All About Watches

Lord Buckley said:
Sorry, that breakfast with your pimp after he's counted your earnings and is pleased with you look doesn't quite work for me.

Whereas I think these new toned downed, simplified and clean looking Seiko Astron's are spot on:

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The gripe is of course, like with digital cameras, you're really buying a consumable that will be outdated within 18-14 months. Nevertheless, I could be tempted with either of the above two.
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Boring watches without any personality for boring people without any personality
 
TOGLIATTI said:
Boring watches without any personality for boring people without any personality
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I think they do have personality. The earlier Astron's were way too cluttered and overly large, albeit tempered with excellent build quality. This refinement strikes me as a good move.

As for the people who wear them? Well, I've only seen a couple of Americans at airports sporting them. I've never seen anyone wear them over here. But enough places are selling them, so someone is buying them.
 
Lord Buckley said:
I think they do have personality. The earlier Astron's were way too cluttered and overly large, albeit tempered with excellent build quality. This refinement strikes me as a good move.
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I don't care for what is going on at the left of the face. My own 1970s quartz Seiko has just the hour markers, three hands and a date. Smallish with a bracelet. Glass is a bit scratched now but I like it. I don't really care who wears one.
 
fxh said:
Character is not personality
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Like constitution is not the same as dexterity.

A watch can have character and personality, but the latter only comes with use over an extended period. Is it possible that Quartz watches have personality? Hell yes, in Lord Buckley's universe they can have it in abundance.

Monkeyface said:
Like timex, right?
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Nothing wrong with Timex, especially the Mickey Mouse watch. My grandparents bought me my first watch when I learned to tell the time, it was a Timex. Sadly, I didn't appreciate it and never wore it. It seemed too pretentious for an 8 year old like me.
 
One does not buy a watch to mealy tell the time, one buys one, because one, wants to own, a piece of orologikal 'istory.











...and to show off.
 
formby said:
One does not buy a watch to mealy tell the time, one buys one, because one, wants to own, a piece of orologikal 'istory.
...and to show off.
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I find watch advertising to be psychologically fascinating. It's also interesting to see just how much some people are sucked into the "myths" peddled by various brands, such that they'll be extremely loyal to a couple of brands and won't consider other watches, no matter how good or well-made the other watches may be - because they don't have the image or cachet.
 
Journeyman said:
I find watch advertising to be psychologically fascinating. It's also interesting to see just how much some people are sucked into the "myths" peddled by various brands, such that they'll be extremely loyal to a couple of brands and won't consider other watches, no matter how good or well-made the other watches may be - because they don't have the image or cachet.
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Rolechs uber alles!
 
Journeyman said:
I find watch advertising to be psychologically fascinating. It's also interesting to see just how much some people are sucked into the "myths" peddled by various brands, such that they'll be extremely loyal to a couple of brands and won't consider other watches, no matter how good or well-made the other watches may be - because they don't have the image or cachet.
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I've found the key to life is embracing ones irrationalities
 
Journeyman said:
I find watch advertising to be psychologically fascinating. It's also interesting to see just how much some people are sucked into the "myths" peddled by various brands, such that they'll be extremely loyal to a couple of brands and won't consider other watches, no matter how good or well-made the other watches may be - because they don't have the image or cachet.
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That reminds me, the Tudor watch brand is right off my shopping list, now that they've resorted to using David Bekham as brand ambassador in their #BornToDare ad campaign.
 
Journeyman said:
I find watch advertising to be psychologically fascinating. It's also interesting to see just how much some people are sucked into the "myths" peddled by various brands, such that they'll be extremely loyal to a couple of brands and won't consider other watches, no matter how good or well-made the other watches may be - because they don't have the image or cachet.
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As it should surprise no one on this forum, I am self-consciously guilty of being a brand whore. And I have no particular objection to your identification of it as a peculiar pathology. There is no shame in embracing one's neuroses.

I have to say, however, that I am equally wary of the omnivorous tendencies of the modern "collector" -- or "hoarder," or "flipper," the precise term would depend on that person's particular disposition and your personal disdain (or lack thereof) for the type. Not long ago, most men owned a single watch, which they practically never took off and which was an invariable aspect of their public appearance. At the height of profligacy, I can picture a man owning a brace of watches that he would use interchangeably to respond to dressier and sportier occasions -- mostly wearing one during the week and the other for the weekend. It is astonishing, to say the least, how we have, in a matter of practically a decade, arrived at the current juncture where most every man of some means aspires to have a "well-rounded collection" that comprises a panoply watches of various brands, styles, functions, and complications or, alternatively, a watch harem that simply includes every in-watch of the time without an overarching purpose or theme to their collection.

