I had an epiphany: I don't want an "everyday" watch
When I first started collecting watches, I was really intent on only adding watches I could wear as a "daily driver" so-to-speak. I wanted practical, no-nonsense watches. One I could wear to work, out for a beer with friends, or going for a hike. You know? A GADA watch.
Now that I am 15+ watches deep in my current collection, I have come to a realization: not every watch needs to be practical nor versatile. Some days, I want to wear a bulky, loud watch. And some days I don't. Once I realized that not every watch needs to be a jack of all trades, it really opened my eyes to a whole other side of watches. I could get big watches. Loud watches. Watches that are just fun or cool.
I am embarrassed to admit that I came to this realization only recently. It really is liberating to know that I can still considering buying a watch even if it is one I could only see myself wearing on occasion. For example, I now really am interested in adding different materials to my lineup (carbon, ceramic, titanium) or some of the bulkier chronographs that I previously shunned as being "uncomfortable" to wear on my average sized wrist.
Has anyone else had a similar "ah-ha" moment in their collecting habits?
Dad. Physician. Alaskan. Watch Enthusiast. I'm always looking for the next watch. Check out my collection on Instagram (@admit_to_IM)
This is a bad revelation. You will be 30 watches deep before you have another one - I only have two wrists.
I totally agree, I love things that are fun, and having new watch experiences.
There is a slight difference in semantics between the title and the content of the first post, from the POV of modal logic, but whatever...
I reached (most of) your point pretty quickly when I started buying watches without the explicit intent to replace the one I was wearing at the time. However, I am at the stage where I still strongly value the "everyday" quality of a watch. If a watch does not have that quality, then it's going to sit in a box almost all of the time, and that it can show the time is neither here nor there. Might as well buy vintage broken watches with no intent of getting them working again.
At some point, non-everyday watches turn into sledgehammers made out of the finest Meissen porcellain.
There is a slight difference in semantics between the title and the content of the first post, from the POV of modal logic, but whatever...
I reached (most of) your point pretty quickly when I started buying watches without the explicit intent to replace the one I was wearing at the time. However, I am at the stage where I still strongly value the "everyday" quality of a watch. If a watch does not have that quality, then it's going to sit in a box almost all of the time, and that it can show the time is neither here nor there. Might as well buy vintage broken watches with no intent of getting them working again.
At some point, non-everyday watches turn into sledgehammers made out of the finest Meissen porcellain.
What I really meant is I am no longer looking for another "everyday" or GADA watch to add to my collection. By recognizing this simple fact, it has opened up a whole swath of watches I previously never considered.
By simply owning numerous watches, by necessity, many of them sit for extended periods of time unworn. That being said, I do wear all of my watches regularly although not necessarily frequently... and that's okay.
There is a slight difference in semantics between the title and the content of the first post, from the POV of modal logic, but whatever...
I reached (most of) your point pretty quickly when I started buying watches without the explicit intent to replace the one I was wearing at the time. However, I am at the stage where I still strongly value the "everyday" quality of a watch. If a watch does not have that quality, then it's going to sit in a box almost all of the time, and that it can show the time is neither here nor there. Might as well buy vintage broken watches with no intent of getting them working again.
At some point, non-everyday watches turn into sledgehammers made out of the finest Meissen porcellain.
Sorry if I turned the topic into farce too soon.
I do agree with your “everyday” point. I think I am the same - it has to function as a watch, and it has to be wearable for me in order to be worthwhile. I have watches for best, and a couple that I shouldn‘t abuse, so the rest need to be worn and be manageable to stay relevant to me (if that makes any sense).
I think my 'ah-ha' moment was deciding that dress watches was the way to go for me from now on. Now the pandemic is calming down and we are getting back to normal I will be dressing smart during the weekdays for work, and although I doubt many people notice my wrist, I feel better wearing a dress watch. The other factor in this realisation was that I have decided I would prefer to save up for a smaller number of grail-level watches, and when I think what type of watch I would want to spend anything over £2k on, I would much rather it be a fine classic dress watch than a posh diver.
I love to rotate watches however outhouse days where I can't decide, I like to have one that can be the "perfect bench player" / "plug and play" watch
You really only need one everyday watch. The rest are for fun, right?
I have had a similar realization in the past year. I put too much emphasis on the versatility of each watch, and didn’t necessarily think of the fact that each new watch is joining a collection of existing watches. I think it’s fine to have more than one GADA watch, because variety is great. But there’s a lot to be enjoyed if you can also have very specific watches that are more niche and less versatile.
I have had a similar realization in the past year. I put too much emphasis on the versatility of each watch, and didn’t necessarily think of the fact that each new watch is joining a collection of existing watches. I think it’s fine to have more than one GADA watch, because variety is great. But there’s a lot to be enjoyed if you can also have very specific watches that are more niche and less versatile.
Exactly. Nicely put.
All my watches are everyday watches. I am happy to wear any of them, any day and on an occasion. That is one of the reasons I collect watches: so that I have range of them and can pick and choose on a daily basis.
My situation may be a little different to some watch collectors as I am retired and wear casual cloths all the time. For me, I am as comfortable wearing a dress watch with jeans as I am wearing a G-Shock. I certainly wouldn't keep any watches 'for best' but perhaps this is one of the joys or buying and enjoying so-called 'affordable watches'. I don't buy into the idea of 'beater' watches. For me, watches are to be worn - or I don't buy them.
As an aside, I was intrigued to read that some people change watches during the course of a day and at least one puts on a different watch to go to bed.
All my watches are everyday watches. I am happy to wear any of them, any day and on an occasion. That is one of the reasons I collect watches: so that I have range of them and can pick and choose on a daily basis.
My situation may be a little different to some watch collectors as I am retired and wear casual cloths all the time. For me, I am as comfortable wearing a dress watch with jeans as I am wearing a G-Shock. I certainly wouldn't keep any watches 'for best' but perhaps this is one of the joys or buying and enjoying so-called 'affordable watches'. I don't buy into the idea of 'beater' watches. For me, watches are to be worn - or I don't buy them.
As an aside, I was intrigued to read that some people change watches during the course of a day and at least one puts on a different watch to go to bed.
I agree with you entirely. I wear any and all of my watches and don't consider any of them to be for particular occasions. I too dislike the idea of a beater watch. Being retired, like your good self, I pretty much always wear casual clothes and any sort of watches goes with this sort of outfit.
Given that most people don't even notice the watch you are wearing, I suspect that even fewer think: 'he should be wearing a beater watch and he is wearing a dress watch'.
I did find the idea of putting on a watch to wear in bed odd. 'I will put the light out in a moment, dear. I am just deciding on the watch for the night. Do you think I could manage with a Timex, tonight or is something more upmarket required?'
I have never worn a watch to bed!? Taking off my watch as I get into bed is a part of life's routine as much as cleaning your teeth surely? Choosing a watch to wear whilst sleeping is bonkers!