Less and Less People Wearing Watches These Days?

[Ed Rooney]

I think back to when I was a kid. I had a watch for maybe the last 6 months of high school. Back then most kids didn't wear one, and that was in the Swatch days. I think a lot of people will go back to watches, but they will be fashion items. Folks will have either nicer watches, or digitals.

Cell phones are the most impractical timepieces. They aren't water resistant, they depend on too much to work properly. You have to remove them from their pocket or holster, then press at least one button. I rarely use mine for the time.

My wife and I didn't wear them for years, but I find they're absolutely essential in our daily life with kids. Being able to check the time in a meeting without looking disrespectful is also helpful.

[Mondo Man]

I stopped wearing a watch about 18 years ago. Right around the time I started using cell phones. The two are definitely related. To me wearing a watch was very uncomfortable. I hate wearing my Rolex. It is such a choir. If it wasn't a gift I'd sell it.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Mondo Man

I stopped wearing a watch about 18 years ago. Right around the time I started using cell phones. The two are definitely related. To me wearing a watch was very uncomfortable. I hate wearing my Rolex. It is such a choir. If it wasn't a gift I'd sell it.

You dredged up a 2-year-old thread to tell us you don't like wearing your Rolex

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Mondo Man

I stopped wearing a watch about 18 years ago. Right around the time I started using cell phones. The two are definitely related. To me wearing a watch was very uncomfortable. I hate wearing my Rolex. It is such a choir. If it wasn't a gift I'd sell it.

Welcome on TRF

The only conclusion I can from your post is . . . give it back !

HAGOne

[LightOnAHill]

holy resurrected thread batman

[LightOnAHill]

I just love getting to put that, can you tell?

[swiss ghost]

Originally Posted by 4 Ranges

Watches as tools are optional nowadays. The smartphone will annihilate watches as a product that serves only one purpose.

However, it's watches that have brand equity as a LUXURY piece that will escape this fate. Owning a Rolex is less about valuing and utilizing its mechanical functions, but moreso about conveying a message about its owner. When I see the many people at my gym that wear Rolex, it conveys that they value reliability, precision, and self-pride. Rolex in particular offers carte Blanche into a unique club of individuals who earned their position in life...the hard way, then rewarded themselves with a watch that embodies value, luxury, and history.

As a businessman, I feel that I communicate better with clients who understand and own a Rolex. We both know it's not just a watch.

or sold crack on the street corner. i truly believe the individual wearing the watch conveys more of a message than the watch itself

[swiss ghost]

Originally Posted by LightOnAHill

holy resurrected thread batman

shame on me for replying to a 3 year old thread

mods please ban me for 24 hrs

[jphj012]

Originally Posted by Tools

I don't think that young people were ever very much into wearing watches...


I do not agree that the cell phone or PDA will take their place..... It is true that many now carry them with them much of the time...... but it is not always convenient (like old pocket watches), and in bright sunlight I frequently see users struggle to see their screen........ and sometimes the battery just runs out at the most inconvenient time.

It's cool (or whatever) to be plugged in and on line with your friends.... and it's fashionable today to have cargo pants with every pocket bulging with the stuff you need...

But, if you lead an active lifestyle that takes you all over the world, ski the steepest runs, hike the longest valleys, climb the highest hills.......... or even participating in a number of activities............ a wristwatch is the right tool for the job..... a cell phone is a pain to keep track of, carry, or even use - unless you spend all of your time in the 'hood.......

The problem with today is that most younger generations are dependent on technology. A smart phone can pretty much do almost anything when you're out. And I believe the younger generation do not climb hills, or exercise. So they've gotten lazier and most either play with their phones or computers.

[gwalker]

I'm 28 and almost all of my friends wear Omega, Tag, or Rolex. Ill say I don't see many young people wearing them though. A smartphone is all you need. I think of it like I love driving a Corvette and its fast, recognizable, expensive (relatively), and an "icon" but some of the younger crowd really can't afford it and would rather have a Prius that goes a to b.

[joe100]

I'm sure a part of it has to do with priorities as well as the current trend. Young people today have far more to spend in bills each month as the 20-something of 20-30 years ago. A Rolex or other high end watch just isn't on their radar.

Btw, up to this point the word "bling" has been used 13 times in this thread.

[Pleximannen]

Originally Posted by N_Swe

For a couple of years ago, in the mid-90s when cellphones were spreading in Sweden, many of us only used the mobile clock. But on later years more and more actually have a watch - and a expensive watch too.

Maybe its my circle with friends and network, but it seems that half of the crowd here have an Omega nowadays (and a few Rolexes - no Panerais or Breitlings though). Omega must have tripled their market share in Sweden after the millenium.

