How Do You Justify More Than One (or two) Fine Watches ???

[Tools]

I've got more than a couple of Rolex watches..

Lately I look at the pile and wonder....What was I thinking ??? I can't really wear any one often enough to warrant a lube job at 5 years without completely neglecting others..

And one of these days, when I go to R-l-X Paradise, I can't take them with me.... So, does anybody in the family care about them like I do ? Is that even a consideration ??

How do I really justify more than a couple ???

Or do I even have to ???

This one is my favorite: But I havn't worn it in months....

[Dan Pierce]

Following ones passions in life are what make us who we are. Watches are our passion and I believe it makes our lives richer [or poorer if you have as many watches as Mike or Larry] and more meaningful.
That and I'm a WIS.
dP

[steel4me]

Originally Posted by Tools

This one is my favorite: But I havn't worn it in months....

Welcome to the "STW" (Scared To Wear) Club!!

Well no, I am not making fun of you, I am the same way. Sometimes just looking at it and knowing you got it is as good as wearing it. As far as justifying, it is your $$ so do what you want with it. I see it this way: We spend a lot of money, here and there on little things, dinners, coffee, gas for the car mortgage, insurance, xmas presents for others, bills to pay, and the list goes on and on. All this little money really really adds up and in the end, what do you have to show for it? literally NOTHING!!! or a bunch of receipts showing how many bills you paid.

If you got kids, then they want lunch money, clothes, food ... damm... why do these kids have to eat? and your $$ is gone again ....

So when you buy a $5000 watch, yeah, it is a lot of money in one shot to be gone but looks how much $$ you're spending to just live a decent life and have not much to show for???

I took my family and friends to disneyland last yr ... 12 people I paid for .... so that turned out to 12X60 = $720 just for tickets.... then these 12 people gotta eat right? One freaking burger is $9 over there ...so add $150 for food ....

So now we spend one day there, I am out almost $900 and what do I have to show for it? NOTHING!!! ZERO!!! ZILCH!!! NADA!! oh no wait ... I got this stupid dvd movie of a trip to disneyland that no body watches (no pun intended!!!).... I see $900 as being onefourth the way towards a SUBMARINER!!

So you see, when you spend that $5K on a watch, you still got it the next day, and the day after and the day after ... and the way it makes you smile!!! you can literally pass an entire dday i disneyland just staring at your watch and when you see other crappy mitation watches people are wearing, you realize how lucky you areand what a timepiece you have!!

the only draw back to buying more than 1 would be that the other will be sitting there not getting any wrist time .... and the more rolexes you buy, the worse it gets ... more watches are just sitting there .... so I currently have 2 and I plan to get one more and I think that would be it for me .... I think ....

[Welshwatchman]

As I recall from seeing your last collection pic you already live in R-L-X Paradise, Larry.

[Tools]

Well, I don't fall in the "Scared to Wear" club.. I fall in the "Too many to Wear" club.

But I see your point....

I always get myself something nice when I visit Disneyland too. it just adds to my problem..

[Paulie]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

As I recall from seeing your last collection pic you already live in R-L-X Paradise, Larry.

And M-I-C-K-E-Y Paradise and Omega Paradise...

No need to justify it. But they should get out of the box and be worn occasionally. Look at it this way, winding them every month or so helps keep things lubricated. Why not wind and wear for a day instead?

[steel4me]

yeah Tools, you sure got one hell of a collection! But hey, that's what this life is for. Indulge in your pleasures because one day the music will stop playing and it will be time to go ... so ENJOY while it lasts!!!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

As for my part I cannot afford more than two Rolex watches, so that is my justification for having only two.

[DSJ]

I see myself eventually owning 3. My TT Bluesy, a GMT2c, and a gold DJ or DD. The former 2 in daily rotation, the last for nicest occasions.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally Posted by DSJ

I see myself eventually owning 3. My TT Bluesy, a GMT2c, and a gold DJ or DD. The former 2 in daily rotation, the last for nicest occasions.

That's how I'll probably do it, or similar to it.

I decided long ago that if nice things were worth having, they were worth using, so I may have only one Rollie but I'm certainly going to wear the crap outta it.

As for the justification for keeping untouched Rollies, I see it as solved by simple economics. I feel pretty certain that the appreciation of a Rollie will keep up with the $500/5yr maintenance cost. If you look back at the Rolex MSRP's owning one in the 60's would have been like having a nice little annual IRA in your pocket.

[JJ Irani]

Probably a good reason to follow my policy and be just a 2-Rolex man!!

[GoldenBear]

It's not like we are hoarding a precious commodity during a famine. They are just watches. I am glad that I can afford 3 nice ones. And I swap they a couple times a week. Some have more, some have less and some have none.

