There’s a strange affliction that hits collectors the moment they buy a watch they love: the immediate desire to find the next one.
After picking up my Sinn 104—a watch I still admire for its clean pilot aesthetic, rugged build, and just the right dash of everyday wearability—I expected to feel done. At least for a while. But instead, I fell into one of my recurring watch phases: a dopamine-fueled spiral of browsing, wishlist building, and near-purchases that all end the same way—me losing interest days later.
Sound familiar?
This cycle isn’t just anecdotal. There’s actually a term for it in psychology: “hedonic adaptation.” It’s the human tendency to quickly return to a baseline level of satisfaction after experiencing something positive. That burst of joy when the package arrives? It fades. And we start hunting for the next high.
Why Curating a Collection Can Be a Money Pit
Let’s be honest. This hobby—especially when you’re venturing into mechanical watches—is a slow bleed on your bank account if left unchecked. You can justify each purchase with “diversity,” “investment potential,” or “heritage,” but it’s all too easy to end up with a drawer full of watches you don’t wear and a savings account that looks like it lost a fight with a NATO strap.
And I say this as someone who loves the hunt. The problem isn’t loving watches; it’s loving too many at once with no clear framework.
The Smart Way to Curate Your Collection
Here’s what I’ve learned (often the hard way):
1. Define the Role Before the Watch
Every watch should earn its place. Before falling for a model’s lume shot or bracelet clasp, ask: What gap does this fill?
Do I need a dress watch that actually fits under a cuff? Do I need a travel watch with GMT functionality? Do I just want a weekend beater that doesn’t cost a fortune to service?
Let the function define the form.
2. Set a Watch Budget Like You Mean It
If you don’t treat your watch budget like a real category—like rent or groceries—you’ll always find ways to justify stretching it. Set your yearly or per-watch limit and stick to it. Ingenuity thrives under constraint. That’s part of what makes finding the one so rewarding.
3. Impose a Cool-Off Period
My new rule: no impulse buys. If I fall in love with a piece, I give it a 30-day cooling-off period. If I still want it just as much—and I’ve imagined exactly how and when I’ll wear it—then it’s probably worth pulling the trigger.
And you’d be surprised how many “grails” fall off the radar after two weeks.
4. Research Like a Collector, Not a Consumer
I no longer chase what looks good in an Instagram post. I go deeper. Movement reliability, servicing cost, heritage, community feedback—these things matter more in the long run than a killer press photo. If possible, try it before you buy it!
A good question to ask: Would I still want this if nobody else saw it on my wrist?
Where I’m At Now with my watch buying
After spending hours on Hodinkee, Teddy Baldassarre, and countless other watch blogs and sites, I’ve come to realize one thing: finding a truly desirable watch takes time.
What you find desirable one day might not appeal to you the next. My watch searches have started with a Seiko SPK43 and ended with an IWC Aquatimer. So, don’t trust your taste until you find yourself consistently drawn to the same watch. For me, only my 104 has managed to do that.
To help myself decide, I’ve come up with a four-category watch list—which I’ll describe in a future blog post.
Until then, stay ticking!
Mechanical Minutes 
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