Too Much Choice Can be As Bad As No Choice

Addressing Jonathan's "Watch Collector's Dilemma" post, Ulysses writes:

Too much choice can be as bad as no choice. The pursuit of a new novelty becomes addictive. If there's an item you've been lusting after for months or years, once you have it you will still eventually take it for granted, and it'll fade in to the background of your life. Then you'll be out looking for that thrill again, and it never ends. This is why even if I could afford a bunch of watches I probably wouldn't build a huge collection. For me, sentimental value is as important as monetary value. If i've had a decent looking reliable watch for several years and become attached to it, i'd feel weird wearing something different - like an old belt or comfortable shoes. With a huge collection i'd probably suffer the cognitive dissonance problem of not being able to choose what I wanted to wear, becoming paralysed like one of Asimov's robots.

Comments

[jonnybardo]

Sounds like Ulysses doesn't have the watch collecting bug. Yeah, it is an addiction or maybe an obsession, but as long as it can be kept under control, I think it is a fine past-time.

Two years ago I had one watch and it was purely functional. I had purchased it in 2007, replacing a watch that I lost. For whatever reason, I can't remember, I decided to get a new watch in early 2011; at the time I didn't want to spend more than $60 or $70 because I thought that was how much a decent watch cost. So I purchased a new watch (a second Pulsar) but didn't like it that much. Then I discovered Invicta and my obsession began in earnest.

I went through a minor splurge in the summer of 2011 and then was quiet for autumn and winter, then in late spring of 2012 I went on a massive splurge. At one point late this summer my collection had bloomed to about 30 watches. I was buying many watches on the Sunday Run, although selling those that I didn't love (about half, maybe). A couple of months ago I realized that I needed to slow down and make some money back, which I've done, whittling my collection back down to about two dozen, although many of those are retired or waiting to be sold; I probably only wear about 15 of them.

A couple years ago I had one watch and was happy with it. Now I have two dozen and can't imagine having less than a dozen to choose from. I enjoy them. I've learned from going overboard and will be more moderate in the future, but I would be surprised if I ever have less than about a dozen watches to choose from. Now whether my collection stays around and just fluctuates through time, or if it continues to slowly grow so that five years from now I have 50 watches remains to be seen.

[herculodge]

I wear my Black Monster 90 percent of the time. It's thwarted my hoarding tendency.

[jonnybardo]

I say go with it until you actually really want something new, because if you purchase anything before that point you won't appreciate it as much as you would if you were really wanting a different look. Maybe that's what happened with the Velatura? You seem to like it but rarely wear it.

My guess is that you'll grow weary of your Black Monster eventually and either start wearing some of your other watches or pick up something new. A true watch addict won't remain with just one watch for long!

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying a blustering day off from work...schools are closed here in New England, though the storm hasn't really hit. Lots of wind and some rain but relatively mild...so far!

[herculodge]

Stay safe, Jonathan.

That Velatura is the new BMW that I keep in the garage too often to avoid scratches.

[Angelo]

Washington DC, Monday at 3:20: So far, steady rain and some wind, nothing remarkable. I think the forecasters are saying that in a couple hours, we'll be in hell. The winds will become hurricane gusts, the rain will become heavy/torrential. I'm very worried----I have an addition under construction on the back of my house (a little water already seeping in) and a portico half built on the front. There are ladders, tools and contractors debris in my yard. They did come Saturday to try to button things up----hopefully I won't suffer bad damage. My watches are safe. My radios will be well used the next 36 hours.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

Hope you stay safe and dry, my man.