Well I don't have watches like you guys, but for me, it is holding something that is based on generations of craftsmen working and learning their profession. For everything in life, watches, clothing,woodworking, architecture, I am blown away by the amount of dedication and hands on work that contributes to the realization of something. Maybe it's because my dad builds houses and works with his hands, or being in medicine that has centuries of professionals that hand information from generation to generation. I love mechanical, and analog; an iPhone doesn't tell time, it reports time. I never try and explain to people how I appreciate the little gears clicking away, so precisely that it's off only a few seconds a day. It makes time personal; maybe I have an overly romantic point of view. Now, my watch doesn't fit these hand made criteria, but someday I hope to own a PP that checks all these boxes. Moreso, watch collecting is very personal. Unless you are wearing a rolex, or you are with someone who knows, people don't even notice. I hate that some things in life are about outwardly showing success. Same with clothing, when I got my recent suit I went to a small shop owned by an old italian guy who used to hand make made-to-measure suiting. It looks and fits perfect, but I love the craft that the store owner performed for me. Another thing that cost a lot, but people don't know because it's not hugo boss. I mean, the mechanical complexity of a perpetual calendar just blows me away. Something like that, with mechanical perfection, and finishing comparable to the finest jewelry, how is that not the tops?

 

Well, I just started. And my story is TS Watch forum. I will soon post pics of my watches, most of them aren't as expensive. I look forward to expand my collection after I finish my college.

 

I don't know that I'm a true watch fanatic/collector. But I would say that a watch is more than a way to tell time. It is both function and a way of expressing your personality. Functional jewelry I guess.

So there is a bit of that, and a bit of the engineer in me who loves the mechanics of watches as well. (I took apart toasters as a kid)

Finally, I'd say the thing that sparked it was none other than James Bond.

 

A burning desire to do penance at Louis Vuitton.

 

h20skier made me do it...

 

Watch > being bored.

 

Admiring the Rolex Submariner worn by James Bond (Sean Connery) in Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice.

I bought the watch on my high school graduation back in 1979, and gave it to my son when he graduated from high school 2011.

 

Great gift Falgo, any pix to share?

 

Sure.. When I return from my summer break

 

I think for me it was the feeling of putting on a friends SS Rolex Daytona. It made me feel good, like when you put on a proper suit.

Also just picked up a book called Watches - The Ultimate Guide by Fabienne Reybaud, I am about half way thru. Figure if I am going to spend money on these things, I might as well know the history and understand the mechanisms.