Are we a bunch of weirdos?????

[Investr]

I of course say this joking bc I really enjoy my TRF bros (about 97.5% of us) BUT I got to thinking the last couple if days about our obsession/addiction to this "hobby". I was looking at a recent thread posted here about what we would acquire this year and what we had flipped this past year. I was actually embarrassed to admit to all the moves a did this past year. Like really, I cant make up my mind and just enjoy my watches and ride off into the sunset with a 2 or 3 watch collection and never look back. NOPE!!! I recently served a suspension here and gave some serious thought to purposely getting myself banned for life to remove the source of temptation but I just couldn't do it. It's funny bc Ive been in the same occupation for 20 years, married to one woman for 23 years, and overall I'm not a big fan of change. I do some car changes but nothing too rash. When it comes to watches, I throw all of this out of the window and make decisions that make no sense as Ive some exact models two or even 3 times only to flip again. I guess I just get a little bored. Ive often wondered if my favorite AD thinks I'm a total moron OR just swimming in dough. Not sure of the purpose of this thread bc I know many here are very happy with their collections whether its one watch or 25 and find all of the flipping as non sense. I wish everyone a HNY and a special shoutout to my fellow "weirdos"....

[MonBK]

What else is new?

[superdog]

Short answer.

No. It’s just a relatively easy distraction.

[Jamesw20]

I had that issue with high end audio equipment several years ago looking for audio nirvana which is nuts. I finally decided to trade my $50-75k worth of stereo speakers, tube amps and pre, and cables and invest in a home theater for my family. We now primarily watch Disney movies on 140 inch screen and I find myself much happier and rewarded being with my kids instead of picking apart music. Sometimes you just need to step away.

[watchwatcher]

I sometimes wonder the same thing.

My New Year's resolution is to do exactly what you've described...enjoy the watches that I have.

Don't know about riding off into the sunset though...

[Brad Clissold]

Originally Posted by Jamesw20

I had that issue with high end audio equipment several years ago looking for audio nirvana which is nuts. I finally decided to trade my $50-75k worth of stereo speakers, tube amps and pre, and cables and invest in a home theater for my family. We now primarily watch Disney movies on 140 inch screen and I find myself much happier and rewarded being with my kids instead of picking apart music. Sometimes you just need to step away.

Stereos, watches, cars, firearms and the like are all the same thing IMHO. They are the maturation of our childhood love of cool toys. It's hard to ever be uninterested in any of them rather we often float between them. Hi-fi can be a dark and deep hole! After young kids I sold off the tubes/McIntosh/revolving circus of speakers and went all Sonos. Couldn't be happier and it freed up watch money.

In short, yes, we are weird. What's worse is the same time and money spent drinking, gambling and chasing fast broads. We are weird but wholesome.

[Danny83]

Ya we gotta be a lil crazy ...ha

[dysondiver]

probably ,,,, but maybe in the best possible way

[Secondhandunwinds]

Lol!! I haven’t flipped much but totally understand why others do. I sold my Daytona and am down to just my Datejust I’ve had for over 6 years. Over the next few years I’ll be adding a DD40 or DJ41, but am taking my time, waiting to see what Rolex does with those two lines. Ideally I will just have 2 watches in the end. I figure no point in buying now as I’m not 100% happy with the current lineup so I’m waiting for a few Basel’s to see if something changes. If not, I’ll give up and pick one out of what’s available. I sometimes wonder if some of the flipping occurs because people are 90% happy with their watches but not 100%. I’m waiting for my “100%” to come along to hopefully avoid flipping again. Happy New Year to you as well.

[bp1000]

I haven’t sold a single watch. I have every single one including my first proper watch from my teens.

All I try to do is only buy watches that I have a connection with.

[DKRanger22]

Originally Posted by Brad Clissold

Stereos, watches, cars, firearms and the like are all the same thing IMHO. They are the maturation of our childhood love of cool toys. It's hard to ever be uninterested in any of them rather we often float between them.

In short, yes, we are weird. What's worse is the same time and money spent drinking, gambling and chasing fast broads. We are weird but wholesome.

Perfect response, Brad. Truer words have not been spoken!

[sawhornsoff]

Originally Posted by Jamesw20

I had that issue with high end audio equipment several years ago looking for audio nirvana which is nuts. I finally decided to trade my $50-75k worth of stereo speakers, tube amps and pre, and cables and invest in a home theater for my family. We now primarily watch Disney movies on 140 inch screen and I find myself much happier and rewarded being with my kids instead of picking apart music. Sometimes you just need to step away.

I did the same thing. Converted the high end 2 channel to home theater for the family and the girls love it.

Weirdness is relative. Therefore to many, we are indeed weird.

[sawhornsoff]

Originally Posted by Brad Clissold

Stereos, watches, cars, firearms and the like are all the same thing IMHO. They are the maturation of our childhood love of cool toys. It's hard to ever be uninterested in any of them rather we often float between them. Hi-fi can be a dark and deep hole! After young kids I sold off the tubes/McIntosh/revolving circus of speakers and went all Sonos. Couldn't be happier and it freed up watch money.



In short, yes, we are weird. What's worse is the same time and money spent drinking, gambling and chasing fast broads. We are weird but wholesome.

Well said.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by superdog

Short answer.

No. It’s just a relatively easy distraction.

