Why do you watch?

[Rollieo]

As I’ve been reading more about watches and collecting, I’ve begun to realize what drives my purchases. I read this article some time back about how watches tick a lot of boxes for people due to their multifaceted nature.

For me, the biggest thing has been what the watch represents to me. For my Grand Seiko, it’s represents engineering advancement, the quality of Japanese culture and pursuit of perfect, and deep product design - all serving as an inspiration for my field of work. For my Seamaster it was growing up watch the Bond movies, and the representation of diving as a tool watch. For my BLNR, it’s a travel watch and keeping track of other time zones is a daily reminder for me working with a lot of different geographies around the world, along with its rich history as the first GMT timepiece. For my Hamilton Khaki Mechanical, it’s the watch I got as a thin, light, and rugged timepiece that fits easily under my motorcycle jacket without affecting wrist movement, while having a deep history as a military field watch.

What about you all? Why do you buy and collect watches?

Ps it looks nice and is an investment is an ok answer. No flaming here. Truly interested in everyone’s perspective and why people are into watches.


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[DCheeta]

All of those reasons that you mentioned (and I have some of those same watches for similar reasons), PLUS I love the industrial design and the micro engineering of mechanical watches. I’m kind of a right brain / left brain hybrid, and watches really appeal to both sides of the brain because of their artistic and mechanical aspects. I suspect that many of us on this forum are the same way. That’s why many here are also into cars, I think.

[dpt.calvin]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

All of those reasons that you mentioned (and I have some of those same watches for similar reasons), PLUS I love the industrial design and the micro engineering of mechanical watches. I’m kind of a right brain / left brain hybrid, and watches really appeal to both sides of the brain because of their artistic and mechanical aspects. I suspect that many of us on this forum are the same way. That’s why many here are also into cars, I think.

I’ll echo that. Add photography to the list as well. Perfect combination of creativity and science (especially with film...love spending hours in the darkroom).

[CFR]

Because watches are unique insofar as they are highly engineered, wearable art.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Because automatic and mechanical watches are a marvel of engineering. To think that there are 84,600 seconds in a day and a Rolex (or other fine watch) might be off by two just amazes me. And when I think about anything with a proletariat ETA 2824 (like my Pelagos) that might only be off by five seconds a day is still amazing. And then when I consider something truly cheap like my Russian Komandirske GMT that cost me sixty bucks and it’s only off by fifteen out of 84,600 seconds in a day I am filled with wonder. I never get tired of being amazed by watches.

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

I’ll echo that. Add photography to the list as well. Perfect combination of creativity and science (especially with film...love spending hours in the darkroom).

Right, photography as well! In addition to my DSLR I still have my old K-1000, too.

[KatGirl]

I have been obsessed with timepieces since I was a little girl. Is there anything cooler than an attractive little machine that literally keeps track of all of the moments of my life? I can strap it to my wrist and watch it move, as I move through each day. Simply put, watches fascinate me. Waiting for a new one to be delivered is like waiting for Santa to come. Getting to take photos of them is the icing on the cake.

[dpt.calvin]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

Right, photography as well! In addition to my DSLR I still have my old K-1000, too.

Just gave you a follow on IG. Some nice photos!

[JEAJ]

Here’s my list: Fortis TrueLine, high school graduation gift from my dad. When I wear it, my dad is always with me. Prisma, purchased at the PX in Frankfurt Germany, it reminds me of how much life I had ahead of me. Omega Flightmaster, wedding gift from my wife, almost 50 years ago. I still wear it often, very happy days and great flight time. When asked, I always tell who ever is asking, it was a wedding gift. I wore a YG DD in the 80’s and part of the 90’s, it unfortunately represents unhappy days, sold it. G-Shock Aviator, black with an orange band. I bought this just for fun. I now have a RG DD, I bought myself for a very special birthday. It has given me a great deal of joy. I have told everyone, I’ve bought my first born daughter a Rolex, but I’m going to use it for a while. It generally gets a really big laugh, which also brings me a great deal of joy. She loves and owns several Rolex watches. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, thankfully. Hopefully, I can add another watch to my small collection soon. Not sure what but something fun and not too expensive. I hope others will add to this thread.

[alex.cicollo]

I am fascinated by the mechanics of the little machine. Also knowing that this will stay here well after I’m gone - and will go on to have other adventures with other people one day. It tells the time, but it will transcend time if well looked after. In a way, it will carry me to its next adventure when I’m not around. When I handle an older watch, or a carriage clock, I think about its past and the adventures it’s seen too...

[JEAJ]

Alex,
Very well said. Yes, hopefully the journey continues. One thing for sure, it will always be connected to our DNA, in one way or the other. To a long legacy.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

Right, photography as well! In addition to my DSLR I still have my old K-1000, too.

That was a goody !

[RoRoRo]

Matching watches to outfit situations and finding the subjectively most appealing/functioning/best engineered for that scenario.
Dress - Santos Rose Gold
Weekend - Tudor Harrods Green/Apple Watch
Sport - S/Steel Sub
Business - Datejust II silver dial
Chrono - Daytona TT white dial

But a few watches can have multiple purposes.
Steel Daytona would serve as a sporty chrono
Day date as business and dress (which I would change to in the future when I can acquire)

[Rori]

When cell phones became in every human hand, some of my friends said the wrist watch era is going to end. I challenged that idea and told them that a wrist watch is more than time telling devise and therefore it will never be dead.
The question why human beings are still wearing watches today is a very interesting one that can generate many many valid answers.
History, exploration, adventure, invention, status, achievement, fashion, heritage, sentimental attachment, passion for industrial and mechanical design, nostalgia... are just a sample of those valid answers.
The more I delve into the history of watchmaking the more my enchantment grows for the 3 mechanical watch I own today. When I look back, I realize that I never owned a non mechanical watch, I never thought of it until lately. Never went with the fashion of quartz, early digital and so on. The only non mechanical watches I’ve ever owned were an Apple Watch and a garmin, both to serve a specific purpose, tracking my sport activities.


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[Rollieo]

Originally Posted by Rori

When cell phones became in every human hand, some of my friends said the wrist watch era is going to end. I challenged that idea and told them that a wrist watch is more than time telling devise and therefore it will never be dead.
The question why human beings are still wearing watches today is a very interesting one that can generate many many valid answers.
History, exploration, adventure, invention, status, achievement, fashion, heritage, sentimental attachment, passion for industrial and mechanical design, nostalgia... are just a sample of those valid answers.
The more I delve into the history of watchmaking the more my enchantment grows for the 3 mechanical watch I own today. When I look back, I realize that I never owned a non mechanical watch, I never thought of it until lately. Never went with the fashion of quartz, early digital and so on. The only non mechanical watches I’ve ever owned were an Apple Watch and a garmin, both to serve a specific purpose, tracking my sport activities.


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This right here


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[Bstewart]

Many reasons noted above, plus status symbol