Larry Seiden
394
Since there is no "perfect" watch and the anticipation of an inbound is such a joy
Oct 22, 2011,14:50 PM
Gary,
I think as collectors we have all had the same "internal" conversation that you so accurately and profoundly "revealed" to the world here. In addition to our refine sense of taste (whatever that is!), we are influenced by our friends, significant others, spouses, horological media, forum postings, and our own inner demons!
Your post made for delightful reading and also brought back those regrets that I still carry around for either selling "too soon" or just being short-sighted, for lusting for another treasure thinking that this next watch is the one that will make me happy and of course, be perfect. However, after 15 years of addiction, I realize there really is no single "perfect" watch. It is truly variety that makes me the happiest. And like you, I'm pretty sure (???) I know what I like. And like Amanico, it's taken me several hundred "buys" to get to this point.
We are all great rationalizers! And that may be the single factor that makes us not only great collectors, but proud hunters!!!
Some of us follow the tenets of Michael Korda's great book on watch collecting ("Marking Time") working on a theme and some of us love nothing more than a pretty dial and substantial case (me!). Still I believe that at the end of the day, we can look at our collections, whether large or small, and feel pretty good about ourselves and the lifetime journey we have taken to get this point (I'm not talking about watch acquisitions, but rather whatever has provided us with the wherewithal to appreciate and relate to, your therapeutic confession).
Gary, it has been a pleasure to know you and share the joy of your "hunt(s)." And thank you for sharing not only your watches, but the thoughts and feelings -- both the regrets and the elation. As well as the "head talk" we all have just because we are all just slightly "watch crazy."
All my best,
Larry