Sometimes.......I really, really wonder.....

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

99.99% of the folk out there don't give a damn about what's on their wrist as long as it's something that runs and shows the right time.

So that makes me really wonder what it is about watches that fascinates us so much and why we go about spending thousands of our hard-earned money on the same?

To most people out there, a watch is just a means to an end......time. To us, however, it's a dedicated passion.......a passion so deep that it almost borders on addiction. It's something we can't seem to shake off and it's something that can get even worse with the passing of time (no pun intended)!!

It's an expensive hobby........one which not too many of us can afford........and yet it's a hobby that keeps drawing us into its firm clutches even as we think we've had enough and are trying to worm our way out of it.

Sometimes, I really, really wonder......

JJ

[Starwalker]

I agree with you, this passion, perpetual infatuation, insanity, addicition...etc..etc...to other people might seem as being a bit "nutty". My brother has the same argument with me all the time, he wears a 12$ digital watch (bear in mind that he almost 30, and he's lost about 20+ watches.... ). I've been obessed with watches since the 2nd grade, and only God knows why...lol Even my friends think i am a bit of a quack, but the way i see it is either u get it or u don't. I would never collect coins, comics, news papers, beers from around the world, guitars, etc - cuz its just not interesting to me, and i think that they're quacks for spending 15 grand customizing a car that cost 8 grand. To me buy watches....is like buying art that appeals to me, and its cheaper the spending money on 2000$ bottles of wine (which u will wee away in the morning) LOL or spend millions on cars - as much as i would love to, this is the most somewhat potentially afforable and most interesting passion that i have.

[DanP]

JJ you been into the tiger beer again !



JK buddy

[Gaijin]

If someone has to ask you why then they will never understand. Its just an absolute fascination with anything Rolex. I can't explain it...

[Omega_Precision]

I love mechanical things. Watches and cars. I think it has to do with that little motor inside that case that intrigues me. Just like a car with it's engine.

That's how I see it.

[idk01]

I've loved watches and have been obsesses from the age of five'ish, started out with my first wind up, basically a toy in the scheme of things, I went through a huge phase where everything had to be digital, starting out with a sharp lcd that even had an alarm, rare as hell when I was 7 :-) I went through a Seiko Auto divers and tag stage until I purchased my first Rolex at the age of 24 :-) I've flipped a few Rolex's in the past 15 years, cleared out the tag's, grabbed out the Casio's and Seiko's for a wear around (reliving the childhood for the 100th time)

I just love watches, but number one would be Rolex the only thing that slowed me down on buying a new Rolex every year or two was getting married to Jen, She's never worn a watch and hates them I'm going to attempt to reclaim the money I am saving from giving up the smokes as a Rolex fund :-)

Have my eye on a GMT IIc for my 40th next year, hope I've been a good enough boy this year hehehe

[limbo]

It's hard to figure out the reason for the passion in watches. While for some it is an expensive hobby, for some, it is just a love of watches.

While there are many who collect Rolex watches or some other "expensive" brands, there are others who collect watches because they like watches, or are fascinated by the mechanical movements.

I know someone who has a collection of Citizen Eco Drives and Seiko Quartz watches.

Another person has a total of over 40 watches, including Tissot, Seiko, Bulova, Tag Heuer, Casio and other "mall" quartz watches.

It just shows that collecting watches need not be an expensive hobby.

The weird thing seems to be that once you start collecting, you never seem to be able to stop.

[unclesallie]

From what I observe, for some people, there is a major fantasy about watches, an illusion, that the watch they have is the newest, greatest, hotest, latest. It will complete an image of being cool, or rich, powerful, accomplished. The pros depend on that fantasy to make a living.......

[R1@160@alltimes]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

From what I observe, for some people, there is a major fantasy about watches, an illusion, that the watch they have is the newest, greatest, hotest, latest. It will complete an image of being cool, or rich, powerful, accomplished. The pros depend on that fantasy to make a living.......

This is a some what valid statement

[Art 1]

It's well known in our watch world that the majority of the worlds population has no interest in a watch other than telling time and they know nothing of high end watches.

