“Watches Were Always in My Blood” – How Rob Found His Way Back to the Hobby, and Wolf Watch Club.

When Rob in Connecticut tells his story, you realize that every collector’s journey has its own rhythm.

“I’m 62 years old,” Rob laughs. “And I only started seriously collecting in 2023. But truth is, watches were always in my blood.” Rob’s watch story stretches back to his childhood in an Italian-American family.

“My uncle was a watchmaker. He learned his trade in Italy, just after World War II, and immigrated here in the ‘50s. He repaired Rolexes and worked for jewelers—so growing up, if you needed a watch, you went to see Uncle. I never paid a dime. He’d hand me a Seiko, or something good and solid, and that was that.”

But life, as it does, took Rob down other paths—an eclectic 39-year career in IT, from startups to mergers to a healthcare tech company that eventually went public. Through booms and busts, Rob built companies, merged, sold, adapted, and kept moving. “I’ve seen it all,” he says. “Startups, big companies, layoffs, buyouts… I call myself semi-retired now, but I like staying busy. I help my cousin’s financial planning firm a few days a week, and keep up with tech, AI, and finance.”

Watches reentered Rob’s life in 2023, in a way that felt almost fated. “My son got into collecting during the pandemic. He’s 28 now, starting his own family. He got me interested again—asking questions, showing me YouTube videos, nudging me to buy a real watch for myself. The bug bit, and I bought my first Hamilton Jazzmaster on a cruise with my wife. She said, ‘You never buy yourself anything—get yourself a nice watch!’” Since then, his collection has grown to ten watches—each with a story, each a memory.

“There’s a Panerai Luminor, an Omega Planet Ocean, a Citizen titanium special edition from my wife, a DIY Watch Club piece I assembled myself, and a few that are pure nostalgia—like the Seiko SQ my uncle gave me in the ‘80s.”

Rob isn’t in it for showmanship or speculation. “I don’t have a Rolex. I’m not even a fan of their marketing. I love big, readable watches—40mm or more. And honestly, I’m happy buying used. Watches are about what speaks to you, not what’s trending.”

So how did he find Wolf Watch Club? Like a lot of new members, Rob came in through the Time Teller on YouTube. “I’m not a big gambler, but when the contest is for a watch I love, I’ll buy a ticket or two. I saw the Pelagos drawing, the Moonwatch before that, and I just thought—hey, why not? Thirty bucks for a shot at a great piece, and I get to be part of something fun.”

But the draw wasn’t the only thing that stuck. 

“What I like is the idea of a club—a real community. I love the idea of regular collectors sharing stories, not just big-name dealers or guys with a dozen APs. It’s the human part. That’s what will keep people coming back.”

Rob’s advice to Wolf Watch Club?

“Keep building the club. Maybe set up forums, partner with good YouTube channels, give us a place to share, to learn, to connect. I’m in a few car clubs and the best ones always find ways to bring people together, online and in person. If you ever start a Connecticut chapter, let me know—I’d help get it off the ground.”

And his advice to fellow collectors thinking about joining? Rob grins:

“Don’t worry about being new, or about having the ‘right’ watch. You’re here because you love watches, or maybe you’re just curious. That’s all you need. Buy a ticket when you see something you like, but more importantly—join the club. You never know where it’ll take you.”

Wolf Watch Club: Where real collectors – of every age, background, and collection size – find their place.