Think I have watch “burnout”

In 1989, I bought my Rolex Date-Just and my Omega Speedmaster. Since then I have bought one new watch. A Bulova quartz Railroader (circa 2005). In the last 32 years, my collection has grown by about 100% in size. All with antique and vintage pieces. I can say with confidence that I doubt I have spent $2,000.00 (Cdn.) over the 32 years in continuing to build my collection. My most recent acquisition, a 1911 Elgin pocket watch I ferreted out of a bunch of scrap watches, and restored to premium condition using NOS parts I had on hand, and fitting it into an excellent donor case. Cost? Sweat equity is all. I guess that means I am a bottom feeder. Today, I am wearing my one owner (me), 51 year Rolex air-King which in 1971 sold for $215.00! People buy the current Air-King for about 30 times that price for the current model. And I don’t like the current model, at all! And I MUCH prefer my 32 year old Date-Just to the current offerings. Burn out with me. Not really. I still enjoy my collection.

Same boat…

One maybe 2 last piece I think will end it. Either a Birthyear grey dial DJ or a c-case Connie in grey… plus at some point a 42mm black bezel white number 2500 PO.

I like researching the stories behind watches and their owners. I guess the obvious Omega Apollo link started that.
I have been starting to think my 3861 could be a one and done… but then as it has a running battery I broke this one out (pictured) for the weekend and loved it as a chunky travel companion. I am going to be stuck with some on rotation for a while yet. I do see myself selling more than buying but there are still a couple I am after.

Ohh the industry burnout happened long before this burnout….. once the investment crew came to town 😗

There's yet remaining a few rooms available at the Home For Wayward Watches along with a love for vintage watches that aren't the size of the manhole covers seen in city streets.

Recent Indulging in vintage pocket watches (the size of manhole covers seen in city streets) has served to help vintage wristwatch appreciation.

Interesting thread. I've collected for over 40 years and my interest has waxed and waned at various times, sometimes I said 'enough', but then something else would come along and I'd get reengaged. That's the nature of collecting and hobbies. But in my view the so called 'watch burnout' presented in this thread is partly a result of something else, and that something is Covid. For the last 2 1/2 years we have all been whipsawed; ordered to stay at home, close down business, work from home, go to school from home, wear a mask, get shots, etc, etc. We have all been through it to varying degrees. That resulted in a lot of time spent at home, and a lot of time spent online, often searching and probably buying a watch or two or three for many of us. Now you can't get new vehicles, some food is still in short supply, businesses are struggling for workers, a lot of stuff is still missing from store shelves with the usual explanation of 'supply chain' issues, energy pricing is going up and supply down, inflation is hitting us all, Russia is on the prowl, and so on. Who among us isn't burnt out with all of this? What we really want is the world at the beginning of 2020 when things seemed a lot more normal. I can't too excited about the pricing and investment angle as the cause of a burnout, prices will readjust as time goes on, they always do. Anyway, that's my view of the burnout issue. If you feel you are in too hot with any activity, take a break until things calm down.

I like this thread and agree with most of the points raised. I now have only 3 wearable vintage watches. The way I try to keep my interest up in them, apart from wearing them and having at least one of them on my bedside table to greet me in the morning is to change the watchbands on a regular basis. I have about 30 bands gathered over the years and that along with searching for the "perfect" strap works for me. I also try telling myself that my latest watch purchase is just what I've always wanted so there's no reason to buy any more. Doesn't stop me looking of course, but not as frantically as previously.

I am downsizing my collection because I recently retired and my lifestyle and living circumstances are changing. It’s not burnout per se, but a new feeling of being uncomfortable with too many watches and a recognition that I no longer have the opportunities for wearing some of them. I got rid of most of my business suits also. Different circumstances require different gear. There is something to be said for simplifying things. I am still looking but working to pare things down.

I think I got a bit burned out from the “chase”. I just have two places I check for watches. I know the fun is supposed to be in the “chase” and I do have thoughts of running into something old and special but I don’t mind a lot of the modern stuff.
I was working on a trade for my 60 constellation for a modern seiko but scheduling and meeting people has become difficult with limited time at the moment. I know I could just sell it and buy something but a trade seems more appealing.

Someone mentioned they were burnt out from working the shutdown. I think that’s part of it for me or it’s that 3rd (better be last) round of Covid I had has left me fatigued. I lost 10 IQ points during my last bout of Covid and that puts me out of MENSA. They kicked me out cause I can’t do the entrance puzzle or complete the math equations quick enough.

My mother who is very I’ll and was not supposed to find out about her former cat dying is insisting she buy me a Rolex to (remember hairy by and thank me for taking care of her) she is not aware I’m paying for her meds and some other stuff but as soon as I can clear a pile of unexpected bills I’m going to attempt to get a vintage DJ and show it to her telling her she bought it for me. She wrote it in her memory book so I’m afraid she is going to remember and keep asking.

I’m tired of the fippers, the hustlers the people who buy up all the limited stuff to sell at a markup and the fraudsters making fake stuff, I’m seeing more vintage seamasters (fake) around and I think they are getting the size correct now.

So maybe I’m not burned out from watches I’m burned out from a lot of the BS that goes along with it. There are still loads of watches I’d like to obtain. Perhaps if everything was free it would make this easier.

I’m sure I’ll be back to normal tomorrow.

I still enjoy the hunt. Buying boxes of crap watches and looking for the pony in all the sh*t. Tastes have changed over the years. Gone are the days of getting excited over generic Bulova / Wittnauer dress watches. I'm more picky about spending money on just any cool watch. That said, I still get tickled about finding the best damn Timex made in 1985.

Well it’s one year since I started this thread….

Two watches purchased.

One for me


And

One for a 21st present for the favourite of my sisters kids.

My collecting journey started 25 years ago living on Chesapeake Bay in Maryland with antique wooden duck decoys, which are identified by waterfowl flyway regions and individual carvers are well known from each regional style. Many of these are 100 years old, and as with watches, original form and paint determine value. I hunted ducks with my Dad in the 60's in California so this was the link. At first everything was wonderful and the house filled with too-many-to count ducks to my wife's chagrin. Over the years the intensity ebbed and flowed and I found I could easily and happily go back in and out of this form of duck hunting. Auctions and shows are plentiful and lots of duck friends made along the way.

Here are a pair of 100 yr old canvasbacks from Chesapeake Bay


Watch collecting started with my Dad's gold Ebel from 1946 from his father-in-law


And his 1967 Constellation


Then US Railroad pocket watches


then Seiko Dive watches


and Seiko Chronos


and now Omega vintage



Where it leads who knows, but I remain thankful to my duck friends, pocket watch friends, and watch friends along the way for the knowledge and shared love of all this wonderful stuff and the memories it preserves.

Fishing with my Dad 1972 off coast SF (his Constellation on left wrist!!)

Like Sheryl crow says: “it’s not getting what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got” in this stage of the watch market.