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Advice from: mondodec


One facet of collecting that some of us try to repress is the emotional side of making acquisitions. And we do so at our peril. There is nearly always a measure of obsessive-compulsive behaviour in collecting anything, and there are dangers in denying that our interest in horology and collecting is fuelled by purely rational behaviour.

It's emotions that drive most of our watch collecting passions: like the joy of finding a lost treasure in a boot sale; the sense of conquest felt when we snatch a coveted model from the jaws of a rival, the self-satisfaction of acquiring knowledge and awe and wonder we experience when discovering something horologically significant that we never knew before.

The sense of accomplishment and triumph we feel when we fix the unfixable and the combination of latent greed and envy that drives us to acquire the mintiest of the minty are emotional, not rational, expressions, and, if we're wise, we will acknowledge the role emotions play in our obsession.

Not all collecting emotions are positive. Some emotional experiences can threaten our continued interest and passion for this noblest of pursuits. There's the dark cloud of despair and self-disgust that hovers above us when we've been taken to the cleaners by some horse thief who sells us the dream, but not the genuine article, and, of course, there's always the deeply discouraging realisation that we'll never be rich enough to possess every horological masterpiece that presents itself. Of course, there's always the kid's university or college accounts!

So, emotions play a significant role in our collecting pursuits, and it's usually when we refuse to recognise that our emotions are at play and let them override our knowledge and good sense that we brings us to our most vulnerable. So in addition to all the excellent advice offered by other contributors, I would add the following top10 emotional considerations.

1 - If buying on-line, the larger the pictures of the watch, the better. Large pictures are a boon for non-horologists because not only are they pretty, but also you can more easily score the watch against your checklist. Checklists are an effective way of building knowledge – I'm still adding to mine! Checklists are insurance against post-purchase depression, which, believe me, is infinitely worse than post-partum depression.

2 - Become a horological petrol-head. After all, the mechanical watch you wear on your wrist is a miniature engine. Get to know the cogs and wheels, the terminology, the engines which have become classics, and occasionally get under the bonnet to learn how everything comes together – old and clapped out watches make especially good victims for novice micro-mechanics. I've operated on more old Elgins than the registrar has on people in All Saints.

3 - Befriend a watchmaker/horologist and build a mutual relationship based on knowledge sharing and exclusive servicing of your watches. While there are a few youngsters taking on the craft, most expert mechanical watchmakers are now in their 50s – 70s! They represent a motherlode of information and, in my experience, are more than happy to advise enthusiastic amateurs. It's good for the soul to have a mentor.

4 - Join a 'Community'. Gravitate to those who, through experience, know a lot about the mechanics, values, collectibility and rarity of particular brands and models. While names, dials and case aesthetics are important, the ultimate value of a watch often comes down to the quality and history of the engine that powers it and community discussions on the pro and cons of one engine over another can be fun. What's more, good feelings are part of shooting the breeze with people who share your interest and your foibles!

5 - Just as in antique furniture (museum quality is an exception), if someone removes all of the patina of an object and makes it look "new", the value can drop significantly. A gracefully aged dial and an evenly worn but well-maintained case and movement is a beauty to behold. Get into the splendour of the objects you collect and take 30 heavenly credits off the value of a re-dialled watch as a general rule of thumb and take even more off for an over-polished case.

6 - View vintage watches as you would people. A fifty-year old woman whose contours remain smoothly amalgamated (let's not be sexist here because the same applies to blokes), whose complexion has been protected from the harshest ravages of time and sun, who goes for regular check-ups, and who has maintained a healthy exercise regime, looks, and indeed feels, very different to one who has fallen victim to self-abuse and neglect

7 - Every now and again, buy a cheap, but not nasty, watch just for its aesthetics. That's how, as a mainline Omega Constellation collector, I got into Zodiac Astrographics, Omega Dynamics, Rado Manhattans and Roger Tallon designed Lips! It's fun to explore the history, geometry and design influences of watches. The 60s and 70s were a wonderful sandpit in which many designers played, even those who created cases and dials for some of the big names.

8 - Give as well as receive. Share your misfortunes as well as your conquests. People rarely ever learn how to be astute in any collecting field by one successful acquisition after another. It's the mistakes, the cock-ups and the disappointments that inform the development of the astute collector. Share those experiences generously with others and enjoy the respect and admiration it brings.

9 - Never make a decision about an acquisition if you feel that your emotions are driving your behaviour. And never, repeat, never engage in on-line bidding contests. Stand back and challenge the reasons why you feel so compelled to cream the other guy. Seek advice before bidding, ask questions and find a balance between 'I want' or 'I want to win'and the cold, hard rationality of the pros and cons of an acquisition.

10 - Share your passion with your wife or partner. It's mainly men who are horological petrol-heads and its usually the wife or partner who feels that your love of the latest Panerai somewhat exceeds your love for her. While this may occasionally be true, bring the Panerais and your wife together. Ask for advice on aesthetics and even learn about the subject together. Believe it, or not, more women are entering the science professions than ever before and you may well be surprised at their latent capacity for the science of horology.





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