There was a time when I'd walk into a shoe store and come out with a $1,000 loafers in the span of a few minutes. This was also when I was interested in luxury watches, and sartorial arts, among other things. While I'm still somewhat interested in mechanical timepieces and sartorial arts, but merely as an observer/enthusiast, I've never been more content in my life.
One of the key moments in this more-to-less journey might have been when I wanted to have one watch that I could use all my life. As a watch collector and as someone with a long wishlist of luxury watches I wanted to acquire during this time, I was clearly inspired to have one watch after seeing a few videos about some professional sports athletes, whose lifetime work was being honored by Rolex.
Some of these sports icons wore a single watch given to them by Rolex to celebrate their professional achievements. It's not like these athletes couldn't afford to have more watches, but they chose only to wear their one watch throughout their lives. They liked the idea of having one watch be a witness to their life organically through their everyday experience, because it meant something to them. They could see themselves passing it down to their children or grandchildren later in life as a souvenir to remember them by after they are long gone.
One of the things that I thought to myself watching this campaign was I could either wear many watches and share that wrist time OR I could have that one watch that would last me a lifetime, and I could give it to my nephew later in life, when it was my time to go.
I even bought the domain, onewatchguy.com to share stories of people having single watches as a way to inspire watch collectors to build that same deep relationship with a watch. While this project could still materialize in the future, I'm wearing an Apple Watch for now (for a few reasons, which we'll delve into in another email). Only time will tell if I end up being the One Watch Guy (by buying a stainless steel mechanical timepiece in future). Even if I do end up buying that one watch, I know that I won't be getting any more wristwatches after that.
I want to bring your attention back to having more stuff. As you may know, it's not uncommon to see many celebrities having a warehouse of cars, or watch collectors obsessed with having every vintage reference of a brand, or someone with a large sartorial wardrobe that provides countless combinations for daily wear. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having any of these things, but what matters is the intent behind them.
Suffice it to say, I'm happy to have crossed the chasm from more to less (but better), and have never been more content in my life. 🙂
Where are you in your more-to-less journey?
Best,
Rishabh
The Less But Better Guy
We can all be (and do) less, but better. 🌎
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