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WIS Spouses: What the Other Half Says About Your Watch Obsession

WIS Spouses: What the Other Half Says About Your Watch Obsession

Being married to an extreme watch enthusiast can be an interesting thing. Unless you’ve experienced it, you will never know quite what it’s like to gain a front row seat to such an exclusive world of watch wonder. It is exclusive not because others are purposely excluded but because they aren’t aware that it even exists. It’s like knowing about that neighborhood gem that others have yet to discover. Everyone else thinks they know the best Italian restaurant in town but you happen to know one that’s better.

Gaining automatic membership to such a special club has its privileges like cool trips, interesting people, nice wrist gear and always great food and wine. For some spouses it can be exciting and a lot of fun. For others it can be a bit much and quite frankly, not all that interesting if they’re just not into the whole watch scene. But there are always elements that can be shared and discovered that make the experience worthwhile and the spouses who can find these will not only gain a stronger connection with their hopelessly hooked husbands but perhaps find a dream watch for themselves too. Being able to impress the people behind the Tourneau counter can also be an added benefit.  

The WIS Spouse

WiS Spouses are often exposed to a lot about watches simply by being the personal audience to their partners’ expressive reviews, musings, rants or excited outbursts about all things watch-related. Spouses also see and hear a lot by being the “date” to events, gatherings, shopping trips and more. They are the ones who patiently stand by as their watch-crazed halves go at it with other watch fans about new releases and recent developments. They are there to witness as members unbuckle and cross-examine each other’s latest acquisitions with careful and meticulous care. And often some are wondering how come the same close attention isn’t paid to them or perhaps the accessories they are wearing. 

Sharing the Passion

Watch enthusiasts are naturally passionate. That is why they notice every nuance and detail about their subject of interest, watches. Since they are so passionate about what they love, it is not surprising that they want to share it with the “other” love in their life. It is an innocent and inevitable occurrence that often leads to fascinating discoveries, amusing conversations and no doubt the chance to see and touch some of the most incredible hand-made mechanical masterpieces ever created. The mechanisms are not only technologically advanced but rich with history as well.

Watch Education

Spouses are unknowingly immersed in watch education far beyond what many have ever known or heard about. Although they rarely end up knowing as much as their counterparts, (for that one must be a true-hearted Purist), they certainly will know more than the average non-WIS. And that’s enough to keep just about any watch salesperson on his toes and honest.

Watches, Learning the Game

For spouses, it’s a privilege won but often one that they never asked for or know anything about. Like someone giving you tickets to the Super Bowl but you don’t watch football or know anything about the game. Even in that case, you don’t have to understand the rules or the technical plays in order to admire the players. After a few games, you pick up on the lingo, familiarize yourself with the culture and start to understand the individual components.

It’s a similar scenario for spouses who may begin to admire the big name brands and know the unique watch characteristics. Before long words like movement, case, finishing, and independent watchmaker make their way into their vocabulary. Words like “face” and “factory” are replaced by “dial” and “manufacture”. When you start to hear a spouse mention things like bridges, minute repeater and Philippe Dufour then you know she’s a veteran.

It’s All In the Approach

Spouses tend to be subjected to a lot of information about watches and much of it does end up being quite technical which isn’t always the most engaging factor for them. Some may enjoy it more than others. Spouses have their own way of dealing with the nearly obsessive and often expensive hobbie that their partners take part in. Some employ a completely hands-off approach allowing their spouses freedom to explore within reason. Some may use it as a means to negotiate and bargain for what they want. Others may dive fearlessly head deep into the new and unknown world, soaking up the experience in its entirety.

Finding What’s Relatable

Just as with any activity there can be a wide range of tolerance and enjoyment levels. What you get out of it depends on personal perspective and attitude. Whatever the approach, it’s important that spouses find an aspect about watch collecting that they can relate to. For me it was the passion in the people. Regardless of whether I liked watches or not, the passion expressed by the people I met is what resonated with me the most and what engaged my interest in the beginning. And it was also the same passion that ultimately inspired me to learn more and get more involved. It’s a whole other world that can be completely fascinating, enriching and fun if you open yourself up to it.  

