I think just like you said. If it's a small collection and it's about the craftsmanship and art of watchmaking then it can be based. I've met a lot of quality masculine men that are into watches. White men collect things, study them, build them etc. Collecting in general is pretty european. On the other hand there's also a lot of mindless consumerism associated with it. If it goes that far and becomes an obsession then it's wasteful and it's money that could have been spent in other areas. The watch collectors of the past seem like they've morphed into the EDC crowd (Everyday Carry). Within that group there's good and bad though. In general I don't think it's a bugman activity but anything can become one if it becomes more about consumerism and flash.