Passion for watches? Why not?

Some people have no passion or hobby, some do. Some collect matches, some cars, weapons or chemical solutions. It really doesn't matter what we like as long as it is legal, moral and gives a state of well-being. Excepting the professional interests, my personal ones are related to:
- Electronics
- Musical Instruments
- Crafting various things in my workshop

But my lifetime passion is related to "The magical world of watches". I love to buy them, wear them, repair them, modify them. For me, a watch is not only a timekeeper or an accessory. I'd like to believe that the watch is one of the greatest inventions, a miracle device that gives sense to a chaotic world and offers joy to the owner and admirers.
While I have a huge respect for all makers, technologies, shapes and sizes I have to admit that I like mechanical (automatic) watches. I have owned/own from old cheap Chinese watches to modern mid-ranged Swiss ones. I don't afford expensive watches (for example Rolex, IWC or Patek Philippe) and I won't sell a kidney to buy one. People should deserve such watches and somehow the watch reflects their status. It's OK for a president to wear a Patek and for a construction worker to wear a Casio. It would be odd to be vice-versa. However, there are many impostors wearing expensive watches without having any particular quality or virtue. Some people pretend to be richer buying replica watches to impress others. It is their option but I never liked the idea of wearing a replica watch. In stead, a well made homage model with a sterile dial is the way to go.

This passion for watches may come in many forms: some people are niche collector (High-end only, Rolex only, Seiko only, vintage Casio only, Diver's only), others buy and restore vintage mechanical watches, others prefer to analyze and review them, some people hunt for cheapos, others search all flea-markets to buy hidden jems and re-sell them at a higher price.

As a matter of preference, instead of buying a Tag Heuer Aquaracer and wear it everyday I prefer buying 4-5 less expensive but reliable watches and wear them by rotation.

Brands and models I like (and own):

1. Diver's watches: Seiko (6309, 7002, SKX), Orient (KD, MAKO), Citizen (Promaster), Vostok (Amphibia), Invicta (8926OB), vintage french diver's (for example Mortima), vintage swiss diver's (Sicura, CYMA).

2. Elegant/ casual watches: Tissot, Hamilton, Seiko, Orient, Alpha Radiomir, vintage swiss and french watches.

My top watch movements (based on their popularity, reliability and my ability to service them :-)

Swiss: ETA 2824-2, ETA 2836-2, ETA 2879 (also vintage FHF, AS, EB)
Japan: Seiko 7S26, 7S36, NH35, NH36, Orient 46943, Miyota 8200, 8215
French: Cupillard 233-68
Russian: Vostok 2416b, 2414 (also vintage Raketa, Poljot)
Chinese: Seagull ST19, ST21, ST25

I am a hobbyist and not necessarily a collector. I have other hobbies too and I cannot pump money only to buy watches. Sometimes I buy dusty gems from flea-market, repair and refurbish them. The list of operations may include (but not limited to):
- movement repair/cleaning/servicing
- case polishing
- crystal replacement/polishing
- bezel repair/replacement of the insert
- crown tube replacement, fitting screw-down crowns
- making of custom made dials

I wanted to learn to repair watches because it is a way to cultivate patience. It is my only activity that does not require a fast approach. Oh, there is another one but I keep it secret :-) 
Like in any other hobby if you love watches you need to invest some money-you can set the limit, dedicate time to research and inform yourself, allocate time and patience to restore them if you have this ability or just admire them.
If your collection is too big, feel free to sell some (just to get some money to buy others)!

WATCH YOURSELF! until next time...