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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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

[sgwatchguy]

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

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Maybe take a horological sabbatical?

Maybe.

[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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[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 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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by pickettt

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

That’s an interesting take. Glass half full I like it.





I totally understand your feelings flavio and so do many other members here. I told my good friend that same thing who has a few Breitling but is not a collector or WIS by any regard. His response was that it’s always been that way. To some degree I think he’s right collecting high end watches is so purely materialistic it’s bound to be fraught with wankers.

On the other hand I’m starting to feel the same way about watches as I do about hip hop. The best days are long gone even though it’s more popular than ever.

[Bassplayer]

Feels like Tulips or when Cramer says buy - too many in the game now for Rolex.

Considering JLC as they are under the public radar and in my opinion, create some beautiful & compelling watches.

[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.

[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

[bayerische]

Was it ever cool?

Now that we have people who can barely afford their mortgage speculating in watches (Rolex) I do think it's all getting less cool. So yes OP, I think you're right.

It certainly has become a game of "keeping up with the Joneses".

[MrJKLFoams]

Its cool If you have alot of disposable funds, but worst If none...

[Speedbird-1]

Who cares, what's 'cool'?

Who decides what's, cool?

Do you consider yourself cool, just because you, collect watches.

[brandrea]

I never thought of collecting watches as cool in the first place, so I’m good

[3 Putt]

I have had a fascination with watches since my first Mickey Mouse watch when I was 5 years old. I never considered collecting watches cool or uncool. To me it is a passion. When my passion fades, I will stop. This will be independent of supply/demand, pricing or popularity.