[bigG]

Well I started out with a TT Blue Sub. Then a TT Daytona. Enough I said. Then I saw a nice Breitling Chrono that I had to have. Then I ran across an IWC split minute Chrono that had my name on it. Enough I said...........Then I made the mistake of going into a new watch store that had a huge Ulysse Nardin selection. Well maybe one more I say.......a new Maxi Diver. And so it goes.........Who knows where it will end? But it sure feels good!!!

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Tools

I've got more than a couple of Rolex watches..

How do I really justify more than a couple ???

Or do I even have to ???
]

Know exactly what you mean. No one really "needs" even one. We're talking "want" here, but once you get one nice dress watch and one sport watch you're pretty much there. I then decided I wanted a nice GMT watch for travel and everyone wants one chrono right. Hey, how else can you keep track of steaks on the grill.

Keeping the Panny GMT even though I have the GMT-IIC because everyone wants at least one Panny right. Love the VC chrono but who sells a SS daytona when they win a chance to buy it at an AD? If you really need to see your watch at night you also require a Tritium tube watch like a Ball. You get the point. We rationalize the purchases first to last.

I have a couple that I wear only now and then when guilty about not wearing them even when I'd prefer to wear something else. I think I have enough watches now so will likely trade if I find something new I want.

[stewie]

I try not to justify it, I just do it... :)

[DS/B MINI S]

Originally Posted by steel4me

I took my family and friends to disneyland last yr ... 12 people I paid for .... so that turned out to 12X60 = $720 just for tickets.... then these 12 people gotta eat right? One freaking burger is $9 over there ...so add $150 for food ....

So now we spend one day there, I am out almost $900 and what do I have to show for it? NOTHING!!! ZERO!!! ZILCH!!! NADA!! oh no wait ... I got this stupid dvd movie of a trip to disneyland that no body watches (no pun intended!!!).... I see $900 as being onefourth the way towards a SUBMARINER!!

Nah, you have a lifetime of memories. They are priceless

[haakon59]

This is a consideration for me too. I want to wear and enjoy wearing all the watches I own, so I make this a primary consideration before I add one. In my collection I try to have a variety for the different circumstances I face everyday: divers to swim with, dress watches with leather straps to wear in formal situations, etc. But I do want to make sure that I have a "role" for each watch before I buy it. Too many is useless, while having just enough that I can wear regularly is a joy.

[CEG]

Well I wear my GMT every day, and my t/t sub occasionally if a little dressed up etc.. The amount I wear it certainly doesn't justify the $6000 I paid for it however - I love just looking at it in the watch case, and do wind it from time to time even if not wearing...

Silly thing is, the obsession has taken hold - I need more !!

Exp II, LV Sub, S/S Daytona to name a few I'd like ! Not to mention an Omega Planet Ocean, Cartier Santos 100, and Breitling for Bentley 6.75 !!!

It's all good fun and allows us to think about, dream about and save for...

Enjoy them all pal

[Launch Mini]

whether I buy watches, clothing or toys, I tend to put a "value on things"
Not strickly dollars and cents, but I put them into "enjoyment units".
How many enjoyment units will I get from the buying or spending on X?
For me, watches last longer than holidays or other consumables, so they get higher enjoyment unit rankings. And to see them all, wear them regularly, change straps etc, always brings a smile to my face.
Still to the holiday thing, but watches are just one area my "fun money" gets spent.

[Baptistman]

Originally Posted by steel4me

Welcome to the "STW" (Scared To Wear) Club!!


I took my family and friends to disneyland last yr ... 12 people I paid for .... so that turned out to 12X60 = $720 just for tickets.... then these 12 people gotta eat right? One freaking burger is $9 over there ...so add $150 for food ....

So now we spend one day there, I am out almost $900 and what do I have to show for it? NOTHING!!! ZERO!!! ZILCH!!! NADA!! oh no wait ... I got this stupid dvd movie of a trip to disneyland and I think that would be it for me .... I think ....

But look again quality time with family and friends can never be replaced. I'd give my Rolexup like a shot if it meant more quality time with my family. I can't put a price on that.

[steel4me]

yeah, from a functional standpoint, two is a good number ... 3 is even better but anymore, then you're looking at serious storage time ..... I mean even storing and taking them out (watch management & care becomes an issue) to wear becomes a chore and you get lazy and as a result you watches see more storage time....and only one watch gets worn mostly.

[haakon59]

Originally Posted by steel4me

I took my family and friends to disneyland last yr ... 12 people I paid for .... so that turned out to 12X60 = $720 just for tickets.... then these 12 people gotta eat right? One freaking burger is $9 over there ...so add $150 for food ....

So now we spend one day there, I am out almost $900 and what do I have to show for it? NOTHING!!! ZERO!!! ZILCH!!! NADA!! oh no wait ... I got this stupid dvd movie of a trip to disneyland that no body watches (no pun intended!!!).... I see $900 as being onefourth the way towards a SUBMARINER!!

