Reasons Why I Am Into Watches
(By Ben, contributor @ UKHorologist)
(By Ben, contributor @ UKHorologist)
Introduction
There
are many items that people collect - cars, jewelry, stamps, art, wines, pens,
antiques, cigars, even sneakers - and of course, watches and timepieces. The
reasons why people collect are as diverse as the people themselves. However,
almost all collectors have an undeniable passion in the items that they are
collecting.
I have
previously been and still am passionate about art and wine. However, somehow I
do not seem overly enthusiastic about building an art or wine collection,
perhaps partly due to the reasons that I will discuss here.
That
was before I discovered the world of horology. In the short period of time that
I have immersed myself in this new world, my passion for watches has already
overtaken that for art or wine. I am much more excited to start building a
watch collection.
Having
said that, I must admit that I have not yet been properly exposed to other
collectables such as stamps or antiques, and so I do not know enough to judge
how much I will enjoy those. However, I seriously doubt that I will have the
same level of interest in other collectables as I have in watches.
I am
genuinely eager to venture deeper into the world of horology. It will be a
magical journey. Through my writing, I hope to share with you what I experience
and learn along the way.
Research
& Discovery
The
more I explore this new world and learn about horology, the more I am addicted
to watches. It is like a driver cruising on a beautiful road with pleasant
surprises every now and then - the more he drives, the more he wants to drive.
Part of
the fun from acquiring a new piece, to me at least, lies in the time and effort
taken to research about and to finally find that particular piece at a price
that appeals to me. That is partly why I do not really want people to give me
watches as gifts - it is also because the watch may not be what I like or fit
into my collection.
Mechanics
Coming
from a non-technical background, I am especially curious to study the mechanics
of watches, so that I could better appreciate the construction of the pieces.
Without knowledge about the engineering that goes on behind the scene, I feel
that I would be missing out on a big part of the whole horology experience.
From
what I have seen so far, the mechanics and engineering involved in creating a
watch is as much a work of art as it is intricate science, beautifully
balanced. And that is even before taking into account the aesthetics and
exterior design of the watch, which is a display of yet another delicate
relationship between art and science in horology.
Rationality
& Objectiveness
Because
mechanics and engineering play an important part in horology, especially in
comparison to other collectables like art, the prices of watch pieces are more
rational. As there are ascertainable levels of skills and amounts of time
required from professionals to create each piece, there is a more objective
correlation between the quality of a piece and its price.
As with
art, history and provenance are also considered by collectors. However, in
contrast with art, it is relatively unusual for a watch to be a one-off piece.
Also, the quality and authenticity of a timepiece are comparatively easier to
establish - perhaps even by the same manufacturer that made it! These all
contribute towards the objectiveness of prices in relation to watches and
timepieces.
Personal
Expression
On the
other hand, timepieces also retain the element of personal expression that art
has, but perhaps in a subtler manner. Through choosing - and even customizing -
a watch to wear or to acquire, one makes a personal choice and statement that
demonstrate one’s taste or style, and show who one is. It can also convey a meaning
or message, unique to that person, about a particular occasion or emotion, or
even what one is thinking.
Although
a collector may have a watch that he or she feels that best represents him or
her, it is very rare that a single piece can be a perfect expression of an
individual. In building a collection, a collector is able to develop a more
complete picture, with multiple dimensions representing different sides of his
or her personality, as well as a diversity of feelings.
Memories
& Stories
If
watches can be used for personal expression, then it makes sense that no two
watches are the same. Even if they are mechanically identical, the memories and
stories behind each watch is what makes each piece unique - not unlike how
memories and stories can define the collector himself or herself as an
individual.
There
might be a story behind why a collector acquires a particular watch - for
example to mark a special event or milestone in life. The process from
determining which piece to look for, to finding it and finally adding it to
one’s collection may also be an experience in itself.
As one
could wear a watch almost all the time, and enthusiasts usually do, it could
almost become one’s closest friend and companion in its literal sense, as it
would be physically on one’s wrist. The watch would be with its owner every
day, capturing memories and special moments.
