The magic of watches often lies in the emotions they evoke in people. Watches can represent family history, are gifted to celebrate special occasions, and can make a unique fashion statement. But what if you dive a little deeper? What if you’re interested in the art of watchmaking itself? What if you’d like to know everything about a certain brand or find out more about the design of a specific model? That’s when watches transform into one of the most rewarding hobbies you could have.
Since entering the world of watches, I have yet to meet many people who refer to it as their hobby. To many, watches are so much more than just a beloved pastime. Instead, they refer to themselves as watch collectors, enthusiasts, or even aficionados. However, at the end of the day, they all have one thing in common: They love spending their free time learning all there is to know about watches, buying watches they like, and meeting like-minded people with a passion for mechanical timepieces.
The amazing thing about watches as a hobby is just how expansive the field really is. Many brands have histories that date back centuries and tell a story of constant innovation, great accomplishments, and fine living. The good news is that most of this information can be found for free online. The internet also enables watch enthusiasts to connect through social media, watch forums, and other digital watch publications.
However, if you’re into mechanical watches in particular, I’d recommend getting your hands on some of the amazing books that have been written about watches. Not only do they contain more in-depth information about your favorite watches, but they are also a tangible representation of your hobby. They also happen to look nice on a bookshelf or coffee table. I can almost guarantee that guests won’t be able to resist flipping through the pages whenever they come to your home.
As you get more involved in the world of watches, you’ll quickly find that everyone has a different story of how they got interested in watches. One of the main reasons is often related to what makes the watch tick; most people are simply fascinated by the technical brilliance that goes into making watches. They’re amazed by the degree of technology that can fit into such a small case and are itching to learn more.
Another important reason people are drawn to watches is design. Since watches have such a long history, there is a lot to discover about watch design. Every era has seen the introduction of new styles that represent that specific moment in time. Design lovers look forward to both new releases as well as discovering what the near-endless variety of vintage watches has to offer. Interests range from comparing designs over time and tracing the history from one model to another, to simply finding timepieces that match your personal style.
This brings me to another notable point about watch enthusiasts: Most are very opinionated. They have an opinion about everything: brands, movements, designs, bands, colors, materials, fonts, hands, markers, etc. What’s more, they’re not afraid to voice their opinions. This might seem rather intimidating at first, as many of these individuals are founts of watch knowledge,but once you get past their sometimes stubborn exterior, you’ll discover a community of passionate people whose strong opinions come from their deep love of watches. Becoming a member of the community means joining a never-ending discussion.
And, if we’re being honest, sometimes a passionate discussion about differing opinions can be so much more satisfying than simply agreeing with one another. With that in mind, go out there and find whatever information it is you’re looking for, whether it’s about a brand, model, design, or all of the above. This will not only bring you closer to your favorite timepieces, but also introduce you to a lot of fantastic people. You’ll also find that watch collecting isn’t limited to the elite; it is a hobby for everyone, regardless of age or social class. This is just some of what makes watches one of the best hobbies out there.
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101 Reasons Why Watches Are Great: Part 9
