to post online? Or the time you've spent hunting it down, flipping your way through and connections and watch talks you make along the way?
When I was actively buying guitar pedals, I've made my list of needed gear in Excel. It was arranged by effect type, and how I'm gonna work with it. And I've tried to finish building a collection ASAP, just to discover that there's a lot more on a market than big corporations are offering. And so I needed to start again. But I also found a community of likeminded musicians, made connections and because boutique pedals are actually holding value or even appreciate over time, I got to experiment with different gear, without losing a lot of money if I didn't quite like it. It took time, but I actually enjoyed playing different guitars with different pedals, making music and expanding my sound horizons. And on the other hand, I could've said that okay, that's it, I'm done, I'm completely set and deprived myself from such wonderful experience.
All I wanna say, I guess, is that we should chill a little bit. It is possible that there is actually no way out. I haven't bought a pedal since spring 2021, but I'm not 'done'.) My collection is far from 'perfect' and I'd like to do some changes in a future, maybe someone will release a new cool funky pedal, I don't know. I enjoy playing with them and when it's time to say goodbye, if I don't like something, I will consider selling it. Just taking it easy.
Also, I usually link my watches to a special occasions, it's just how it was in my family - marking special occasions with watches. So I'm not chasing anything really. I know what I might like, and I also keeping my mind open for the most part. Trying not to rush anything.
Chill)
Damn, how does this watch forum makes me think of the existential foundation of life? It happens all the time!
Well, if you constantly seeking this 'grail' as your way out, why did you get in in a first place? Like, if the only thing that you care about is a destination, well, then the path would be a burden. And hobbies are supposed to be fun and enjoyable.
Limitations are generally good for you. Limitations help to shape your vector and your vision. If you want to have a 3+1 collection, for example - dress, casual, sports and quartz beater, because it makes sense for you it's great! You just saved yourself a lot of time and money by making intentional purchases. But life isn't stable. And you should be aware that your logic might change, your preference might shift, you may find yourself drawn for the certain direction, which is different from your initial plan and this is absolutely okay. Your goals will change over time. Setting some rules beforehand is reasonable, but obsessing over those rules is absolutely not.
So, what's more important? Getting sourced your ideal 3+1 pieces, putting them into a very good quality watch roll and taking 1 photo to post online? Or the time you've spent hunting it down, flipping your way through and connections and watch talks you make along the way?
When I was actively buying guitar pedals, I've made my list of needed gear in Excel. It was arranged by effect type, and how I'm gonna work with it. And I've tried to finish building a collection ASAP, just to discover that there's a lot more on a market than big corporations are offering. And so I needed to start again. But I also found a community of likeminded musicians, made connections and because boutique pedals are actually holding value or even appreciate over time, I got to experiment with different gear, without losing a lot of money if I didn't quite like it. It took time, but I actually enjoyed playing different guitars with different pedals, making music and expanding my sound horizons. And on the other hand, I could've said that okay, that's it, I'm done, I'm completely set and deprived myself from such wonderful experience.
All I wanna say, I guess, is that we should chill a little bit. It is possible that there is actually no way out. I haven't bought a pedal since spring 2021, but I'm not 'done'.) My collection is far from 'perfect' and I'd like to do some changes in a future, maybe someone will release a new cool funky pedal, I don't know. I enjoy playing with them and when it's time to say goodbye, if I don't like something, I will consider selling it. Just taking it easy.
Also, I usually link my watches to a special occasions, it's just how it was in my family - marking special occasions with watches. So I'm not chasing anything really. I know what I might like, and I also keeping my mind open for the most part. Trying not to rush anything.
Chill)
Yes, in the end it's the path more than the destination.
I haven't sold or gotten rid of any of my watches yet, that's a side quest I haven't explored yet.
So, you're more of a wait and watch kind of hobbyist then? Pounce on what truly interests you? Follow those instincts?
Yes, in the end it's the path more than the destination.
I haven't sold or gotten rid of any of my watches yet, that's a side quest I haven't explored yet.
So, you're more of a wait and watch kind of hobbyist then? Pounce on what truly interests you? Follow those instincts?
Well, I'm that kind of person, who consume all possible info I can get my hands on, and then it's all a trial and error really. I'm not gonna buy a watch just because it's a new release, or because everyone online have one or because a watch influencer said that I 'absolutely need' to have one in collection) I indeed would wait until a special occasion or a special watch pops up. Like my last purchase - Raymond Weil 'Tank', it goes for 300-500$ on Chrono24, but I've found one for a 100$. And I really wanted to try such delicately designed watch out. So I decided that I will not miss on that deal, because it was really the only one RW 5768 I found in a whole country.
I'm trying to be aware of what I like and what I want, not only regarding watches or clothing, but life in general. I'm journaling my thoughts and I have a special document on my computer where I store pictures of a watches that I'd love to try out in a future. And just by revisiting this document from time to time I kinda make myself a foundation for a thought processes around those watches and it's easier to figure out if I genuinely like something, or is it just an impulse.)
But I think that ultimately it's a trial and error. I use the same approach to a lot of things I do in life, in my hobbies, in my music, in my everyday job, in my marriage, etc. So I understand that sometimes I'm gotta be disappointed with my choice and that I'm gonna let go of the things that is not for me.) It's also very much instinct based, because I might discover something about myself that I didn't really 'know', at least not consciously. I'm trying to make a well-informed conscious decisions, but sometimes you just need to trust your gut.