The Breitling Watch Source Forums

This brings up another thought. How many is enough and where is the line drawn between an owner, an enthusiast, a collector and finally, an (ahemm)eccentric. Can huge debt be accumulated when amassing a collection? How much? Can I own an infinite amount and still be considered a collector or should I seek help?
An owner may own 1-2, an enthusiast 2-3, a collector 4+, an eccentric (?) 10-50-100? where is that line anyway?

I THINK ATTITUDE, ENTHUSIASM AND KNOWLEDGE MEAN MORE THAN THE NUMBER OF BREITLINGS OWNED.

just by the fact we are here, we are all above "owner" in my mind. i know people with 10 that i wouldn't call a collector or enthusiast, and i know people with one or non who i would call an enthusiast all day.

Noone should be buying one or many luxury watches for any reason by borrowing the (or the majority of) money for the purchase. These things that we all covet are not necessery items for our lives and are only a luxury item. Like the old saying that a timex keeps more accurate time than a COSC manual luxury watch and cost less than the sales tax on a luxury watch. While I can see where a "rock star" deal might be thrown into someones lap and the "watch fund" might not be built up to buy it, well as long as you can pay OFF the credit card within a reasonable time frame (6mo or less) then I see no problem with that.

Back to the other part of the question. I could classify myself as an enthusiast, but prefer watch nut.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

Whenever the topic of what people think of spending $x on a watch comes up my response is always that I don't care what others think, I buy them for me, not for anyone else.

The same applies here - I don't care what label people want to put on me. I have never had a conversation with myself as to whether I am a collector or an enthusiast, and I'm not sure what the difference is. I am enthusiastic about watches, as anyone who has read many of my posts knows (heck anyone who looks at my post count can probably figure that out). I have more watches than some, and fewer than others - if people consider me eccentric then I suspect that it's because of my reluctance to share my collection, or perhaps because I am so deeply 'into' watches.

My collection is always growing because I don't sell watches (maybe that's eccentric), but I don't ever think that I have a problem and need to stop - I add pieces for a reason because I always intend to keep them so they need to add something to the collection that I already have.

In terms of the money, I guess that watches can become an addiction just like anything else and if they consume money that is needed elsewhere then that's a problem. I don't like passing judgment on people who borrow on credit card to buy something - I haven't got the right, but for me I pay cash every time (or at least pay off the credit card immediately) - that's important to me. I also pay the watch fund last - after bills, savings, etc and I do think that's important. I also check with my wife before I spend anything - she would never stop me, but I respect her opinion and we pool all of our money so it is not 'my' money, it's 'ours'.

If people need to label me, so be it - I've been called a lot of things on this forum and it's not going to bother me, but I just don't see the importance of a label.

Just my thoughts, take them for whatever they're worth.

Generally speaking I wouldn’t think it’s a good idea to incur debt to build a watch collection, but every person is in an unique situation. Money is relative on this forum – a 5k watch might be lifelong goal for one person and an impulse buy for another.

A second B is in my future, but it will take a little time, there’s no rush. I have 2 little kids, who are even more expensive as some of you probably know. The main (only) drawback with buying a watch is it’s a selfish purchase, the enjoyment is not shared with others as opposed to say a vacation….. And unfortunately for me I have an appreciation for other things besides watches that are also expensive and non-essential. So yes, I consider myself an enthusiast, but am probably not destined to be a collector. Writers note: If my salary is tripled tomorrow forget I posted any of this.

However, if I was a collector or watch flipper, I would incur debt if I spotted a great deal that I needed to scoop up. That would be no different than buying an undervalued stock.

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Chronomat Evo (White, Arabics)
Avenger Seawolf (Black, Batons) INCOMING?

I waited almost 47 years until i could walk into a AD and buy the watch of my choice.......then after making the purchase to not covet any other watch or model but to remain loyal to my one and only purchase, then taking enough interest to join a forum like this one populated by people with the same interest.........in my book that would make me an enthusiast..........i have the same sort of thing going on with my car i am an enthusiast.....and am a coordinator for that particular model with an enthusiasts club......so yes even though i have the one Ling i "enthuse" about all things Breitling ........same as my make and model of car. ..............

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SUPER AVENGER 563
BLUE DIAL
SILVER SUBS
PRO 2 BRACELET
]

How one is categorised entirely depends on who you ask. What's more important, I think, is how you classify yourself. Someone can be an enthusiast and not own any watches for a variety of reasons etc IMO.

Re your debt statement, I agree with the majority of replies that it isn't my personal preference to accumulate a lot of debt on what I consider to be luxury item i.e. a non-necessity (although the meaning of necessity could certainly be challenged by an eccentric ). Of course you can....that is an individual assessment. Whatever works for you is all that matters!

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

That's the only reason I waited so long before actually getting my 1st Ling -- there were always something else more "worthwhile" to spend our disposable income on which benefited THE ENTIRE FAMILY vs. me alone. And like Kid Vegas knows, a vacation for 4 easily costs as much as a couple (or more ) of brand-new Lings!

