Musings of an old man 😊
As I recently celebrated (if you can say that at my age) my 58th. And as I get older, I start to ponder certain aspects of life as I’m sure many of you do out there. I have only been collecting watches for about a year now, and never really had an interest in them before. I recently started to think about why that is. Why at this point, start collecting these little marvelous machines? I do have other hobbies that are fairly cost intensive (woodworking, and musical instruments), but even with those, over the last 50 years with guitars, and 30 with woodworking, I was relatively averse to splurging if I didn’t have to. I’m fortunate enough that the money was always there. I just thought the expenses were too extravagant if there was a way for me to settle. Over the last 10 years I’ve started to buy more/better musical equipment and woodworking tools. I started to come to the conclusion “if not now, when”, and I don’t regret any of those expenses. I think the same is true now with watches. I’ve fallen head over heals into this hobby which fascinates me, not just the physical watches but all the history behind the industry, I’m also an avid reader and this is now taking up a lot of my reading time. So as I started to make my purchase decisions, which usually take me months to decide on, I’ve taken the same approach. If not now when. Coming back to the question on why watches, I think it’s a not-so-subtle subconscious reference to the reminder that we are all here for a short time. A little anchor on my wrist, that as my friend Pink would say “Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day”. None of this revelatory, and I’m sure many of you out there have had similar internal conversations like this. But sometimes it helps to put words out there in the ether, at least it does for me. Cheers.
New watch enthusiast.
You are just a few months ahead of me. Put those thoughts out there. Time is speeding up for some of us. Watches can stop it from all seeming a blur.
I have done similar pondering. I'm having a pint of a alcohol-free beer, in a glass that was made for a local microbrewery. They had a great concept, a good kitchen and restaurant staff, and I thought about investing.
Instead I spent money elsewhere, some of it on watches.
The other day I read that the CFO of that brewery committed fraud on a massive scale, and the brewery closed its doors. In retrospect, the money on watches was well spent.
That Pink Floyd got me to quit a job and find a better one! And similar to you, in certain “things” if not now then when. As long as we can afford the nicer things, by all means we should appreciate them while we can.
Similarly, been talking to my wife about traveling more “while we can’”
Good post!
Very thought provoking post. Your reflections resonate with me. I suspect I have some of the same thoughts but never put them into words. Out of curiosity, which watches have you picked up so far? Any favorites?
Mechanical watches...part jewelry...part tool...part Memento mori...part Tamagotchi!
Beautiful read good sir 🤝
Great post, like you I’m getting up there in age - I just hit 55. A close friend of mine that I went to HS with just died from a brain tumor, he was 54. It hit me like a locomotive, all the stupid shit I worry about on the daily - my job, my boss, stupid co workers, when can I retire, etc.
I’ve had a seismic shift since his death, I’ve stopped worrying about the future, my boss, my job and I’m enjoying the moment. I can’t retire if I’m dead. Watches have always been a guilty pleasure for me. They bring me joy, so why should I feel guilty about that? It’s so stupid.
Love the Pink Floyd reference- my buddy was a big Pink Floyd fan, we used to get so high and listen to The Wall on cassette back in the day. He was a great dude - I’ll miss him.
Sorry to be a downer.
Very thought provoking post. Your reflections resonate with me. I suspect I have some of the same thoughts but never put them into words. Out of curiosity, which watches have you picked up so far? Any favorites?
Thank you. So basically this is my collection so far. Keep in mind that I only started last August, so it's been sort of a whirlwind for me. This is chronologically, from top left , the Union Glashütteis the newest and the Tag Hauer Connected is the oldest, first I bought last year. At this point the top row is heavily leading the pack as far as favorites go.
Great post, like you I’m getting up there in age - I just hit 55. A close friend of mine that I went to HS with just died from a brain tumor, he was 54. It hit me like a locomotive, all the stupid shit I worry about on the daily - my job, my boss, stupid co workers, when can I retire, etc.
I’ve had a seismic shift since his death, I’ve stopped worrying about the future, my boss, my job and I’m enjoying the moment. I can’t retire if I’m dead. Watches have always been a guilty pleasure for me. They bring me joy, so why should I feel guilty about that? It’s so stupid.
Love the Pink Floyd reference- my buddy was a big Pink Floyd fan, we used to get so high and listen to The Wall on cassette back in the day. He was a great dude - I’ll miss him.
Sorry to be a downer.
Thank you no worries. I've been very fortunate, that all of my close friends are still here, but I hear what you are saying. A colleague of mine from work, passed recently at 59. Way too young. I count my blessings every day, I know how lucky I am in so many ways, and don't take any of it for granted.
Beautiful read good sir 🤝
Thank you.
I’m a fellow 50’s person. Funny how as we get older we get better at not sweating the small stuff and become more acutely aware of our mortality. They kind of go hand in hand.
Three phrases I recall every day, of which the watch on my wrist reminds me:
1. “ we only get one ride on this merry go round “
2. “ memento mori”
3. “how we spend our days is how we spend our lives”
Love your perspective and enjoy every moment of this historical and quirky hobby!
Love this post. This was similar for me too and with having children, the passing of time only becomes even more evident and only emphases the importance of now.
‘If not now, when?’ is a marvellous way of reminding us that time never stops and paradoxically limited. We are all here on passing. Thanks for putting these words out there in the ether. ✌️
Great post! Thx, I am quite a few years older than you so I have been thinking similar thoughts for awhile now, I was walking in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood one morning when a local guy, eccentric was playing Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon from his old school boom box, LOUD. The area is a high rent luxury dining shopping touristy place but with covid, depressed economy has become also a contrast of society’s haves and have nots. My older brother passed at the surprising age of 58 loved Pink Floyd, super successful, fine family should be living the best years of his life right now but he is not. I have collected watches for decades and decades, never cared for the Omega Speedmaster but that morning hearing Pink Floyd: Wish you were here, stepped into a familiar watch and jewelry boutique purchased the Omega DSOM speedy to memorialize my fun loving flawed brother, best buddy I ever wished for. Watches are not much unless you connect them to memories or persons.