I once got some pretty nasty pushback for referring to OF as a “collectors forum”.
This could be it's own thread.
Even though I don't technically consider myself a watch collector, I agree that the OF is a collector's forum (that is also open to and encouraging of neophytes to participate in and learn.)
I think you are using the word collector not as a person who simply gathers items and catalogs them before storing them in a case, but instead as a person who learns as much as they can about the heritage, production nuances and attempts to procure the finest example possible of each watch.
While I might not consider myself a collector, I share the same passions about heritage and desire for the finest example, etc... For example, looking to buy a "collector's example" of a watch.
What then is the difference? In my mind, a collector has a goal. Some people might think of a collector as anyone who wants to acquire as many watches as possible without discrimination. Other people may think a collector has a refined set of requirements that focuses on a subset.
Here again, I am similar to a collector because I tend to focus on a subset, which are space watches. So why am I not a collector? For me, another element of a collector is being an expert in their field. That's a main reason why the OF is a collector's forum, because it has knowledgeable people. I don't have that same depth of knowledge.
But maybe a person doesn't need to be an expert, but can just have a passing interest. What makes them a collector could be they simply have more than one copy of an item. How many watches does it take. Do three watches make you a collector? What about twelve? Most non-watch wearing people would consider someone with twelve watches a watch collector.
Another element of a collector is that a collection is seldom complete. A collector generally will be missing some elusive example that keeps their collection from being complete. There's a element of needing to continue to add more.
Maybe I am a collector to some, even though that's not how I think of myself. Tensions might rise when we all likely have our own subtle differences on what it means to be a collector.
This is a bit of a rambling, early morning (for me) thought exercise with my coffee. It's a fun thing to discuss with like minded individuals. Maybe we need a group for collectors anonymous.
