The Emotional Bonds Between Watch Collectors and Their Timepieces
Exploring the Psychology of Cherished Objects and Personal Narratives
I still remember the day my daughter was born. I took many photos, and one I always return to is a selfie which I sent to my parents. I wasn’t ‘focusing’ on the watch for this photo, but I remember spotting the watch in the photo when I looked at it later (it is cropped here).
I have no doubt every collector reading this post will have a similar story of their own. For most watch enthusiasts, watches are far more than mere instruments for keeping track of hours, minutes and beyond. In fact, they often serve as powerful personal talismans, imbued with deep emotional significance. A seemingly mundane watch, can actually be a cherished reminder of the defining moments and relationships in a particular collector’s life.
This brief essay will explore the emotional attachments that develop between collectors and their watches, drawing on some published material to help make some sense of it.
The Psychology of Object Attachment
At the core of the collector-watch relationship lies the fundamental human tendency to form emotional connections with inanimate objects. In “The Meaning of Things: Domestic Symbols and the Self,” the authors explain how people frequently bestow special meaning upon their possessions, and transform them into symbolic representations of their identity, relationships, and aspirations. They make the following point which will resonate with readers of SDC:
“the objects we attend to most closely, those that engage our psychic energy repeatedly, become part of our sense of self.”
I find this quite relatable in the context of watch collecting. How often have you criticised a watch but had the owner construe it as a personal attack? This happens to me all the time… Perhaps because I am not shy with criticism, but the point is I have observed, firsthand, how people internalise their watches as part of themselves.
This concept of “psychic energy” is particularly relevant to watch collecting, as apart from just wearing their watches, enthusiasts often devote countless hours to researching, hunting for, and contemplating their watch acquisition targets. This type of intense focus and passion poured into the pursuit and collection of objects naturally fosters a deep sense of attachment to the targets (once acquired).
Watches as Narrative Vessels
One of the key reasons watches become such potent emotional talismans is their ability to encapsulate and evoke personal narratives. Watches are often purchased or received to mark significant birthdays, graduations, or career milestones. We allow our watches to hold within them, the stories of our lives.
These narratives can be private, known only to the collector, or they can be taken int the context of the history of each watch. For example, a vintage watch with provenance linked to a notable figure or event can carry a powerful sense of ‘connection’ for some. Examples of this come up all the time; From the recent Schumacher Collection at auction, to Clapton’s various Patek Philippe watches over the years, to Buzz Aldrin’s Speedmaster.
One study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, underscores the role of objects as receptacles for personal and collective memory:
“Possessions are a convenient means of storing the memories and feelings that attach our sense of past to our sense of self.”
The Intimacy of the Hobby
The emotional bond between collector and watch is further strengthened by the inherently intimate nature of timekeeping. Watches are often worn directly against the skin, serving as constant companions throughout the joys, challenges, and mundane moments in our lives. This physical proximity fosters a sense of familiarity and comfort that deepens over time, particularly if you don’t follow a frequent rotation of watches as part of a larger collection.
I am pretty sure this is from The Wristwatch Handbook, but I had this quote saved in my notes and can’t recall where it is from:
“A watch is a machine that lives on your wrist, and it has a heartbeat. It’s with you in moments of stress, in moments of happiness, in moments of sorrow. That creates a bond that’s almost impossible to quantify or explain to someone who doesn’t feel it.”
There’s also another gem from Jack Forster in his love letter to watches, on writing about watches:
“Writing about watches is writing about culture, and science, and history, and art … and human nature, too. You can do it for a lifetime and never get to the bottom of the subject, and the only limit to the richness of the experience of being a watch writer or enthusiast, is your curiosity.”
With this framing, it is hard to argue against the intimate nature of the hobby. We go deep, despite not realising just how deep we really can go.
Watches as Legacy Objects
For many collectors, watches also serve as powerful symbols of legacy and generational continuity. Patek Philippe’s Generations Campaign takes full advantage of this. The durability and longevity of mechanical watches make them ideal candidates for passing down through families, becoming cherished heirlooms that carry the stories and values of one generation to the next.
As Patek’s campaign declares:
“You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.”
This sentiment resonates deeply with collectors who view their watches not just as personal possessions, but as part of a larger, ongoing narrative that transcends our individual lifetimes.
It is no coincidence - this also happens to be a great excuse to ‘justify’ a watch purchase; Divided by the number of times it will be used over generations, it’s basically free!1
Conclusion
The emotional attachments between watch collectors and their treasured watches are complex, multi-layered, and deeply personal. Grounded in the fundamental human need to imbue objects with meaning, these bonds are forged through the interplay of memory, narrative, intimacy, and legacy. As repositories of psychic energy and vessels for our stories, watches become more than mere displays of mechanical craftsmanship and ingenuity.
Though this is indeed what they are, what they become is more pertinent. They become extensions of our selves, reflecting back upon us the moments, people, and values that shape our lives.
As far as I am concerned, it is this profound emotional resonance2 that lies at the heart of the enduring allure of watch collecting, driving psychopaths enthusiasts to seek out and cherish these watches as totems of their personal journey through life.
Believe it or not, that “❤️ Like” button is a big deal – it serves as a proxy to new visitors of this publication’s value. If you enjoyed this post, please let others know. Please do leave a comment if you have the time, and once again: thanks for reading!
Try that one with your wives :)
Selecting this ‘catch all’ description was the most challenging part of the entire essay!
This was a fantastic read. It’s so hard to explain to no watch people that they aren’t just time pieces. You’re wrote this beautifully
Great read Flum! It’s a very small world. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🥃