Collecting watches is getting uncool.

[FTX I]

With all the changes that happened on the last couple years would you agree that watch collecting got popular for the wrong reasons and is getting uncool? If you don't agree no problem. I'm just asking.

[Patton250]

I don’t think it’s so bad. It just that there are more players and therefore less stock because of the demand but that’s the way it goes with good economies.

[Tools]

People have been collecting clocks and watches for centuries, and the NAWCC has been around since 1943.

I guess that some of us have been uncool for decades.

[singe89]

I don’t like the current state. Took all the fun out of it. The hype, speculation, buying as “investments” and brands being over confident and treating longtime customers like they are doing them a favor. Longest I’ve ever gone without purchasing a watch in 20 years.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by singe89

I don’t like the current state. Took all the fun out of it. The hype, speculation, buying as “investments” and brands being over confident and treating longtime customers like they are doing them a favor. Longest I’ve ever gone without purchasing a watch in 20 years.

Same. This is the longest I’ve gone without purchasing a Rolex. I’ve bought other brands that are better quality but lack the brand equity. I’m okay with that. I wouldn’t take a break from horology as it expands beyond Rolex, ap, and Patek for me

[pickettt]

No, it’s just that the uncool are collecting watches now.

[hpintime1]

Originally Posted by singe89

I don’t like the current state. Took all the fun out of it. The hype, speculation, buying as “investments” and brands being over confident and treating longtime customers like they are doing them a favor. Longest I’ve ever gone without purchasing a watch in 20 years.

I couldn't agree with you more.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by singe89

I don’t like the current state. Took all the fun out of it. The hype, speculation, buying as “investments” and brands being over confident and treating longtime customers like they are doing them a favor. Longest I’ve ever gone without purchasing a watch in 20 years.

I agree, even though I just recently started actually buying luxury watches I have been window shopping and inquiring about watches at Wempe and Bucherer together with my dad for years - since I was a little boy. My dad was interested but didnt have the necessary funds to really buy expensive watches.

I always felt like the SAs were genuinely interested in talking watches and you could feel there was a genuine interest in treating the customer well.

Now I get the feeling - more often than not - that if you don't spend at least 20-30k every 8-12 months and buy stuff they can't sell you are nuisance.

Only the watch brands like ALS that are not overhyped are treating me in the old-school way - maybe it's a coincidence but they also seem to know more about watches than the average guy at the PP Ads or AP boutiques.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Patton250

I don’t think it’s so bad. It just that there are more players and therefore less stock because of the demand but that’s the way it goes with good economies.

Not sure it's just that Brett . For me it's like a first album that obscure band released that blew my mind, then a second one even better, then a third, and all of a sudden they sign with a major record company and it's now on the radio everybody loves it and the last album sucks.

[Patton250]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Not sure it's just that Brett . For me it's like a first album that obscure band released that blew your mind, then a second one even better, then a third, and all of a sudden they sign with a major record company and it's now on the radio everybody loves it and the last album sucks.

Maybe take a horological sabbatical?

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Maybe take a horological sabbatical?

Maybe.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Maybe take a horological sabbatical?

Haven’t most of us tried this, only to always come back to it? I know I have.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Not sure it's just that Brett . For me it's like a first album that obscure band released that blew my mind, then a second one even better, then a third, and all of a sudden they sign with a major record company and it's now on the radio everybody loves it and the last album sucks.

Boom!
dP

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Boom!
dP

Spot on.

[sgwatchguy]

I would counter that it’s never been so popular as it is now. The coolness quotient continues to increase I believe.

[Thrasher36]

Originally Posted by sgwatchguy

I would counter that it’s never been so popular as it is now. The coolness quotient continues to increase I believe.

AGREE

[77T]

We are a microcosm within the tiny 0.5-1% slice of the planet’s population that can afford $10K and even more for a mechanical wristwatch.

For 8-9 years, we have had a great run collecting since the financial recession, until recent times.

In past 2-3 years, demand virtually doubled without a commensurate increase in combined factory output. It’s not fair (to me at least) to question how the buyers, channels and sellers operate as long as it is legal.


