Collector VS Enthusiast
At what point do you consider yourself an 'enthusiast' more than an actual 'collector?'
Since falling down the watch rabbit hole in 2020, I've had the pleasure of getting to check out and own quite a lot of watches. In terms of a "collection" I think I got up to as many as 8 watches at one time. However, as I'm someone who loves to wear one watch for weeks at a time (months in some cases), having so many watches that I had spent money on just sitting in a watch box or on my desk (where I could better look at them) for weeks or months at a time seemed like a waste.
In the spring of 2022, I decided to consolidate my collection down to one expensive watch (Seiko SLA057) that I would wear every day plus a "beater" (for lack of a better term). That is the way my "collection" stayed for the rest of 2022 and in to 2023. Two watches with the SLA057 being the watch that I wore pretty much every single day for 10 months.
The SLA is gone, but my current collection is still two watches; the SPB317 and the DressKX. This is where my question comes into play. At what point do you consider yourself an enthusiast more than an actual collector? I've come to the realization that I really only care to have a couple of watches that I own at any given point. That's not to say I don't enjoy a myriad of watches. I'm still consuming copious amounts of watch related content on YouTube, WatchCrunch in Discord, following new releases, etc.
So I feel that I have all the traits of an enthusiast, but in terms of actually collecting watches, I'm kind of bad at that. Haha. This is why I don't really view myself as a collector, but an enthusiast. What about you?
Current collection: Seiko SARB033, Seiko SBSA057, Seiko SZSB011
I guess you are a collector as soon as you have a collection, no matter how large. You can have a 2-watch collection if you want, nothing wrong on that.
I’m in favour of small, balanced, thought out and versatile collections (like mine, 8 watches and that’s already too much for my taste) more than of humongous collections of yet another Casio release. This is dictated mainly about how guilty we feel of having unworn watches in a box. I can justify spending money in a watch that sees wrist time about once a week (more often if taken on a trip), but no less than that.
I'm a quality over quantity kind of guy and would not consider my rotation of 3-4 watches a "collection" because I don't accumulate or impulse buy every watch that catches my attention.
I like each of my watches to have a purpose or distinct style and I prefer to replace and upgrade than hoard. To me it's like having 3 pairs of shoes or 3 pairs of pants for different colors and weather. I don't consider myself a pants collector. 😂
I just don't want to be a collector. Those people are weird. I'm not that enthusiastic, but I guess I am far moreso than the average populace.
We (at The Watch Collectors' Club) say that anyone with more than one watch is a collector. We don't think there are any barriers to using the label, and it doesn't require any expertise.
I think it's a state of mind rather than a number?
You could have someone with two watches that consider themselves a collector and someone with 20 that considers they are an enthusiast?
To me, and I'm sure others will disagree, a collector of anything tends to keep their collection safely locked away for their own occasional viewing, handling their collection with gloves and ensuring they remain pristine, whereas an enthusiast will tend to use their watches and give them all some wear.
I have four watches (although with strap changes it feels like more) and consider myself an enthusiast.
Love that there is another Kentucky watch enthusiast on here!
My personal take is that more than one watch sure is a collection. My collection is pretty large but I still don’t see me as a collector, rather an enthusiast. I buy what I like without a theme. For me a collector is one that found a niche to focus on like the dirty dozen military watches, Bond watches from every movie etc. But as said above, this is a personal thing. No right or wrong definition imo.
My personal take is that more than one watch sure is a collection. My collection is pretty large but I still don’t see me as a collector, rather an enthusiast. I buy what I like without a theme. For me a collector is one that found a niche to focus on like the dirty dozen military watches, Bond watches from every movie etc. But as said above, this is a personal thing. No right or wrong definition imo.
I agree with this accessment. We’ll put.
An enthusiast is an informed and passionate collector, not just an investor or status symbol
Is it a necessary categorisation? It's like thinking what is luxury watch and what is not.
From google - collecting is systematically seek and acquire (items of a particular kind) as a hobby. To make something your hobby you should have an enthusiasm for it, because otherwise it just don't make any sense.
But the definition of word "collection" is much simpler - a group of objects of the same type gathered by one person or in one place. Which means you can have a collection of watches without making it your hobby. Feels like we are missing something, right?
I think the missing detail is the intention and a value which the process of collecting brings you.