Having said that, I would love to be a collector, which in my book is someone who derives pleasure from "collecting", and not necessarily an expert on the collection. I don't think I would ever become an "enthusiast", as I am not as interested in the history / technical details of the watch, as much as the pleasure I feel with it on my wrist.

Also, I absolutely love showing off my watch (despite the fact so few people actually care about watches). To me, a collection is much more fun when others get to see it and give comments, good and bad -- which are just 'flavoring' on my joy as the owner of the watch -- akin to posting the watch in these here fine forums...

I don't think others' comments would ever make me change my mind about a watch I own (after all, I drive a Hummer H2 for 5 years -- gets TONS of polarizing comments from total strangers all the time -- and still absolutely enjoy & love my ride ), but on the other hand, I don't think I will ever own a watch which looks so classic (read: plain) as to be practically invisible on my wrist.

I look very much forward to growing my collection... (not as Panerai, Graham & Zenith are all calling to me... )

Forgot to add: I LOVE the "how much?" questions -- after all, if I get such sticker-shock when paying for the watch -- why shouldn't they get the same sticker-shock when asking me "WHAT??? HOW MUCH??!! "

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a few Pams...

I'm here but i don't own a Breitling... but i own two Panerai's... what does that make me???

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Panerai PAM212 | Panerai Diver Strap
Panerai PAM111 | Black Croc Strap
Omega Planet Ocean | SS Bracelet
Rolex Submariner | SS Bracelet (Sold, Awaiting Funds)
Breitling Navitimer Olympus | Brown Croc Strap (Arriving)

I dont think its about the number you own, but rather how you feel about the things. Ive whittled my B collection down to 2, and to be honest, dont consider myself a super crazy watch nut. On the other hand, somebody else who only owns two watches but spends all waking hours dreaming about amassing a large collection and is eating a Tangwich for lunch every day to save money for the watch fund, would probably be considered a obsessed.

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-RJ

hahaha tangwich havent heard that for a while. i agree though

It is impossible to categorize why. We all acquire watches for different reasons and with different attitudes about how we pay for them. If I'm lusting after a certain watch that is still in production, I will put it last on the list of discretionary cash pruchases. Conversely, if I come across an extremely rare antique or vintage watch, I have no problem going into debt for it.

For me, watches are the finest example of ingenuity on the micro scale. I have some grand complications and I am still awestruck every time I work on one.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

I waited 50 years before buying my first Ling, a B01.

I have loved Lings since forever. After having so many relationships with so many people from the aviation world, I knew I would have one someday. I just kept staring at their wrists. Especially during air shows where their acrobatic team performed again and again. Or during Farnborough or Le Bourget or EBACE. So, I guess that even though I had no Ling yet, I could be considered as enthusiast as those who did. I only had a Ling cap back then.

But kid and family expenses as well as business investments kept postponing the day. Until my half century anniversary when I decided that that would be the day! And when I used part of a stock investment I had made as a student to buy it, my wife complained: You're not gonna use the money "we" put aside for a watch! When I explained to her that she had nothing to do with MY investment, she just stayed mumm. Then a while later: "I want something as expensive for MY 50th birthday" or "I don't have anything as expensive". Even though she owns a Cartier tank as well as some expensive rings which I don't. Nevertheless, she is now the first to point a Ling on a actor or a personality on TV, sign that she does like my watch or at least, Ling got her attention.

Now, it's true that buying a Ling maybe a selfish purchase, the enjoyment of which is shared only by me. But think of all the times you buy something for other family members (spouse, kids etc.) for Christmas, anniversaries or other milestones. Who's enjoyment is it then? But I bought the presents nevertheless. And it was my pleasure to buy them as it was my pleasure to see them full of joy. But who thought of me then? They were busy contemplating their presents.

Needless to say that I love my watch and feel naked whenever I have to go out without it. But when I wear it, I just keep smiling. Even my wife asked me once "What are you smiling about?" And when I'm having a bad day, I just look at my B01 and my day gets better.

And even though I don't like showing off my B01, well it shows on a wrist. Because you have to admit that a Ling is so special and much less common than an Omega or a Rolex, for example. Especially now with their own Caliber B01.

Then when someone is asking me "Wow, it's a Breitling, isn't it?", I cannot be prouder when I reply YES. And then the usual questions follow. Are you a pilot? Do you fly? What model is it? and at the very end, if at all, How much?

So, as joejag said:"though i have the one Ling i "enthuse" about all things Breitling ........same as my make and model of car (make it a BMW!). "

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

as many have said its all about personal choice.

i havent bought them with a goal in mind, i dont aim for a certain number, i have seen some i love and bought them, i have a list of ones i dont have that i want and as and when i can afford them ill buy them.

i also have a few that i want to Collect rather than ones from the current chronolog, this doesnt mean i wont wear them it means they are a little more special than everyday ones normally due to complcations that are rare

i dont think you should get into debt for anything such as a watch

for me breitling has been a life long brand and i dont own much outside the brand and thats simply beacuse i dont like any others as much as i like the breitlings, dont get me wrong there are a couple of IWC's, Panerai, PP id happily own but none that i cant live without..... so ive not bought them, infact all non b's i own were gifts or inherited.