Rekindling

I haven’t thought of watches in a while. I have not even worn a watch regularly. From waking up everyday thinking what watch to wear to not being bothered with it. It’s a lucky day if I get to wear a watch once in a week nowadays. I just… stopped.

I don’t know that I fell out of love for watches. Not completely anyway. I still occasionally look at strangers’ watches, trying to see if I can guess what brand they’re wearing. Or perhaps watch the occasional Youtube content. Maybe I’d have a conversation with a fellow enthusiast whose world still revolves around men’s wrist jewelry. I’m still interested, I think. Just not consumed by obsession. The fever had dissipated a long time ago. I’ve moved on. Or as we say here at the Escapement Room, life got in the way–as life is wont to do. There were far too many personal stuff that I had gone through that I don’t want to share because they are of no interest to anyone except me. And even I often get bored of my own personal drama, what more others. But I had gone through them and they have changed how I spent my free time. I would call them priorities but that’s just giving them more weight than they deserve.

I had an article in mind. I had several articles in mind. But I had not had the impetus or any kind of insight to muster writing anything meaningful. The collection–as it stands now–is slowly but assuredly dwindling. I have sold and gave away a lot of them. I’m still far from the must discussed one-watch collection. Yet, it doesn’t feel like I’m doing it purposefully. More like a by-product of uncaring curation. The goal–if there is one–is to make room for my upcoming acquisitions. So, yeah, there is still interest. The collection is looking like happenstance, which is how normal people tend to acquire watches. They are bought without real thought, or given to them, or handed down by the older generation. It all feels organic, not forced.

So why does that disappoint me? Surely, something organic is better than forced?

I don’t know. I love intentionality in the things that I do. I want control and I am so not in control right now.

I know someone whose life is in a bigger turmoil than mine. Same age as me but having marital problems like you wouldn’t believe. Having discovered that he’s not been as faithful as expected, his wife sold off all of his stuff for a song. Spite Sale, if you will. I took advantage of that. I got cussed out by the guy because I acted like a vulture. It’s all fun and games until it’s not. It’s his life I’m having fun with. I told him I will give back what I purchased once he’s gotten his life back in shape. I am a man of my word. He’ll get those back. Right now, it’s better if his stuff go to people he can get them back from.

So what did I purchase?

An A. Lange & Söhne, a Bovet and a Tudor, all for 600 USD. I don’t even know what the models are. I bought them sight unseen. I just heard there was a fire sale by people I know and I jumped at the chance before anyone else got them. They’re trusted people so I’m not worried. They’re really more like a loan at this point anyway. I don’t really own them, not really. But I can wear them for a time. The watches are en route as we speak according to the wife. She even threw in a whole bunch of Delugs straps, an ultrasonic cleaner, and everything watch related. In a few days they’ll all be in my possession.

So, I do have interest still. Or did I just take advantage of an unexpected opportunity? I don’t know. Maybe the new watches will rekindle the love for wearing watches. We’ll see.

This is a short post. Just trying to get my feet wet with content-writing again. See how it goes.