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[FTX I]

Originally Posted by 77T

We are a microcosm within the tiny 0.5-1% slice of the planet’s population that can afford $10K and even more for a mechanical wristwatch.

For 8-9 years, we have had a great run collecting since the financial recession, until recent times.

In past 2-3 years, demand virtually doubled without a commensurate increase in combined factory output. It’s not fair (to me at least) to question how the buyers, channels and sellers operate as long as it is legal.


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That doesn't bother me Paul. It's a whole new audience with new motivations. I've seen teenagers making watch reviews on the internet c'mon.

[TheVTCGuy]

Man that is a great question Favio, I am not sure how to answer. I have loved watches since I was eight years old, and Rolex for about the last 40 years, but I agree the challenges of obtaining a Rolex have really dampened my enthusiasm. It is kind of like: Why get excited about a new release, when I am either going to wait years (literally) to get one at an AD or pay a 50% markup from a gray? I think I will always love Rolex but lately it has been severely curtailed.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Man that is a great question Favio, I am not sure how to answer. I have loved watches since I was eight years old, and Rolex for about the last 40 years, but I agree the challenges of obtaining a Rolex have really dampened my enthusiasm. It is kind of like: Why get excited about a new release, when I am either going to wait years (literally) to get one at an AD or pay a 50% markup from a gray? I think I will always love Rolex but lately it has been severely curtailed.

Maybe I'm one of those who believe that nothing is really cool when it's popular my friend. But that's just me.

[srvrf]

I just think it’s different. The rules have changed for many reasons and I think it has driven some of us out of the game for the time being. I have two fantastic watches and for the last year or so haven’t been itching to pull the trigger on something. I do think when I consolidated my collection I made sound purchases, and the few watches on my radar are simply not attainable without a long wait or high premium.


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[snarkq]

I think the interesting stories are moving to independents. There is still passion out there. Step away from the Rolex hype and explore what's out there - you might find something you like.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by FTX I

With all the changes that happened on the last couple years would you agree that watch collecting got popular for the wrong reasons and is getting uncool? If you don't agree no problem. I'm just asking.

Yeah agree kinda.. Earlier when we were able to get Rolex easily, it used to be appear as hobby and now when its hard to get Rolex, suddenly the same collection appears to be an investment!

[RyanJ]

Watch collecting is great. Especially if you collect many brands. If you only collect one brand or only "hot" watches then I can understand your issues.

[Calborn]

Originally Posted by RyanJ

Watch collecting is great. Especially if you collect many brands. If you only collect one brand or only "hot" watches then I can understand your issues.

Agreed.

The masses mainly gravitate towards the typical overhyped pieces from Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet. For collectors and enthusiasts who buy what they like and can brush off the peer pressure, everything else is attainable from a supply perspective.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Calborn

Agreed.

The masses mainly gravitate towards the typical overhyped pieces from Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet. For collectors and enthusiasts who buy what they like and can brush off the peer pressure, everything else is attainable from a supply perspective.

Not my case though. I like many brands. If you pay attention to the main subforum you'll probably get where I'm coming from. I thought this discussion was over but one of our members brought it back today and it's nice to read all the posts after some time.

[Tricolore66]

Bingo! It's not for a love of watches, it's for a love of trophies.

Originally Posted by RyanJ

Watch collecting is great. Especially if you collect many brands. If you only collect one brand or only "hot" watches then I can understand your issues.

[L_S_SHOE]

You bring up an interesting point. I do think some people are interested for the right reasons, and others for the wrong reasons.

How can a person’s reasons be right or wrong? The right reasons don’t impact anyone else’s ability to enjoy the hobby. The wrong reasons do. Individuals who talk about watches as investments, in terms of resale, and who buy because they are insecure and in the name of one-upmanship hog supply and prevent others with a more genuine love of watches from being able to get what they want.


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[Pw92676]

I definitely think there is an element of “been there, done that” as any collection (watches or otherwise) grows. To combat that I try to be selective and seek out variety. And avoid impulse buys.

[FTX I]

In a bizarre future of increased popularity: omg what a cute little baby what's his name. sky dweller. come again. sky dweller but we just call him sky.