In light of the current climate, I even lament the ultimate demise of the hardcore Paneristi, which gave me no small amount of pleasure just a little while ago.
 
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viaattovannucci said:
As it should surprise no one on this forum, I am self-consciously guilty of being a brand whore. And I have no particular objection to your identification of it as a peculiar pathology. There is no shame in embracing one's neuroses.

I have to say, however, that I am equally wary of the omnivorous tendencies of the modern "collector" -- or "hoarder," or "flipper," the precise term would depend on that person's particular disposition and your personal disdain (or lack thereof) for the type. Not long ago, most men owned a single watch, which they practically never took off and which was an invariable aspect of their public appearance. At the height of profligacy, I can picture a man owning a brace of watches that he would use interchangeably to respond to dressier and sportier occasions -- mostly wearing one during the week and the other for the weekend. It is astonishing, to say the least, how we have, in a matter of practically a decade, arrived at the current juncture where most every man of some means aspires to have a "well-rounded collection" that comprises a panoply watches of various brands, styles, functions, and complications or, alternatively, a watch harem that simply includes every in-watch of the time without an overarching purpose or theme to their collection.

In light of the current climate, I even lament the ultimate demise of the hardcore Paneristi, which gave me no small amount of pleasure just a little while ago.
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This is just a theory, but I think men are genetically predisposed to collecting. Doesn't matter what it is, we'll try to collect it. Trading cards, stamps, model cars, watches, shoes, ancient cloths with many years on their shoulders, etc.

It seems like the process of collecting something is more satisfying than actually having that collection. Seeing as most collections are never really complete, this drive to collect can be used to get one to spend more than one normally would. Hence Rolex creating a never ending supply of watches with small variations. Not enough to significantly differ, but enough to make a collection never complete.

Foo'd drive to create the One X (X=shoe, shirt, suit, watch, etc) can be a good antidote to this habit of collecting everything. Perhaps comic book characters were right to always wear the same things.
 
So all my buddies and I agree that the economic shit is setting a fanward trajectory and are selling our companies while lending is strong and appetites are revenous. Long story short, my buddy owes me a finder's fee and said I could pick any watch within reason. RG Yachtmaster? WG Oysterflex Daytona? What to choose ...
 
Monkeyface said:
This is just a theory, but I think men are genetically predisposed to collecting. Doesn't matter what it is, we'll try to collect it. Trading cards, stamps, model cars, watches, shoes, ancient cloths with many years on their shoulders, etc.

It seems like the process of collecting something is more satisfying than actually having that collection. Seeing as most collections are never really complete, this drive to collect can be used to get one to spend more than one normally would. Hence Rolex creating a never ending supply of watches with small variations. Not enough to significantly differ, but enough to make a collection never complete.

Foo'd drive to create the One X (X=shoe, shirt, suit, watch, etc) can be a good antidote to this habit of collecting everything. Perhaps comic book characters were right to always wear the same things.
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Yeah. . . Your generalization -- which is not false because it is unfalsifiable -- does not address the specificities of watch collecting at all or any other sort of collecting that is so widespread online. (About a decade ago "watch collecting" was just something done by, you guessed it, a small band of quirky Italians and some others). One can offer a quick explanation along the same lines as the one articulated often on this very forum by none other than Journeyman Journeyman : the collective psyche of the internet fora encourages, through constant public exposure and peer commendation, this sort of conspicuous consumption. Especially when it can be quantified, visualized, and shared.
 
prince nez said:
So all my buddies and I agree that the economic shit is setting a fanward trajectory and are selling our companies while lending is strong and appetites are revenous. Long story short, my buddy owes me a finder's fee and said I could pick any watch within reason. RG Yachtmaster? WG Oysterflex Daytona? What to choose ...
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viaattovannucci said:
Yeah. . . Your generalization -- which is not false because it is unfalsifiable -- does not address the specificities of watch collecting at all or any other sort of collecting that is so widespread online. (About a decade ago "watch collecting" was just something done by, you guessed it, a small band of quirky Italians and some others). One can offer a quick explanation along the same lines as the one articulated often on this very forum by none other than Journeyman Journeyman : the collective psyche of the internet fora encourages, through constant public exposure and peer commendation, this sort of conspicuous consumption. Especially when it can be quantified, visualized, and shared.
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Oh yeah, watch knowledge was hard to get by before the internet, and there aren't exactly local watch collector clubs. Trading cards, model cars, stamps all had local clubs or loosely associated groups of people before the internet where people would "compete" and encourage each other to buy more. I was part of trading card and figurine collector clubs, and it was 99% men. I don't think there were similar clubs for women?

