Wifey B, most of us guys have very little use for male jewelry such as bracelets, neckwear, fancy jeweled rings and earrings. However, a fine time piece is very appropriate not only for function but as an acceptable form of understated male fashion. Many men I know have a wardrobe of fine watches from a dress Rolex President to a professional sport watch such as the Submariner.
Wifey B: But watches are jewelry and the fine wardrobe you refer to is "designer watches." A Timex or Casio is a watch, a Rolex is fine designer jewelry. I think it's all cute that you guys have your watches. We all have our guilty pleasures so to speak. It brings an extra smile, some added joy to our lives. Someone mentioned a sports car. Well, I can't drive anywhere in my Porsche that I couldn't in a Hyundai Elantra but I still like it.
We don't have to justify everything. If you like a watch and can afford it, then buy it. Reward yourself for all you've done in life. Now, hopefully at the same time do a bit for others if you're able to do so too.
Oh, as to necklaces, guess you're not athletic enough. :lol: They and entertainers seem to be the ones. I don't get the heavy gold chains around one's neck, but if it makes someone happy, fine with me. It also pays for some people in the supply chain too.
I have one piece of antique and exotic jewelry. I treasure it and only wear it a couple of times a year. However, more than it's beauty, I love it's history and story. To me, it's not jewelry, it's art.
I'll bet with every fancy watch you guys all have stories. You know it's history. You know where and when you bought it. You probably even remember some times and places you wore it. Now, that sounds like art to me as well.
Guess we're art collectors. However, a Picasso or Rodin (well, other than "The Kiss" as I do love that) aren't what we collect. It's a piece here and a piece there we find on our travels, we buy directly from the artist, we know the story. We know when created, what inspired it, what it means to the artist. Then we have our story on top of it. So, a friend looks at it and asks. We tell them when and where we got it, how we found the place, a bit about the artist, and then it's full story. To us, it's "living art.' Not the most expensive but memories.
So, I love reading about your watches. It's all interesting. It's nice to see the value you're putting on art, wearable art. Nice to see you appreciate it for something beyond it's ability to keep time.
We have a friend who collects spoons. You know the things you buy in touristy gift shops for quadruple what they should cost. There is nothing more enjoyable than a few minutes with her, looking at some of her spoons and hearing the story behind it. She got started when she was a young girl on her father's fishing charter boat. He'd let her pick out one on each trip if they went to shore somewhere. They're the only tangible item she has left that is filled with memories of him. It's from him she got her love for fishing and knew very young that the only thing she ever wanted to be was a captain.
So you guys keep your watch stories coming and keep collecting. They're beautiful. Plus I'm sure the memories and the stories are even more so.