Why we do this...

[theoilrigger]

Just wanted some opinions from everyone on why you collect watches... Why Breitling? This is a great forum, and I think it would be cool to hear everbodys story.
Here's mine...
I'm not a pilot or in the military but I give my thumbs up to all those who serve their beloved country w/ pride... I don't even work on an oil rig, its just a nickname given to me years ago.
So why do I collect watches and why Breitling? When it comes to mechanical and automatic watches I see them as little masterpieces. In a way its timeless, as long as you are working, so does your timepiece. Its amazing, perfect and beautiful all wrapped around your wrist. As for Breitling? Hands down- the way they are made, attention to detail, and overall esthetics. I'll put my Breitlings up against any watch especially when it comes to price.
I see alot of guest that visit this forum looking for advice and answers... My advice, go out there and get one, it doesn't have to be a Breitling. But go out and invest some time and $$$ in a watch. It'll be w/ you forever... guaranteed.
thanks for your time,
Bo

[dawson2k5]

I collect watches for both business and pleasure.
I love watches they are just soo beautiful i love how they look and how they work.
I find it hard gaining respect at 18 in what i do.
I have had many situations where people have refsed to deal with me on the basis of my age.
After i was bought a Breitling not much changed, people still didn't like dealing with me and instead opted for my father, but after a meeting with a client ended and he noticed my watch respect gradually grew.
These are my reasons for collecting them.
I must say though arriving in a nissan 350z helps an awful lot more than a Breitling or Rolex.

[no_self_control]

i got my first watch at 11 for xmas from my mum. very proud of it. still have it. a mechanical oris that is near mint.

got my second watch at 21 for my birthday from my mum again. still have it too. an quartz LCD that got really hammered, mainly during car maintenance.

bought myself a casio as a treat for a promotion.

bought my brother three watches for a birthday and a couple of xmas's. a couple of seiko's and most recently a breitling aerospace. all new.

from the aerospace purchase, things got a little interesting. started to collect early breitling aerospace's. then moved on to omega's.

why do it? well, i guess it boils down to a fascination with aesthetics, ergonomics and mechanics. a good watch encapsulates all of these. watches, like cars, are attractive and useful. the thing is i can afford many watches but few cars.

[Callaway]

Because they can't sue you for divorce or give you a headache in the morning both of which I have intimate knowledge of, that's when I discovered I was much safer with watches than with ex-wives and booze. No I take that back just ex-wives. :-d

[wurtzburg]

Breitling (especially Breitling E) is my dream watch since I joined the Air Force in 1991. Basic + flight pay during my second lieutenant days wasn't enough to buy such expensive watch. After 15 years then only I can afford to buy one.

[no_self_control]

i haven't got an E. but i don't fly either. i thinks it a pre-requisite for that.

Breitling (especially Breitling E) is my dream watch since I joined the Air Force in 1991. Basic + flight pay during my second lieutenant days wasn't enough to buy such expensive watch. After 15 years then only I can afford to buy one.

[davey vermaak]

Why?

Cos since I could tip toe up and admire the watches in the cases at the shops I loved them.

At 40 I bought my 1st expensive watch, and still my fav my Breitling B1.

I love them all tho and don't see the collection stopping just yet!!!! Man, I feel so spoilt wearing such beautiful timepieces.

Davey

[Cinq]

Last year, I found out the hard way that mountainbiking is a far more dangerous hobby :-d

Kind regards,

Cinq

[LtP171]

Probably had to do with my Dad. He was in purchasing and materials management. He taught me alot about quality and durability, and sometimes how the best isn't always the most expensive. He always bought the very best quality he could afford. He didn't have much but what he had was the best.
Yesau radios, Zebco Cardinal reels (Swiss), Porter Cable tools, I guess Breitling is an extension of that. In some ways I am like him, Breitling Watches, Emersom Knives, Aprilia Motorcycles, Surefire Flashlights, Blundstone boots.
He Left us much to early (53 yrs) but everytime I see something of fine quality I remember him.

[helderberg]

I was working in a shoe store in a mall, part time, while going to school.
The store next to ours was had a window with a Omega chrono. that I just had to have. But at $44.20 a week a $700.00-$800.00 watch was just a distant dream. For years I would sneak into my Dad's top drawer and just sit and stare at my Grandfather's gold pocket watch. The only thing I got from my uncle Ralph, other than great times fishing, was a hand built Grandfathers clock that I have since given to our oldest daughter. When I was sent to Southeast Asia I told my wife to keep our 1870's vintage gingerbread clock wound and I would be alright.
I have a history with clocks and watches, My Breitling's are the most satisfying end to this story I could ever hope for. I have four, A Nav, Colt auto, Colt chrono, & SOS. I have other brands but they never get wrist time. The build quality hits every note right with me. I have a hard time putting it into words, just ask my wife.
I hope all of you find more that just a $ value with whatever you enjoy and wear. They mean so much more to me!!!
Enjoy in good Health, Frank

[rscmaine]

Mechanical watches are 'wearable art'.

Imagine the genius which went into the earliest hand tooled gears and individually crafted parts and the enormous patience which was required to 'get it right'. (try carving a tiny gear for your own watch with hand tools;-))

I equate them to the type of miniature carvings one sees ancient chinese tribute pieces...like the entire royal barge (with 85 passengers) carved from a peach pit on display in the big museum in Taipei. A lifetime's achievement.

The closest I can imagine is my father needing to hand carve engine parts out of wood (in reverse) on his Navy ship in WWII then casting them on board out of iron, then installing the replacements while under weigh.

Compared with modern miracles assisted by computer aided design, and lasers, the older mechanicals are some of man's most amazing achievements.

IMHO