Discovering Watch Passion: A PuristSPro Journey

Pingtsai's reflective post invites the WatchProSite community to revisit the origins of their watch collecting passion, exploring the initial excitement, intimidation, and eventual profound love for horology. This piece serves as a timeless prompt for both seasoned collectors and newcomers to share their personal journeys.

Do you remember what it was like when your interest in watches first started? There’s a good chance that things are a little different now but we should all be able to remember the excitement in the novelty of it all, the feeling of intimidation from our lack of technical knowledge and the endless hours spent collecting visual data across the internet. As time passes and we learn more, our interest evolves, shifting from what may have seemed like infatuation at first to a more profound love and source of fulfillment.

Watch collecting can be a lifelong love affair that will bring about moments of tremendous joy as well as the occasional letdown and bouts of frustration. It’s a journey that must be explored consciously but one thing remains certain. It has to start somewhere.

Perhaps some of you can recall when your watch journey began and what it was like. What sparked your interest and kept you hooked on the roller coaster ride that followed? Can you remember that awesome feeling of having discovered a brand new world, one that you voluntarily submitted yourself to? It had all the classiness of an exclusive gentlemen’s club but at the same time retained an equal sense of lightheartedness and fun, a sort of “break-out-the-dirty-jokes” type of backyard BBQ hangout. 

What can also be a lot of fun, after our watch-centric habits have matured and stabilized is witnessing others discover their newly found watch passion. We see aspects of ourselves relived through others. Unfortunately for some of us, it will never be like it was in the beginning when every watch seemed like a novelty. Because let’s face it. As the years pass and collections are released one after another, the seasoned watch collector’s knowledge grows and becomes more fine-tuned. The inevitable happens and it takes more and more to be impressed.    

For newcomers, it can be a little overwhelming at first but exciting nonetheless. Diving head-long into a new interest like watch collecting should be tackled with utter fearlessness. Ask any questions that you have, read what you can and share your thoughts and experiences as you have them. One of our PuristSPro community members did just that and the rest of us had all the best to gain from it.

I first came across one of Kolosstt’s posts while perusing the Chopard forum one day. He had written about his recent acquisition, the Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919. Although he described himself as a newcomer he certainly didn’t seem like one from his thorough and detailed report. He was a natural and it quickly became apparent that his willingness to share would be a welcomed addition.

Since he was new to watch collecting, I was curious about his experience so far and what initiated his interest in haute horologie. I decided it was best to just go to the source and ask. Kolosstt was gracious enough to grant me an interview and I thank him for taking the time to answer my curiosities. Here I share his answers with the rest of the community. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.     

How did you discover your watch passion? And when did you first discover it?

The real passion for haute horologie is very young and only started at the end of 2013. I was looking to replace my 7 year old ETA daily wearer from Victorinox for my 2014 anniversary. However, in the early phases I was looking into lower price range watches, especially some Longines models which got my attention. When the Chopard 919 was released, it was all about making a decision that it is a reasonable investment. As FP Journe recently said in an interview, “I am a man and man usually explain a purchase from a technical point of view.” So, I really dug into more sophisticated watchmaking and realized all the pleasures it offers, like the impressive history and highly technical achievements far away from today's world with microchips everywhere.

You said that you went from a passive member on PuristSPro to a more active one. What prompted you to do so? What inspired you to start posting more?

In the beginning, I surely used PuristSPro as a source for all this digging for justification and finding out more than the usual press releases. So from that point of view, because my knowledge is really limited compared to other members in the esteemed forum, I decided to be passive. However, as time passed, I received my Chopard but I still continued to follow the passion of finding out more of the real watch world. The moment I had to return the Chopard for a repair, this was my first-hand experience, which I felt was right to share with the community. My first post was born and once the ice was broken, I just enjoyed the welcoming environment of the other PuristS and continue posting.

What have you learned about watches or watch collecting since starting this interest that you didn’t know before? How has your overall perception of watches changed?

A lot! The long and impressive history behind all that wrist jewelry that an exclusive circle is wearing today. Just imagine that hundreds of years ago, some people were such experts that could already achieve such high class work and results. In this regard, it sometimes appears that humans have not developed that far. Moreover, I know more about materials that are used, certain techniques from Geneva stripes to Tourbillons. - Such an exciting field.

With all that knowledge, it is much easier to understand the differences between a 10k watch over a 1k watch. And wearing them is for me a symbol of appreciation for that history and culture I would like to continue for my kids when they turn grandparents and beyond.

What has surprised you about watches or the watch industry?

The capability of accuracy with tiny little parts, that was already there much more than 150 years ago.

How do you think new collectors like yourself can be inspired to be more active on PuristSPro?

Hard to say since everybody is different. Maybe a good way are member presentations like this that make them identify themselves better with a kind of anonymous community. I am still waiting and planning for my first GTG to attend. Looking forward to meet others and share some thoughts with other enthusiasts.

When you purchase a watch, what characteristics do you consider? (What influences your buying decision the most?) Please rate these factors from most important to least important - Brand, movement, resale value, aesthetics/design, price, finishing

From most to least:

Available budget - complications - design/aesthetics (- if pre-owned: condition -) - movement - brand - fit in my collection - certain value stability

Why did you choose the Chopard Porsche watch? What were the other watches that you considered before choosing this one?

The Chopard Superfast is all about the number for me. If it weren't the number I got, I would not have bought it. As described above, digging into Chopard as company with history, its family-owned specialties like the strong connection to classical car racing and the step into self-made movements made me feel convinced that it is a good investment. On top of that, I found an excellent service in the boutique where I ordered the watch. So in the end the combination of all three I would say.

Is there a particular brand or brands that you consider your favorites and what do you like about them?

First and most of all, it is Chopard for the given reasons, while they also offer excellent finishes with their watches especially the L.U.C. Sure there are others but I generally like to stay a little bit away from the mainstream.

If you could have any watch in the world, not considering budget, which watch would you choose?

I would like to ask myself when this situation of no budget limitations disappeared, yet it would certainly be some Grand Complication with Tourbillon, Perpetual Calendar and Minute Repeater. Not too many out there...

What are some other interests, passions and hobbies that you have besides watches?

Travel to different parts of the world with my partner, enjoy good food and meet new people. Besides that, stay fit for the daily routine with some sports.