What is the difference between an enthusiast and a collector?
I always like to say: enthusiast wear their watches while collectors think about their watches.
Although a tad facetious, I say this from my own personal experience. When I first got into watches I mainly just thought about watches as a fashion accessory; how I felt about the design, how I would integrate it into my style and the statement that wearing a mechanical time piece sends.
During this time I definitely referred to myself as an enthusiast. Not to say that my experience is a strict definition of enthusiast or that there even is a strict definition.
The point I’m trying to make is that even though I thought about watches more than an average person, I still thought about watches on a somewhat superficial level. I also thought about each watch individually and paid little attention to the image that they cumulatively created.
I stayed in this stage for a couple years. However, as I started to accumulate more knowledge, getting involved with the community more, my perspective changed. I started to think more about what story I wanted to tell with my watches.
That is a question that I’m still answering but I knew then and now that I wanted to try and create my own story. I enjoy following the mainstream and picking up forgotten influences and narratives.
I made this high quality graphic to help understand my perspective.
This lead me down a path of learning about such brands as Hanhart, Fortis, Waltham, Universal Geneve. However, as the say all roads lead to Rome, or in this case, Seiko.
The first prize I set my eyes on was a Grand Seiko hi-beat with the 45 series movement in a very unique case(4502-7000). There was no hoodinkee buying guide and no one to tell me what I should be looking for. I enjoyed researching what the correct, original polishing should look like and potential defects in the movement.
(This series of movements are more collectible but the next generation is objectively better in almost every way)
It took me almost two years to find one in the exact condition I wanted and it was worth it.
Anyways, we got a little side tracked but the point is to say that this is when I switched from being an enthusiast to an collector.
Now, think more deeply about the story my collection creates and value that over specs or value…and that’s where I think the main difference lies between and enthusiast and a collector.
Collectors value the total image created by their watches, while enthusiasts think about watches more independently, basing their value on experience.
Anyways, that’s my thoughts on the subject. What do you think? Is there even a difference at all or are you just describing the same thing in a different way?
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
It's a road map of sorts 🗺
Start off as a collector once you have bought a few different watches, more than any one person needs.
Naturally this leads into becoming an enthusiast after gaining more knowledge by researching different watches. Sign up to WC ect.
The last stop is addiction. I am here 😂.
I would say that they are not mutually exclusive. A collector “collects” (buys) watches, whereas an enthusiast doesn’t necessarily feel compelled to have a large collection and may be more interested in learning about specific watches, the industry, history, technology, etc. But like I stated earlier, they are not mutually exclusive. You can be an enthusiast and a collector (and vice versa).
Well, i think i am both a collector and a enthusiast watch lover
My personal definition is an enthusiast has a collection of 20-200 or more watches. Many cost under $150 and majority under $500. May have one or more pieces thet retain some value but that isn’t a consideration. May buy a watch on trips or anytime to commemorate something or just because. Has little to no vision when it comes to next purchase and makes impulse purchase.
Collector values high horology, may have a small or large collection. Keeps resale in mind. Won’t buy a watch unless there is something unique in the design or movement. Wears some of the higher end pieces less frequently if at all. Owns a safe and or insures watches. Particular about what is bought and has a vision for the collection. Never makes impulse purchases, will always buyer him or herself in research first.
Collector has money 😅
For me, a collector zeros in on something particular, a model that they like, as you did with your GS. An enthusiast might say " I would like a GS, what one do I like and is in my budget" Just using GS as an example. Both are showing an appreciation of something, just on a slightly different level. And good luck to them both !
Collector is adjacent to hoarder in my mind, so I prefer enthusiast. 🙂
Collectors buy things because others tell them they should buy it
I used to be a collector, now just an enthusiast despite being able to easily purchase most watches that I desire. Of course my lists are humble!
For me objectively it is easy - in order to be an enthusiast you don't have to have any watch. In order to be a collector you need to have watches. Simple as that. All the rest is subjective debate.
My personal definition has nothing to do with the number of watches one owns or the cost of the watches. I see an enthusiast as someone that buys what he/she likes. Could be a broad range of styles or just one type. No rules besides they gives the owner pleasure. A collector , still just my personal definition, buys a well defined set of watches preferably with a limited options. Could be the ”Dirty dozen” military watches, Speedmaster iterations before the Moonlanding or whatever float your boat.
Like many above I think you can be both an enthusiast and a collector. I see myself as both. I have new and vintage watches with nothing more in common that I liked them enough to spend money on them. With them I am an enthusiast.
However I see myself as a collector of a very specific Omega reference. It has a historical connection to my country. Of that model I have four watches and I will collect more if I find one in good condition to the right price.
I think this is a fair assessment. The clue is in the name - collectors enjoy collecting - accumulating a range of pieces, often iterations on a theme.
I am not a collector; I like and appreciate watches and their history. But I only buy watches that I am going to use for different purposes in my life - a dive watch for diving, a gmt for travel, a dress watch, a beater, etc. i would consider myself an enthusiast.
I'm just a greedy hoarder. Simple as that.
I would agree with the general sentiment that the collector is more monomaniacal and focused. My opinion is that one would prefer not to speak with a collector unless they need expert advice on a narrow topic.
In my opinion a collector is someone who likes to build collections of things. One of those things might be watches, another might be toys. It's the act of collection building that brings enjoyment not necessarily the things themselves. But they could also be a watch enthusiast and a watch collector, they're not mutually exclusive.
Both could have a deep passion and knowledge for watches but the enthusiast definitely does whereas this doesn't always have to be true for a collector who may very well be existing in a very superficial and money oriented space when it comes to acquiring things. I know a lot of people who have a lot of some thing . . . And they know nothing about their hobby when pressed. That’s not a bad thing but it is a thing . . . And one that I personally don’t get.
Hoarder is another term, and that would be me🙋🏽♂️. Never sell and I buy, wear and keep as many as u can😉