Why do nearly all new collections look the same?

[watchspike]

I've been lurking on this forum for almost a decade, finally joining a couple of yeas ago after amassing a decent collection of Hans Wildorf watches. My interest in watches is mostly personal of which I won't waffle on, long story short it allows me to have a connection with family members who got me into this hobby and have now past away.

As per the title, I've noticed a trend happening over the years where watch collections are all starting to look the same. Nowadays you can tick through the list of usual watches like a cliched checklist of white or black dial Daytona's, Green Sub, black Sub (very popular 4 years ago), BLNR or lately BLRO ss. Occasionally there will be the odd Datejust in there.

I'm just wondering why there is very little variety nowadays compared to even a few years ago? It's not just the models that are the same, but even the dials are all uniformly the same ones, blue dial this, white dial that. Is it because this forum is acting like a feedback loop for a certain herd mentality where people go on about wanting to get a white dial Daytona, or whine about waitlists for BLRO ss, or constantly talk about values for BLNR or Lvc subs? Therefore all attention becomes centred around these models and people think "I must get this watch so I get full maximum validation"?

Or is it purely economical? As in a lot of people see this hobby as either an affordable one by carefully buying a model that won't lose much in the long term (old school speculators) or as a financial investment where it's value is tracked like the stock exchange and is only sought after so they can take photos for Instagram before flipping for an immediate profit (modern day FOMO flipper)?

I get the old school rational for why you wanted a Rolex, which was the idea that you wanted a quality timepiece which acts as a status symbol for the aspirational have nots, while being a safe place to dump money on jewellery for the haves and also to denote status in the board room, sales floor etc where people wanted to keep up with the Jones. There are also people who used to get one to mark a special occasion like my folks did for their wedding.

Be interested to hear from long time forum members here from way before the bubble started brewing as well as newer members for why they have such an intense interests and fascination with what is essentially a round piece of metal that tells the time?

[mjr2000]

I like the points you make. I fit into the mold you describe. When money isn't the object I think the challenge of getting what many can not (at msrp) is a fun "game" while at the same time spending minimal real currency since I will lose only a modest amount with 100k of watches if/when I need to sell them. Don't get me wrong. I love my collection and enjoy seeing them and wearing them every day but if I was gonna lose 50% of their value I wouldn't do it.

[Token74]

Originally Posted by mjr2000

I like the points you make. I fit into the mold you describe. When money isn't the object I think the challenge of getting what many can not (at msrp) is a fun "game" while at the same time spending minimal real currency since I will lose only a modest amount with 100k of watches if/when I need to sell them. Don't get me wrong. I love my collection and enjoy seeing them and wearing them every day but if I was gonna lose 50% of their value I wouldn't do it.

Yep, likewise re: value retention. I don’t buy watches to make money, but knowing I can get (most of) my money back if my finances hit the skids is a real positive. Certainly think a lot harder about purchasing watches that I know are going to be worth a lot less in the future.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Muxi]

Originally Posted by Token74

Yep, likewise re: value retention. I don’t buy watches to make money, but knowing I can get (most of) my money back if my finances hit the skids is a real positive. Certainly think a lot harder about purchasing watches that I know are going to be worth a lot less in the future.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We cannot really avoid thinking about value retention to some extent despite other peoples’ aversion to the concept. I realize that even Rolex prices could crash but even when it does, it will probably still have better value retention than other brands already trading low in today’s pre-owned market.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by watchspike

I'm just wondering why there is very little variety nowadays compared to even a few years ago? It's not just the models that are the same, but even the dials are all uniformly the same ones, blue dial this, white dial that. Is it because this forum is acting like a feedback loop for a certain herd mentality where people go on about wanting to get a white dial Daytona, or whine about waitlists for BLRO ss, or constantly talk about values for BLNR or Lvc subs?

It's probably a mix. A lot of the people that recently joined the forum are interested in the modern watches and there's only so many ways you can build a collection from the modern Rolex offerings. Also, as they add more watches their collections all start to converge to the same end.

The "I want what's hard to get" mentality also drives everyone to the same watches.

I also think a lot of the people who are just getting into collecting haven't discovered all the other amazing brands out there so they focus on Rolex and Rolex only.

[pepsiretail]

Originally Posted by sillo

It's probably a mix. A lot of the people that recently joined the forum are interested in the modern watches and there's only so many ways you can build a collection from the modern Rolex offerings. Also, as they add more watches their collections all start to converge to the same end.

