A story about luck: I badly wanted one of the first Spring Drive watches from 1999. I didn't think I'd be able to afford the platinum Credor or the gold Seiko versions, and so I didn't even bother looking for them. I wanted the steel one, thinking it would be easier to find since more of them were made, and they would likely be cheaper.
I eventually got an alert on C24 and before I could really up my offer to the seller, he committed it to someone who, in his words, offered him an "insane offer". I was despondent and thought I'd never see another one again.
And yet within a year I found someone who owned, and was willing to part with, the platinium Credor version at a price that I found relatively affordable. 100% luck, and I couldn't be happier with how things turned out in this case for me with a watch I honestly believe is one of the most historically significant watches of the last 100 years.
That’s a cool story, thanks for sharing. You’re definitely full of sh1t for trying to bait people with the bombastic claims of importance, but it wouldn’t be you if there wasn’t such a barb somewhere 😂
Really delicious read and chock full of confirmation bias! I say this because I have only come to learn and believe in the validity of examining the “other” side of issues, beliefs and opinions I had held as immutable. Numerous times in the last dozen or so years I’ve come to the awareness that much of what I thought I knew was wrong! Often questioning if even anything I thought I knew was true or real.
So we have a confirmation bias post that confirmation bias research or learning is a dangerous road and an impeding to real knowledge (which is still mutable 🤣)
On one thing mentioned on this post I am reminded about an instagram post I made a while back claiming that the finishing on LF watches was as good or better than anything else in that price bracket (I had heard someone else say it somewhere 🙄🥺) and you (lovingly and gently 🤡😜) called me out on it by saying “Says who?
(Accidentally posted before finishing) …..actually you had said “based on what.” so anyway after responding “my opinion” and you coming back again I finally admitted some self deprecating humerous comment and admitted “plus I probably heard someone say it 🤣😂…… point taken; lesson learned …..so thanks for that! 💯👍🏼🫶🏼
The courage really kicks in when one must change a held position, especially if it was / is held in a public forum.
Oh, on the football anecdotes… some context. I revised and reposted this because it came up recently - but I originally posted it in 2021… the earlier days of SDC. Back then, I’d read articles and share the content in my own words, whilst adding my own spin to the whole message… Something more relevant to watches and psychology for watch enthusiasts etc.
It didn’t take long to understand this approach was a bit lazy and definitely not the best ‘lesson value’ for a reader.
So I started doing research for longer, and reading more broadly to eventually come up with better examples which suited the narrative I was looking to communicate… more so, than the ones I happened to read elsewhere.
So it’s funny you bring this up- it isn’t something I would naturally think to include more of, and maybe even something I worked to include LESS of 😂 🤦♂️
I admit I am a massive college football fan, so these stick out to me and I was secretly hoping you had taken an interest beyond the relevant anecdotes for SDC. Anyway, the refinement to your approach is noticed and appreciated.
Well done! Very interesting! I think I find myself in the camp of striving to learn more then having conversations with people in the industry that are far more knowledgeable only hones what I learn so that hopefully I’m a more competent enthusiast. I’m not likely to become a watchmaker or ever own a brand but I have a deep appreciation and would like to know what I’m talking about as best I can.
"Finding your why" is the key here, and that why will change in time.
My first nice watch acquisition, aside from a century old pocket watch pulsometer gifted to me, was a Rolex. My why was "I've busted my ass and have finally finished my schooling. This is a reminder that "I've made it."
Then my why changed to "I want a watch that I will wear almost daily and which will last decades and then will be passed on to my daughters. They will wear the watches and remember me as dutiful father and servant to my profession." Another Rolex.
Well it turns out neither of my daughters wanted a 40mm Rolex and I began to identify the "I've made it and I have a Rolex" as being the exact opposite of my life principles.
Around 25 years ago my opinion about specific brands differed from the brands I admire today. So if you talk to me you'll get the sense that a Christian van der Klaauw Orion is a worthy competitor to the PP Celestial. Or that watches made by MB&F, Fears, Armin Storm, ChronoSwiss and Moser have more meaning to me than other more popular offerings.
You'll have to know my why to understand my opinion, and in all fairness I often do a poor job explaining my why.
I continue to work to understand my why, a difficult task in itself. The next challenge is articulating my way in a way that respects and acknowledge the why of others.
This applies not just to watch collecting, but to all aspects of life. Being humble and open to challenge is so important. Our own ego is usually the hardest thing to keep in check.
As an aside, I’m probably closer to the chauffeur than the professor in many watch conversations, although ironically I hate driving. I do admire cars, though.
A story about luck: I badly wanted one of the first Spring Drive watches from 1999. I didn't think I'd be able to afford the platinum Credor or the gold Seiko versions, and so I didn't even bother looking for them. I wanted the steel one, thinking it would be easier to find since more of them were made, and they would likely be cheaper.
I eventually got an alert on C24 and before I could really up my offer to the seller, he committed it to someone who, in his words, offered him an "insane offer". I was despondent and thought I'd never see another one again.
