My Journey Part 2: Sometimes, watches aren’t about specs or status. They are about memories.
In part one of my journey, I talked about a watch that belonged to my late father. It’s not a timepiece of significant cash value, and it’s probably not even a watch I would have chosen to buy myself. Yet, it remains a mainstay in my collection—a watch I would never trade or sell. Its sentimental value is priceless; it is the ultimate connection I have to my dad.
That is the real beauty of watch collecting: the sheer variety of what people can love and enjoy. Yes, there are those who care only about the “flex,” arguing that a watch isn’t quality unless it carries a heavy price tag. But they are wrong. Whether a watch costs £40, £400, or £4,000 doesn’t matter. What matters is that you enjoy wearing it, looking at it, and having it in your collection.
Early on, I learned how easy it is to fall for the latest fad—the mainstream, so-called “must-have” watch. It arrives, you get that initial new-watch high, and then the novelty quickly wears off. When I first caught the bug, I rushed out buying left, right, and centre, chasing quantity over quality. Today, most of those impulse buys have been moved on.
The ones that always remain are the ones that actually mean something.Beyond my dad’s watch, I am lucky enough to have a couple more timepieces in my collection with significant sentimental value. Again, these aren’t luxury family heirlooms. They are simply watches that someone put thought into, chosen specifically for me to mark a special milestone.
The Wedding Gift: Hugo Boss Grand Prix
I mentioned this watch in Part 1. My wife gifted this to me on our wedding day. Many enthusiasts might dismiss it as just a “fashion watch,” but I still vividly remember opening it with my groomsmen and the sheer delight I felt. Every time I look at it, I am instantly taken back to that incredible day. It’s a watch I truly cherish.
The Milestone: Kartel Watches ‘Cuillin’
This watch is sentimental for two distinct reasons. First, it’s the timepiece I chose to mark turning 40. Second, it represents the moment my wife fully accepted my new hobby (or obsession). As a gift, she bought me a Kartel watch-making experience, which included a lovely trip to London where I could customize my piece. Granted, it wasn’t a full-on, build-from-scratch horological assembly—it was more about selecting the perfect dial, case, and strap combo—but it meant the world to me. It showed that she supported my passion and actively wanted to be a part of it.
Without support and encouragement from family, and without these memories attached to the wrist, this entire journey would have ground to a halt.
Remember, it’s not always about a brand name, a luxury pedigree, or a price range. It’s about having a passion, wearing watches that tell a story, and celebrating the pieces that simply make you happy.
