A Watch Collector’s Guide to Living Well
Finding meaning, joy and purpose in your horological journey
As another year winds down like a mainspring reaching its final turn, I found myself pondering what to write for this final reflection of 2024. The usual market analysis and industry commentary felt a bit hollow for the occasion. Then, as if on cue, inspiration struck in the most unexpected place.
The other day I found myself in an Uber, drifting through London’s winter darkness, when a friend texted me the most random stream of consciousness which I think is best summed up by this question:
“If everything is about the journey, then when it comes to watch collecting, what does a good journey look like?”
I assumed, correctly, that they were drunk. But it certainly got me thinking.
Far be it from me, a relative novice in the world of watches, to dispense wisdom to esteemed collectors like yourselves who have probably forgotten more about horology than I will ever know. However, I do think my mate’s philosophical musing deserved some proper consideration. My greatest hope is that you’ll share your own insights in the comments below. After all, the best discussions often start with someone willing to voice what others might be thinking.
With that caveat out of the way, below are some observations and reflections. What truly matters in this hobby? I suppose the complete list, by definition, will be unique to each collector - but surely there are some issues which overlap? Are there any which are universal?
Let’s find out.
The Company You Keep
Your ‘watch circle’ is no different from your social circle in life, and it shapes every aspect of your collecting journey. You’ve likely heard that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with - in collecting, this proves painfully true. Your tastes, buying habits, and even your enjoyment of the hobby will inevitably reflect your social circle in the hobby.
The challenge of course, is curating this circle wisely. Find dealers who educate rather than just sell, who view you as a long-term relationship rather than a quarterly target. Build connections with collectors who challenge your thinking instead of simply validating your biases. Seek out those rare individuals who share knowledge freely, who encourage thoughtful acquisition over mindless accumulation, who question your assumptions without undermining your enthusiasm.
Run - don’t walk – away from anyone treating watches purely as commodities. They’ll drain both your wallet and your passion faster than a Lange watch burns through service costs. The same goes for the exclusively transactional, perpetually bitter, and the constantly negative (this reminds me of a special category… more on this in the next section).
Problems in these relationships, like problems with watches themselves, require immediate attention. Notice your enthusiasm waning after certain meetups? Feeling pressured into purchases you’re unsure about? Getting that uneasy feeling about a dealer’s practices? Act swiftly. Just as you wouldn’t ignore moisture under a crystal or an unusual movement sound, don’t let problematic relationships fester.
The good news is that you already know who belongs in your horological inner circle. Trust your gut. Who leaves you feeling energised rather than drained? Who celebrates your successes without keeping score? Who shares their knowledge without wielding it as power? These are your people. Keep them close.
Your collection will only be as good as the conversations that shape it. Make sure those conversations are with people worth listening to.
Managing Frustrations and Mistakes
Every collector has their stories of the ones that got away. That Journe you passed on pre- 2019 because it ‘seemed expensive’ at the time. The Patek you sold too soon. The limited edition you missed because you were in a meeting when the email arrived. The natural response is frustration - but how you handle that frustration often defines your collecting journey more than the watches themselves.
I see this too often, particularly among ‘the old guard’. You know the type - broadcasting their resentment about missed opportunities, undersold treasures, and the general unfairness of it all. “If only these newer collectors understood the significance of what I was championing two decades ago”, they cry into the void of social media, apparently oblivious to how bitter they sound.
The uncomfortable truth is, nobody cares! Life isn’t fair. If your Instagram photos aren’t getting the engagement you think they deserve, perhaps it’s time to rethink your approach as opposed to blaming the algorithm. If newer collectors are caught up in hype pieces instead of appreciating your supposedly superior taste, what of it?
The need to constantly remind everyone of your historical knowledge or early advocacy for certain pieces reeks of insecurity. Are you seeking a fan club? Validation? Recognition? The irony is delicious - seeking approval from the very people you have such disdain for, all while publicly criticising their tastes and choices. 😂
Get over yourself. Nothing in this hobby is truly new, and history will always repeat itself. The more energy you spend seeking validation from those you criticise, the faster you accelerate toward complete irrelevance. The best revenge isn’t bitterness - it’s living well and letting your knowledge speak for itself.
Your frustrations reveal more about you than about those you’re frustrated with. Perhaps that’s worth reflecting on before posting that next bitter rant about the state of modern collecting.