Watch observations at a UK BBQ

[Oaker1]

I was at a relatively large garden BBQ yesterday, with a good mix (different professions etc:) of people. The ages seemed to range between around 19 & 75 years. During my time sitting in the sunshine (hasn’t happen too often in the UK this summer!) having a beer, I did a bit of wrist checking of others.

I counted 32 people in attendance, and thought the findings may be of interest to other watch Aficionados.

Excluding my Submariner, I observed 11 other “traditional” type watches (either mechanical or quartz, it was difficult to tell from a distance): 5 on men and 6 on women; one of these was clearly a ladies Datejust on Jubilee. There did not seem to be any other Rolexes present.

Interestingly, I only noticed 2 Apple watches, and 1 “Fit Bit” type band, the 2 Apple watches were worn by men, and the Fitbit by a woman.

The remainder of the people were watchless.

I guess I was somewhat surprised by the amount of people not wearing any type of watch, but encouraged by some of the younger attendees wearing “traditional” type watches. My observations suggest that the “traditional” type watch still seems to be outweighing the popularity of the smart watch, even amongst the younger wearers.

I wonder if this is a representative snapshot as to what other members would experience in different parts of the world?

[Lemieux66]

Hardly anyone at my workplace wears a watch, and the ones that do are mostly women. Most of the others say they find watches uncomfortable. They seem happy with their 19th century-style giant pocket watches - otherwise known as smartphones!

[Macnavara]

If i couldnt afford a rolex id probably rather wear nothing or maybe a gshock but definitely not a pointless gimmick like an apple watch....and i love the irony of stuffing your face at a bbq whilst wearing a fit bit

[ninjin]

Most people spend so much time looking at their 'smartphone' that a watch is no longer needed. What about appointments and time keeping you say?.... well its a 'smartphone' and your scheduled appointment in your online diary will be notified to you when coming up.

The world would collapse for sure without the smart phone for most.

I have a friend who doesn't wear a watch, who needs to take medicine 3 times a day. Even after 10years, he will forget unless his smartphone reminds him.

Crazy.

[MP5]

Originally Posted by Lemieux66

Hardly anyone at my workplace wears a watch, and the ones that do are mostly women. Most of the others say they find watches uncomfortable. They seem happy with their 19th century-style giant pocket watches - otherwise known as smartphones!

Ive been waiting for the hipsters to put on a button vest and attach a chain to their smartphone case. It will happen.

What gets BBQ at a UK BBQ?

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by Macnavara

If i couldnt afford a rolex id probably rather wear nothing or maybe a gshock but definitely not a pointless gimmick like an apple watch....and i love the irony of stuffing your face at a bbq whilst wearing a fit bit

Wow, so much judgement in such a short post. Being an owner of an Apple Watch, as well as a number of traditional watches, I can reliably inform you that a smart watch is far from a gimmick. You might like not them, but they are exceeding useful. With regards to the dig about food and Fitbits, we've all got to eat fuel, and there are worse things than food at a BBQ, which would probably mostly be unprocessed.

[Quailhunter]

My observation of my young friends (30s) matches that of the OP. They wear an Apple Watch or no watch.

If I was still working, I’d wear an Apple Watch. The new Apple Watch frees one from actually carrying a phone and provides connectivity. Being effective and available would outweigh enjoyment of fine watches.

However, in my off time, I’d slip on a Rolex.

[218225]

Since I am so annoyed by people checking their phones and timelines I have decided not to bring my phones with me in meetings and telling people to pay attention.
Greatly improved focus and I use my watch for what it was meant: telling time.




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[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

Wow, so much judgement in such a short post. Being an owner of an Apple Watch, as well as a number of traditional watches, I can reliably inform you that a smart watch is far from a gimmick. You might like not them, but they are exceeding useful. With regards to the dig about food and Fitbits, we've all got to eat fuel, and there are worse things than food at a BBQ, which would probably mostly be unprocessed.

isn't that what a forum is fuelled by....having opinions....I've got mine and you've got you're and thats all good....and if it makes you feel any better I’ve got to go now as ive just been informed im off to a bbq at the in-laws

[Zakalwe]

I tend to think watches will always come in and out of fashion. Certainly for as long as the human race continues to respond to social signalling and since that is an evolutionarily hard-wired trait, I don’t see it going away any time soon.

Fashion is cyclical. Stuff is cool when it’s niche, then it becomes the fashion, eventually becoming so ubiquitous as to be uncool, so casual followers drop away; it then becomes niche again and the cycle continues.

Before anybody mentions pocket-watches, you can’t signal your status or your membership of a club (the WIS club in this case) with something that is invisible to the outside world 99% of the time.

[DD9506]

Nice one. Not sure I'd have the time at a BBQ to note what you have done so good effort and interesting.

[Timekeep111]

Originally Posted by Macnavara

isn't that what a forum is fuelled by....having opinions....I've got mine and you've got you're and thats all good....and if it makes you feel any better I’ve got to go now as ive just been informed im off to a bbq at the in-laws

Going to a bbq, this is brilliant

[pauljuhn]

I haven’t worn any watch for couple of decades.
Now I am thinking of Rolex just because I can afford.
It would be even better if the watch retain the value unlike other brand.
That is my situation and there could be many like me.
To be honest, there is no point wearing watch in this smart phone generation.



