The reasons for collecting are on the surface very obvious. Collectors will tell you they appreciate the engineering of movements , the artistry of dials , the objects themselves and the sum of there parts , as any collector does, be it cars, paintings or even decorative stamps.
Omega
I have questioned however the deeper connection to the hobby , what makes us buy in multiples ? One simple three hander should be enough.
To answer this I looked at my own collection. The pieces which I won’t part with are sentimental, gifted , or have some emotional bond attached to them from how they came to me.
Formex
I explored then ego, are some pieces there to impress others? , or do I genuinely appreciate them as watches too rather than a status symbol.
Then there are a few pieces which are off piste in design, statements I think. I sometimes wonder if these are bought to impress other collectors or for the reaction they glean.
I take it back to the core of my collecting. The dopamine surge of the find and then the purchase. Are we all fulfilling a basic hormonal excitement by getting a new piece.
Girard Perregaux
This can fade when a piece is unboxed. It loses its shine , its excitement and spark it gives you and even gets sold on occasion.
I have questioned the sanity of having a large number in the collection and still trying to acquire more and even the selfishness of the financial commitment depending on your life circumstances.
Tudor
I thought about all these things which appeared to be negative to me and came to the simple conclusion, we do because we enjoy and it gives us pleasure.
In a life that can be very short surely that’s the point.
