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If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:37 am
by jkbarnes
This post is inspired, in part, by Des’s thread here asking is less more. Rather than potentially side track his thread, I thought I’d start another.

For those of us who are of the “less is more” persuasion with watches, I’m curious what it is you would indulge in if money and space were not an issue. I know I’ve gone through a number of obsessions over the years, but as enter the back nine of my life, I think my interests have settled down a bit. If I had the ability to indulge with a collection, I think it would be building out a library of books and vintage LPs. My desire when I retire in three years is to have a proper study/library for myself with built in bookcases, a comfy reading chair, maybe an antique desk, and nice little bar, and a vintage stereo system for my records.

I’ve been obsessing on books lately on building out a library that reflects my interests. I’ve also been acquiring my favorite albums on vinyl. When I’m ready to kick it up a notch, I’ll start focusing on vintage pressings of my favorite jazz albums.

So, what would it be for you? Or what is it currently?

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 9:39 am
by strapline
Well Andrew, thanks for the mention and it looks like I'm first to offer a reply here. This has made me ponder my own position and realise that I'm not really a collector by nature. In my own thread I even categorised myself as a wearer of watches rather than a collector. I do have a six watch watch box which I WOULD like to see filled one day, but I'm in no rush. Going forward in time I would like to pull together a collection of biographies of people from popular culture, notably film and music - they tend to be very interesting characters with colourful lives. I'd also like to assemble a separates Hi-Fi with a well curated selection of music on vinyl that has been instrumental on my life's journey. I've always liked the idea of gathering together some favourite wines from around the world and laying them down to age but, when trying this in my past, thirst always seems to get in the way. :lol: :lol:

Des

If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:58 am
by gaf1958
Cameras and lenses… and probably not “would be” but kind of “is”… Photography has been an interest almost as long as watches have - I bought my first SLR camera at the age of 18 and haven’t stopped buying (err, upgrading) ever since.

Owned a 17mm ultra wide in the late 70s and used it to good effect, now have a 12mm as my widest lens with the current Sony 35mm full frame sensor setup. Of course, the longer lenses were not ignored, with 300/2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 lenses in my former arsenal. A few fast primes too, but the high ISO capabilities of the current Sony full frame sensors have meant a number of them have now been sold.

Add in a 1” sensor “bridge” camera, also from Sony with the 24-600mm equivalent range covered, still with fast apertures all in one quite reasonably sized package. Round them out with another very pocketable Sony with the same sensor but a 24-200 range. Along with the good old iPhone, most photographic needs and opportunities are covered. Now when travel resumes, I can really resume making use of them again… sigh.

Upgrades? With a 42mp full frame sensor, the body may be replaced a few years down the live, but it’s good for now. Lenses though are generally speaking, keepers.

Now, if only I had the money and the garage space, there would be cars…. You did ask Andrew. :)

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 11:10 am
by missF
If I had one ‘big enough’ room and ‘enough’ money I’d have a collection of contemporary art that I love. But that room would also have space for a super sound system and plenty of space for doing my own art. And a rocking chair.

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 11:25 am
by jkbarnes
gaf1958 wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:58 am Cameras and lenses…
Funny you mention this, as I almost led my post with cameras. I definitely went through a camera phase and have amassed a modest little collection. But I think that phase is over. I’ve committed to the micro 4/3 format and love it. I’ve got an Olympus body I love and a small collection of primes that more than meet my needs. I’ll only upgrade the body when it breaks or I’m compelled to because of outdated technology. Occasionally I fantasize about a fixed aperture zoom, but it remains fantasy. Ironically, my iPhone handles most of my photographic duty now because it’s always with me.

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 11:29 am
by Wolfman53
jkbarnes wrote:
gaf1958 wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:58 am Cameras and lenses…
Funny you mention this, as I almost led my post with cameras. I definitely went through a camera phase and have amassed a modest little collection. But I think that phase is over. I’ve committed to the micro 4/3 format and love it. I’ve got an Olympus body I love and a small collection of primes that more than meet my needs. I’ll only upgrade the body when it breaks or I’m compelled to because of outdated technology. Occasionally I fantasize about a fixed aperture zoom, but it remains fantasy. Ironically, my iPhone handles most of my photographic duty now because it’s always with me.
Same here.
OM-D E-M1 a couple of primes and the 12-100mm covers everything I need, but cameras and lenses were an obsession before watches.
Bonsai was my obsession before cameras. Still take an interest in both.