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[AK797]

I've noticed pretty much all reality TV stars who are prominent on SM wear Rolexes now. Rolexes are still for the more affluent but no one wants the other similar brands any more.

[LandWatch]

Perhaps people don’t want to be constrained by time at the weekend!

[Quailhunter]

" there is no point wearing watch in this smart phone generation."

For me, the point is that I enjoy wearing a Rolex. I don't have the emotional need to impress anyone.

I carry an iPhone because I enjoy the access it provides to other people and to a wealth of information.

I am far more comfortable without my iPhone than I am without a watch.

[Monte Cristo]

Originally Posted by pauljuhn

I haven’t worn any watch for couple of decades.
Now I am thinking of Rolex just because I can afford.
It would be even better if the watch retain the value unlike other brand.
That is my situation and there could be many like me.
To be honest, there is no point wearing watch in this smart phone generation.

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So you haven’t worn a watch for a couple of decades, and you think wearing one is pointless?

I think you’ve signed up for the wrong forum mate.

[teck21]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I tend to think watches will always come in and out of fashion. Certainly for as long as the human race continues to respond to social signalling and since that is an evolutionarily hard-wired trait, I don’t see it going away any time soon.

Fashion is cyclical. Stuff is cool when it’s niche, then it becomes the fashion, eventually becoming so ubiquitous as to be uncool, so casual followers drop away; it then becomes niche again and the cycle continues.

Before anybody mentions pocket-watches, you can’t signal your status or your membership of a club (the WIS club in this case) with something that is invisible to the outside world 99% of the time.

Agree with your observations.

The current frenzy? You’re right in that it too shall pass.

When it passes the lots of people are gonna leave the club and find the next big thing to be involved in that everyone wants to be a part of.


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[WatchLurv]

I've been a fan of high end luxury (watches) since I graduated.

As OP mentioned...It was a casual BBQ. If I was going to a BBQ other than in Europe, I'd be wearing one of my gold watches. If I happen to be in Europe and I have a choice of not wearing a watch, I'd leave it at home.

[1William]

In looking at watches a various events a lot has to do with the audience. At fitness events sponsored by my gym, non workout or competition, cookouts. You see a lot of G-Shocks and other fitness inspired watches. When I go with a friend to events at his Tech Company it is all Apple watches. When a friend takes me to dinner at a local County Club it is Rolex, PP, VC and AL&S. Very little bleed over of people in the locations. I think is is all about who you are around and the situations you are in.

[Solo118]

I attended an affair yesterday as well, I have to tell you that every single woman had a DJ/DD, some subs here and there and a few Datyonas. The "higher end" guys had nothing but Pateks, AP's, and I even saw a red Richard Mille.

I do not think it has anything to do with scarcity, but I think many people are moving on from Rolex.

[zuber]

Not a BBQ but I am watching F1 live now on SkySports. You can see a lot of nice watches in there. Redactors, drivers, retired drivers etc. A lot of nice pieces. I am not an expert and cannot name it just looking on TV but I think I have seen Lange & Sonne? Richard Mille? Funny, I think I have not seen any Rolex yet.

[brandrea]

I notice a nice watch when I see one, but in these parts it’s rare

[WatchLurv]

Originally Posted by zuber

Not a BBQ but I am watching F1 live now on SkySports. You can see a lot of nice watches in there. Redactors, drivers, retired drivers etc. A lot of nice pieces. I am not an expert and cannot name it just looking on TV but I think I have seen Lange & Sonne? Richard Mille? Funny, I think I have not seen any Rolex yet.

I was at an F1 event in the VIP area (free food, pit walk/close up with commentators and drivers just at arm's length away, suite etc.) and everyone who had something on had something noteworthy on their wrist: Rolex, AP, Patek, RM etc.

Really depends where you rub shoulders at.

[VacherObsessive]

The fashion brand mall watch tends to be the watch I see most of, far more than luxury brands or Apple etc

[Jona]

The last boss I had was in his 30's and didn't wear a watch. In fact he said that he didn't like anything on his hands, no wedding ring, not even lotion! The only watch of mine he ever noticed was my PAM305 on a blue shark strap.

There was a lady in her 50's who noticed my watches at work. She always asked what they cost. I told her my DJ41 flued/jubilee was about 9. She said "You paid $900 for that?"

End of discussion.

[rushca01]

More and more people are wearing smart watches or not wearing watches at all and yet I still can’t walk into an AD and buy or even order the watch I want...

[teck21]

Originally Posted by rushca01

More and more people are wearing smart watches or not wearing watches at all and yet I still can’t walk into an AD and buy or even order the watch I want...

That is completely compatible with the possibility that there are more people than ever who want a Rolex (or quite often, many Rolexes), proportionately and absolutely.


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[Soultime]

Originally Posted by Oaker1

I was at a relatively large garden BBQ yesterday, with a good mix (different professions etc:) of people. The ages seemed to range between around 19 & 75 years. During my time sitting in the sunshine (hasn’t happen too often in the UK this summer!) having a beer, I did a bit of wrist checking of others.

I counted 32 people in attendance, and thought the findings may be of interest to other watch Aficionados.

Must have been a bit of a boring bbq if you started counting watches.

Bet that wouldnt have happened if it was chock full of attractive women.

[M45]

I don't see people wearing watches anymore, and those who do are wearing smart watches.