For example, one person buys watches for pure monetary value, as an investments. This person has a set of watches, brought together with a very particular rules and all watches are the same particular type. Using the definition mentioned before, this person has a watch collection. Is this person a watch enthusiast? Well, they are rather money enthusiasts, because their intention is to make money and the only value this collection represent is profits. We call it a "portfolio", because no-one says "I have nice profitable stock collection", right. And the person is an investor, not a collector. And also not a watch enthusiast.
But what is "enthusiast"? Enthusiast - a person who is very interested in a particular activity or subject. In this particular case person is interested in particular activity - making money.
You can be an enthusiast without a collection, that's also a fair game. So I think in conclusion.
Enthusiast is a person with strong interest in watches as an entity.
Collector is an enthusiast who systematically buys watches as a hobby.
Now we can talk about how curating a collection differentiates a collector from hoarder, but this is whole other story.
Collector >1 watch. Enthusiast anyone who enoys and appreciates horology (no watch requirement). In the Venn diagram between the two, almost all enthusiasts are collectors. The opposite is not true.
I have about 20 watches accumulated over the past 30 years. But I don't feel like a collector.
To me a collection should be curated in some meaningful way. I just have some watches I like. I don't have a grail that I'm chasing or hoping for. I just like to periodically get something new when the urge hits. I've done that with guitars and other stringed instruments as well although I'm cutting those back as I get older and some don't get used as much as they used to.
My heart says collector but my wallet says enthusiast.
I consider myself a collector of vintage Omega watches even though I have others. My grail watch is as Omega Comic Triple Calendar Moonphase in original but good condition. These are almost impossible to find as over 90% have redials. Most in original condition have water damage.
Is it a necessary categorisation? It's like thinking what is luxury watch and what is not.
From google - collecting is systematically seek and acquire (items of a particular kind) as a hobby. To make something your hobby you should have an enthusiasm for it, because otherwise it just don't make any sense.
But the definition of word "collection" is much simpler - a group of objects of the same type gathered by one person or in one place. Which means you can have a collection of watches without making it your hobby. Feels like we are missing something, right?
I think the missing detail is the intention and a value which the process of collecting brings you.
For example, one person buys watches for pure monetary value, as an investments. This person has a set of watches, brought together with a very particular rules and all watches are the same particular type. Using the definition mentioned before, this person has a watch collection. Is this person a watch enthusiast? Well, they are rather money enthusiasts, because their intention is to make money and the only value this collection represent is profits. We call it a "portfolio", because no-one says "I have nice profitable stock collection", right. And the person is an investor, not a collector. And also not a watch enthusiast.
But what is "enthusiast"? Enthusiast - a person who is very interested in a particular activity or subject. In this particular case person is interested in particular activity - making money.
You can be an enthusiast without a collection, that's also a fair game. So I think in conclusion.
Enthusiast is a person with strong interest in watches as an entity.
Collector is an enthusiast who systematically buys watches as a hobby.
Now we can talk about how curating a collection differentiates a collector from hoarder, but this is whole other story.
I completely agree to your point. There need not be a categorisation.
I feel that as long as you are collecting watches which you really love wearing and care about, no matter if it has the approval or perceived value, it's still worth it!
I guess it all comes down to the intent. Do you enjoy an actual watch for what it is to you or do you enjoy stacking them up purposefully to make your own private museum?
Most collectors I know seek the next watch to complete something. They’re looking for that particular 1976 Omega with the matte green dial that was the same one the president wore on that important day (I just made this up, don’t look for it LOL). They’re trying to collect all of the Seiko catalog from 2009. You get the gist of it.
Owning many things doesn’t make you a collector. To make a collection, you need intent. That’s how I see it.
On my end, I’m just an enthousiast. I like the hunt for the rare micro-brand find. Getting the watch is actually maybe 5% of the fun. Then it’s onto the next hunt. Perhaps many are like I am: more a hunter than a gatherer.
Love that there is another Kentucky watch enthusiast on here!
We do exist! Even if others think we can't tell time.
Don't know, but my spare room looks like a watchmakers workshop. I suspect when you start using bench mounted tools your no longer just a collector 😁
I would suggest that anyone can be an Enthusiast but not a collector. On the flip side of that a collector may maintain various levels of enthusiasm over a period of time. Having had at one point over 3000 watches it was more of an obsession rather that collecting. I did not like to be outbid or if I saw something that another collector had I wanted it. Of course my saving grace was that I stayed in the budget level for the most part. Another plus is that I perform well over 90% of my own repairs. I did get the collection down to under 100 but....it has grown back to maybe 250. So I am an enthusiastic collector!