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk


Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 12:24 pm
by jkbarnes
Wolfman53 wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 11:29 am Same here.
OM-D E-M1 a couple of primes and the 12-100mm covers everything I need, but cameras and lenses were an obsession before watches.
Bonsai was my obsession before cameras. Still take an interest in both.

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk
I’ve got the Mk 1 OM-D E-M5, and I love it!

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:02 pm
by Caller
Art for me and it is a thing and has been for many years. Primarily modern art linked initially to the loose collection of artists that came to be identified as the St Ives Group from the 50's onwards, through to the many contemporary artists working in the wider geographic area today. And whilst I still follow that from afar, and occasionally buy, there is a thriving contemporary art scene here in Thailand, mainly centred in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I really enjoy visiting the private galleries here and discovering new work and artists. My two biggest pieces are both produced by Thai artists.

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:34 pm
by Fat-Sam
My fellow addictions that currently play catch up to watches:
Coats & Jackets (currently have a
50+)
Shoes, boots & trainers (less so trainers as I’ve got older)
Cigars (mmmm might go and have a cheeky Trinidad Reyes now with a coffee)

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:38 pm
by jkbarnes
Fat-Sam wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:34 pm Coats & Jackets (currently have a
50+)
Shoes, boots & trainers (less so trainers as I’ve got older)
Cigars (mmmm might go and have a cheeky Trinidad Reyes now with a coffee)
I can relate to all of those! It takes every fiber of my being to keep from buying more shoes!

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:40 pm
by Fat-Sam
jkbarnes wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:38 pm
Fat-Sam wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:34 pm Coats & Jackets (currently have a
50+)
Shoes, boots & trainers (less so trainers as I’ve got older)
Cigars (mmmm might go and have a cheeky Trinidad Reyes now with a coffee)
I can relate to all of those! It takes every fiber of my being to keep from buying more shoes!
Last night I had the Bond Crockett and Jones boots in my cart, before realising I don’t go anywhere as an anti social Introvert so they’d end up unworn like all my other nice shoes! 😂

At least my shoes last a long time.

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:25 pm
by Jkpa
I’d need a lot of money to have a collection of cars but that’s definitely my weakness. More so than watches actually but watches are lot cheaper :D

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:38 pm
by Amor Vincit Omnia
Literature, principally two genres: fantasy and travel literature. They form the largest part of my modest library. I’ve been into fantasy literature for many years, and I am now building my collection of travel writing. The latter is important, obviously, because I want to take up travel writing myself as a retirement project.

And then, of course, there is travel itself. Not two weeks on a Greek beach, that was just a little chillout trip. but I have one or two ideas in the pipeline that will involve some interesting trips, hopefully, as things begin to open up again.

Back when budgets were more constrained I did once find myself contemplating a new watch purchase, but realised that if I was going to go ahead with it I would have to forgo a holiday. I didn’t think about it for too long. It was a good holiday, too. I thoroughly enjoyed it! :thumbup:

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:48 pm
by Martin
Uncanny! I have an Olympus 4:3 OM with a prime lens by far preferred. I do however have a macro lens as well that I like to play around with. Also coincidental ( or sad how predictable men of a certain age can be?) are the comments about vinyl and hi-fi. I went down this route about ten years ago. Having amassed a collection in danger of falling through the floor I am now down to the essential 250, everything else has gone. Clothes are of little interest and cars I liked reading about as a young man but grew out of it or just turned towards other priorities. Wine I don't drink but beer is a passion. I spend far too much money but enjoy each and every sip.
Watches I think is now an interest rather than a focus. Having an Omega on the wrist has it seems, scratched that itch.
The one thing that has become the centre of our world is Parker, our whippet. Who needs a sports car when you have a whippet?

Re: If not watches, what would your weakness be?

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:49 pm
by Mikkei4
I'd found it difficult to resist buying loads of fountain pens, old and new, with differing thickness and style of nibs.

Nice to look at, so many designs from numerous brands all without taking up too much space.