The "I want what's hard to get" mentality also drives everyone to the same watches.

I also think a lot of the people who are just getting into collecting haven't discovered all the other amazing brands out there so they focus on Rolex and Rolex only.

I agree with sillo and with basically all the OPs points.

It isn’t really one thing but many things.

Additionally, with today’s communication tech it is so much easier to get a sense of what is popular and wanting popular things is nothing new for people.

Being a complete original is very rare as everyone is influenced by other individuals and the societal ethos. I’m not sure of the source but it has been said that if you want to be an original writer you should never read the work of others. Always struck me as an interesting approach.

[nda]

Serious car collections are also very similar - with the obvious models from Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin. Collectors need the 'iconic' models.

Rather bizarrely, apart from watches and cars, I also collect (and use) vintage Gillette razors... the fever of collecting is just as hot! :)

[904VT]

A round piece of metal that tells time huh? I think you got lost on a watch forum lol!!!

[Brew]

I guess there's only so many ways even Rolex can dress up an oyster case.

[Zakalwe]

Selection bias.

With possibly a little recall bias thrown in.

I’m not sure I accept the OP’s central premise that collections are becoming less diverse. The “hot” models are more exclusive by virtue of the shenanigans required to get them. They are therefore more likely to be on display here. Rolex apparently sells more DJ’s than any other model but if you knew nothing about watches and only browsed this forum you’d swear that was nonsense.

So I could definitely believe that the photos of collections on TRF are less diverse than they used to be. As always, TRF is not necessarily representative of general reality, or even representative of the average TRF member.

[locutus49]

There tends to evolve a consensus of hott aka must-have watches and this spans all brands. For example the growing demand for SS sports watches with Genta-esque design cues has caused even idiosyncratic high horology mavericks like Lange to follow suit with its own SS sport model.

Thus, for the average joe getting into watches, the ideal selection as shaped by both demand and opinion tends to be somewhat narrow. For status, quality, and value retention SS sports models from Rolex, AP, Patek and a couple of others are the choices. A non-watch person looking at the SS sports watches from these brands would think they all look the same. Certainly my wife does.

[judson]

Originally Posted by locutus49

A non-watch person looking at the SS sports watches from these brands woruld think they all look the same. Certainly my wife does.

My wife feels the same way. As a result I have tried to have different faces, bezels and bracelets in my collection. This is becoming more difficult as Rolex has streamlined their manufacturing process. Rolex now makes essentially three bracelets with different clasps depending on the watch. The president bracelet, jubilee and oyster.

Not mention that the Explorer II, GMT II and Sub all have the same basic watch face. Sure they are different to a WIS, but the casual observer doesn't notice much difference.

There also used to be a catalogue of faces for Datejusts and Day-Dates. Those options have been whittled down as well. This leaves less differentiation between collections. If vintage weren't a mine field I would be interested in some of those models to differentiate my collection but personally I'm afraid of ending up with a franken watch.

[locutus49]

Well said. My thoughts exactly. I've been looking at some micro-brands like Ming and Zelos but I'm not sure how reliable their service would be.

Originally Posted by judson

My wife feels the same way. As a result I have tried to have different faces, bezels and bracelets in my collection. This is becoming more difficult as Rolex has streamlined their manufacturing process. Rolex now makes essentially three bracelets with different clasps depending on the watch. The president bracelet, jubilee and oyster.

Not mention that the Explorer II, GMT II and Sub all have the same basic watch face. Sure they are different to a WIS, but the casual observer doesn't notice much difference.

There also used to be a catalogue of faces for Datejusts and Day-Dates. Those options have been whittled down as well. This leaves less differentiation between collections. If vintage weren't a mine field I would be interested in some of those models to differentiate my collection but personally I'm afraid of ending up with a franken watch.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by judson

My wife feels the same way. As a result I have tried to have different faces, bezels and bracelets in my collection. This is becoming more difficult as Rolex has streamlined their manufacturing process. Rolex now makes essentially three bracelets with different clasps depending on the watch. The president bracelet, jubilee and oyster.

Rolex watches are parts bin watches for the most part. They all have the same ingredients just arranged in a slightly different way.

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by sillo

Rolex watches are parts bin watches for the most part. They all have the same ingredients just arranged in a slightly different way.

