Explaining The Sickness To The Non-Sick...

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SC1

·Oct 18, 2022

How do y'all talk, discuss, explain the "Watch Thing" to folks who aren't into watches?

Me... I launch into my typical spiel about the history of watches, the mechanics involved and the timepiece as friend that sits atop my wrist through life's experiences. If the person I'm talking to hasn't fallen asleep or doesn't look edgy and uncomfortable I'll then go on about what they can mean within a family and the memories both old and new.
I've given up on my wife, she tries to stay interested but usually nods off so I've been working on our college age daughter (who seems interested)... with close friends, they usually want to know cost only which is disappointing and uncomfortable and more often than not, embarrassing.
My closest buddy, an endurance athlete, always asks what's on my wrist when we are out riding bikes in the desert or over games at the table tennis table. I'll answer him even though he will always end the discussion with "You wear a watch on just one wrist right," I stay silent while smiling because I know what's coming next, "so sell them all but one." And then he finishes with, "Do you know how many cool bike parts you could buy with all that coin, SELL THEM!"

The watch thing can be a lonely table for one.

 

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Matty01

·Oct 18, 2022

I don’t, unless someone is really interested

Then it depends on the person

‘it’s jewellery with mechanics and a dash of history thrown in’ can be pretty effective

you collect wine right?

etc
Etc
Etc

 

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StudebakerHawk

·Oct 18, 2022

I collect cameras....Hasselblad, Rollie, Burke & James, Graflex....

Talking to people about film types, developers, lenses..... they all quickly get the glazed eye look....

I have a refrigerator in the garage full of different film types and speed.... I have the discussion with myself about the lighting the subject and the type of medium. I can amuse myself for hours with the permutations.

That is about 2 minutes.... I've timed it with my Seamaster Agua Terra GMT

Edited: Oct 18, 2022

 

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gbesq

·Oct 18, 2022

You need to hang out with other collectors. Only the lucky few have spouses and friends who are even remotely interested, much less supportive of our affliction. 😀

 

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collector1946

·Oct 18, 2022

It's not a sickness...... it's a cure.

I bought my beautiful wife "Nancy" a Seiko Ripley, She's (and I) are big film fans (I used to work in the film industry, lighting)... and I love the connections with how watches are "cast"... we both love history, One of her favorite films is "Aliens".. She has worn the watch for 2 years now... last week at work (she works in retail) a customer was in the que at her till point wih his wife... "is that a Seiko Ripey ?" he excitedly asked ...."Yes" "YES" Nancy couldn't belive it, a long converstation with him and his wife about watches, films, history and then got on to Bogart ...... this continued for a long while.... He owns an original 1970s Seiko Ripley, boxed set bought new by his parents.. she was over the moon that someone "Noticed".

 

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flw

·Oct 18, 2022·history nerd

SC1

And then he finishes with, "Do you know how many cool bike parts you could buy with all that coin, SELL THEM!"

So, what I'm getting from this is that your friend is really into collecting cool bike parts. (Although one would have to sell a lot of bikes in order to get even one Omega.) But most of us are into collecting something, many of us collect several different kinds of things. De gustibus non disputandum.

 

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Larry S

·Oct 18, 2022·Color Commentator for the Hyperbole.

Most think this is a stupid waste of money. Some are sympathetic, might have a wine or record collection but would never indulge, Then there are the vintage car folks, Hagerty subscribers, they get it, then there are other collectors. Thats why we are here on OF thats why we have GTG’s. My wife would love it if I sold it all off and all that remained was my Todd Snyder Timex.

 

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Wryfox

·Oct 18, 2022

Why do you think you have to explain this, to anyone?

 

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gbesq

·Oct 18, 2022

I try to buy all stainless steel cases so I can say “No, honey, it’s just a new strap, same old watch.” 🙄

 

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timoss

·Oct 18, 2022

I have a hard enough time explaining it to myself, let alone others. The best analogy I have found is the automotive one. Most people get that. But collecting anything is inherently ridiculous so I try not to worry about it too much. When it stops being fun I’ll let it go.

 

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Dennis C

·Oct 18, 2022

I’ve always felt that there are distinct lines between a collector, an enthusiast, and an investor. This is true of many things, not just watches. You could easily apply this to the wine hobby.

