TGIF: How to Enjoy Watches You Can't Afford

Watch collecting is one hobby that regularly confronts you with the limits of your financial means. Quite simply for most of us, it raises our awareness of the existence of nice things that we can't possibly afford. Sometimes, it's almost painful. We can see the Rolex that seems so close, yet so far away, in post after post online, in watch collecting magazines, and in the web advertising that follows us around and haunts our online experiences. It can be demoralizing. But, it doesn't have to be. There are ways to enjoy watches you can't afford.

A Rolex Sea Dweller

First, consider the watches that are obvious status symbols. They are sometimes used as a weapon by flashy people who want to measure social status, rank, and class. People who use material possessions to bludgeon others with less wealth aren't being classy. They are being gauche. However, some of these status-symbol watch brands like Rolex have rich histories and are associated with some of our planet's greatest adventurers. As watch enthusiasts, we can focus on the connection between Rolex and heroines and heroes like Mercedes Gleitze, Jacques Cousteau, Sir  Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, Jacques Piccard, Don Walsh, and James Cameron. I also like to think of the many service personnel around the world who may have them as the result of earning combat and hardship pay in faraway lands. These status brands are actually about more than a flashy trust fund baby can even begin to appreciate.

Sir Edmund Hillary (circa 1953)

Second, think about the horological masterpieces from Breguet, Maximillian Buser and Friends, Constantin Vacheron, and RGM. These are watches that rise to the level of fine art. Fine art. For most of us, it's unrealistic to even contemplate owning fine art like a real Monet or Picasso. We won't be carting the Statue of David home from Florence for use in our garden statuaries anytime soon. Just as we can enjoy the aesthetics of fine art in a museum or in photographs online, we can enjoy the looks and mechanical mastery of high end luxury watches without owning them. We can also seek out art that we can afford and enjoy.

Swatch reminds us that not every fine art watch has to be expensive (Amazon photo)

What do we do with this knowledge? I think we relax. We can focus on watches that we can afford and not worry about the ones that we can't. If you can't afford a Rolex, you can bring elements of the Rolex style into the watches that you can afford. If you want the exact look, you can find it in an homage watch. If you like elements of the look, the iconic watches have inspired generations of independent designs that have dive watch looks. The luxury watch brands can serve as guidance and templates for the watches the rest of us actually wear.

Your watch is about you and your adventures!