Just like Taco Bell!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Meyrin]

Originally Posted by sillo

Rolex watches are parts bin watches for the most part. They all have the same ingredients just arranged in a slightly different way.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill: "That's some parts bin..some watch!"

[Fat_ninja]

Cause we are lemmings

[Bizcut1]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

Cause we are lemmings

Truth! (first finger pointed at myself!)

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

Cause we are lemmings

I think you're on to something.

[JayHantz]

I think that with the onset of the SS crisis, we have all gravitated to the ones that we cannot have. So collections with a high diversity have streamlined to a 116610LV, BLRO, and Daytonas. I get it though - some of them are amazing watches that I really like. i just know that many are trying to get them because everyone wants them, not because they like them.

[Partagas]

Well, mine isn't! :)No sub, no Daytona, though I do have a couple DJ's and a Day-Date 36. Also have a new Hamilton, a vintage Omega, and a Seiko. Also a couple Casio's and a Citizen's, too. Next buy is likely another vintage piece (probably Hamilton) or an Omega Planet Ocean.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

[BigAppleBill]

While it’s true that people tend to show off the watches in their collection that are recognizable, popular and in high demand, many of us also have watches in our collections that are considered much more pedestrian. Some watches in my collection that I regularly wear are from Seiko (not GS), Timex, and some little known vintage and modern brands.

[dtwer]

It’s like with cars, people gradually gravitate towards functions. These days majority of cars we see on the roads are some types of SUV. Heck even Ford is eventually going to stop making sedans.

Sport Rolexes are just like the Escalades; they scream “I am luxurious and very functional too!”

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by dtwer

It’s like with cars, people gradually gravitate towards functions. These days majority of cars we see on the roads are some types of SUV. Heck even Ford is eventually going to stop making sedans.

Sport Rolexes are just like the Escalades; they scream “I am luxurious and very functional too!”

Possibly the only automotive/watch analogy that actually has some validity, although to me, luxury SUVs are the quintessence of wretched excess.

[rootbeer7]

Money is more important than watches that really sing to the individual.

[mobster600]

how does a lifelong collector have all modern watches? how does one spend 18k on a BLRO and not keep a sentimental watch from years ago? IDK

And this is the RF, you're going to get die-hard Rolex lovers. I love Rolex, but I dont want 5-6 modern Rolex's.

OP i completely agree, and see your point. But i think this community loves the new models and the fun of getting the shiny new watch that was just released.

[macrowatch]

It's a lot easier to justify the hobby when all the watches retain monetary value than going off on a bindge where changing the collection results in a steep loss, think dress PP, ALS, Omega, etc.

FWIW, assuming one could afford it, it's a great time to be a PM collector in Rolex and enjoy so many different options without worrying about falling out of love with the piece and taking a huge hit. Same with the general resurgence/robustness of AP on the secondary market.

[Tangier11]

I agree and have sorta noticed the same thing. The BLRO/SS Sub for everyone and add the white/black SS Daytona to the collection of the more serious everyday collector. I will say this if one is doing this from a STRICT money standpoint, these choices make perfect sense if buy at retail (not gray inflated) but for collection and pure enjoyment only I cant believe there are so may people with the exact same tastes. Someone mentioned a car collector, maybe its just me but cars or watches or anything else, unless its for business I ONLY collect what I WANT. I am not a fan of Porsche so you would not find one in my collection just because "every collection should have one" Of the big time super popular models of Rolex right now, the SS Daytona is the only one I would consider buying, and then I would probably end up with a RG one in the end.... So before anyone jumps on me, this is just my opinion....

[Kiddodoc]

Have been on this forum over the years I have seen collections become more modern. I think there are still quite a few with older pieces. I have a mixture of older but mostly new more modern Rolex watches. I have to say that I love the newer editions more now than I did before so I can understand the lack of diversity. I, for one, am not a big fan of other watch brands where as others have a great blend of non Rolex brands. To each our own. I buy what I love.

[Stew7]

The evolution from 5-digit to 6-digit references actually produced some more modern and attractive features like the use of ceramic, solid link bracelets, glide lock features, etc. That is probably one reason you see a lot of collections with modern references. People just like them more.

The other reason is a lot of people only care about the money aspect of the modern references and value retention. While understandable for sure, I always find it ironic when those same people post a picture of their modern Porsche/BMW/Merc which drops $10k in value on their way home from the dealer. I would think those folks would all be driving Honda Civics if they were so focused on value retention in their expenditures.