I think an enthusiast doesnt have to have a lot of pieces to make themselves one, but instead rely on their passion and knowledge for the subject matter. Not saying a collector doesnt have the same knowledge, but the knowledge is usually secondary to collecting the tangible things they want
An "enthusiast" who is not a "collector" is not very enthusiastic.
We do exist! Even if others think we can't tell time.
I make three from KY, Alexandria to be exact.
Buy what you want and what you enjoy. Enthusiasts or Collectors. In the end, it doesn’t really matter.
There are no rules to watch collecting. But . . . we like to pretend that there are.
I make three from KY, Alexandria to be exact.
Louisville expat. Living in Ashland.
Louisville expat. Living in Ashland.
You're at the other end of the AA Highway.
An "enthusiast" who is not a "collector" is not very enthusiastic.
Hmm. I wouldn't necessarily agree. Someone could be the biggest A. Lange & Söhne fan and enthusiast ever, knowing all the references, the intricacy of the movements, the history of the brand, spend hours a week in ALS forums, etc. but never actually own one simply because they lack the means. They wouldn't be a ALS collector, but they would sure be an enthusiast. Someone may lack the means to be a prolific collector, but can still possess the enthusiasm of a passionate fan.
I kind of feel like that with watches in general. I appreciate and geek out over a myriad of watches. From the aforementioned ALS, to countless high end independants, to Sinns, Doxas and Seikos. I love and appreciate so many styles and types of watches. When it comes to my own watches though, I have a very specific style I want to actually wear and that comes down to essentially a couple of Seikos at any given time, which I feel doesn't make me a collector, but more of an enthusiast.
I completely agree to your point. There need not be a categorisation.
I feel that as long as you are collecting watches which you really love wearing and care about, no matter if it has the approval or perceived value, it's still worth it!
Of course there's no "need" for a categorisation, but this is WatchCrunch! It's what we do here.
Hmm. I wouldn't necessarily agree. Someone could be the biggest A. Lange & Söhne fan and enthusiast ever, knowing all the references, the intricacy of the movements, the history of the brand, spend hours a week in ALS forums, etc. but never actually own one simply because they lack the means. They wouldn't be a ALS collector, but they would sure be an enthusiast. Someone may lack the means to be a prolific collector, but can still possess the enthusiasm of a passionate fan.
I kind of feel like that with watches in general. I appreciate and geek out over a myriad of watches. From the aforementioned ALS, to countless high end independants, to Sinns, Doxas and Seikos. I love and appreciate so many styles and types of watches. When it comes to my own watches though, I have a very specific style I want to actually wear and that comes down to essentially a couple of Seikos at any given time, which I feel doesn't make me a collector, but more of an enthusiast.
I like lots of styles, manufacturers, movements, and colors, and that is why I have 31 watches. I like wearing different styles and colors in different situations. My most expensive watch is a $180 Seiko SRPD59, because my collection has to make financial common sense. Even though I have no "luxury" watches, I have the true luxury of having at least one watch for every situation, sometimes more than one watch.
It's possible for someone to be an extremely knowledgable Lange enthusiast without ever owning one, but at some point I think one of two things would probably happen. He would either save up and get one, or if he was a true watch enthusiast and not just a Lange enthusiast he would get an acceptable substitute from another manufacturer.
If he did neither but just carried on the same way he was doing, he is lacking enthusiasm. He's not lacking all enthusiasm, but until he makes some kind of concession or sacrifice, no matter how much knowledge he attains about the brand, there's no true passion there. It's all involvement, and no commitment.
I suggest the alternate brand should be Seiko. I would take either of your two Seikos over any Lange, assuming I had to wear the Lange and wasn't allowed to sell it.
I would consider myself an enthusiast. A collector is something who will buy something to admire and grow a collection, where an enthusiast can enjoy something without actually needing it in a collection. There are plenty of watches I greatly admire that I know I will never have, and that is just fine. I don't need to own it to make me happy.
I would consider myself an enthusiast. A collector is something who will buy something to admire and grow a collection, where an enthusiast can enjoy something without actually needing it in a collection. There are plenty of watches I greatly admire that I know I will never have, and that is just fine. I don't need to own it to make me happy.
My sentiments summed up perfectly and concisely! 😀