I’m a collector like many of you are. While I’m new to the world of watches (I just bought my first Longines Heritage Sector ‘Classic’ for Christmas), I have been collecting other objects – mostly art and art-related books – for some time now. It was a hobby that was born out of my studies and morphed into a career and then a passion.
What I’ve always found interesting is the impetus behind collecting. Over the years, I’ve spoken to many people who collect all types of objects, from fine art and watches, to more obscure things like vintage fountain pens and dolls. Oftentimes, they shy away from the label of being a “collector” as it can come with several negative connotations. Many just say, “I collect.” The latter is sometimes stated like an admission of an affliction, akin to having a sickness or by being love-drunk by whatever objects they’ve been fixated on, as if to give an excuse for their purchasing habits.