A
collector who has more than one watch may choose to wear different pieces at
different times. Then his or her watches collection will also be a collection
of memories and stories - a collection where each piece has witnessed some part
of the collector’s life, and together they become a legacy showing who the
collector is, like a time capsule telling his or her life story.
But
unlike with other collectables such as wine, this collection can still be
appreciated in the future pretty much as it could be now, immortalizing the
stories and memories of the collector, for these to be relived and retraced
anytime and by anyone.
Versatility
For
watches to be part of a collector’s history, capturing memories and stories,
they must be able to be worn almost anywhere and at anytime. This means that
the pieces in one’s collection, however large or small, ideally should together
be sufficiently versatile so that at least one piece from it would be suited
for any occasion or to match any outfit.
To that
end, watches could also be considered as fashion accessories. Choosing which
watch to wear for which occasion or with which outfit, at least to me, is part
of the fun and experience. Also enjoyable is identifying which piece to add to
one’s collection next, so that the collection as a whole could be more
versatile.
An
additional attraction about the world of watches is that not only the pieces
are versatile, but horology and watch collecting are also as versatile. The
history of timepieces are closely linked to and heavily influenced by many
hobbies and professions - from divers and drivers, to pilots and soldiers, to
engineers and astronauts.
Practicality
For a
collectible to be versatile, it must also be practical. Ideally, it should
serve a function that would be useful to the collector in his or her daily
life. Although it could be argued that all collectibles can be used for
decorative purposes depending on how they are displayed, most collectibles,
apart from mainly art and antiques, have more than one use and form of
enjoyment.
Other
practicalities include the storage and display of the collectibles. Car
collectors need large garages to park their cars, and while art collectors need
lots of wall space to display their art. Wine collectors need temperature
controlled fridges or cellars, while cigar collectors need specially
conditioned humidors. And because of the more flashy nature, jewelry collectors
need secure safes or storage.
In
contrast, watches require little space to store or display, with almost no
special conditions or infrastructure necessary. Most pieces are intended to be
used and worn, so they are well prepared to be exposed to the outside world.
And
while other collectibles need to be displayed at a fixed place, or at least in
a display case, watches could be displayed on the collector’s wrist naturally
at any time and place. Better still, the collector could choose to display a
different piece every time, making his or her wrist a moving gallery that is
able to rotate between pieces with utmost ease.
I also
believe that a collector should be able to fully enjoy and appreciate his collection.
There is only so much wine or cigars that one could, or should, consume in a
given time period. Moreover, once these have been consumed, the same item
cannot be enjoyed and appreciated again in its same form. And if these have not
been consumed, perishability will become an issue no matter how well the wine
or cigars are stored.
Also,
in this time and age, busy collectors are always on the move. If the
collectible items have to be installed or stored at a fixed place, with not
much use in everyday life, it means that the collector would not be able to
enjoy it everywhere and all the time. With watches, the collector could at
least wear one piece with him whenever and wherever he or she wants.
Community
& Interactions
One of
the main reasons why people collect and display items that they are passionate
about is to share it with others, especially like-minded peers who can
appreciate them.
Being a
collector is similar to being part of an exclusive club or community. When a
watch collector sees an interesting piece on the wrist of, or can have a good
conversation on horology with, someone they just met, it feels like that there
is an invisible bond and the other person would instantly seem closer to the
collector than he or she otherwise would be.
As with
most other collectibles, collectors of modern watches are usually able to
interact with the house, and sometimes meet the person, that created the piece.
Vintage watch collectors may even have the opportunity to get to know the
persons who had previously collected each piece.
These
kinds of direct interactions and engagements also contribute towards the whole
experience of acquiring and collecting a piece.
Inspiration
Above
all, horology and watch collecting has become a passion of mine and a source of
inspiration. Being immersed in this world can take my mind off other endeavors
and bring clarity to my thoughts.
For
now, I have said to myself that I will only acquire a new watch if I have
achieved a certain goal or milestone. Thinking about my next piece, and that I
can start looking for it after achieving that goal or milestone, gives me
motivation to focus on getting there. It is an aspiration, a dream even, that
is attainable, but would still require me to chase after it.