WISpouses Q&A

Spouses of watch enthusiasts and collectors were asked to share experiences, opinions and thoughts regarding their husbands’ interests and passion toward collecting watches. Here’s a glimpse into how the other half thinks and feels. The comments are sure to be illuminating, entertaining and extremely interesting. The following is what they had to say:

How has your husband’s passion toward watches affected your feelings and opinions about watches?

- He definitely got me into watches. Before I met him I think I was wearing a Timex. I bought my first vintage LeCoultre when we were first dating.

- I have come to appreciate them for their mechanical capabilities and innovations as well as for their beauty.

- I have always enjoyed watches, but mostly for their aesthetic values.  I have learned to appreciate the craftsmanship, engineering, and precision that goes into the movements now.

- It has increased my interest in watches as well and I have also gained more knowledge, so that I now also pay attention to what is inside the watch compared to before only looking at design/brand and I also pay more attention to what watches people that I meet have.

- Not only have I learned so much about watches through my husband, but I truly appreciate the beauty each watch presents.  They genuinely interest me now. 

What is the most annoying thing about having a husband that is a watch fanatic?

- $$$$$$$$$$

- Even after he has just bought a watch, or one is being delivered, he is back to the watch forums considering another watch to buy. There is not a "grace period" where he stops to enjoy and contemplate the watch he has just purchased.

- He considers a $10k+ watch as a cheap watch.  But when I want to purchase a $5k+ Chanel bag, he considers this purchase super expensive and a piece of junk.  Not worth the money AT ALL.

- He can stay inside a watch store for over an hour but less than 15 minutes in a clothing store.

- That he is online for about an hour checking the forums every night for new content!  I have to spend that time with Candy Crush!

- Sometimes he can just disappear into the world of watches and forget about time...which is fine because then I remind him.

- The most annoying would be the constant picture viewing.  I love to see a beautiful watch......but not 5 or more in a row when trying to get dinner or help the kids with homework.

- Having to pose for wrist shots over and over and over again.

What is the best thing?

- I like that he has a hobby he enjoys. And the watches are very beautiful in their own way.

- It is a diversion from becoming an alcoholic, a woman-chaser, or a gambler.

- I now have some beautiful timepieces that I would never have bought myself.  Sometimes, when he feels particularly guilty, I get a piece of jewelry too!

- I think it is great to be passionate about something, and luckily this is also something I can appreciate.

- I enjoy going on vacation and spotting watches.  It actually makes me laugh when I point out an AP or a Panerai.

- Getting to test out watches for reviews.

Have you ever gotten into an argument over something that was watch-related?

- Not that I recall.

- When we have a disagreement, it is usually over the cost, when I feel it is exorbitant. Or, when there does not seem to be a stopping point. (Currently over 100 watches...)

- Not that I can recall.  He's pretty responsible in his addiction, and I don't know enough to have an opinion in most cases about what he wants to buy or sell.  He only has one watch I would not want him to sell, and that was his wedding present from me.

- No

- To be honest, never. He gets what he wants.  I see he enjoys his watches.

What is your favorite watch brand and why?

- I collect vintage men's LeCoultre watches - for me it's all about the aesthetics. I love the way they look.

- Not sure I have a favorite.

- So far, JLC….First watch my husband bought for me.

- I don't have a favorite really. Rolex is the go to brand for me just for ease of use, but I would love to have a Patek one day.  

- JLC because the craft, variety of styles and a price range that works for me.

- This is a tough one.  There are so many brands I'd like to own.  But there's one AP ladies boutique watch I love, so AP is atop my list.

What do you wear? Do you wear any of your husband’s watches and if so, which ones?

- I wear whatever my husband gives me. He always makes sure I have the right watch for the occasion. He also keeps all my watches in good working order.

- I choose the watch based on the outfit I am wearing. 75% of the time I do not wear a watch. I do not wear my husband's watches as we do not have the same size wrist.

- Most of my watches are men's sizes and we joke that he can wear mine and I can wear his, although that never actually happens.  I love my Panerai and rose gold Rolex Day/Date but when I'm feeling dainty, I wear the JLC he got me for our 10th anniversary.