Anyways, the particular product doesn't matter much, it's all the same phenomenon. The only difference is dollar value. I'm sure my theory is falsifiable, as one could set up an experiment comparing the drive to collect between men and women quite easily. It might have been done already. The causation is harder to prove of course.
 
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prince nez said:
So all my buddies and I agree that the economic shit is setting a fanward trajectory and are selling our companies while lending is strong and appetites are revenous. Long story short, my buddy owes me a finder's fee and said I could pick any watch within reason. RG Yachtmaster? WG Oysterflex Daytona? What to choose ...
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Why not a Mido, the watch of choice of the public sector management employee in Thailand and Vietnam? You know it makes sense.
 
prince nez said:
So all my buddies and I agree that the economic shit is setting a fanward trajectory and are selling our companies while lending is strong and appetites are revenous. Long story short, my buddy owes me a finder's fee and said I could pick any watch within reason. RG Yachtmaster? WG Oysterflex Daytona? What to choose ...
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The one that will hold its value the most.
 
Monkeyface said:
This is just a theory, but I think men are genetically predisposed to collecting. Doesn't matter what it is, we'll try to collect it. Trading cards, stamps, model cars, watches, shoes, ancient cloths with many years on their shoulders, etc.

It seems like the process of collecting something is more satisfying than actually having that collection. Seeing as most collections are never really complete, this drive to collect can be used to get one to spend more than one normally would. Hence Rolex creating a never ending supply of watches with small variations. Not enough to significantly differ, but enough to make a collection never complete.

Foo'd drive to create the One X (X=shoe, shirt, suit, watch, etc) can be a good antidote to this habit of collecting everything. Perhaps comic book characters were right to always wear the same things.
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i was a huge sports card collector when I was young. from my late teens to mid thirties i was a huge record collector. went to collectors fairs and the like for those hobbies. Since my mid thirties my principle hobby has been bespoke addict and yes vintage tissue collector. must say that many people who dealt in my previous hobbies on a professional basis (card dealers, record dealers) can be as scummy as the lowest Neapolitan back alley scammers. also tons of geeks populate these communities, but some good people too. imagine its much the same, for stamps, comics, model trains, scifi, whatever... i have a few watches but don't consider myself a collector and haven't fully immersed myself in that world. Ideally if I move on from bespoke (and yes ancient tissue collecting), if i somehow exhaust the possibilities or become bored, I would like to collect major works of art. i do feel that a true art collector is at the top of the collecting obsessed pyramid. its definitely for big boys and would complement my bespoke clothes and fine watches.
 
Monkeyface said:
Oh yeah, watch knowledge was hard to get by before the internet, and there aren't exactly local watch collector clubs. Trading cards, model cars, stamps all had local clubs or loosely associated groups of people before the internet where people would "compete" and encourage each other to buy more. I was part of trading card and figurine collector clubs, and it was 99% men. I don't think there were similar clubs for women?

Anyways, the particular product doesn't matter much, it's all the same phenomenon. The only difference is dollar value. I'm sure my theory is falsifiable, as one could set up an experiment comparing the drive to collect between men and women quite easily. It might have been done already. The causation is harder to prove of course.
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I think women simply collect different things. Shoes and handbags come to mind. Once again, I'm not contesting your generalization. It just fails to respond in any way to the subject at hand, being, well, just way too general!
 
viaattovannucci said:
I think women simply collect different things. Shoes and handbags come to mind. Once again, I'm not contesting your generalization. It just fails to respond in any way to the subject at hand, being, well, just way too general!
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Not everything revolves around you, dear. It was more of a general thought, less of a response to you. FriendCustomer FriendCustomer seems to agree.

How's that brown Rolex holding up?
 
Lord Buckley said:
That reminds me, the Tudor watch brand is right off my shopping list, now that they've resorted to using David Bekham as brand ambassador in their #BornToDare ad campaign.
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You need to STOP this flip-flopping y'Lordship, forget the half-measures, go for it, and get a 'lex.










You know you really want too...!
 
FriendCustomer said:
Ideally if I move on from bespoke (and yes ancient tissue collecting), if i somehow exhaust the possibilities or become bored, I would like to collect major works of art. i do feel that a true art collector is at the top of the collecting obsessed pyramid. its definitely for big boys and would complement my bespoke clothes and fine watches.
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It's a tough thing to get on board with unless you are a Foo level sociopath. I get a piece here and there, but for all the needless profligacy I may partake in with clothing, boating, motor vehicles et al., I just can't get over the hump on this one. I like the art I like, and overspending on obviously overvalued winners of the groupthink lottery just isn't in the cards.
 