So - no. People will NOT stop wearing watches. But the watches have another meaning today, its more status symbol, an accessory, than it was yesterday.

I agree with these observations. And in addition, if you look at Swedish Ebay (Tradera) auctions of vintage Omegas from the 50's/60's, as well as other small-ish vintage dress watches from the same era, a very substantial number of bidders were born in the 90's... and I wouldn't think they're all in the WIS crowd - I think it's more about romance about a time when things had more soul and quality. After all, you can hardly argue that an iPhone gives you any sense of craftmanship, and younger crowds are also realising that.

[bridgs]

Originally Posted by 77T

You dredged up a 2-year-old thread to tell us you don't like wearing your Rolex

Funny!

[c.rod]

i am 31 and in the construction industry. i wear a gshock daily. depending on where im working you are not allowed to use your phone because of safety guidlines. besides work , it seems like im one of the only ones ever wearing a watch period. especially "expensive" watches. in fact ive never came across anyone i know wearing anything other than a citizen/fossil etc...

[Mephist]

Just posted something similar in a similar thread.


"a gentleman's choice of timepiece says as much about him as does his Saville Row suit" –Ian Flemming

[financeman]

I agree that younger people are definetly not wearing watches these days. I remember getting my first "nice" watch when I was 16. It was a citizen echo drive and I cherished that watch and was so proud to have it on my wrist. That was my big present that year from my parents and I still have and cherish that watch today.
I was so proud when my 12 year old son came to me a few weeks back and said he wanted to get a "nice" watch for his birthday this year. I guess him being around quality watches all his life has made him get a taste and a understanding on the value of a well made time piece

[jay1988]

Originally Posted by 4 Ranges

Watches as tools are optional nowadays. The smartphone will annihilate watches as a product that serves only one purpose.

However, it's watches that have brand equity as a LUXURY piece that will escape this fate. Owning a Rolex is less about valuing and utilizing its mechanical functions, but moreso about conveying a message about its owner. When I see the many people at my gym that wear Rolex, it conveys that they value reliability, precision, and self-pride. Rolex in particular offers carte Blanche into a unique club of individuals who earned their position in life...the hard way, then rewarded themselves with a watch that embodies value, luxury, and history.

As a businessman, I feel that I communicate better with clients who understand and own a Rolex. We both know it's not just a watch.

You could easily pick up an acceptable business watch for £100. A guy I work with recently asked my advice and I pointed him toward Christopher Ward (his budget was £500). He got two watches for £750 and my boss who owns Patek Grande complications and the like spent a good few minutes checking them out and was very impressed.

I don't know how you do business if you work on the premise that the watch someone owns has anything to do with what kind of business you do. Especially in this age. What kind of watch do you think Mark Zuckerberg was wearing when he was pitching facebook ? Steve Jobs and Bill gates hardly ever wore watches.

Saying a Rolex is a necessity in a business climate is ridiculous. There are probably a lot more successful business people who don't wear a Rolex, then there are who do.

[Micha]

I NEED and USE the watch that I am wearing, much faster than getting the cellphone out. Furthermore, while diving or kitesurfing my smartphone will not help.

[Solo118]

Sorry, I dont care what the others are doing. I refuse to go one day without wearing a watch.

[Rashid.bk]

Sorry, but not wearing a watch is immature. People started substituting smartphones for watches for a number of reasons which began with the advent of "cool" smart phones.
Two of the most common ones:
-have a smart phone, an Iphone more likely and want to pull it out randomly to show people how cool you are for having the latest and greatest. Younger generations 15-25 are way more hip to electrical tech than mechanical.
-also people pull out there phone a million times to "respond" to a text or email. It makes you look important, connected...like your hip and involved. Social media has pushed this to the tenth power, checking Facecrack updates and twitter feeds.

To me a grown man(21 at least) or woman that pulls out a phone to tell time cannot be taken seriously. It looks unprofessional and immature in the middle of a power point presentation to dig into your pocket and pull out your phone to check the time. In my line of work where it is necessary to record times of specific events as they happen while still maintaining situational awareness and your hands free to act, digging in a pocket or depending on an unconfirmed time source is a nogo.

So while it may be popular and acceptable and a phone may keep better time, it goes against established social norms and values to be a responsible adult managing your time from your pocket. In the same manner that it is prudent and respectable to wear a suit to an interview, a business meeting, etc. wearing a watch does say something.