- I have a couple of my own JLCs that I wear, both new and vintage (lady master compressor chronograph, vintage 70s men's Etrier, mystery dial, and some other vintage pieces) I also like Rolex and Omega.  I do also borrow some watches occasionally from him, lately mostly Reversos as that is still missing in my own collections.

- Usually my ladies UN or GP.  I'm not as "careful" with watches as my husband is; I don't think he'd let me wear any!  For the record, he did give me an AP to travel with when we went to an event in NY.

What’s the coolest watch-related experience you ever had?

- We've done a lot of poking around in antique shops and vintage jewelers in Europe. I can't name one experience, but I will never think about our vacations without associating them with the watches we've found along the way.

- We were in vacation in France. We met up for lunch with Nicolas, who brought along a guest who happened to be an alumnus of the same small university my husband and I attended.

- My most memorable watch experience was the surprise of getting the JLC at a dinner event on our anniversary. 

- Riding on the Pangea with Mike Horn, touring the IWC watch manufacture, getting to meet Peter Speake-Marin

- I do appreciate going to the watch events.

- We went to Spain to watch the America's Cup with other AP collectors in 2007.  It was an amazing experience.

What do you really think about your husband’s watch friends?

- They all seem very nice!

- All are very interesting, friendly and passionate about their hobby/obsession. I have not spent a great deal of time with them. My interests do not run along the same lines.

- I think they are bunch of cool guys.  Since they all work hard and are very successful in their respective fields, they deserve something nice.  Personally, I extremely admire someone who wears a very nice watch because not only does it mean this person is successful in his career, it also means he/she has good taste.  Being rich not necessarily equates to having good taste or knowing how to enjoy life.  I enjoy my time being around with my husband’s watch friends and of course their other halves as well.

- I take the 5th...  No, everyone I have met is intelligent, interesting, and nerdy in a good way, just like me and my husband!

- I haven't met any of them yet, but I think it is nice that he has that group of friends and they seem very nice.

- They are an eccentric bunch of true gentlemen. Once you look past the technically challenging verbiage and “holy cow how can you get so excited about oil, or lack of” thoughts then you realize the depth of their passion and how it makes them so real.  

- I've met quite a few of his "watch" friends and have to say, they are some of the most fun and interesting people.  I've had some of the best times with my husband at watch events.

What have you learned about watches that you didn’t know before?

- Well, I didn't know anything before. So...everything.

- Escapements, tourbillons, how a perpetual watch works, what designates a chronometer, etc.

- Rolex is not the ONLY luxury watch in the world, not the most expensive one either, and not the best watch brand.

- Everything!  I only knew what was pretty or trendy before, but now I can appreciate things that I would not necessarily want to wear purely for the craft of their creation.

- I learned that the nature of one’s watch passion and collecting habits is such a reflection of who they are.

- A lot of things concerning history, movements etc.

- I had no idea about prices! But I've also learned so much about different brands and movements and how they work.

Your husband comes home and tells you that he has just purchased a new watch that cost 10x his paycheck amount and claims it is a great investment and he got a great deal and didn’t have time to ask you first. Your reaction:

- With two kids who have to go to college in the next six years, I would say "Take it back. Now."

- Well, when that happened to me the first time, I was mad. I could not believe he would do that without discussing it with me first.  (Actually, it never happened to that degree.) A different situation occurred many years ago that helped us to decide that any large purchases deserved both of us being in on the decision.  I must admit, that, when my husband has decided to sell one of his watches, he has always "broken even" or made a profit.

- Rush to South Coast Plaza and get the handbag I’ve been dreaming of for the year and tell him this is a great investment also!

- I believe him!  As far as I know, we have never lost money on one of his watch purchases and he would never jeopardize our welfare for a watch.  His watch buddies wouldn't let him make a stupid purchase either!

- Well, as long as he can afford it is fine even though it would have been nice to know about it.

- I'll tell him, "I can't wait to see what it looks like!"  Then I think about buying some new shoes  

***Special Thanks to all the spouses who offered their input for this article. 

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