Thanks, Cryptshire! (great handle, by the way!)
Yup, for me, I knew nothing when I started, and it was unfortunate that my first dive into a forum resulted in so much misinformation and, frankly, a rather ugly and negative view of watch collecting, just based on pointless rudeness to new members, and valuing people in relation to a watch brand, as judged by a rather unsavory group of people, evidencing the least credibility to judge another person by their wrist wear. As I say, it kind of drummed the watch love out of me.
You echo my sentiment exactly! Where is the true value found. That eventually got me into the world of watch specs, and learning all I could about why people think a certain watch build is superior to another, and in what ways it really is, or is not, plus how much is brand brag versus the real life experience of what is on your wrist, how the watch performs, and, of course, how much you love it, and why.
So, yes, I branched out to become a fan of many brands, and tried to become savvy to what is valued and why and have even embraced some absolutely overpriced brand buys, simply because of the heritage they bring to my little family of watches. That amuses me, because Invicta gets hammered for the MSRP/overpriced hate, yet, I gladly will overpay for a watch that doesn't do more than my Invicta, but has a different brand on it, which brings its own story that I value beyond the specs.
Learning brand stories pulled me back into important brands and watches that I've added over the years, as I've become a fan of the whole history of watches, in general. I find it fascinating that we didn't even used to worry about exact time, not that long ago, in the scheme of things, so the interaction of time keeping, in human history, is a compelling story, as are the many incredible brand histories, some which started as a fluke, some born from failure, some born from love, etc.
But, no matter where I've wandered, Invicta still has sway, as a kind of alma mater brand, haha, without which I'd never have even gotten into watches, from a collecting perspective. Models continue to catch my eye, and I add them with joy now, rather than some odd sense of being shamed by a high table of self-appointed watch gods.
It's turned out to not only be a fun hobby, but has carried me through tough times and, not to sound too sappy, but it has been a positive touch stone of sorts, through more than a few struggles.
I'm so glad you found this spot, as it certainly is a great place to be and good folks such as you just add to the community.
And, yup, I'm glad to have returned to picking up some good 'ole Victers. They remind me why I fell in love with the hobby of watches in the first place, and, as you say, so well, let us wear what we love, with confidence!
, anyway.