Originally Posted by Brad Clissold

Stereos, watches, cars, firearms and the like are all the same thing IMHO.

I agree.

We're no different than most people on the planet.

Some people spend less on their passions and others spend far more, but we're all pretty much the same.

Flipping though, that's weird to me, because I just can't bring myself to do it, although I do understand the logic behind it.

[JBoone]

I am not a flipper of any of my “toys” but I can understand the appeal. I grew up watching my dad buying, selling, and trading coins, unmentionables, and even pocketwatches at one point. Was part of the fun for him. Still has a collection of all except the pocket watches though still has a couple that came down through the family.

[jets]

I went through many Rolex and Omega. Two years ago I got rid of many that I liked but never found I wore. I was down to 2 and avoided the forums since I was busy with other things. I didn't even know about the new SD43 until October 2017. It got me back in the watch game and I tried on one meant for another customer, only to find the AD waiting list super long. I kept poking around and recently I bought an ExpII 42mm for a steal and I am happy with it. I am moving forward with the idea of not ever selling whatever I buy and it is forcing me to make better choices! Once the SD43 is at a better price point I'll pick one up...I think. VC Blue Overseas chrono is another I'd like to add in the future.

[DoctorA]

It’s human nature! To always want the best, biggest, most sought after and most expensive. I would t say it’s weird! And I would t justify and say that it’s better than gambling and chasing boards....... but I would say moderation is key. Spending your family’s last penny to get your grail isn’t weird, it’s CRAZY, but buying within your means, with money that is “play money” to celebrate an accomplishment or even treat yourself for all the hard work you do then I would say is perfectly NORMAL

Never defy nature, it’ll beat you ��

[AEC]

I think we're all right. As far as vices go, fine watches are a relatively tame one.

[cornerstore]

All about dopamine and how it reacts to anticipation. Flipping directly effects brain chemistry. Waiting lists for Daytona's and other hard to get pieces are the pinnacle of anticipation and dopamine levels. Acquiring is the let down hence the need for another purchase high. The cycle continues as there is a liquid market for watches with little risk of loss relative to the euphoria.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...d-anticipation

https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...rketing-brain/

[EDL7]

Sometimes I think..people that are always flippin watches...don't like watches all that much..thats why they are never really happy with what they got..and keep flippin..
In terms of weirdness..all people on the planet..are weird in one way or another..but some..are better at covering it up than others..
I would rather see what I have in front of me true and honest..with all the weirdness shown..than undue surprises later on..

[Pmt2]

Originally Posted by cornerstore

All about dopamine and how it reacts to anticipation. Flipping directly effects brain chemistry. Waiting lists for Daytona's and other hard to get pieces are the pinnacle of anticipation and dopamine levels. Acquiring is the let down hence the need for another purchase high. The cycle continues as there is a liquid market for watches with little risk of loss relative to the euphoria.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...d-anticipation

https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...rketing-brain/

Amazing read. Thanks

[ap1]

I could have typed the same exact message.

[vincenzowl]

Originally Posted by cornerstore

All about dopamine and how it reacts to anticipation. Flipping directly effects brain chemistry. Waiting lists for Daytona's and other hard to get pieces are the pinnacle of anticipation and dopamine levels. Acquiring is the let down hence the need for another purchase high. The cycle continues as there is a liquid market for watches with little risk of loss relative to the euphoria.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...d-anticipation

https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...rketing-brain/

Some psychology graduate or PhD candidate needs to do their dissertation on wristwatch collecting and flipping. I’d read it

[AK797]

I don't flip easily and not without studied thought and pause, I wasn't raised to be flippant or trivial with money, and having spent half of New Year's Eve switching off unnecessary lights even during our party, I am glad to say I'm still my father's son, even if he would never have dreamed of spending £5K on a watch, let alone repeatedly.

[Investr]

Great comments and good points!! Ive admitted my watch passion to a couple of buddies AND they simply dont understand. I told one good friend I had 4 Rolexs and he thought I was joking. He has the same sub for 15 years and cant fathom owning more than one watch. He did buy a $125k boat that's maybe worth $70k. To each his own BUT maybe we are all not as weird as I thought.....

[Takonwong]

I flip and change a lot but I tend to buy used so the "play" money I have stays relatively stable. Saying that I have made a couple of impulse new buys which in hindsight I wish I didn't. A lot of what has been said rings so true for me and I think I need to take a step back and appreciate what I have rather than always looking for the next. Still want a blue dial though!

[HogwldFLTR]

I've flipped relatively few watches. On the other hand I flipped two that sort of became irrelevant when I purchased my Sky D. They went towards a watch I've been wanting for a long time, an SD. As fortune would have it, it was a 4KC. I also got some cash back out of the deal so it wasn't all for naught. At any rate, it's a hobby like so many others. Coins, stamps, guitars, all just bring us fun and help to add spice to life.

[TheRolexKingofLV]

I've been called worse.

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by TheRolexKingofLV

I've been called worse.

Lol

[Mtpisgah]

Originally Posted by TheRolexKingofLV

I've been called worse by better people.

FIFY

I have only sold one watch in 20+ years of collecting and try to rotate through six watches, wearing each one for one to two weeks before moving to another. It is weird, but makes more sense than buying wine which is another hobby of mine. Most of it gets consumed eventually though, at least watches are forever.