Luxury wristwatches are incredibly intricate mechanisms and learning about them can be truly fascinating. The more you educate yourself on them the more you appreciate them, and in turn, look to grow your collection. A watch collection can tell a very personal story. For some collectors, they may have been gifted their first luxury timepieces on a special occasion, an important birthday, achievement or milestone. Today we had the privillege to speak to Karissa, a new and upcoming account on Instagram “Watchandwoman”. Karissa’s love of all things Rolex told us we needed to see how her journey began.
Karissa, what triggered your interest in collecting watches?
K: My family! My dad and brother are huge watch aficionados. I have spent most my life hearing all about watches with a major focus on Rolex. A popular question I get is if my family is in the jewelry business but no, collecting watches is one of our hobbies! The fun of collecting watches lies in the conversations I have with my brother and dad; they both have an incredible knowledge of not only the models but the history and pop culture references too. In our house watch collecting is a family affair.
What was the first “real” watch you purchased? Do you still own it?
K: The first real watch I owned was a gift from my father. A lady’s sport sized two toned Breitling. It was smaller than what I was used to wearing, which at the time were mainly Swatches and Casio’s because I was around fourteen. Once I got this Breitling, my first “real” watch, I was hooked. I loved getting distracted in class by it, I would just stare at my watch, not because I wanted class to end faster but because I was looking at those magical hands glide across the pearl dial. It is a piece that will never leave my collection not only for its sentimental value but because I think it is a truly beautiful watch, it’s even still in my rotation today!
Karissa, what do watches mean to you? Jewelry, status symbol, something else perhaps?
K: I am a very feminine woman, I love to wear heels, dress up, and wear makeup, but I do not feel like my look is complete until I have a watch on. My most important accessory is my watch and I honestly feel naked without one! The style of watch I decide to wear is almost like the icing on top of a cupcake. As far as status symbol? Not really. I wear watches for myself. It’s my personal hobby that I get to enjoy at any time, I just have to look down at my wrist, so if someone compliments my watch, it is just a bonus! I have an emotional connection with all the watches in my collection, some less than others. Some watches motivate me to work hard for my future, some remind me to enjoy the simple things in life and others remind me of my father or a certain anecdote that is special to me.
Do you have a favorite genre or era of watches that you are more focused on or interested in?
K: I am a huge vintage lover and prefer buying used rather than brand new. 1940s-early 2000s is normally my range but my collection is a mix of older and newer pieces. The brand and style of the watch determines the look I want it to have. Vintage watch collecting is much more valuable to me because the pieces have more character and often a little history behind them. I mentioned before that I like staring at my watches throughout the day so usually the vintage ones have so many little details that I get to discover each time I take a glance at it.
What was your recent watch acquisition? and what prompted your decision to get this watch?
K: I recently got an omega speedmaster with a mother of pearl dial and blue numerals. It’s a funny story because my watch dealer came over Friday night and presented me with a few watches he thought I would like, one of them was this gorgeous omega speedmaster. The following morning, I was going to be on @bluntinstrumetspodcast with some real omega lovers Luke and Lorenzo, I felt like the universe was giving me a sign, especially because this was the most “me” speedy I had ever seen…so I bought it and debuted it the very next day on the podcast!
Three watches for the rest of your life… go.
K: EASY. ALL ROLEX! Two tone datejust on a jubilee band, gold day date, and a silver datejust with a white dial.
What is your favorite piece in your collection and what special meaning does it hold for you?
K: Have you ever heard the quote if you love something let it go and if it comes back it was meant to be? Well, that is exactly how I feel about my two-tone datejust! I owned an almost identical 80s model without a date and traded it to get another Rolex I had my eye on. After just a couple months of being without the watch I was seeing this DJ everywhere and it made me miss it like crazy… so I let my dealer know I was looking for one with a date and gold dial. Once I purchased it, it became my favorite watch and attainable grail. The datejust matches with pretty much all my outfits and just “feels right”. This watch is never leaving my collection and is hands down the go to pick.
What is the hardest aspect of maintaining a big watch collection?
K: Although I have a good number of watches there are a few drawbacks to having a large collection. One of the biggest issues would be deciding which watch to wear, it is hard to pick one when you have so many options to choose from. Also, I am huge on quality over quantity, everyone’s definition in the watch world of quality varies depending on who you ask but the point I am trying to make is that it is better to have a collection made up of pieces you love rather than collecting just to have a large collection.
What is your favorite thing about this industry?
K: I am so pleased to say that I have experienced only positive things about this industry so far. I feel like the term “watch fam” although it is an Instagram invention really applies to the community. I was always interested in horology but did not have too many people outside of my family to share that passion with. I am definitely not an expert, but I hope one day I become one and everyone I have met so far has enriched my knowledge about watches significantly. Watch lovers are a different breed of people, and it is nice to be able to discuss and share a passion with people all over the world from different economic classes and all ages.
Something you wish we would see more of in the watch industry.
K: One of the things that goes hand and hand with watch collecting is the marketing of the watches. I am so interested in the way these watch companies used to market their watches in the past. Rolex did a wonderful job with making these witty and chic advertisements that were geared towards women. Unfortunately, I do not connect with many of the advertisements or marketing techniques the brands are using these days so it would be cool if they were a bit more innovative with the ads. Watch brands are trying to attract more female clientele but just by adding a pink dial and throwing on some diamonds is not going to do it anymore. There is a quote from a vintage Rolex ad that says, “she didn’t care about time- until she had a Rolex” and I do not think I have ever related to a quote more and it was these types of ads that I saw that really put Rolex on a pedestal for me. Rolex is iconic and everyone knows the name they don’t necessarily need to advertise but their vintage ads really separate them in a different class.
Karissa, anything else you would like to share with our readers.
K: I am really excited to share my collecting journey with all my followers and followers turned friends. Without saying too much I have so many things in the works for the future WatchandWoman wise! I absolutely love interacting with the watch fam on Instagram, getting involved in what they are collecting, receiving watch advice, or just chatting, so if anyone ever wants to “watch talk” just shoot me a DM!