In the military for example a watch is a requirement, it is part of your packing list for any activity from training, schools and definitely deployments. Why because it's "cool", no because it's necessary for better time management under a multitude of varying circumstances.
I remember reading Malcom X's autobiography when I was young and one thing he said always stayed with me, paraphrasing-
A man without a watch doesn't value or respect time.
A cellphone in your pocket doesn't count. Then there's the argument about clocks everywhere, and the issue also of usability, phones during sports such as diving, running etc. doesn't work.
My opinion.









.

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by Frankie13

I feel naked without a watch and the only time I don't have one around my wrist is when I'm out cycling. I have to be able to see what time and date it is and what could be nicer to look at your wrist and see a beuatiful Time Machine and if it's my new GMT IIc it's even better and makes my day!

IMO if you're a working male over 40 or so it is a natural part of being a man to put on a watch everyday, it just "completes the uniform" as my Pop used to say but I think the late 20's - early 30's guys seem to feel differently.

I know that in meetings I attend for work there have been situations where some of the "younger" guys have pulled out phones to check the time and they get some "looks" for that from us over 40 "fogies" who tend to discreetly steal a glance down at our wrists.

Personally, my primary inclination is, and will remain, to look at my wrist even when surrounded by clocks, phones, in the car on planes, etc... when I want to know the time. The only exception, when not in bed, being that I don't wear a watch when playing golf both beacuse it bothers my swing and once I tee off don't care what time it is until the round is over.

[Passionata]

To the OP
Might be but we belong to the happy minority


Best
George

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[james1787]

I notice that quite a few people in the 20's/30's these days do not wear watches. I've always worn a watch. I fought getting a smart phone for years until I was forced to get one for work.

[ludicree]

I was out the other night and at a local diner I met a girlfriend. She was with 5 other girls, which she is friends with. They all had watches. Some expensive like WG 36mm Omega, some stylish Aviation watches for less.

Never seen so much watch on a restaurant table.

On the other hand I would not be surprised if more and more young people never discover the use of a real watch and stick with the next best electronic.

[Memphis]

me personally, i never wore a watch when i was young because i knew i would smash it to bits because i was careless... but also i didn't care in the least of what time it was... after college and 1st real job, i got a real watch, that served more as jewelry than timing device... and now i have a huge collection and im into movements and things of that sort.

i think OP is jumping the gun a bit saying the watch industry is doomed simply because kids use their smart phones to tell time. if i was a teenager nowadays, i would do the same....

[Lumberjact]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

Sorry, but not wearing a watch is immature. People started substituting smartphones for watches for a number of reasons which began with the advent of "cool" smart phones.
Two of the most common ones:
-have a smart phone, an Iphone more likely and want to pull it out randomly to show people how cool you are for having the latest and greatest. Younger generations 15-25 are way more hip to electrical tech than mechanical.
-also people pull out there phone a million times to "respond" to a text or email. It makes you look important, connected...like your hip and involved. Social media has pushed this to the tenth power, checking Facecrack updates and twitter feeds.

To me a grown man(21 at least) or woman that pulls out a phone to tell time cannot be taken seriously. It looks unprofessional and immature in the middle of a power point presentation to dig into your pocket and pull out your phone to check the time. In my line of work where it is necessary to record times of specific events as they happen while still maintaining situational awareness and your hands free to act, digging in a pocket or depending on an unconfirmed time source is a nogo.

So while it may be popular and acceptable and a phone may keep better time, it goes against established social norms and values to be a responsible adult managing your time from your pocket. In the same manner that it is prudent and respectable to wear a suit to an interview, a business meeting, etc. wearing a watch does say something.

In the military for example a watch is a requirement, it is part of your packing list for any activity from training, schools and definitely deployments. Why because it's "cool", no because it's necessary for better time management under a multitude of varying circumstances.
I remember reading Malcom X's autobiography when I was young and one thing he said always stayed with me, paraphrasing-
A man without a watch doesn't value or respect time.
A cellphone in your pocket doesn't count. Then there's the argument about clocks everywhere, and the issue also of usability, phones during sports such as diving, running etc. doesn't work.
My opinion.









.

Would agree more than 100% if that were mathematically possible!

[crowncollection]

i agree probably less young people wearing a watch, but they will never replace watches

[Thatguy]

Rarely leave the house without my Rolex or my smart phone. How else can I check this forum during boring work meetings? :)

[Onikage]

Electrical gadgetry has overtaken machinery at the moment...as far as knowing the time/date goes atleast, but it will be back. That's my humble take on it anyway.

[JJL]

I could be incorrect, but I don't think watches were ever really popular among the younger crowd. I feel like most adults buy/wear watches, when they are established or have achieved something.

It's kind of "mans" one piece of jewelry, not for kids :)