Are You Suffering From Watch Fatigue?
We spend a lot of time with watches, and if you’re reading this, you probably do too. If you or a loved one are getting tired of watches, we recommend reading on.
(@_jimjupiter on Instagram)
Sometimes it’s worth stopping to think about this hobby as a whole. Is this really a question we need to ask? Are we so out of touch with the rest of the reality that we're seeing too much of the hobby we've spent so much time on? Well... yes. We strange idiot-savants consume watch media, scroll watches on Instagram, browse watches on eBay — it can get stale, and hobbies lose their lustre when they get stale.
It’s always worth taking a step back and wondering why you’re doing this. Is it a business for you? A pastime? Something you do because someone you know did it before you? Getting tired of things we enjoy so quickly certainly has its roots deep in our consumer culture, as well as the perpetuity of the social media age, turning our goldfish-like attention spans onto new and attention-grabbing things. So if you’re suffering from watch fatigue, what do you do?
(@roni_m_29 on Instagram)
Find a niche
One way to keep things interesting could be to focus in on something new (or old) that you’re intrigued by. Maybe an old vintage brand that doesn’t get enough recognition and has some sneakily badass references hiding inside, or maybe scope out the microbrand landscape. Collectors like @roni_m_29, @_jimjupiter or @mr_baltic have a niche, stick to it, and it absolutely works.
Some collectors spend their time exclusively on early dive watches, or racing chronographs, or midcentury dress watches. There’s so much joy in the scholarship of searching through a topic, scouring the forums, hunting down new information on something that it can so easily reinvigorate a passion for watches — and remind you what you’re doing this for.
(@wristshotnomatterwhat on Instagram)
Go deep, really deep
Beyond a niche, or maybe what might be the next step after a niche for some of us, is the deep dive. Become a master in your subject matter. We look to experts in their field with respect and some envy, why not become the next one? Imagine being the first to find an ancient reference or dial variation from a cool underrated brand, or even wilder, imagine finding something unique from a big name!
A deep dive doesn’t require you to have deep pockets, either. You could hunt down Casios for fifteen bucks a pop if you really wanted to — and a benefit of foraging your way towards new group is you’re gonna be one of the early ones there. The lucky bastards who got to mid-70s bakelite Zodiac Sea Wolfs before me got them SO much cheaper than what they’re going for now. As much as we might feel late to the game, there are still discoveries to be made in vintage watches.
(@watchstudies on Instagram)
Find your people
If you’re tired of seeing the Tudor Black Bay 58 on Instagram (absolutely no shade, it’s a fantastic watch and every time @watchstudies posts his, it makes me want one), you’re not alone. There are so many awesome accounts sharing such an interesting range of watches. @watchstudies again for magnificent photography and tutorials, @peterfox570 for an unbelievably large collection of vintage dive watches, @wristshotnomatterwhat for Zodiac goodness (no bias here, shh), @zenithconnoisseur for all things Zenith history, @chronopedia.club for the Wikipedia of vintage watches, and so many more I can’t fit in this article.
Hell, I forgot — also us. Follow @vintagewatchfam so we can see people actually read these. And this is just Instagram, there are a huge range of websites, YouTube channels, and more that absolutely have the content and the power to reinvigorate your interest in a new area or facet of this hobby. If not, take two Aspirin and start collecting fountain pens.
We want to tell the stories you want to hear. Send us a message through our Contact form or reach out to @iamjoshcameron on Instagram so we can make it happen.
