Hard to find watch lovers outside of this forum.

[richard371]

I’ve been into watches since I was a kid. I’ve had many over the years. I can’t seem to find another human being outside of the forums that shares the same interest. I do ok and live and work in tech in SF. I have 100s of friends from IT to drs and lawyers and no one I know gives a sh%# about watches. Back a few years ago I had my friend over who is a very successful ER dr for dinner and wine and he saw my collection of 4 SS Rolex watches. He asked what those were rotating in my winder I told him and he said I’m weird. I work for a prestigious law firm and don’t see anyone wearing a nice watch. It seems no one in SF has an interest in nice watches and they all wear an Apple Watch. Sad but if I want to have a conversation with anyone here outside the forums I have to walk into an AD. The person I’m dating now asked about my Daytona and I gave them the history and what I paid for it and what it goes for now and they told me I should sell it now and invest the money.

With that said I went to Asia for work for 6 weeks recently and everyone appreciated and had nice watches. Maybe this is an American/SF thing that has no interest in watches?

[TRM]

I don't disagree with your statement, it is hard to find other enthusiasts. I never mention my watches to anyone and few, if any one ever notices. There's been a couple of times one was noticed and discussed. There are plenty of forums to find other like individuals on.

[richard371]

Agreed. I’m not looking for attention (I have a cute dog for that) or show and tell but just a little surprised that I don’t see others around me with this interest. Is it that Discreet and taboo to talk about? Maybe they are only status symbols after all and not cool hobbies. I can talk about photography, Tech, Homepods, Drones, TVs etc but I almost feel more comfortable discussing gohonera then Rolex lol.

Just looked up the Nautilus. 60k for an SS. Get a Platona and call it a day. 100x nicer and platinum. I just don't get Patek. Yes they are finished a bit better but I think Rolex makes a better movement.

Originally Posted by TRM

I don't disagree with your statement, it is hard to find other enthusiasts. I never mention my watches to anyone and few, if any one ever notices. There's been a couple of times one was noticed and discussed. There are plenty of forums to find other like individuals on.

[Doc Savage]

Originally Posted by richard371

... I almost feel more comfortable discussing gohonera then Rolex lol...

Excellent! This should be my signature :)

Nobody I work with are watch fans, so I have had to create them myself. My five kids all wear mech watches!

[WS9D]

Yeah I feel the same. Everyone here is into smart watches. Outside of TRF, I haven’t met too many WIS types with the exception of Basel release events. I know people who like watches, but I feel I have more of a love for them, their mechanical greatness etc

[douglasf13]

Same here in Portland, but they’re expensive anachronisms. I don’t think it should be surprising.

[richard371]

Agreed maybe these going the way of pocket watches and we think they are realy cool expensive materialistic things that make us feel happy in some way.

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Same here in Portland, but they’re expensive anachronisms. I don’t think it should be surprising.

[Baco Noir]

Same for Denver, except I’ve found a local group who’ve come together from various forums and we have about 10-30 people show up at bi-monthly GTGs, so that’s kind of nice. Red Bar just started here in Denver too and I’m going next week to my first GTG with them.

[richard371]

GTGs are the best. You don't stand around discussing how successful or not you are you talk about your passion for these mechanical gadgets :)

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

Same for Denver, except I’ve found a local group who’ve come together from various forums and we have about 10-30 people show up at bi-monthly GTGs, so that’s kind of nice. Red Bar just started here in Denver too and I’m going next week to my first GTG with them.

[Chewbacca]

maybe its just where I live but I run into many owners of nice watches.

but its true that they're not wis'.

one person I met at a dinner had a beautiful GO Senator on and I asked him about it.

he knew nothing about the watch itself except that he regrets that he can't swim with it.

oh well.

[Soultime]

Many car forums I go on (Piston heads etc) have a high proportion of watch enthusiasts.
Where I live (Manchester UK) - there are a good percentage of people that are into watches enough to know what you are wearing - but tend not to mention it...... especially the thieves and muggers

Very seldom see an Apple watch.

[glamorama]

Maybe watches are too ‘old tech’ for SF. Here in London you see watch enthusiasts very frequently. Take the red line tube and you are pretty much guaranteed to see a couple of Hulks.

[richard371]

Yea we are a weird cult.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by richard371

Yea we are a weird cult.

Kinda like it that way.

