When I got interested in watches again, I quickly ran into labels for people who like watches. I am not a fan of labels. I find them divisive. Mainly because people usually are not just one thing or another that can be neatly put into a category. We are so much more than that. The question came up, "Are you a Collector or an Enthusiast?"
First off, I don't even know what that means? But my first inkling was "Both!" and I think that was true. Everyone has their own definitions. Collections could be as simple as having more than one watch. I do. Or more than one watch of the same model. I do. Or all the variants of a model. Also me. When I was kid, collecting was all the rage. Coins, Stamps, Spoons, Cups, Plates, Comics, Cards, Toys and more. There was even a merit badge for it. I collected many of those. My parents heard Garbage Pail Kids were going to be worth something some day and let us collect them. I collected Star Wars and GI Joe action figures. I collected a lot of things, and compared to other peoples bric-a-brac, all my stuff seemed so cool.
I was really into the stuff I collected. So much so, that you could say I was an enthusiast. You see, I liked the stuff so much, that I wanted to play with it. I want to use it, and enjoy it. Not just put it on a pedestal or in a curio cabinet for safe keeping. If I really, really liked it, I wanted to have two, so I had a spare, in case I lost one, or it got damaged, or broken. I also wanted to know more about the items, and learn their back story, and history. Like I said, I was super into some of that stuff. So, was I a collector or an enthusiast? I am going to stick with "Both!"
If you get into watches, don't worry about labels or categories spelled out by gatekeepers. Just do what you want! It is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Find that part of it. The part that makes you smile. The part that makes you content. The part that resonates with you. For some, it is researching watches for more time than most can imagine that brings them the joy. Others like saving up, and marking a special moment in time, with a grail watch purchase. Others like instant gratification and buy it on impulse. Some want to have many watches and look at them all lined up in a box. Others want to match their watch to what they are wearing. Do you know what is wrong with those options? Nothing!
So, I am not going to tell you what you should do. I will tell you what I do. I am one of those guys that has a hard time leaving well enough alone. I always thing there is room for improvement. I love to modify or customize until it is just the way I want it. Changing watch straps is an easy way for me to scratch that itch. I also like to find something I am really happy with and then get multiple versions of it. If I have a watch, most of the time, I will have another variant of it. A different color, or a different strap or a older version or a new version. When I want a second one, I know I picked a good one for me. Like cars, we tend to go back to our youth to decide what we like. I still think the first gen Acura NSX is the most beautiful car in the world. So if a watch style impressed me in my youth, it probably still impresses me. Calculator watch, yep! James Bond watches, for sure! Digital watches and the quartz revolution, yes please! Chronographs, Divers, Dress watches? Check, check, and check!
That's what I like. If you like something different, that's OK. For me, when I meet someone who is in to something, even if it is not for me, I love the fact that it brings them joy and they are passionate about it. That is my hope for you. That you will find an aspect of watches that brings you joy and follow your heart.
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