My Watch Collecting Journey

I now have a very well-rounded watch collection. Though I never thought I'd even end up with this many watches.

I used to always think why people would have more than one nice watch. I thought, "One watch and you should be good!" I also thought that watch collecting as just a hobby for some snobs out there. But once I realized that it's quite natural for people to collect things it makes the idea of watch collecting more acceptable. While some people who collect stamps or coins might have a lot of them, people who collect the more expensive items like sneakers, might have less. And when I thought that an even more expensive item to collect like watches or cars, people will be more content with a smaller sized collection. I'm glad to say my 3 watch collection is at the perfect size for this time in my life. Would I get more? Probably not but I'm not closing the book on that one.

What really drew me to watch collecting was that the watches tell a story. They don't just tell time. Whether it's celebrating a new job, or a milestone in one's career, the watch's value comes from the story it tells about how it was acquired by the collector.

For context, I've had the same Fossil watch from 2005 to 2019. That watch is still with me but I haven't worn it in quite some time. Actually, as I'm writing this, I'm realizing that that watch deserves to be part of this collection of mine. It's a nice analog watch with a square face and a metal bracelet. You can say it's as simple as one can get. Time has taken it's toll on this watch which can reflect the trials I've had to go through as well. One little quirk of this watch is I had recently had it engraved with the logo of our family business.

I've stopped wearing this watch since I got my other watches but writing about it now makes me feel a bit more nostalgic about it now and I might wear it more often. This watch seems like it's best for wearing to work.

In 2019, me and Nikki were engaged and one of the usual events for engaged couples was a tinghun or Chinese engagement party. Usually at these things, the bride to be presents the groom with a luxury watch. Now, we didn't have a tinghun but her mom insisted she give me a watch of some sort. I tried to decline the generous offer but her mom was adamant. So me and Nikki went out looking for my "tinghun" watch. It wasn't going to be something super expensive as I don't feel so good wearing a watch on my wrist that screams extravagance. We went for a more modest budget and I asked my friends for some advice in picking this watch. They recommended several different brands to me which are in the "affordable luxury" category.

I ended up really liking this one watch from Tissot - Chemin Des Tourelles. I love its simplicity and elegance. It has a blue face which reflects light very beautifully. The watch itself is very simple. The numbers are designated by a solid line except on the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions where it's designated by the roman numeral. This watch is one I can wear in almost any situation. I can wear it to work and to a fancy wedding. This is my everyday watch. This watch has a metal bracelet but I quickly realized I could buy the tools to change out the strap and enjoy it with a leather strap as well. I thought it was a good deal as I'd effectively be getting two watches at the price of one. I just needed to switch out the straps when the mood hits me. See below the same watch looking like two different watches because of the straps!

The next watch was one I got as a father's day gift to myself. I had Joey give it to me and all which was so sweet. I bought it online but finding it was difficult as well. It was when the twins were around 2 years old when I started to want a different look for my watch. I began looking for a timepiece with a lighter face (cream or white) and with a darker strap or bracelet for contrast. I found this one from Orient. It's the Orient Sun and Moon. I chose the one with the cream face and a dark brown leather strap. This one caught my eye especially because I find its am/pm indicator very appealing as it shows a sun and moon (thus the name). When I found this watch being sold in Watch Republic at the airport, I really wanted to snatch it up but I decided against it as it would be an impulse buy. I eventually did end up buying it for Father's day as I was able to think it over and it was something I really wanted - it was no longer an impulse buy.

What I like about this watch it that it has more things going on in its face. It has the am/pm indicator, and the day of the week as well as a date window. This more fun aspect of this watch reflects my more fun side. Several friends of mine have commented that this watch looks really nice. I guess it's a bonus that not a lot of people have this watch though. On this list, this is the only one which I bought.

This last watch came to me as a surprise. My dad has some watches as well. I figure he has more watches than he cares to keep. This particular piece is one he has decided not to wear as often now. Either he wears a simpler watch for his everyday use or he wears a newer watch of his for more formal occasions or for business transactions. He recently told me that he bought a much cheaper watch as he doesn't feel comfortable wearing a Rolex as his everyday watch. It was still pricey but not Rolex pricey.

This was his Rolex Yachtmaster. I remember when he bought it. It was a big thing as he finally felt comfortable to spend a little more on himself since our business was doing pretty good during that time. Now, since getting my Tissot watch in 2019, I've been buying watch tools. So I can adjust the lengths or change out the straps when I want to. I've shown my dad this when I adjust his new watches to the desired length or when I teach him how to adjust the date in the date window (this is a very embarrassing story for him). But somehow, it never occurred to him that I was into watches. I even showed him my new Orient watch and told him how I came to decide on that particular piece. But somehow it simply went over his head how into watches I was. My sister told him plainly and now, he actually knows I'm into watches.

One day, I call him as I was assigned to accompany him to the mall and he calls me to his room. He comes out of his bathroom with the green Rolex box and hands it to me. He then told me it's mine. I was so shocked! This piece already has a lot of history behind it and now, he was giving it to me! I always liked how this watch looked and I was so excited and happy that it was mine now.

Just like my other watches, this one has a simple face on it - a round white face with a date window. It sports a metal bracelet and glow in the dark indicators for the numbers on the face. I haven't had much time with this watch in particular so my attachment to this watch comes mainly from the history I share with it.

So those are the four watches in collection. Upon reflection, I realized that each one came into my possession during different times of my life and it represents a different aspect of my person. One watch to represent me as an individual man, another one as a husband, another one as a father, and the last one as a son.

I see that more than the monetary value that each watch may or may not have, what people who collect watches value even more is the history behind the watch. The story that accompanies the watch is worth more than the monetary value of the watch. That explains why I've kept my Fossil watch for as long as I have.

I'm happy with my four watch collection. It might be some time before I add another watch to this group and to be frank, I'm in no rush. I think this collection can tell you more about me than I would've expected.