The Breitling Watch Source Forums

this was just posted on another forum, had a good chuckle.
hesitated if I should post it in The Funnies, but too true for that.
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It was apparently originally authored by Richard Askam, a long time ago on another watch forum.

The Nine Circles of WISdom...

Remember when you had just one watch? You used it for years. It needed services/batteries but it worked just fine and you were happy. The spiral began...

1. First Circle.
- A friend showed you his new watch and you thought "Hey, maybe I should get a new watch?".
- You joined some online forums, got some opinions on current watches but liked two equally.
- You bought them both.

2. Second Circle.
- You have four watches for the following uses, work, dress, beater, gym.
- You're in denial... "A collection!? Nah, a collection is 5 or more right?".
- You've just subscribed to 'International Watch'.

3. Third Circle.
- Your 'collection' hit 10 some time ago so you have all the bases covered now; diver, dress, beater, vintage, mickey mouse etc. but you're still looking for another watch.
- You've tried your first 'hand swap' using a bent screwdriver, two cocktail sticks and a q-tip, "Watchmakers? Pah! How hard can it be?".... you now have a 'project watch' box.
- Your wife 'thinks' you're an idiot.

4. Fourth Circle.
- You've just completed your first watch family (same watch in all available colours).
- You know Segal's Law, but you're feeling particulary smug as you've just ordered a Waveceptor (or similar), "Ha!".
- Your total watch count doesn't include 'project watches' any more.
- When you get out of the shower, the first thing you put on is your watch.
- Your wife 'tells you' you're an idiot.

5. Fifth Circle.
- You wouldn't admit it but you pick your watch out first and then select your outfit accordingly.
- You have a 'bed watch' and you charge up the lume religiously just before lights out.
- You're on first name terms with the postman.
- Your wife 'knows' you're an idiot. You agree.

6. Sixth Circle.
- Every morning Your Waveceptor (or similar) wakes you up EXACTLY on time and you use a vintage chrono to time your boiled eggs.
- While you wait, you wind 7 manual wind watches.
- You've tried to read under the duvet, using just the lume glow from your watch.
- You own watches without straps.
- Ramon knows your name.

7. Seventh Circle.
- You don't bother keeping your watches running any more, "It reduces the wear on them anyway, right?".
- You decide which watch to wear based on how close the day/date combination is to being right so you'll have less 'messing about' setting it.
- You've bought your first vintage watch that is 'too good' to wear.
- Your wife suggests a vacation and you realise with horror that you don't have a 'vacation watch'.
- You spent more on the 'vacation watch' than the vacation.

8. Eighth Circle.
- You've bought a watch on the net, when you went to put it away you realised you already had one.
- You don't care about the day/date being right any more, if you need to know the date you look at your phone.
- You associate the word 'vacation' with either Switzerland or Japan.
- You replace your spring bars annually. You've read stories of 'spring bar failure' and the thought alone makes you feel ill.
- Higuchi-san sent you a christmas card.

9. Ninth Circle.
- A new acquaintance asked how many watches you have and you said 'oh, I don't know', not because you we're embarrassed to say... you really don't know.
- Your wife associates the word 'vacation' with Switzerland or Japan.
- You have a beater worth more than your car.
- You get more phone calls from watch dealers than friends.
- You have a piece of paper in your wallet that reads 'In the event of an accident please ensure that my vintage perpetual calendar watch is wound daily'.

So, are you in control of your WISdom?

Unusually for me I have nothing to say......

Been in the 2-plus range, now back to about 2--and my wife does suggest I have a "compulsion".

_________________
Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

My wife accepts my AFFLICTION!!! IF I am buying watches she knows I am not chasing women. She only finds out that I have a new watch is when my 6 year grand daughter who lives with us sees a new watch on my wrist and immediately informs grandma that "PAPA HAS A NEW WATCH". I guess I need to retrain her not to be soo observant or not to tattle. I think I am between the 4th and 5th circle.

_________________
"A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure."

Fred, I understand this is supposed to be funny but It is "so close to home" that I find it scary

_________________
"It is just a matter of time!"

yep, some of that does sound familiar.
having a relatively nice car keeps me from....
and I do email w/ watch dealers.

I think I'm somewhere around "Circle 6".

Funny (and true) read that!

_________________
Driver8

Site Moderator

lol.

Think there needs to be a 10th circle for a few members...

You own a copy of almost every model of your favourite watch ever produced, and have authored articles on them
You spend more time answering emails and PM's from people asking for your wisdom on vintage watch authenticity than you do answering work emails or emails from dealers

Nice post WatchFred, I particularly appreciated the 'wife thinks/knows/says you're an idiot' parts

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

touché

Funny stuff. I am in a hovering pattern around circle 2, but there are pieces of the other circles that apply to me. The "charge the lume" before bed, made me chuckle. I can't count the number of times I stood at my vanity with my arm raised above my head and the watch pressed up against the light bulb for 10 seconds. Not that I would wear it to bed.....just so I could show my wife how cool the lume looks....and then get called an idiot!

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

(Though it's hell that has nine circles. It's the seven pillars of wisdom. I'll get me coat...)