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Does having the means make collecting less enjoyable?

SPO
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bradurani bradurani
Now if I want something (within reason, I mean, I'm not Producer Michael), I can just buy it. I've done just that a few times, but it's not as rewarding as hustling. I still love watches, but it's too easy when it no longer demands a sacrifice of time and diligent budgeting. Has this happened to anyone else?

This just means you need to aim higher up the list of luxury watches...Have any PP 5711's? A factory set Rolex Day Date? An AP 26574BA?
 
Walrus
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I have lived in poverty and I have lived in abundance, I have learned the secret to be happy in both.
(I wouldn’t say in my case abundance but it’s still a good quote)
 
SkunkPrince
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I have curated my accumulation so well that even when I want a watch, I don't, because I already have one. Yeah, it might have a different name, but that would be about it.
 
Walrus
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We can also learn a lesson from the tale of Richard Cory
 
Scooterino36
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I'm driven more by "finding a good deal" on a model that I've honed in on. So researching/deal hunting is what I enjoy, which is not driven by an ability to obtain. My recent interests have also steered down-market vs. upmarket so that also helps.

In other words, I'd recommend to the OP to redefine your collecting goals to spice it up.
 
redpcar
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I live for the hunt. Vintage watches, leather, knives, pens, sunglasses, militaria, etc. Something with history and needing to be found and saved. Whether a vintage Nasa property stop watch, Randal knife or really cool Parker clicker. I love to dig, find then haggle 😉
 
shaun hk
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I've found this thread very interesting. I've been contemplating selling about 4 watches and possibly also a 1039 bracelet to buy an old Rolex.
Reading through this makes me question the wisdom of the decision even more.
 
bradurani
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Thank you everyone sincerely for the great advice. I'm going to step away from the hobby for a while. I suspect I'll come back to it later, but for now, I'm not finding a way to collect with the same enthusiasm. I do have one more piece incoming, a vintage Speedmaster Professional - my first speedy - purchased from a forum member. That's a good one to close this chapter on and keep me content for a while. I'll post a pic when I get it. Cheers
 
felsby
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I get much satisfaction from having set a limit on my collection, which means that every potential newcomer must not only be attractive but also attractive enough to replace an existing watch.
 
hen
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Probably a bit late for most but, Do not get into watches at all.

Edited:
 
Shabbaz
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bradurani bradurani
I do have one more piece incoming, a vintage Speedmaster Professional - my first speedy - purchased from a forum member.
Well, you do know how to go out with a bang! A speedy!
 
Larry S
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My advice is to do your homework. Buy what you like but buy the best you can. There are certain watches/ brands where the ship has sailed, don’t go there as there are plenty more fish in the sea. Don’t squander the rent money. Remember that watches are not an investment but can be liquidated for cash +/-. Before you get the itch, shop your collection, you may discover some old friends. Its very possible to have inexpensive fun still.
 
Evitzee
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Larry S Larry S
My advice is to do your homework. Buy what you like but buy the best you can. There are certain watches/ brands where the ship has sailed, don’t go there as there are plenty more fish in the sea. Don’t squander the rent money. Remember that watches are not an investment but can be liquidated for cash +/-. Before you get the itch, shop your collection, you may discover some old friends. Its very possible to have inexpensive fun still.
I find that if you just change the strap to something different and maybe unique (material, colors) it can often turn a watch that was unworn and unloved into something very desirable and wearable. Spending a couple of hundred bucks on a custom strap is cheap entertainment in the world of +$5,000 wristwatches.

And completely agree on the brands where the ship has sailed, just don't go there and look to overlooked or up and coming brands, there is always stuff out there that hasn't been discovered yet.
 
Larry S
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Evitzee Evitzee
I find that if you just change the strap to something different and maybe unique (material, colors) it can often turn a watch that was unworn and unloved into something very desirable and wearable. Spending a couple of hundred bucks on a custom strap is cheap entertainment in the world of +$5,000 wristwatches.

And completely agree on the brands where the ship has sailed, just don't go there and look to overlooked or up and coming brands, there is always stuff out there that hasn't been discovered yet.
Excellent point. New strap = New Watch!
 
felsby
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Evitzee Evitzee
I find that if you just change the strap to something different and maybe unique (material, colors) it can often turn a watch that was unworn and unloved into something very desirable and wearable. Spending a couple of hundred bucks on a custom strap is cheap entertainment in the world of +$5,000 wristwatches.....
Exactly. I kept the old no-name bracelets that came with some of my fifties watches - and some of them turned out surprisingly well on other watches.
600.jpg
 
aggie
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felsby felsby
Exactly. I kept the old no-name bracelets that came with some of my fifties watches - and some of them turned out surprisingly well on other watches.
600.jpg
I looove this watch ! I love colored/textured dials and this one is really a nice one, simple, elegant, with just a touch of gold... For me it is almost perfection!
 
140dave
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To answer the OP's title question... Not at all, still love the chase I'm just a lot harder to please now and the hunts take a bit longer.
 
DaveK
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140dave 140dave
To answer the OP's title question... Not at all, still love the chase I'm just a lot harder to please now and the hunts take a bit longer.

From reading your posts (and to be honest, by also going through your recycling and having hacked your wifi via the factory-set password on your doorbell cam 😉) you’ve also invested a lot of time to become a very educated collector, which would make the hobby very engaging.
 
JwRosenthal
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DaveK DaveK
From reading your posts (and to be honest, by also going through your recycling and having hacked your wifi via the factory-set password on your doorbell cam 😉) you’ve also invested a lot of time to become a very educated collector, which would make the hobby very engaging.
PSA!! If you see “Dave” written in sharpie on the back of any of your watches- run! He has plans.
 
DaveK
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
PSA!! If you see “Dave” written in sharpie on the back of any of your watches- run! He has plans.

Now your making me look like a weirdo
 
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