[Lion]

I'm a collector at heart and have loved watches for 45 years. I really enjoy pocket watches and have always been fascinated when I took the back off of one to see the movement working. The two brands I collect are Hamilton and Illinois. Wrist watches are just miniature version of these pocket watches.
As for Rolex, I have wanted one for over 40 years and believe they represent a quality time piece. The workmanship that goes into these watches is exceptional and there is a pride in ownership. I know that when I wear my Rolex I have a finely honed machine!!!

[East Bay Rider]

Imagine having a couple of hundred parts all moving together in a very exact, organized way. Imagine those parts are so precision made that they can be regulated to tell time accurately for years and years. Imagine making it portable. Imagine making it so small that you can wear it on your person in any direction and even get it wet.
Watchmaking is an amazing technology, even if it isn't new.
I've tried explaining it to people and their eye gloss over and say "yeah, whatever. My $10.00 casio tells the time too. I have better things to spend the money on."
I respond "Yeah, whatever."

[Brushpup]

Yes JJ, and a whole bunch of them don't wear a thing at all. This is something that really gets me.

I can't explain this really, but I feel exactly the same, and I ponder the exact thoughts quite often. I am obsessed with these tiny machines and can't shake it. I've always loved watches and not always good ones, but at this stage the WIS/RISitis is into advanced stages. I'm just glad to have a place like this to come too where I can relate to others who feel the same.

P

[sexner]

Originally Posted by Lion

I'm a collector at heart and have loved watches for 45 years. I really enjoy pocket watches and have always been fascinated when I took the back off of one to see the movement working. The two brands I collect are Hamilton and Illinois. Wrist watches are just miniature version of these pocket watches.
As for Rolex, I have wanted one for over 40 years and believe they represent a quality time piece. The workmanship that goes into these watches is exceptional and there is a pride in ownership. I know that when I wear my Rolex I have a finely honed machine!!!

And to add to this sentiment, Leo, I was and still am fascinated that 100 years ago someone had the idea to move from pocket watches to wrist watches.

Firstly it had to be reduced in size. Then came making it resistent to the different rigors not associated with having it simply sitting in a vest pocket.

Next came waterproof, dust proof, shock resistant and automatic, etc...

Rolex was first in many of these innovations.

And, yes, it is little machine. One that is accurate to within seconds a day!

Rolex's are simply the best.

[shandy]

I loved watches since the age of 8 years old. No ryme nor reason, just have!

There are so many things that one can have an interest in in this world and I think spending time an money on horology is one of the more healthy.

I am from the UK orginally, I used to watch my friends go out to the pub 3-4 7 times a week. On average they would spend around 20 pounds a night, more, much more at the weekend and the ones who smoke more than that.
The used to go on at me, "why don't you come out with the boys more, come out get drunk, have fun". Well, that was never my scene, I just could not justify spending all that money only to pee it up against a wall or worse.

So, they now have bloated livers,breathing problems and not much else to show for it. Me,Well I have my watches and the knowledge gained from the interest in the hobby. In the UK, my friends on the whole are the norm, I never liked being part of the norm!

Great thread JJ!

[redshirt1957]

I just needed something to go with my new hairplugs and worn out Corvette.

[Numismatist]

For me it's the modern connection to something antique:

The concept and technology behind an mechanical watch/clock movement has been around (what 200 years or more); yet it can be found right there on my wrist. In today's world of quartz and batteries and digital watches, you can still find something that reaches back that far yet done in a nice modern refreshed way.

Love ROLEX!

[DARK_KNIGHT]

I've bought into the hype. 999,999 others and I !!!!!!!!!

Hoorah !

[Bebot]

Watches is the only jewelry I wear. I do not wear ring, necklace, bracelet or an ear ring. So therefore I don't mind spending money on something I like to treat myself.

[Jet]

I blame my father for my addictions!
I love watches, guns, edged weapons, & cars. In that order (just like the old man).
Now if I can just swindle him into giving me his 6263!

[esm]

cant answer your question JJ, i do wonder it sometimes too.

guess at this point in my life, i am into watches. according to my wife, it is alot less than spending money on cars and then modifying them...... (the sell them for "cheap")