I consider myself an enthusiast. It seems to me that there are some common interests among watch enthusiasts. These interests tend to be things that are mechanical or analog in nature, or have an interesting history. My interests aside from watches include cars, guns, Airstream travel trailers, fly fishing, and guitars. I was into refurbishing electromechanical pinball machines for a while, but that interest was relatively short lived. On the alcohol side I am really into tequila/mezcal, and I’ve got a few hundred bottles of wine in my cellar. All these things have a story…

 

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Aroxx

·Oct 18, 2022

I'm not in this boat very often but I think explaining the high-level of why it's so interesting is good enough. Almost anyone who wants to make comments about the price and "wasting" money can be reminded of the silly things they "waste" money on. It's just perspective. "Oh you spend $1,500 a year on Starbucks coffee?". "How much did that BMW cost?" I think it's easy to look at watches as frivolous while being blind to one's own "frivolous" spending. Nothing wrong with any of it, to each their own. And bikes... I used to be into bikes. A top-tier carbon fiber bike is like 10 grand lol. You can spend hundreds on a derailleur to save a few grams in pursuit of the lightest bicycle ever. Put a sweater on for a chilly day and it's all for naught.

 

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gbesq

·Oct 18, 2022

And if one does their research and is careful in their selection of vintage watches, it’s possible to sell a given watch for what it was purchased for or even at a profit. I make a profit on some and lose money on others. When I factor in new straps, buckles, shipping, insurance, customs fees and maintenance, I’m not making any money, but I’m not losing a boatload either. The enjoyment that I get from the hunt and being able to wear some really interesting and beautiful vintage pieces is enough for me.

 

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Archer

·Oct 18, 2022·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Everyone that has asked this of me I ask if they have an aunt that collects cat figurines. Even if they don’t, they get the point...

 

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dsio

·Oct 18, 2022·Ash @ ΩF

Archer

Everyone that has asked this of me I ask if they have an aunt that collects cat figurines. Even if they don’t, they get the point...

The one that’s harder for me to explain is there are these relatively rare watchmakers that hate watches and don’t ever wear one, don’t own one, don’t have any interest. I’ve never met a mechanic that doesn’t own or like cars yet but I’ve met three watchmakers that genuinely thought watches and the idea of collecting them was stupid while spending their days servicing them.

 

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Archer

·Oct 18, 2022·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

dsio

The one that’s harder for me to explain is there are these relatively rare watchmakers that hate watches and don’t ever wear one, don’t own one, don’t have any interest. I’ve never met a mechanic that doesn’t own or like cars yet but I’ve met three watchmakers that genuinely thought watches and the idea of collecting them was stupid while spending their days servicing them.

To some it is just a job, nothing more. No different than many other professions.

The watchmakers you speak of are not as rare as you might think.

 

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janice&fred

·Oct 18, 2022

gbesq

You need to hang out with other collectors. Only the lucky few have spouses and friends who are even remotely interested, much less supportive of our affliction. 😀

Our "affliction" is how I met my wife in the first place. Her and her family were competitors of mine at watch hunting/finding/buying in Cebu City Philippines. She certainly didn't like me for a long time. Not even sure she does now. 😁

 

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gbesq

·Oct 18, 2022

janice&fred

Our "affliction" is how I met my wife in the first place. Her and her family were competitors of mine at watch hunting/finding/buying in Cebu City Philippines. She certainly didn't like me for a long time. Not even sure she does now. 😁

If you wake up in the middle of the night and she’s standing over you with a pillow in both hands, then you’ll know …

 

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JwRosenthal

·Oct 18, 2022

I don’t usually get asked and I don’t like the conversation with most people because it goes to the negative “must be nice” kind of snark.
I went to a bbq with a girlfriend of mine years ago and as I pulled up in my 4 year $16k Audi, her uncle was standing out front and said “must be nice to drive an Audi”. He had a $60k Hemi truck in his driveway and a $100k camper. Some people won’t get it.

 

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bananapeanut

·Oct 18, 2022

Archer

To some it is just a job, nothing more. No different than many other professions.

The watchmakers you speak of are not as rare as you might think.

Watchmaker is a loose term. Are you talking about the watchmakers that make/design watches or those who service them? Because if I had to service watches all day long I think that would quickly cure my addiction.