Collecting… a dirty term?

I don't see it as deliberate collecting, just buying what I'm gonna enjoy as a whole... is that collecting?

And of course there are watches only enjoyable as art in a museum, be it H. Moser or Oris. Only the price/availability cut-off differs for different people.

I've set a limit to spend on a watch,with no expectation,I appreciate the crazy expensive as much as I dislike there priced out of my reach permanently,but even if I could afford a kikuchi nakagawa,I still wouldn't be able to buy one,and even if you could walk in a buy,I wouldn't spend more than my limit,so it's a shame in our hobby habit addiction journey what ever your on 😂that some of the best looking and built watches become mehh and lesser than there cheaper counterparts because there priced out the game 👍

I can understand why the term hobby might feel a little weird to use, but I do think it is the most appropriate: an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure. We participate in the hobby of watch collecting - which of course is focused on the collection of watches but also the shared enthusiasm and appreciation of horology at large. In this way, we don’t have to collect everything we may admire, even if we could hypothetically afford it. Or at least this is how I generally feel about it - not too different to someone who might collect cars but may never own a Bugatti Veyron. 👍

I guess that is collecting by definition - however and perhaps I’m wrong there does seem to be a collective who are always planning their next acquisition for their collection and that constant chase of the next piece is really what I’m referring to.

Totally agree with your comment - it’s all a sliding scale for each individual. Including the reason we ever became fascinated by these little machines.

As always, each to their own - no judgements just musings. Thank you for sharing your POV ☺️

I too have a limit. I mention to Royal Oak in my original post. I think it’s a beautiful watch - but with that money I could do SO much 😂 thanks for sharing your thoughts

No problem my friend 👍

I was about to ask what the “activity done in one’s own leisure time” is exactly but I guess just appreciating, wearing and yes buying watches is the activity. You’re right though it is a bit weird. To be a hobby is cycling, playing an instrument, snowboarding, hiking etc but that is just one take. Appreciate you sharing your thoughts thanks!

Contributing to the conversation here on Crunch is also part of the hobby 🍻

Yes absolutely can love something without owning it.

For me the most iconic watch is the Speedmaster. I'm an unapologetic Omega fan , but I've no desire to own a Moonwatch - love it tho.

Personally I find the notion of "collecting" watches a tad pretentious and an unnecessary way of justifying expenditure by dressing it up as a more worthy activity.

I buy watches and enjoy wearing them. I also find their history interesting.

The Two Broke Watch Snobs podcast has some excellent episodes about the psychology of collecting and the stories we tell ourselves about our watches.

I’m with you on the speedmaster! It’s stunning, dripping with history and the movement is gorgeous on the sapphire sandwich. And yet, I’m content to admire from afar. Thanks for sharing!

Agreed - it just doesn’t sound right to me. Most of the time the cost alone prevents me from seeing this as a collecting “thing”. I’ve got one high end (to me) watch and it will be years before I get another. Apart from anything else - the watch in question is only four months old! For the price, that’s v v new! 🤣 I love it too so why would I want to dilute that feeling with a new watch?

Thanks for the recommendation and for sharing your thoughts- I’ll check them out!

The other thing which makes me wince is referring to a watch as a "piece" as if it were a piece of fine art at auction.

I see it buying/collecting watches that I enjoy for any myriad of reasons. It is very much collecting as a hobby - but it also has elements of fashion/style, marker of achievment(s), enjoyment of design and tech, and a myriad of other factors. Overall it boils down I buy what I like and collect watches that make my happy to own and wear - never as a checklist or investment.

Mmm, to much thinking...LOL

As Dirty Harry once said, "a man's gotta know his limitations".

So it is with watch collecting. Gotta know what you can and, more importantly, cannot afford. 😎

I don't see myself as a collector, I have about 10 watches, fortunately could have many more that I admire but wouldn't make sense for me to have so many watches...Would love to have a FP Journe but that's out of the question and it's not a problem whatsoever.

After joining Watch Crunch last summer, I noticed some curious habits of many members including filling watch boxes, sourcing myriad straps for a few favourite watches, considerable discussion of grails and to a lessor degree, exit watches. I have always believed my watches to be more an affectation than a hobby, different from a mail carrier that I used to know who found furniture along his daily route, would return later and refinish the worn discarded pieces that adorned his humble domus. My wife is very understanding when it comes to the wasteful amounts that I throw at watches reasoning that the past time is positive for my mental health. One morning I mentioned either a grail or an exit watch since I am living in the back 9 of my years. Her answer was honest and insightful when she said the point of any worthwhile hobby or past time is to continue, makes little sense to stop or plan an escape as long as it remains fun.

There is a budget that I can allow for a future special watch but for now no model that I absolutely must own that makes necessary going outside of my usual

habits.

I wouldn't say so.

Know plenty of people who collect things faaar more expensive and less useful.

For kicks check out the rather niche market of antique firearms. Especially if there is proof of issue/use in a combat theater, or carried by a particularly famous/notorious person.

Forged golf equipment too.

And wargaming. Some dudes Warhammer40K armies would make a watch enthusiast blush at the cost. And that's BEFORE spending my months of personal time painting them.