And yet within a year I found someone who owned, and was willing to part with, the platinium Credor version at a price that I found relatively affordable. 100% luck, and I couldn't be happier with how things turned out in this case for me with a watch I honestly believe is one of the most historically significant watches of the last 100 years.
That’s a cool story, thanks for sharing. You’re definitely full of sh1t for trying to bait people with the bombastic claims of importance, but it wouldn’t be you if there wasn’t such a barb somewhere 😂
Come at me bro
Sorry I missed this 😂
Lovely article. I feel particularly targeted by it tho. 😂
That wasn’t the intention at all 😂
Listen to learn and not reply. That’s pure gold. A solid post.
Gold 😃 - thanks for reading 🙏
Nice read :) I just always hope that I’m not the smartest one in any conversation 🙈 its way more interesting that way.
A maxim I like and hopefully follow dutifully:
"If I'm the smartest person in the room, I'm in the wrong room."
Totally! Thanks for reading 🙏
Really delicious read and chock full of confirmation bias! I say this because I have only come to learn and believe in the validity of examining the “other” side of issues, beliefs and opinions I had held as immutable. Numerous times in the last dozen or so years I’ve come to the awareness that much of what I thought I knew was wrong! Often questioning if even anything I thought I knew was true or real.
So we have a confirmation bias post that confirmation bias research or learning is a dangerous road and an impeding to real knowledge (which is still mutable 🤣)
On one thing mentioned on this post I am reminded about an instagram post I made a while back claiming that the finishing on LF watches was as good or better than anything else in that price bracket (I had heard someone else say it somewhere 🙄🥺) and you (lovingly and gently 🤡😜) called me out on it by saying “Says who?
(Accidentally posted before finishing) …..actually you had said “based on what.” so anyway after responding “my opinion” and you coming back again I finally admitted some self deprecating humerous comment and admitted “plus I probably heard someone say it 🤣😂…… point taken; lesson learned …..so thanks for that! 💯👍🏼🫶🏼
OMG so many typos 😬⬆️ above ☝🏻
Ha, I vaguely recall this too! That was funny. Listen, nobody’s perfect - I know this better than most. 😂
I've noticed a few American football anecdotes in SDC, cool. Nice piece. It takes courage to put oneself out there, a roadblock for many.
The courage really kicks in when one must change a held position, especially if it was / is held in a public forum.
Oh, on the football anecdotes… some context. I revised and reposted this because it came up recently - but I originally posted it in 2021… the earlier days of SDC. Back then, I’d read articles and share the content in my own words, whilst adding my own spin to the whole message… Something more relevant to watches and psychology for watch enthusiasts etc.
It didn’t take long to understand this approach was a bit lazy and definitely not the best ‘lesson value’ for a reader.
So I started doing research for longer, and reading more broadly to eventually come up with better examples which suited the narrative I was looking to communicate… more so, than the ones I happened to read elsewhere.
So it’s funny you bring this up- it isn’t something I would naturally think to include more of, and maybe even something I worked to include LESS of 😂 🤦♂️
I admit I am a massive college football fan, so these stick out to me and I was secretly hoping you had taken an interest beyond the relevant anecdotes for SDC. Anyway, the refinement to your approach is noticed and appreciated.
Hey, duly noted - I may even seek some out specifically for you. Seed planted 😉
Well done! Very interesting! I think I find myself in the camp of striving to learn more then having conversations with people in the industry that are far more knowledgeable only hones what I learn so that hopefully I’m a more competent enthusiast. I’m not likely to become a watchmaker or ever own a brand but I have a deep appreciation and would like to know what I’m talking about as best I can.
All we can do is try!
"Finding your why" is the key here, and that why will change in time.
My first nice watch acquisition, aside from a century old pocket watch pulsometer gifted to me, was a Rolex. My why was "I've busted my ass and have finally finished my schooling. This is a reminder that "I've made it."
Then my why changed to "I want a watch that I will wear almost daily and which will last decades and then will be passed on to my daughters. They will wear the watches and remember me as dutiful father and servant to my profession." Another Rolex.
Well it turns out neither of my daughters wanted a 40mm Rolex and I began to identify the "I've made it and I have a Rolex" as being the exact opposite of my life principles.
Around 25 years ago my opinion about specific brands differed from the brands I admire today. So if you talk to me you'll get the sense that a Christian van der Klaauw Orion is a worthy competitor to the PP Celestial. Or that watches made by MB&F, Fears, Armin Storm, ChronoSwiss and Moser have more meaning to me than other more popular offerings.
You'll have to know my why to understand my opinion, and in all fairness I often do a poor job explaining my why.
I continue to work to understand my why, a difficult task in itself. The next challenge is articulating my way in a way that respects and acknowledge the why of others.
Only then should my opinion matter.
Great article.
This applies not just to watch collecting, but to all aspects of life. Being humble and open to challenge is so important. Our own ego is usually the hardest thing to keep in check.
As an aside, I’m probably closer to the chauffeur than the professor in many watch conversations, although ironically I hate driving. I do admire cars, though.