Horological Meandering

It is customary on some other watch boards for members, at this time of year, to post a shot of their collection, often high-lighting pieces bought during the last year or giving a little color behind the pieces they own. I really quite enjoy these posts, seeing what and why watch enthusiasts at all levels own what they own and hearing them share their obvious enthusiasm for this joint obsession. I mean, hobby.

 

We do not see many State-of-the-Collection posts on the PuristS and I wonder why? Maybe the collective community feels these are in bad taste or poor form? That somehow it would transcend from a genuine sharing of one’s passion into a competition for who can put the most dollars of hardware on the table? Maybe we are all just really bad with cameras? Or we feel that our total collection is somewhat a private affair and should only be leaked out piece-by-piece in differing Watch Scan threads?

 

While I accept it might be due to any of the reasons above, or others, I can’t help but think it is one of the first two I mentioned. And if it is the second – that a sense of competition will creep in – I think we are selling ourselves and the Purist spirit a bit short. I, for one, find that a little sad. And this is coming from someone who’s watch collection (from a monetary perspective) is usurped by 90% of the regular posters here. But then I never have been one to tie my self worth to my net worth as Dr. Phil would say.

 

I just enjoy looking at people’s watch collections.

 

Happy New Year, all

 

NickO

NickO,

Some of your hypotheses may be correct.

In the spirit of pure passion for each piece on it's merits rather than set against the million$ collection table-shot, we have always felt uncomfortable with the 'legs-wide-open' and  look at my collection photo. 

Some people are also uncomfortable with the Friday photo huge thread that pushes horological discussion off-the-screen.

This is not to say that we cannot show the collection in context for example: a themed group of chronographs

or single brand family-shot

or all-tonneau case-shape vignette....etc.etc.

I am open to the community changing it's comfort zone a bit.....

Regards,

MTF

PS. I am considering a special page for the Friday "wotcha wearing" threads....we may call it the "Thank God It's Friday Wotcha" page, only appearing on Fridays    

 

 

the 'Friday photo thread' issue (or for that matter any other extra-long thread issue) could be dealt with simply by collapsing the thread. I wouldn't want the moderators to be burdened with too much extra work, but I imagine it would not be difficult for them to collapse any especially long threads so that they would still be available, but would not prematurely push more substantial threads off the page.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Regards,

Tony C.

I second this.

Nick, I too believe that your various hypotheses are correct, in varying degrees and applying to various parts of the population. The wide disparity between to how widely ThePuristS were read, versus how much apparent participation there was from the community, was something that bothered me for the longest time.

I have heard ThePuristS variously described as a "church" or a "library" where people felt the need to speak in hushed tones. While I was honored by the metaphors (assuming they were compliments    ) I could not help but wish the community felt more at ease just joining in.  Afterall, as anyone who has ever participated in any of our GTG around the world, one thing that definitely characterizes true PuristS is that we look down on no one, and no watch. We respect and welcome anyone who has a true passion for the subject, whether they show up with a $100 vintage Gruen or a $500,000 ueber-complication. 

But on the public boards, this was much harder to convey, especially considering our past predilection for venerable old (and expensive) brands and big complications (as well as some pretty esoteric spring and gear teeth talk)

I am actually quite happy about how much more the general community participates on HoMe and the other brand forums, and insofar as it doesn't turn into a "my collection is bigger than yours" or "my collection is worth more than yours" competition, it would be interesting to see what others have done with their collections.

Do keep in mind that there are many among us with collections that wouldn't fit into a 15mm lens attached full frame DSLR shot (read: 300, 500, more) pieces, and such guys (and gals) tend to be a bit private about their overall collections.

MTF's ideas might be a little less intimidating (?) for such collectors.

TM

and accomplish something similar (assuming one posts photos periodically of individual pieces).  However, that does not assure the entirety of one's collection is displayed nor do all PuristS post such photos.  NIckO has captured the reasons for avoiding such displays--MTF's ideas of showing groupings of various styles, complications, etc. would be interesting (time only, moonphases, repeaters, chronographs, calendars, case shape/design, etc.).  I believe there have been such displays from time to time, albeit limited.  

(The idea that many participants possess limited photographic skills may be quite relevant as well). 

It is a New Year and new ideas are generated. 

tempusfugit