What would I tell my younger self about watch collecting?
Ricardo SimeIt’s been years since I got into this hobby of collecting watches. When I started, I was asking myself: “What would I leave behind for the ones I love?” The timelessness of watches and the amazing mechanics within them provided the perfect canvas for an object which could bestow such personal meaning. Now, eight years later, my watch collecting has grown to be much more than a heirloom-making hobby. And looking back, there is so much I would change about how I approached it.
Here are three things I would have told my younger self before starting this journey.
More meetups
The hobby of collecting watches often attracts individuals who tend to keep to themselves. People who aren’t necessarily social butterflies. This may seem surprising when you look at today’s hype-piece, influencer-driven environment. But years ago, all one needed was a computer and an account on Watchuseek. Sprinkle in YouTube videos and watch Facebook groups and there really was no need to leave the confines of one’s home to enjoy the hobby.
Yet even with that being said, I wish I had attended more outings with others who enjoy watches. Because there is so much one can get from attending a meetup. From hearing the experiences of other collectors to getting the opportunity to try watches that you normally can’t. And beyond these benefits, the friendships one can make are well worth a few hours of your time, once or twice a month.
Think long and hard about your first watch
You know the saying that “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. Well that also applies to watches. You don’t get a second chance at your first big watch purchase. Looking back at the first expensive watch I bought, I can honestly say I bought it for all the wrong reasons. I wanted a Swiss watch (didn’t matter the brand). Wanted a complication (didn’t matter the complication). And I wanted it with a bracelet (didn’t matter the taper or fit).
I wish I could go back and tell myself to take all the time in the world and really think about what I wanted in my first watch. There was no need to rush and the further fact that the watch was on sale shouldn’t have played a part in my decision making. This is one of those moments I constantly wish I could get a do-over for.
Time may be infinite but your bank account isn’t
In the first four years of collecting, I purchased more than 50 different watches. I was also an active member of the deals sub-forum on Watchuseek. All this to say, I spent a ton of money when I got into watches. This doesn’t mean the watches I bought had no value or were bad per se. It just means buying them was akin to the chocolate bars and cookies you find next to the cash register. Impulse buys that provided instant satisfaction but long-term regret.
If I could go back, I would have accelerated learning the most important lesson I’ve gained over the years. And that is the fact that I don’t need to own a watch to appreciate it. You can love a piece from afar. Trust me, it’s not that difficult.