While some people are completely repulsed by the idea of owning only a single watch, I believe that having just one perfect watch is the apotheosis of collecting. Finding ‘the one’ is an incredibly romantic notion and emotional journey in everything it’s applied to. This notion in all of its variations drives some to happiness while driving others to misery. A happy result is the product of luck, circumstance, and determination. The greatest challenge of this endeavor is, of course, finding the perfect watch for you.
The most popular method to find out what you actually like in watches is through collecting them. It’s straightforward to find out what you like and don’t like about certain watches when you own them, no matter how long that may be. When you reach your eureka point for what you want in a watch, that’s where things get more complicated.
This will be a time of horological misery.
You have a great idea of what you want, but unless you’re really lucky you probably have no clue what watch actually realizes everything that you want. This will be a time of horological misery. You will look at countless watches, potentially spanning a time measured in years. Unfortunately, whether through a lack of existence or simply not stumbling upon it, some people will never find their perfect watch. Some others may find their perfect watch in a place they did not expect. Nonetheless, count yourself among the lucky if you truly figure out what your perfect watch is.
All that’s left is to find and buy the watch.
If you make it to this point (which I currently am at), you are nearing the end of this emotion-driven journey. All that’s left is to find and buy the watch. Depending on your financial situation and the watch, this step could be very easy or appear insurmountable. It could theoretically be any price, but very often it’s expensive. Another matter of circumstance is actually being able to find the watch. If it’s new you probably won’t have to deal with anything more than an obscenely long wait-list, but if it’s vintage that same time spent on the wait-list could transfer to time spent hunting for an example in good condition.
The elusive, final step of this journey is to own the watch and enjoy it. Watches are meant to be worn, and if you have just one watch, it should be enjoyed on a daily basis. For those who own their perfect watch, I truly hope that you enjoy your watch. If you want one and haven’t gotten it yet, don’t settle for less than what you want.
Time of Horology 