[kd_submariner]

I'm in the Bay Area as well and it's same around my parts. AD's are the only place I'll find people equally as interested.

[SearChart]

My friends start to get a real appreciation for nice watches as well, one recently bought a speedy another wants a green sub.

For me it's the opposite, my work revolves around Rolex, so aside from TRF I'm not crazy into watches anymore, there are other things too

[richard371]

I think its an American thing. Americans have no interest in fine watches anymore . I'm on the Rolex Facebook group and hardly anyone is an American thats into watches. We need more Dr Toms :)

[warrior]

Bingo! I’ve said this many times on the forums—Generally and relatively speaking, Americans , with disposable incomes, generally aren’t into luxury mechanical watches.
More big houses, cars. It’s a lifestyle thing. Asia is very different.

Originally Posted by richard371

I think its an American thing. Americans have no interest in fine watches anymore . I'm on the Rolex Facebook group and hardly anyone is an American thats into watches. We need more Dr Toms :)

[Brew]

If you think watch enthusiasts are rare, try striking up a conversation with one of the guys at the gym about straight razors! Or better yet, just stand there and shave, and see what happens. lol.

[peterskinner]

Nothing wrong with a minority interest. The internet has been a big help in bringing enthusiasts together.

[Aclockworkblue]

Originally Posted by Brew

If you think watch enthusiasts are rare, try striking up a conversation with one of the guys at the gym about straight razors! Or better yet, just stand there and shave, and see what happens. lol.

Fellow straight razor shaver? (fingers crossed)

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by Aclockworkblue

Fellow straight razor shaver? (fingers crossed)

Αdd me to the enthusiast straight razor club. Even have my own honing stones.

Stayed at a hotel with friends and they were all mesmerized when I was shaving and held their breath when I did my neck!


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[Boaters]

People think I am crazy but I dont care it is what I like that matters. As far as finding other enthusiasts none in my area never see any other watches in the wild other than G Shocks or invicta's.

[rockdrock]

I think this is also an American thing. Sure there are watch enthusiastic but I find more interest in watches abroad = Europe and Asia. In the states, I wear my Daytona and I get the same effect as my lovable Casio gshock. I don’t mind. However, I share what you are talking about. It would be awesome to talk to like minded people. Btw, you are no weird. That was a strange comment that person told you.


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[Frosty]

It must depend on the Forum and the people on it.

I am on another forum, not watch related, and it has a section for watches. There is a watch meeting at the yearly conference. They are all enthusiasts and different brands.

[AEC]

That's strange. Buffalo is teeming with watch enthusiasts. I can't swing a cat without scratching a PP or a VC!

Just kidding :-)

I guess we're a dwindling breed who are old school, and somehow came to appreciate these fascinating little machines that were important parts of people's lives a couple of generations ago.

It does seem odd that the social and professional circles you run with don't include at least a few like-minded enthusiasts. It's not often that I come across colleagues who enjoy fine watches, but there are a couple. I guess it takes time.

[Racerdj]

Same here in Indy but at least my service writer at BMW shares my interest and has a good collection of expensive watches.

[watchwatcher]

Exactly my point I've been saying for years. Nobody gives a crap about watches. I've gotten far more notices/compliments on my fitbit than any watch I've ever owned.

I remember one time in a restaurant when a waitress starting oohing and aahing over my wife's watch...some sort of fashion watch, and I was sitting there wearing a PM Rolex. Go figure.

Which always makes me wonder about all these threads about what watch should I wear? Nobody knows or cares...make yourself happy.

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Exactly my point I've been saying for years. Nobody gives a crap about watches. I've gotten far more notices/compliments on my fitbit than any watch I've ever owned.

I remember one time in a restaurant when a waitress starting oohing and aahing over my wife's watch...some sort of fashion watch, and I was sitting there wearing a PM Rolex. Go figure.

Which always makes me wonder about all these threads about what watch should I wear? Nobody knows or cares...make yourself happy.

⬆️⬆️⬆️ 100% agree with Larry. Unless it’s a very “in your face” watch....such as any 40+mm Yellow gold Rolex...basically nobody cares! Even with a YG piece on, you’ll get glances, an occasional compliment, but in general, no one even notices. We are a very small community of awesome enthusiasts !

...now as for that Corvette.....I’m going to guess that garners it’s share of attention by the general public, car fans or not

[Rodmo]

It is a hobby. Different hobbies for different folks.......