What makes a watch enthusiast?

[Perfectwatches]

Years ago, in high school. Was when I first started buying watches. I had not the slightest idea about watches, movements, functions or brands.
Of course I've heard of Rolex. The brand of Luxury and success, but couldn't wrap my head around the idea of paying thousands of dollars for just a watch.

So what I did next, was what I guess most amateur watch enthusiast do? I bought watches that caught my eye with little knowledge about it. Not sure why but my preference was Fossil and Nixon. Then people stared asking me questions like what kind of movement does it have? Is it Swiss made? Quarts? And so on....That's when I realized that I might just be throwing money away on worthless watches.

Learn the watch, know what functions you want and fall in love with it.

So my question for you is how did you become a watch enthusiast?

[Cocas]

For me, after pursuing this hobby for more than 2 decades. You got to be very patient and persistent to progress in your career and must satisfy your family needs first and then to spare a stash of cash to acquire your grail watches.

The whole process is very pain-taking.... But I always self motivated that my grail watch will stay and will not disappear anytime soon. I just need to work extra harder to get it.

[meoramri]

Like @cocas, my journey has been a long and slow progression. My first was in 1979, a winding Bucherer (sadly no longer with me). Back then the cycle was a watch every 7 years. This went on until 2010 when the hobby really took off.  I guess, having some spare time as well as resources became the catalysts.

[gchee]

Bought my first rolex 8 years ago (16610) only wear it on special occasions. Never really thought much about it, its just an expensive and branded watch to me. Also kind of my show off piece to show I have made it. Didn't bother whats under the hood nor time accuracy. Early this year my interest kicked in. Saw an acquaintance with a panerai on his wrist and it looked really nice. Got myself a pam the next day and today I have one too many watches and not stopping anytime soon!

[leewae91]

Grew up watching my old man collect rolex just made the transition natural for me haha. Aside from the one watch brand that somehow stayed resilient in my memory from childhood was IWC and telling my young self that I would defo collect IWC's when older. So here I am, 24 and blowing all my cash like a fool on these

[tonykpk]

My father bought me a Timex for 20 rm in 1968. There after it's mostly Seiko with my own money . Swiss watches started  after the millennium n gosh wonder when it will stop. I believed  it's like  a piece of art on the wrist so now branding and design is important to me instead  of movements inside previously. Regards

[Jedirat]

My simple path:

Learn and understand the watch story to decide what I want. You will find your grail along this way and this is how I fall into the world of watches.
Set target and save for it.
Appreciate each piece I have and maintain them in proper manner.

 

[lee882888]

My father bought me a Timex for 20 rm in 1968. There after it's mostly Seiko with my own money . Swiss watches started  after the millennium n gosh wonder when it will stop. I believed  it's like  a piece of art on the wrist so now branding and design is important to me instead  of movements inside previously. Regards

You keep every time piece until today?