Monkeyface said:
Not everything revolves around you, dear. It was more of a general thought, less of a response to you. FriendCustomer FriendCustomer seems to agree.

How's that brown Rolex holding up?
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Nothing personal, just trying to steer the thread towards its actual topic.

As for the Rootbeer GMT -- the perfect watch for a brown man -- it is holding up perfectly, as is expected from a watch of its caliber.
 
doghouse said:
It's a tough thing to get on board with unless you are a Foo level sociopath. I get a piece here and there, but for all the needless profligacy I may partake in with clothing, boating, motor vehicles et al., I just can't get over the hump on this one. I like the art I like, and overspending on obviously overvalued winners of the groupthink lottery just isn't in the cards.
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But isn't it the same with clothes and cars? The current 911 groupthink comes to mind, or whichever tailor is the flavour of the month.
 
Monkeyface said:
But isn't it the same with clothes and cars? The current 911 groupthink comes to mind, or whichever tailor is the flavour of the month.
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For me it's not. With a 911 or any other high end machine you are getting something utile. Obviously not something that's necessary, but something that can be used, is a hoot, is a fine form of engineering, etc... It's showy, status laden and all that, but those qualities don't obviate the above. I'm an Aston enthusiast personally, but it's equally irrational and fun at the same time.

To be a rabid art collector you have to basically spend truck loads of cash on stuff that doesn't do anything for you. There is only so much art that will move you, and you will have to buy a bunch of irrelevant shit. At that point, just start throwing your money away.

It never ceases to amaze me the shit people would rather have than money. I'm plenty content to just have money in the bank if there isn't anything that I really want to buy.
 
doghouse said:
It's a tough thing to get on board with unless you are a Foo level sociopath. I get a piece here and there, but for all the needless profligacy I may partake in with clothing, boating, motor vehicles et al., I just can't get over the hump on this one. I like the art I like, and overspending on obviously overvalued winners of the groupthink lottery just isn't in the cards.
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The part about art collecting was a bit of tounge in cheek. I was just really agreeing with Monkey. Just trying to make the point that I've been a collector my whole life, if and when I move on from the bespoke hobby, it will probably be replaced by another hobby. Just my personality and like monkey i do believe it is a trait that shows up much more frequently in men.
 
FriendCustomer said:
The part about art collecting was a bit of tounge in cheek. I was just really agreeing with Monkey. Just trying to make the point that I've been a collector my whole life, if and when I move on from the bespoke hobby, it will probably be replaced by another hobby. Just my personality and like monkey i do believe it is a trait that shows up much more frequently in men.
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Your trap, I bitted it.

I agree though generally.

I know someone mentioned upthread about a man basically wearing one watch forever, and that actually fits me more. I've had a single TAG I've wore for decades straight, literally. I own a whopping three watches now.
 
doghouse said:
The other traps were OLO. Can't believe our residents bitted them so hard.
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You sir are a jealous arrogant idiot. He who bited the trap is turning 40 and could easily pass for 25, not to mention he is married to a drop dead gorgeous wife. PRO TIP come to SD and say things like "Hitting puberty might help to avoid major trap biting" around me and the people I know; on my mothers life I could make one phone call and send you back to puberty with your balls cut off and stuffed in your face, later to be found in a ditch on the outskirts of Tijuana by Polica Federal. No joke, have respect for everybody and yourself or deal with the consequences of your actions. That is grown man talk so handle your business accordingly
 
Thruth said:
You sir are a jealous arrogant idiot. He who bited the trap is turning 40 and could easily pass for 25, not to mention he is married to a drop dead gorgeous wife. PRO TIP come to SD and say things like "Hitting puberty might help to avoid major trap biting" around me and the people I know; on my mothers life I could make one phone call and send you back to puberty with your balls cut off and stuffed in your face, later to be found in a ditch on the outskirts of Tijuana by Polica Federal. No joke, have respect for everybody and yourself or deal with the consequences of your actions. That is grown man talk so handle your business accordingly
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Never gets old.

rocky_sm1.jpg
 
Lord Buckley said:
That reminds me, the Tudor watch brand is right off my shopping list, now that they've resorted to using David Bekham as brand ambassador in their #BornToDare ad campaign.
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Are they really using him? Such an odd choice. Tudor is all about reviving the 70s, not the early 2000s. I won't like the watches any less, but I'm not a fan of my $$$ going to a washed up football player.
 
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