Watches are more than just timekeeping devices; they’re miniature works of art that we wear on our wrists. For many of us, collecting watches is a cherished hobby that combines appreciation for craftsmanship, history, and personal style. But as our collections grow, we may find ourselves facing unexpected challenges.
You have too many watches when your collection starts to feel overwhelming rather than enjoyable. This article will delve into the various issues that can arise from an oversized watch collection, offering insights on how a more focused approach can enhance your watch-wearing experience.
The Problem: Why Fewer Watches Are Better
1. You Don’t Develop Connections with Your Watches
One of the most significant drawbacks of having too many watches is the limited time you spend with each piece. Imagine owning 20 watches – even with equal rotation, you’d only wear each one for about 18 days a year. This frequent switching prevents you from forming deep connections with individual timepieces.
When you wear a watch consistently, it becomes a part of your daily life. You start associating it with important moments and memories. With fewer watches, you give yourself the opportunity to create these meaningful bonds.
2. You Treat Watches as Disposable
A large collection can foster a “flip” mentality, where watches are bought and sold quickly as tastes change. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with trading watches, this constant cycle can reduce the sentimental value of your timepieces.
Watches deserve to be cherished, not just seen as temporary acquisitions. By limiting your collection, you’re more likely to select pieces that truly resonate with you, making each watch a valued possession rather than just another item to be flipped.
3. You Don’t Wear Watches You’re Proud Of
With limited space, a large collection often means keeping watches you don’t truly love. You might hold onto pieces out of habit or guilt, even if they no longer bring you joy.
A curated collection encourages selectivity. It pushes you to keep only the watches you’re genuinely proud to wear – perhaps those that commemorate important milestones or reflect your personal style evolution.
4. The Thrill of New Watches Fades
Remember the excitement of unboxing your first few watches? That thrill can diminish when you’re constantly acquiring new pieces. Frequent purchases can lead to “watch fatigue,” where the joy of a new acquisition becomes fleeting.
By spacing out your purchases and focusing on truly special pieces, you can preserve that sense of anticipation and excitement that makes watch collecting so rewarding.
5. You Rush to Buy to Feel Good
When the initial thrill of a new watch wears off quickly, it’s tempting to buy another just to recapture that feeling. This can lead to a vicious cycle of impulsive purchases, preventing you from appreciating the watches you already own.
A more measured approach to collecting allows you to savor each piece and resist the urge to constantly chase the next acquisition.
6. You Forget the History of Watches
Many watches have fascinating stories behind their creation and evolution. The Seiko SKX007, for instance, has a rich diving heritage, while the Omega Speedmaster’s journey to the moon is legendary. With too many watches, it becomes challenging to learn and appreciate these individual histories.
A smaller collection gives you the time and mental space to delve deeper into the background of each piece, enriching your overall watch knowledge and appreciation.
7. Choosing a Watch Takes Too Long
Decision fatigue is real, even when it comes to watches. A crowded watch box can turn the simple act of selecting a timepiece for the day into an overwhelming task. This is especially true if you have multiple watches serving similar purposes (like several dive watches or dress watches).
A curated collection simplifies this process, making it easier to choose a watch that complements your outfit and suits the occasion.
8. You Don’t Enjoy Looking at Your Watch
Have you ever chosen a watch for the day, only to spend the entire time second-guessing your decision? This “chooser’s remorse” can seriously detract from the pleasure of wearing a watch.
With a smaller collection of pieces you truly love, you’re more likely to feel satisfied with your choice throughout the day.
9. You Won’t Have Meaningful Heirlooms to Pass Down
While we may not buy watches specifically to pass them on, the idea of leaving a cherished timepiece to a loved one is undeniably appealing. A single watch with a personal story makes for a more meaningful heirloom than a random piece from an extensive collection.
By focusing on fewer, more significant watches, you’re curating potential heirlooms that will carry your legacy forward.
10. You’ll Forget You Own Some Watches
It’s a sad truth that in large collections, some watches inevitably end up forgotten at the back of a drawer. These neglected timepieces represent both wasted money and missed opportunities for enjoyment.
A more manageable collection ensures that all your watches are seen, appreciated, and worn regularly.
11. Storage Becomes Difficult and Messy
As your collection grows, so does the challenge of storing it properly. Multiple watch boxes, winders, and cases can quickly become cluttered and unsightly.
A smaller collection is easier to store and display attractively, allowing you to create a watch space that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
12. Buying More Watches Means Spending More Money
This point might seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing. Whether you collect high-end luxury pieces or focus on more affordable watches, the costs add up over time.
By limiting your collection, you can potentially invest in higher-quality pieces that offer better long-term value. Alternatively, you might find that you’re able to allocate your watch budget to other important areas of your life.
13. Servicing Costs Multiply
Every mechanical watch requires periodic servicing to maintain its accuracy and longevity. With a large collection, these maintenance costs can become significant.
A smaller collection allows you to budget more effectively for these necessary expenses, ensuring that each of your watches receives the care it deserves.
14. Potential Conflict with Your Partner
Let’s face it: watch collecting can be an expensive hobby. For some couples, a large and constantly growing collection can become a source of tension.
By being mindful of your spending and keeping your collection focused, you can avoid unnecessary financial strain and maintain harmony in your relationship.
15. You Miss Out on the Joy of Curation
There’s a unique satisfaction in carefully curating a collection that perfectly reflects your tastes and needs. When you have too many watches, this sense of curation can be lost.
A smaller collection challenges you to be more thoughtful about each piece you include, resulting in a more personal and meaningful assortment of timepieces.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, watches are no longer essential for timekeeping. Yet, we continue to be captivated by these miniature marvels of engineering and design. The passion for watches runs deep, transcending mere functionality to become a form of self-expression and appreciation for craftsmanship.
However, as we’ve explored in this article, having too many watches can paradoxically diminish our enjoyment of them. From the lack of connection with individual pieces to the financial and practical challenges of maintaining a large collection, there are numerous reasons to consider a more curated approach.
By focusing on a smaller number of watches that truly speak to you, you can enhance your overall experience as a watch enthusiast. You’ll form deeper connections with each piece, appreciate their individual histories more fully, and simplify your daily watch-wearing routine.
Remember, the goal of watch collecting isn’t to amass the largest number of timepieces possible. It’s about finding joy in the artistry, history, and personal significance of these remarkable objects. So, if you find yourself thinking, “I have too many watches,” perhaps it’s time to take a step back and consider the benefits of a more focused collection.
Ultimately, the most satisfying watch collection is one that brings you genuine happiness every time you glance at your wrist. Whether that means five watches or fifty, the key is to be intentional about your choices and to truly cherish each piece you own.
