Is being a watch collector still fun?

I hate fun.

"I hate fun" is an Archie Bunker line. I posit that context is relevant.

Been into watch collecting since 2006 and covid hasn't changed anything for me. I take periodic breaks from the "hunt", but I always get back to it a few months later. Can't resist the temptation of a good find /deal. Addiction more than hobby.

There are still fun parts of this hobby like the hunting, the lurking, the staring at your own watches and the drooling at other collector's watches 🥰🥰

And getting into arguments with a buddy of mine that swears by Rolex. Fun times

I recently got hooked on Speedmasters so I’m still in the Speedmaster honeymoon phase.
At the same time I’m really tired of people flipping watches cross forums. Same watch sold here a few months ago and now is being offered on some other forum at a significantly higher price. (You know what forum I’m talking about. It’s all implied.)

I'd say there are some things that have reduced the fun. Covid has suspended the NAWCC chapter meetings here, and one of the annual events I went out of town to attend. And I miss cruising the antique shows, shops and flea markets.

As much as I enjoy various watch forums, the Internet has taken away a lot of the fun in hunting for vintage watches. Maybe that's just me--but I don't get as much of a kick seeing a "find" online, as tripping over one at a meeting, shop, or show.

On the other hand, the Internet has brought a lot of people into the hobby, and I'm enjoying meeting them online.

These things make a difference, but not enough to say that, on balance, collecting vintage watches and learning about them is something I deeply and truly enjoy. I don't expect that to change.

At this point I’m about 10 years in and I never really went full steam into hoarding. I always tried to buy pieces that I would use on a regular basis. Bought a few, sold a few and really tried to pinpoint what my tastes are. I’m at 4 right now and pretty happy with the collection. They all get worn and have their place. I also haven’t purchased anything since 2018 when I picked up my Submariner. I don’t know if that purchase put me off adding more to the collection because despite being such a ubiquitous cliche watch I smile every time I look down to tell the time. The pandemic has put a lot of things into perspective and I can’t really see the point of adding anything to my current collection. I still brows around for deals but it’s just not the same fun deals I used to find which is discouraging. Perhaps I’m just maturing as a collector or learning to be content with and enjoy what I already worked hard to get. Either way at this point I’m not daily reading the forums or searching for deals anymore but I do still enjoy popping on here and reading, learning and growing as a collector/enthusiast. I think this is a hobby of peaks and valleys and I’m definitely in a valley at the moment.

Being stuck at home, it's way too easy to waste half the day scrolling through Instagram, forums, eBay, watchrecon, chrono24, YouTube, watch blogs. I find it's more enjoyable to cap that activity, and force myself to pull away and spend time reading, playing chess, playing with my kid. Collecting is a hobby best taken in small doses. The days I turn to watches everytime my hands are idle lead to malaise.

I have found one of my best friends thanks to watches @Fost and created many other meaningful connections.

Part of the fun for me is in hunting / seeking the references I love most, but it takes a lot of time, and since time is our most valued asset...
This year, buying a house, taking the time to look into another passion of mine (cars), has taken time and resources away from watch collecting.

Also, I bought the watch I always wanted at the end of 2018, a pepsi 1675, and it became my favorite watch. It has killed my watch buying madness a bit, which is not a bad thing I guess 😁

So all in all I feel the same as some of you: I'm on the lower part of the rollercoaster that is watch collecting, but as long as I'm on the rollercoaster, I'm happy 😀

Getting this one would increase the fun factor. I can have it delivered from a local AD tomorrow. All I need to do is put $6,200 + tax on the CC. I could call and see if they'll deal. I have 2 fears, that they will and that they won't.

I can resist everything except temptation.

For me the essential thing about this watch collecting thing, is how it makes me feel. It makes me smile every time I wear one of my watches.
I enjoy them so much. This is the fundamental thing about my watch collecting. Just because I don't have a new grail doesn't mean it takes the enjoyment out of my current collection. And if you get bored by Omega, Rolex etc., there's so many other brands and models out there.

There are Time For A Pint sessions in London?

I'm relatively new to this, but I think what I've really enjoyed recently was becoming aware of the Sinn UX, and thinking "wow, a watch good for 5000 metres - that sounds cool, and looks quite nice, but not really serious about buying one", then seeing one up for auction, albeit with a service required, sticking in a low bid, unexpectedly winning, going to collect the watch, finding it was nicer than I ever imagined, sending it off to be serviced and currently can't wait to have it back so I can start actually wearing it. Isn't that what it's all about?

I think the answer is, that you have to make the fun. Covid, no covid, high prices, pathetic prices, get together, binge drinking alone, etc etc.

In my short time of collecting I’ve had some highs and lows. I’ve also had a lot of changes when it comes to how I’ve approached the hobby.

At times I was on this forum, watch recon, and ebay wayyy too many hours. I started with a poor understanding of watches and a lot of interest in learning. I threw myself into the hobby as an escape and it worked wonders. I bought boxes of junk because I was so excited to get my hands on a vintage watch. Thankfully prices have risen and I didn’t get hit too hard with the noob taxes.

I also have gone months without buying a watch or logging on to OF. When my daughter was born I spent hours mesmerized by her and working my tail off on the house. I still wore watches, but I didn’t “need” a new one and wasn’t trying to move an old one. I just enjoyed what I had.

The last year or so I‘ve has fun refining my collecting a bit. I sold my 60s, 70s, and 80s speedmasters for an Ed White project. I also upgraded all my Omega dress watches for a Trilogy Seamaster. It was nice to have a few higher dollar pieces in my collection vs. a slew of mid range things that weren’t quite what I wanted.

Now I am spending my time buying some random vintage junk that is appealing to me. I’m not I’m even buying a watch a month, but the hunt is always fun. I have also enjoyed sharing the hobby with the mini-me while I am still her favorite person in the world.