Don Weberg, GSM’s Publisher shoots me an email, “Hey Rick, you know a “thing” or two about watches, how about sharing something for our readers?”
The “things” about watches revolve around my admiration, fascination, and attraction for them. For those GSM readers who are true horologists, and regularly attend Baselworld (now Watches & Wonders Geneva), my musings about watches will not be of much interest. This is for car guys with a casual interest, a beginning interest, or simply a curiosity (like most of us) for mechanical contraptions. It is not meant to be an introduction to the complexities of watches or the stages of becoming a collector.
I became interested in watches 40 years ago when, at local flea markets, I started to see vendors selling watches for three to five dollars each. They were classified as “fashion watches.” The milestone that contributed to literally millions of these watches hitting the market was a result of the introduction of the Japanese quartz watch invasion. This began with Seiko’s introduction of the world’s first quartz wristwatch, the Seiko Quartz Astron 35SQ in 1969. The quartz movement provided thousands of small companies to introduce watches with novel, unique, and creative designs. Prior to that my knowledge about watches was limited to expecting one when I graduated college, and falling in line to get the traditional gold watch when I retired (which I still haven’t done).
I would buy four or five at a time, with the simple criteria of being attracted by the diverse ways in which these time pieces were designed. Over time I started to learn more about watches and eventually acquired what I would describe as “respectable” watches (i.e. Movado, Chopard, Bell & Ross, Graham, Omega, Tissot, and others). While I certainly appreciate and cherish them, I also enjoy Invicta, Fossil, Swatch, Casio, and dozens of other affordable brands.
The challenge comes when you have acquired more than will fit in a draw. The same is true of GSM readers who collect car models, mascots, license plates, and of course cars themselves. Where do you “store” them, and more challenging is where and how do you “display them.”
I decided to store my watches in a Craftsman toolbox. The drawers are perfect for laying them with the leather bands flat and larger drawers are great for those watches with metal bands. It does a great job of connecting both my watches and my garage interests. I try to wear a different watch every day and many of my co-workers stop by to check them out. In fact, several of them have admitted to a growing curiosity and have started to buy some for themselves. Best advice for anyone interested in getting a watch is the same for those who are interested in collector cars… buy what you like (regardless of prestige or for the purpose of impressing anyone). While many high-end watch brands are billed as “investment grade,” the real payback is the enjoyment you get with wearing, using, sharing, and gifting them.
GSM Watch Advice: Pick up a $10 watch at Walmart for when you are working in tight spaces in your car… engine blocks don’t have much respect for your Breitling, Cartier, or Patek Philippe. Save those for Pebble Beach; where people will be “wrist watching.”
