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  1. skmwave Feb 18, 2016

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    Recent addition to the forum here. Thought it would be interesting to hear some answers to the “why watches” question. In a world with cells phones and computers many people would say that watches, especially mechanical ones, and increasingly irrelevant. Well then, why do we like them so much?

    My interest in horology stems from my great grandfather’s early 20th century Elgin pocket watch. I found the watch when cleaning out the attic a few years ago and felt an instant connection to the piece. It wasn’t keeping time, but the case had my G.G. Grandfathers initials (same as my initials) engraved on the back of the case.

    I brought the Elgin to my LWS and decided that the 100 year old watch deserved to be running again. The watchmaker opened the case for me and I was so struck by the beauty of the movement and the detail that went into engraving parts that would never be seen by the user.

    I just love winding the stem and listening to the watch tick. I know it’s the same thing that my grandfather had done a thousand times, and the sound I hear is the same one he heard 100 years before I did. You can’t get that from the time on your phone.

    Anyway, that was the beginning for me. Here are a picture of the man himself and a few from when I first found the watch.

    DSC_1029.JPG IMG_2139.JPG IMG_2168.JPG
     
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  2. ulackfocus Feb 18, 2016

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    I'll answer the same way I do whenever this question is brought up: why not?

    Okay, it was my uncle who got me into mechanicals. He was a part time antique dealer.

    Watches don't take up a lot of space, have decent resale value if you don't get hosed, and your wife / SO can't complain that you're never at home because you're always on the computer searching for the next acquisition.
     
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  3. jens0125 knows that watches were made to be worn Feb 18, 2016

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    That sure is a nice movment
     
  4. Nobel Prize Spell Master! Feb 18, 2016

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    To me there is something timeless about horology...and no, I was not trying to make one of my profound humorous remarks. I love technology, love it. Love my phone and my computer and my stereo system and my Viagra pills....but I digress.

    Watches are, to me, masterful technological wonders. The concept of time measured itself tickles my inner philosopher, but the fact that someone figured out the tension and balance needed to bring inert metals and jewels into life so that they consistently, for years on end, keep ticking at the exact (or close to) ratio needed to measure time with little or negligible variances...and then figured a way to make art out of the displaying of the passing of time....It is just plain awesome. The fact that we have functional jewelry and how, like any ornamental object, the choice defines the character of the wearer....

    I have a 1912 waltham that has been on my family since the first world war. Great grandfather to grandfather to father to me....ticking, always ticking. Migration, love, death...it has seen it all, and I can wear it just like my great grandfather did!

    I have a birth year 5512, not the most amazing and perfect example of a 5512, but a good one. It has been ticking as long as I have, and I feel like I will probably ask my son to smash it when I am done with and throw it into the burner (he probably won't though) I have a birth year for my deceased brother, one for my son, I don't need for my dad because I have his watches, or my mom because I will have hers, but I will probably get one for my sister and wife when I find the right ones. I realize they mean nothing other than what I project into them, but It's fun.

    and yeah, going full circle, watches also help me keep monitor and track my response to Viagra. a minute here or there is all it takes to ruin a perfect evening!
     
  5. abrod520 Feb 18, 2016

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    Vintage watches are almost like vintage cars - they're hand-made, mechanical objects that require a relationship; you've got to wind them up and maintain them in order to keep them going. You can wear one everywhere, and glance at it anytime you feel like reminding yourself of this passion of yours. Most cost less to purchase and maintain than a car, and requires a lot less room, too - which is especially important if you live in a crowded city like I do.
     
  6. Canuck Feb 18, 2016

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    I had repaired watches for nearly 30 years before I became interested in them as collectibles. One day, I asked my elderly (late) father if he still had his two Rolex Prince Observatory duo-dial doctor's watches from the 1930s. He had used them for decades as his own personal chronometers for 40 of his 56-year career as a watchmaker. He had them and asked if I wanted them. I did! This was in 1976, and I still have one of them. That started it! I have found it handy to be able to build up and maintain my own collection. I have tried to get our son interested in vintage watches by giving him interesting vintage and antique watches over the years. Hopefully, he will wake up after I am dead and gone, and begin to appreciate my collection the way I have. He'd better! He's not getting much of anything else when the time comes!
     
  7. lillatroll Feb 18, 2016

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    Watches are things of beauty that I can have with me all the time. I also appreciate the engineering that goes into them.
     
