R_Dorothy Wayneright
41
Learning to be happy with what we have...
Hi Purists,
As you all know, the world of horology and watchmaking is a passion that allows us to admire minute details, fine craftsmanship, brilliant engineering, aesthetic, and a rich history. However, there's nothing quite like ownership and in the world of haute horology, sometimes our pockets cannot match the desire and imagination a timepiece or brand might induce.
We all have much more important financial obligations and we can't always have what we want. How does one stay happy and content with one's own collection when we're bombarded with news, advertisements, blogs, and posts that showcase dream watches we can never afford? I guess it's a matter of priorities?
For me, music comes first and I gave it some hard thought as to what I really, really want. As a pianist, having that dream piano is like an extension of oneself. And as much as I'd like an AP in the future, I am certain a fine piano like a Steingraeber & Söhne can give me something a haute horology piece can never give--a voice as an artist and the ultimate medium for my biggest passion.
Sorry for the weird post. I just made a deposit into my savings account today and I just realized that eventually, I am going to have to make a decision as to whether I want my dream piano/Rolex or an okay Yamaha/AP. Something's gotta give, ya know?
I see all these beautiful watches on a bunch of forums. AP's, Richard Mille's, Patek Philippe's, independent pieces, and Journe's. Today was weird. I do the same ol' browsing at high end pieces on Timezone. And I look at pictures of all these AP ambassadors with their amazing Offshores and I say to myself, "It's nice, but it's too much." I watch a video on Hodinkee that shows an URWERK 110 and I think the same thing! Learning to appreciate everything about a haute horology piece without envy or unhealthy desire was such a problem. It was this crazy self-image thing that devoured me.
The voice inside: "Buy this URWERK/Offshore/RM because you're an avant-garde, off-beat, and revolutionary individual! You will become a much more interesting person with this marvel strapped to your wrist!" Hahaha.
I used to be so obsessed. It used to be like, "once I get out of college and get that career job, I'm heading straight to San Francisco for an Offshore, damn it!" Now, I just want a nice piano to last my whole life and maybe if I'm lucky, a Submariner on my wrist. I know I shouldn't base my life around material goals. I know that. I'm just trying to figure out that one thing that I really want and that would truly satisfy me. Just one nice thing. I just want my piano. I really do. If I'm fortunate and blessed enough to one day own a Submariner, then I would be filled with gratitude and appreciation, no doubt. I am trying to get out of this cycle of envying and indulging and envying and indulging. This watch passion is getting a little ridiculous for me.
What's happening?? I think I'm easing off this obsessing with watches and putting down the Revolution magazine, as well taking time off the watch blogs and forums. Studying and practicing is all I'm concerned about, strangely! Turning 21 is a critical time in a person's life, no?? There's lot's of work to be done and I have no time indulging in the latest mechanical work of art!
Sorry for the vent, gentleman! I really should get a blog. I just ask for you opinions and learning to stay happy with what you have when it comes to watch collecting.
Thanks!!
More posts:
Learning to be happy with what we have...
Hi Purists, As you all know, the world of horology and watchmaking is a passion that allows us to admire minute details, fine craftsmanship, brilliant engineering, aesthetic, and a rich history. However, there's nothing quite like ownership and in the wor...
Thank you for a nice post!
For me the life is nowadays simple: I never buy second best if I can somehow afford the best. This means that in your shoes I would buy the best piano and then collect more money and wait till I can afford my dream watch. Why to buy i.e. a Rolex if that w...
No contest...
The piano. You're a musician.... A piano is about doing things. A watch is about having things. This message has been edited by BDLJ on 2011-08-31 01:08:58
your quite right Ben. when i look at myself i have lots of things but do nothing
do we, or some of us, overdo the 'collecting' as we are perhaps dissatisfied with what we do. i can honestly admit that i'm very dissatisfied with what i do as i DO nothing. others may not be so eager to admit that perhaps they are dissatisfied with what ...
..."easing off this obsessing with watches"
tsss tsss not good not good... it will only get worst one day ... believe me.. you must keep the obsession level constant (if you can) cos if you suppress it then one day it erupts .... seriously go for best piano there is then for best ...no... for watch...
Fresh post!
Watches are not to be bought because of what the others think, I mean, to try to be clearer, watches are not a social status tool, but just watches, just our nice, lovely, trusty and passionate " thing ". Life is a matter of priorities, and it seems that ...
No need to compromise...
Have both - a Steinway baby grand and a fine watch : (photo from homepage) Cheers, pplater....
It's also a question of patience.
First of all I would go for the piano which seems the highest priority as you can play music with it and express your creativity through the instrument. The rest is a question of patience, we cannot always have everthing we want on day one and need to lea...
Be a famous musician, and get sponsored by AP
Like what BLDJ pointed out...piano is doing and watches is having. And activity and a possession.... Go for the piano would be the only logical advice. Music for you is both logic and passion, horology are only passion. Since you are so young, practice ha...
