Origin of an Horophile

First Things First

When I started at Gray & Sons four months ago I knew this much about watches: people wear them on their wrists. I have a watch somewhere in my closet that sees the light of day once a year, maybe. I don't wear jewelry or have any tattoos, and I thought quartz meant that a watch was really good. But as I began taking pictures of fine watches it dawned on me that there really is something special about a nice mechanical watch - beyond the purely aesthetic beauty of polished gold and shiny dials. I am beginning to understand how someone could spend $30,000 on a watch (!), and I daydream about some day being able to afford one (or many) myself. So what is it about a well crafted watch that fascinates us? Is it the unbelievable precision of the movement? The shape and weight of the case? I suppose some people buy a watch simply as a status symbol, but I imagine a collector couldn't care less about that. If he has the money to collect great watches status is not an issue. I must admit that if I could buy a nice watch, I'd have more than one. And this is coming from someone who, four months ago, didn't know the difference between Timex and Rolex! I'll grant you that I still don't know very much about watches, but I am learning more every day, and I am developing an appreciation that will undoubtedly last the rest of my life, whether I ever own a Patek or not! Browse the complete collection of fine watches at www.grayandsons.com. -Brian