Why don't I own more forum favourites?
This is more of a brain dump than a thoughtful post, so feel free to skip past it...
There are many watches that I'd call "favourites" on the forum. Obviously none are universally liked or we'd all be wearing the same watches, but there are definitely a couple of dozen that are well regarded. If I ignore those that don't appeal to me, and those over £1k (as they're a more considered purchase), then I'm left with the following, which are known so well that I can shortcut their names:
PRX
Alpinist
Bambino
Presage
Baltic MR01
Watermelon
Max Bill
Lunar Pilot*
Brew Metric Retro*
Seagull 63
From that list, the only one I own is the Seagull. All the rest have been on my wishlist at some point but fallen off, the two asterisked are on there now but only just.
If I owned all of these then I'd have a classic collection. My SOTC would be applauded etc. etc... So why instead, do I have a collection of misfits? I mean, I like all the watches in my boxes and many are still in their honeymoon period despite being owned for years now, but they don't constitute what a watch collector would call a solid or well thought out selection.
Why have I not bought the above list?
I think I got a clue when I sold my Speedy, which I'd enjoyed for many years. I suddenly got bored of it. Yes, I've written that blasphemy for all to see. When I thought about it, I'd become fatigued by seeing it everywhere. Every day I'd see it, whether wearing it or not. So I stopped wearing it and was still bored of seeing it posted. Probably not helped by the number of versions available. It became wallpaper.
I think that's where I am with the forum darlings. I like them all, I still give them a heart when posted, I'm still positive about them when someone asks what to buy. They're really pretty watches that appeal, but they're no longer for me. They're everywhere I look. I've tuned them out. Like Adele or Ed Sheeran.
Maybe in 20 years time when the current crop are seen as "retro" I'll buy them with a wistful look in my eye... but for now I'm happy with my misfits, my Dirty (few) Dozen if you like.
Art. Jazz. Dachshunds. Bolton Wanderers. Reading FC.
Lol I must be weird then too, I only have the Lunar Pilot lololol.
Don't you worry. Your not the only one that can't check boxes. I have the PRX on that list and that's it. I think about getting the fan favorites but then I think I like something else better. I don't think it discounts the watches, they are great watches. Maybe it discounts me. If that the case I'm good with it. I like what's in my watch box. I'm good with that too.
Lol I must be weird then too, I only have the Lunar Pilot lololol.
Same here
I do not own a single watch on that list, cannot see any situation when I would source one. My choices were formed ages ago from deeply personal experiences. I was very late to buy a Grand Seiko not due to any technical concerns, my issues were personal, and I will write no more than that.
I also don’t own any of these.
Buy what you like, the rest will sort itself out.
I have a 1963 I have worn in ages...
I'm with you, I find the "common" watches boring. I'd rather have something a bit different, but still well made and "classic".
Have got zero watches on the list and zero desire to own one. Not that I dislike them, they just don’t speak to me. That’s the fun part about this hobby (which I am still very new at): finding out what you actually like. Which can ofc be influenced by a forum such as this. I don’t think I’d have arrived at and bought a Scurfa if not for WC - I just would not have known the brand existed!
And it’s a reassuring thought that in the case of watch collections, chances are very, very slim it will ever increase in value - so forget about all that and buy and wear what you like!
Outside the Internet,out of those, I've only ever spotted someone wearing a PRX. Seen quite a few people with one and that's put me off getting one.
Same here
We should start a support group.
Lol I must be weird then too, I only have the Lunar Pilot lololol.
The blue Lunar Pilot appeals to me but never even seen one in Australia 🇦🇺 to try on .
As someone with less than four years of collecting under my belt I appreciate being exposed to forum favorites. Oftentimes the reasons for their popularity are sound.
I also think that only rarely is there a "The King Has No Clothes" example that becomes a forum favorite because the watch community as a whole knows their stuff and can be brutally nit picky.
Of the watches above only the Alpinist made it into my collection (love it!) though I like to think that the watch community influenced many of my other purchases in a positive way.
The healthiest among you exposed me to watches that you like while simultaneously encouraging me to find my own path. The unhealthiest tried to substitute their preferences for mine.
My last watch, a Bulgari Octo Roma, will never sit at the popular kids table but it would've never been on my wish list either if another enthusiast hadn't nixed popularity as a factor.
As always Your Wrist Your Rules. Do You!
You left off the Casio F-91W! What kind of list of "favourites" leaves off the Casio F-91W! 😜
You left off the Casio F-91W! What kind of list of "favourites" leaves off the Casio F-91W! 😜
For sure, I could probably reel off another dozen!
Have got zero watches on the list and zero desire to own one. Not that I dislike them, they just don’t speak to me. That’s the fun part about this hobby (which I am still very new at): finding out what you actually like. Which can ofc be influenced by a forum such as this. I don’t think I’d have arrived at and bought a Scurfa if not for WC - I just would not have known the brand existed!
And it’s a reassuring thought that in the case of watch collections, chances are very, very slim it will ever increase in value - so forget about all that and buy and wear what you like!
Yes I've found plenty of interesting watches and brands I simply didn't know about from here. Every day I learn that I know less than I thought I did! (Which often leads to finding a pretty trinket to drool over)
The blue Lunar Pilot appeals to me but never even seen one in Australia 🇦🇺 to try on .
I think it's definitely one that needs to be on your wrist before making a decision. I took photos to be sure it sat ok on my wrist
Don’t have any of these watches and don’t see myself buying any of these anything soon.
As someone with less than four years of collecting under my belt I appreciate being exposed to forum favorites. Oftentimes the reasons for their popularity are sound.
I also think that only rarely is there a "The King Has No Clothes" example that becomes a forum favorite because the watch community as a whole knows their stuff and can be brutally nit picky.
Of the watches above only the Alpinist made it into my collection (love it!) though I like to think that the watch community influenced many of my other purchases in a positive way.
The healthiest among you exposed me to watches that you like while simultaneously encouraging me to find my own path. The unhealthiest tried to substitute their preferences for mine.
My last watch, a Bulgari Octo Roma, will never sit at the popular kids table but it would've never been on my wish list either if another enthusiast hadn't nixed popularity as a factor.
As always Your Wrist Your Rules. Do You!
I have none of the watches on that list. My wife bought the gold Brew Metric at Wind Up. That’s as close as I get.
The Octo Roma can sit at my popular kids table. I never thought I would like the Octo until I tried one. My Solotempo is a great source of personal enjoyment. I’m not concerned with popularity or internet opinions.
A watch being popular - even within our niche corner - is often a strike against it having a space in my watch box. I enjoy the more overlooked and unusual pieces. I think that the only 'hype watches' that I have are a CasiOak, and a Lunar Pilot (but even there, I got the anniversary edition in gold and titanium). I have an Aquis, which I wouldn't put in the same category, and a Presage which I disagree as a hype watch, but is on the original list.
Yeah, I have none of these either. It's fine. I don't like some of these for a reason (movement quality, case thickness though knda correlated with movement q, don't need another playful watch, or have a similar watch from another brand).
I like having some different watches from the crowd.
I collect what i like, not whats popular? Some of the most popular watches on the market you couldn't give me for nothing (if i couldn't re sell).
Why do you care whats popular?
As i always say, you like what you like
Got the Lunar Pilot & an Alpinist, the rest don't appeal to me.
I'm generally one who dislikes something if it's popular 🙄