How did you get into watches and especially independent watches?

[TimeTexas]

As someone with an engineering background and also a love for art, its definitely strange that I didn't get into watches until around the time I turned 40. My father never wore a watch, and I just never really paid attention to them. Being in Texas, "nice" watches are Rolex and that's about all you see. And while I knew quite a few people who had Rolexes, I just didn't really connect enough seeing their watches to be compelled to buy one.

But one year I decided to buy my wife a watch for her birthday and our anniversary (within a week of each other). And, not really knowing anything, I went to the Rolex dealer and ended up buying her a Rolex. And I tried a few on and lo and behold, I determined that I really liked watches. But I still didn't really connect with Rolex.

So later in the year, I decided I needed a nice watch and fell in love with the IWC Spitfire (picture below).

I still have this watch and still love it.

So I've always strayed away from the most popular option, even though IWC is clearly a huge brand. It isn't Rolex.

From there I picked up anything and everything from microbrands, to vintage, to finally an Omega, Oris, and then a Glashutte Original 60s and 70s (grails at that time).

And I realized at that time I was really not interested in mainstream, major luxury brands. The trend was clearly to lower production, relatively unknown brands with a unique style. Something nobody else would recognize and if they did, I'd be in for a great conversation.

And so I made the leap to Moser and from their I've just simply become infatuated with independent watchmaking. I'm entrepreneurial so I appreciate the courage involved in small brands and solo watchmakers taking a chance on starting up a watch brand (similar to why I'm also interested in microbrands).

I also love and appreciate art and mechanics, and handcraftsmanship (grew up in a house full of old handmade furniture and antiques).

So I guess the progression to independent watchmaking was pretty much a given once I became infatuated with watches. Especially once I experienced the difference in buying a watch off the shelf compared with the relationship you develop with independent brands. There's something very different and special about that relationship that adds to the emotional value and enjoyment of the timepiece. You can't get that from luxury watch brands. Now its hard to imagine going back and buying anything else. I can certainly appreciate many of the watches released by larger brands, but they are missing that personal connection that makes a watch from an independent that much more special.

What's your story?