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  8. Spacefruit Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder Feb 18, 2016

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    Easier to keep than Aston Martins.
    Dont die if you leave them locked in the house for a week.
    Cheaper than a mistress.
    Unlike a wife, when they leave, you get money
     
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  9. watchknut New watch + Instagram + wife = dumbass Feb 18, 2016

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    With your tastes, that must be one hell of a mistress!
     
  10. Johnnie Feb 18, 2016

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    To me,, they are a feat of engineering made beautiful !
     
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  11. Mad Dog rockpaperscissorschampion Feb 18, 2016

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    Machines are cool. :cool:

    My uncle is a watchmaker/clockmaker/collector who is currently in his early 80's...he got me started wearing pocket watches (dollar watches) when I was 8 (1972). He also introduced me to wearing multiple watches at one time...something he did routinely so that he could monitor the work that he had done on various watches. It was not uncommon for him to be wearing 2 pocket watches and 3 or 4 wrist watches on each wrist/arm at any given time. He always had more watches in the car. AWESOME!!! :thumbsup:

    Anyway, I don't consider myself a collector or very knowledgeable about watches...but I like them...I like machines...machines are cool. :cool:

    The pic below is from a few years ago at a family wedding...my uncle is on the right and I'm on the left...good times. :thumbsup:

    image.jpeg
     
    Edited Feb 18, 2016
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  12. Johnnie Feb 18, 2016

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    I also like this☺
     
  13. nickw Feb 18, 2016

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    1) I remember special moments and places that I experienced with different watches.
    2) Vintage pieces they carry a mystery and magic of their life before they came to me
    3) Aesthetic beauty and evolution of style over eras in something I can keep with me through the day (a mental break is only a wrist glance away)
    4) The pleasure of swimming through an ocean of history and information with endless details to obsesses over
    5) The thrill of hunting and catching
    6) Interesting and smart people with the same passion
    7) Got tired of looking at cats on the Internet had to find new hobby
     
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  14. Kazyole Feb 18, 2016

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    So many reasons.

    We're increasingly reliant on technology in nearly all aspects of our lives, but I walk around with a tiny, wonderful mechanical machine on my wrist that's as reliant on me as I am on it. I like the idea of it as a co-dependent relationship. I need it, but it needs me to be able to continue to do its job. As a result, they become intensely personal possessions. I also like the idea of an object of permanence in a world where everything is disposable. I'll replace my phone next year. Probably replace my computer in the next 2 years. My speedmaster is from 1966, it looks and runs great, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

    As a graphic designer/typographer, I'm also fascinated with the challenges associated with designing and building watches. They're probably the purist example of functional graphic design out there. They can be beautiful, but at their core, there are a series of very strict constraints as to what they can/should be, in order to remain functional as watches. The idea of designing something that small that has to convey such a specific set of information, and doing it in a way that allows the watch to function without sacrificing aesthetics is both incredibly challenging, and ultimately why I want to do it so badly. For that reason, I'm beginning the process now of starting to work on some watch designs, with the hope of eventually launching a brand of tool watches. Started the design process a couple weeks ago, and have already gone through hundreds of iterations, slowly honing in on the right balance of proportions, color, typography, etc, that result in something that I would want to wear.

    I'm sure I'll be keeping you guys posted as I continue to move forward. Maybe I'll start a design thread to share the progress with you all once I've gotten a bit further along.
     
  15. WatchVaultNYC Feb 18, 2016

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    Fine watches don't just keep time, they are companions through time. Of all the things in your life, they will most likely be the things that are most constant, that change the least, and if you love them enough, will never leave you.
     
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  16. Sameh Feb 19, 2016

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    Great story about your grandfather.. and wonderful timepeice :thumbsup:.
     
  17. dialstatic Feb 19, 2016

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    For me, sublimation of my desire to control time, I suspect.
     
  18. Privateday7 quotes Miss Universe Feb 19, 2016

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    You can bring watch to a meeting. Try that with car
     
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  19. Apa Feb 19, 2016

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    =) Legendary...


    "I got this watch from my uncle, is it real?"
     
  20. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Feb 19, 2016

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    Honestly? I ran out of interesting Scotch, which also tends to disappear. Wine is a nasty rabbit hole to go down and air cooled 911's are riding a bigger bubble then speedies.

    I forget who said it but watches are the last thing that requires reading and study to collect. I wholeheartedly agree. The design, beauty, and history of watches but as a whole and for iconic watches is fascinating to me.