People create all kind of fancy watches and clocks, never stopping to realize they’re building monuments to the greatest of all thieves. Checkout a cool interview with Instagram’s Jeremy aka @timepeacelove on his love and elaborate collection of watches.
Jeremy, what triggered your interest in collecting watches?
J: My interest in watch collecting started at a young age due to my parents, but mainly just watching how my father wore and took care of his pieces. There was just something so special about seeing that. They always had some beautiful pieces from Cartier, Rado, Rolex and a few others. My first higher end piece that he gave me was a Rado Diastar, which had that oval shape and was made of tungsten carbide. The one piece that really started my watch passion was the gold Rolex Yacht Master he gave me. After years of asking for it, he gifted it to me and to this day I still wear it as a symbol of their success and now my own.
What was the first “real” watch you purchased? Do you still own it?
J: The first “real” watch I purchased was I guess an Omega Seamaster 300M. I remember seeing Pierce Brosnan wearing it in James Bond and I immediately loved that style of watch. The one I purchased had a black dial and I unfortunately had to sell it quite a few years ago.
Jeremy, what do watches mean to you? Jewelry, status symbol, something else perhaps?
J: Watches to me symbolize an extension to myself and my style, a certain moment in my life that I’m going through, and also a symbol of success. When I say success, I don’t mean it has to be a certain brand or price range. If a certain piece speaks to me, where I know for sure I want it and can’t get it out of my mind, it goes on a checklist. When that day comes, I’ll always remember that piece for the moment I was able to acquire it. I always say that timepieces don’t just tell time, they capture it.
Do you have a favorite genre or eta of watches that you’re more focused on or interested in?
J: At this point of my life, I really don’t have a certain genre. I used to always look at dive watches that can be dressed up or down and pieces that had a bigger diameter like 44mm and up.
As my collecting has evolved, I find myself really appreciating a wide variety between dive pieces, chronographs, and versatile dressier pieces that can also be worn casually. I’ve surprisingly grew an appreciation for pieces that are 38-40mm as well. Another thing I’ve been really interested in learning more about are independent and micro brands and hope to add more to the collection.
What was your recent watch acquisition? and what prompted your decision to get this particular watch?
J: My most recent watch acquisition was the Grand Seiko SBGJ201 Mt. Iwate. I’ve been wanting to add a Grand Seiko to the collection for a quite some time due to their history and because of just how amazing their pieces are when it comes to watchmaking. Each of their pieces are just so wonderfully created with such sharp and fine detail.
I fell in love with this particular piece due to the dial. It resembles the snowy mountain terrain of Mt. Iwate, which can be seen through the windows of the studio that mechanical watches are made in Japan. I also fell in love with the 44GS case design, which showcases Grand Seiko’s Grammar of Design principles. It’s a piece I can wear dressed up or dressed down.
Three watches for the rest of your life… for every occasion.. go.
J: That is a tough one! There’s so much to love out there, so if I had to base my answer just from my current collection, I’d choose my gold Rolex Yachtmaster, my Panerai PAM422, and my Omega Speedmaster Professional. Each piece can be worn for all occasions and each piece has special stories behind each one.
Watches have always been seen as a symbol in a variety of industries, do you think it’s hindered or helped you previously in business meetings?
J: In my life and from my experience, watches have always helped me in business meetings. I answer that question in not only a material way with appearance, but in an emotional way too. When the watch is on, my confidence and sense of being inspired with success is elevated. I can look at the watch and tack on another memory. Appearance-wise, timepieces have been an ultimate ice breaker, whether it’s them asking me about my watch or me complimenting them on their watch. It sometimes takes a conversation to a more intimate and personal level which helps in developing a connection.
What is the hardest aspect of maintaining a big watch collection?
J: The hardest aspect in maintaining a big collection is alternating all of them. Sometimes you have a piece you are just resonating to throughout the week and find yourself reaching for that one piece. Moments like that make you question if you need that many, but then you put the other ones on and realize you love having all the options.
What is your favorite thing about this industry?
J: I would have to say the community. The people behind the watches and the connections we make are such a beautiful thing. I’ve never experienced anything like it, and I’m blessed everyday with how many people I grow a connection and bond with. Another favorite thing is that the interest in watches never ends since there’s just so much to learn and so much to want.
Something you wish we would see more of in the watch industry.
J: I wish there could be more brand events where the community is invited no matter what status in collecting you are. Two recent examples were events I attended for Rado and with Vacheron Constantin; two different brands at two very different price points.
At these events I met amazing people from the brands and people in the community where we were able to experience such great timepieces, learned some history, and topped it off with great conversations with like-minded people. I’m sure there are a lot of these, but accessibility to more would be amazing.
Jeremy, anything else you’d like to share with our readers.
J: There isn’t much more to share other than if you’re going to start a watch collecting journey, take the time to appreciate all aspects of this hobby no matter the brand or price range. Buy what you like and not what you think other people would like or think. Don’t take it so seriously and enjoy the journey.
Thank you so much Gene for the opportunity to be a guest!
