Simple question, are you a watch collector or a person who buys watches. I think the difference would be, a collector buys watches they need to complete their collection even if they're not completely in love with them, but if you just buy watches you like and ignore the ones you don't, then you're just a watch buyer... right?
Just a poor simple watch buyer here then. But sometimes I lie to people and tell them I collect watches. I guess I do it cause it sounds cool and I am desperate to sound interesting.
I’m definitely a buyer rather than collector. I came to the conclusion a while ago that I only have one wrist to wear a watch on (well technically 2 but you know what I mean) and therefore would rather have a small number of nice pieces (2/3) as opposed to a watch box full of them which didn’t get worn. That works for me, but I can definitely see why others may be more collectors.
A collector understands what is part of the collection and what is not, but can appreciate them as well I encountered a similar question on a different collection / hobby. Are you a collector or just loves consumerism?
I'd say I'm more of a wearer than a collector. I buy what I like, and if over time I find I'm not actually wearing something, I'll move it on because I feel like it should belong to someone who will (or who at least enjoys owning watches that sit in a safe, cause I don't)
Yes, I'd agree with this ^, I think I'm the same. I never feel quite right describing myself as a collector. I'm more of an enthusiast.
Buyer then. I am a record collector. But even there I have trimmed the collection to what matters most to me. I agree with Kappa: "A collector understands what is part of the collection and what is not..."
I think that you are confusing a 'Collector' with a 'Completist'. A collector creates a collection of watches that they like and wear. A completist just buys everything from a brand/model line/style irrespective of whether they like and/or wear them.
What I was really getting at was... no obviously no one can collect everything from a brand, but say you wanted to collect a certain 'set' of things from a brand (like Snowy collected all the classic F1s) but there was one you didn't really like, but you needed it to complete the 'set'.