Interesting
This is a very interesting post. I've recently thought along the same lines. Ironically, also involving a piano purchase. I've not settled on it, but I did find an interesting quote. (It is in the context of the Lord of the Rings but probably self explana...
Tolkien surely had . . .
. . . our own Don Corson in mind when he wrote those words . . .
Life is about priorities and what is important to you.
Without doubt, you've made the right choice. Regards, Richard.
I think you got your priorities straight
kudos for that. To go for the piano sounds clearly like the best choice. Now as to being content with what you have, which is a different issue I think, research shows pretty clearly that happiness is a trait that is influenced very little by what you act...
Hi Dorothy...Nice post :)
I have been a watch addict for five, six years now but it only took me a short while to realize that: 1. One cannot possibly own EVERY piece one likes. There will always be the next Basel/SIHH...and no matter what you have, there will always be a more att...
congrats on turning 21
Congratulations on turning 21 soon. I remember reading about you being torn apart by music or engineering sometime back, so whats new now? I'm about your age so I totally get you if music is your passion and something you really want, and when you've real...
Mechanical Engineering!
I am currently trying to transfer to UCLA for mechanical engineering. I would love to design medical equipment or work for Lockheed Martin one day. I've been taking piano lessons since I was ten, and I've been in some amateur piano competitions. Once I tu...
Thank you!
Thank you for the input, guys! I really do appreciate it. About the Rolex Submariner: I gave it some thought as to what would make me happy in that price range. Don't get me wrong, the Rolex Submariner is a watch that makes me smile and would love to own....
Don't get an upright!
You may like it now, but if you ever have an opportunity to get in a fair amount of playing time on a good grand you will thereafter not want to play an upright. $35K will get you an excellent used Steinway B or Bosendorfer or a similarly-sized Bechstein,...
I will echo this comment....
A used Steinway B is precisely what I purchased so many years ago. I hired a technician to accompany me on my search, and that was money well spent. My first priority when I was looking for a home was to ensure that the piano would work well in it (good s...
You sound like a very level-headed individual...
...especially for someone so young. You should be proud of that. I think you're priorities are perfect. Get that piano. And remember you are young. That Rolex or AP will just take some additional time if that's what you still want after your piano. Best o...
Instrument first, but not exclusively.
As another poster put it so well, the instrument is about "doing" while the watch is about "having." You owe it to yourself to meet that need first. You are lucky that you play the piano. After you spend a bit over $100K, no additional expenditure will ge...
buying the best musical instrument...
buying the best musical instrument is a top priority. playing the best makes a big difference, the tone is more rounded and mellow, the action of every moving part is smoother, the finish is just so much better. it sounds like a description of a watch whe...
the Good thing is that
YOU Know what you want.! Reading your Post , i thought you were much Older.but you are so Young and Wise. Life is ahead of you. ...but right now ?! you're doing the right thing (imo).. You can always find the Watch that you've been Lusting for. DON'T WORR...
Get the best instrument you can !...
Your playing will improve to keep up with it. Forget the Rolex this year. You will be happier with a better instrument and the watch to go with it later. Take it from an Electrical Engineer, Violist, Watchmaker. One can do all three, but never skimp on yo...
If I had to choose between keeping my piano or keeping my watches
I'm keeping the piano (and I'm not even a particularly good player). Of course you could enter a competition and win yourself a Steinway B like my brother in law did.... ;-) Good luck with your music career. Bill
You are on the right track.
I knew I wanted a AP when I was 12 and began to seriously consider one when I was in my late 20's. I save up for a while and finally purchased one when I was 34. Buy what you really love, be it a piano or watch and enjoy it. JerryW
It seems like one os a passion and the other not quite
and if you are like me and live in a world where resources are very much finite, chase the passion and that for you is music and how the best crafted and tuned piano will help take you to the highest level of enjoyment in that regard. Watches for those wh...
Reality and sanity does help a lot.
My family esp my daughter keeps me in check. Gotta think about her educations funds in the future given that they are spiraling like crazy and far more faster than that pay check. The world timer would have to be put on the back burner for now.... cheers ...
Buy the piano - this from a musician's wife
My husband came from very humble origins. When he was a little bit younger than you, he returned to his family's apartment one evening to find that his music teacher had purchased for him as a gift a used Steinway M (or equivalent of that era) - probably ...
Piano or Urwerk?
Plenty of pianos in the world, not so many of these ... but on the other hand, I'm 60 and not likely to become a world famous pianist. All I have to dream of is my (in)fame as a Purist. This message has been edited by cazalea on 2011-09-02 14:47:06...
whats the hurry? i was still wearing a Swatch chronograph..
..at the age of 21 and it was quartz and it was special because it was purchased during my flight back to Canada where i studied and it was Japan Airlines and there was this pretty Japanese air stewardess who sold it to me and i wore it for close to 5 yea...
