Watch Buyers Anonymous, Anyone?

[brandon13]

Hi, My name is Brandon and it's been 10 days since my last watch purchase.

My business partner and I began having a silly conversation this past weekend which quickly took a more somber turn. A decade ago we launched our business. Finances were tight, so we each splurged on a timepiece only when we could.

We snagged maybe one or two pieces a year if we were lucky. Sometimes it was a Rolex, a PAM, or an Omega, while others maybe just a decent looking Tissot or Casio. More than anything we really enjoyed the hunt, planning the purchase, and discussing with each other what watch we would each work on to get next. The hunts lasted longer too, as we "saved" and searched for one piece at a time.

We've been blessed. During the past few years business prospered. With it came several Pateks, Rolexes, JLC, A. Lange, Vacherons. We are not Jeff Bezos, far from it. However, we appreciate Horology enough to splurge with more frequency than we ever imagined. Albeit being able to afford it, deep down, the guilt on every purchase has grown and turned into something else that more closely resembles greed. More than once it's really weighed on us to be wearing a watch that's worth more than twice the yearly salary of some of our most valued staff.

This past weekend, we reminisced the days that planning a watch purchase was a fun, almost unattainable guilty pleasure. One that involved careful planning and wife permission :)

One example he brought up, which clearly defined our feelings, was the fact that he finally purchased his all time Grail (5270J) four months ago, and forgot to tell me for weeks, even though we speak daily about work. Even worse, just three days after acquiring his grail, he got the call from our Rolex AD for a Pepsi, which has been on his wishlist for a while. He described the feeling of picking up the Pepsi almost as "forced joy".

We can admit that the watch hunt was a lot more fun when we couldn't afford it. Watch Buyers Anon group, anyone?

[waterking]

Good to know that you and Brandon have enjoyed one of the guilty pleasures of life. Time to Let Go Brandon....and be a bit more transparent with your purchases.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by waterking

Good to know that you and Brandon have enjoyed one of the guilty pleasures of life. Time to Let Go Brandon....and be a bit more transparent with your purchases.

? his name is Brandon…

[waterking]

Originally Posted by JRell

? his name is Brandon…

My bad. Thanks for the corrective action. My pronoun of choice is Confused.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by waterking

My bad. Thanks for the corrective action. My pronoun of choice is Confused.

Ok….

[Vince M.]

The thrill of the hunt is over. It happens with every hobby. Time to find something else that excites you !

[JRell]

I always felt the chase adds to the want. That being said, no buyers remorse for me, at least yet!

[JJGreen]

I've never been, but I think that's how the meeting starts....

I'm going to take another angle in this discussion.

Do watches motivate you to work hard and earn money and grow your business? And in doing so, you create jobs, buy and sell product, and add value to the economy. If you're honest, hard working, fair, you deserve to enjoy it.

My hesitation is telling my parents. They always ask "how much" and I always lie because of guilt.

I can't imagine not being excited by watches, (almost) no matter how much money you have, from $100-200, to $1,000,000. There's fun and excitement at every price level. Maybe try vintage, as I find that more of a hunt, finding the right piece in the condition you want.

Congrats on the business and success!

[Robf52]

Great recital of your watch journey. Well done. You're very fortunate to have been able to reap the benefits of business risk and hard work. I understand you may have feelings of guilt but you legitimately earned what you have. If collecting/buying watches doesn't do it for you anymore, there are other pursuits and always opportunities to give back to your community.

[Watchsprings]

Time to move on to collecting Lamborghinis and Ferraris!

[jw72]

Originally Posted by Watchsprings

Time to move on to collecting Lamborghinis and Ferraris!

Yep, that will get the juices flowing again.

[1William]

Good story but get over it. You and your partner have worked hard and been successful, congratulations. What comes from it is the ability to make certain purchases quicker and with more frequency than when you were starting out and had less money for purchases. I assume that you treat your employees fairly and pay a competitive wage in your market. That is what is required as both a competitive business and as a caring person. Enjoy your watches or whatever else you decide to do with your hard earned money and stop overthinking it. An attitude of gratitude for all of my blessing has always been part of who I am and it has served me well. Guilt for hard work and success do not enter my thoughts. Thanks for sharing.

[dauster]

idk it's not that deep for me. if I can afford it and I enjoy it I will keep buying watches and if I lose interest I stop. i think it's silly to feel guilty if you earned the money and did not screw anyone over. if it makes you happy keep doing it otherwise take a break and sell some and donate to a charity of your choice or give a longterm employee a xmas bonus.