Well, to me, you have given these people a very nice memory, which is also valuable.

Life is not only about things you own, but also about experiences you have with friends and family.

I had a cousin (now deceased) who inherited a great deal of money and who would invite us to eat at elite restaurants. We would drink wine at $300.00 a bottle (and this was in the 1970's, when $300.00 was more money). Years later, I still remember those dinners and I still remember how tender the steak was and how delicious the deserts tasted and how wonderful the wine was. He gave me an experience I wouldn't have had otherwise and which I haven't had since then. Now it's true that he didn't give me a nice watch (something I value which he didn't) which I could still wear today, but the experiences were interesting and I got to meet powerful people from that era and many of them had very interesting things to say to me which have still stuck with me.

Watches are great--I personally value them which should be obvious because I contribute to this forum. But memorable experiences are also needed, especially ones where friends or family might pass on a special experience you otherwise might not have because you can't afford it or because you didn't think of it.

We all need a little bit of balance, that is all I am saying. Right before I go back to oogling over Rolex watches! LOL

[steel4me]

Originally Posted by Baptistman

But look again quality time with family and friends can never be replaced. I'd give my Rolexup like a shot if it meant more quality time with my family. I can't put a price on that.

You're right but I am no business man flying in my learjet that I don't get time with my family ... I am with them all the time and it is good, no regrets but memories fade fast and all the $$ spent making those memories is gone ...the expensive toys for the kids are now lying under their beds ... they have forgotten what toys they have ... once in a while when i deep clean their room, remove beds, shampoo carpets, I find these dolls or whatever that kids have forgottten about and they are so excited to see them, just like a new toy .... so I look at all that and go "danng .....so much $$ is spent on so many little countless things that it really adds up to big bucks in a year!!"....

I personally make big sacrifices to save for my rollie. I can definitely go to the bank, withdraw $5k and buy it BUT I don't wanna do that ... I save here and there on little things, and pretty soon I have a sizable chunk and then I take a grand or two from the bank and I got my SEA DWELLER .....and it feels good ... makes me feel I worked hard for my $$ ......

[Chris B]

You just enjoy them Larry, no justification required

Some of my pals think I'm nuts but they'll happily blow money on a car (that'll be almost worthless in 5 years), gambling, cigarettes or alcohol. The others just waste their money

The best riposte I've heard was here on TRF, can't remember who said it, it was along the lines of "you own more than one pair of shoes don't you?"

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Tools

...How do I really justify more than a couple ???
Or do I even have to ???...

Exactly, Larry!!!

[GoldenBear]

You have to decide what you want to spend your money on and it comes down to a "cost/benefit" analysis. Hopefully, the time that guy spent with his family was priceless and he will treasure those memories, like the guy that spent time with his uncle. I know people that go through life equating one activity (that $300 bottle of wine I could have played a round of gold at Pebble Beach....) Life is too short for regrets and not doing what makes YOU happy (as well as your family)..Carpe Diem.

[Tools]

So we have at least 3 types:

1) The practical buyer. The one who has 2 or 3 in a couple of different styles to cover the odd function or occassion. - Self justified

2) The impulse buyer. The guy who gets whatever is "the watch de jour". - Peer justified

3) The goal buyer. Each watch has a purpose or history and fits into the cattegory he has neatly designed. - Ego justified.

and possibly a fourth:

4) The rogue buyer. I got what I want, screw you...it's all about me. - No justification needed..

Have we covered everybody

[walds11]

Two works for me. I had 3 earlier this year, but dropped it down to 2 when I got my SS Daytona white dial.

[Downing]

Stick me in Category 1. I've got a watch that will work when I accidentally sink down to 4,000 feet and another one that will tell me whether it's day or night even when I'm lost in a cave. And I've got another one on order to tell me what time it is here on the West Coast and at the same moment tell me what time it is anywhere else in the world in case I get zapped there by space aliens on a moment's notice and need to know the time right away. It just doesn't get any more functional than that.

But how do I really justify more than one watch? Well, Larry, I think to myself, "At least I'm not a total nutbag about watches like Larry."

As long as I stick to this philosophy, I figure I can buy three or four watches a year the rest of my life without feeling guilty about it.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by Tools

How do I really justify more than a couple ???

Not an issue for me, Larry. I rarely wear the same watch two days in a row.

Originally Posted by Tools

So we have at least 3 types:

1) The practical buyer. The one who has 2 or 3 in a couple of different styles to cover the odd function or occassion. - Self justified

2) The impulse buyer. The guy who gets whatever is "the watch de jour". - Peer justified

3) The goal buyer. Each watch has a purpose or history and fits into the cattegory he has neatly designed. - Ego justified.

and possibly a fourth:

4) The rogue buyer. I got what I want, screw you...it's all about me. - No justification needed..

Have we covered everybody

Not sure where I fit in there. I buy them because I like them, and I wear them all regularly.