a watch girlie walks into a boutique
and gets totally ignored. true story.
You might be wondering why you’re here…
Or more so how I got here in the first place?
The story of how I got into collecting—well, it wasn’t from family, it wasn’t from a generous ex, and certainly not from work (but that’s a story for another time).
What my collecting journey has taught me though, is two very important things:
The barrier to entry is prohibitively high.
#watchfam is a collection of wonderful people (once you make it through the veiled curtain, that is).
I remember walking into a watch boutique in LA not too long ago.
I came in with a huge grin on my face, in my usual jubilant manner—curious, excited—yet completely ignored. Just a quiet, chilly air that made me feel like I didn’t belong there, despite asking for help. The men with wives on their arms, however, were greeted with open arms and champagne.
Someday I’ll do a little tell-all. A scandalous little exposé. But for now, I’ll just say: that wasn’t the first time. And it won’t be the last.
I spoke about this recently on a podcast with industry legend Faye Soteri—about how, in these environments, or even at watch events, I often choose to wear bigger, more “serious” pieces in the hope I’ll be taken seriously as a collector.
But that’s the whole point. My point.
What I’m aiming—and hoping—to do with my platform is to lower the barrier to entry into collecting.
This world is a magical cave of endless wonders, with so much to explore and fall in love with, and I want more people to discover the true magic that’s completely enchanted me.
Because here’s the thing: the watch world still feels terrifying to many people.
It’s intimidating. It’s full of acronyms, unspoken rules, and old-school gatekeeping. It can feel like there’s one right way to collect, one right look, one right price point. And if you’re not part of that? Good luck.
But it’s so much more than that.
It’s the £50 vintage piece you picked up on Portobello Road.
The no-name watch passed down from your grandparent.
The limited-edition Swatch you fell in love with at duty free.
Everyone’s origin story is a little different, and it should never be measured by price.
Not to flex. Not to posture. But to show what collecting can look like when it’s driven by joy, curiosity, and self-expression.
And that’s exactly why I started sharing.
To celebrate and encourage that self-expression.
To act as that mirror, that “watch bestie,” helping empower you to do and be you.
Whether it’s turning a vintage Cartier into a belt, stacking a flea market Swatch with a lapis Piaget, or just helping someone buy their very first watch—that’s what lights me up.
If anything, what I want to leave you with is this:
Lead with curiosity. Go into any boutique. Any vintage dealer. And be upfront.
Tell them you’re new. That you know nothing. That you’re curious and just want to learn more.
Don’t shy away with “oh, I’m just looking.”
Because you have to remember: that person behind the counter is also a watch nerd.
And if there’s one thing I know about watch nerds—it’s that they love talking about watches.
I want people—all people, not just women—to feel like they’re allowed to be here.
To fall in love with a $40 watch and not feel like it’s “not enough.”
To ask a “basic” question without fear.
To walk into a boutique and be treated with respect, regardless of what’s on their wrist.
This space isn’t just for the experts. It’s for the curious, the playful, the passionate, and the new.
And if I can help even one person feel like they belong here—then I’ll keep going.