Bites: Are you the ULTIMATE watch collecting villain?

Hello fellow watch connoisseurs!

So last week I told you you were all a fine bunch of ladies and gents, and this week I’m telling you you’re turning into villains?? Yes, its true, and I will hit you with the full brutal honesty shortly.

But first…

You may have noticed that I keep tweaking the design and layout of this newsletter each week. My hope is that it has something useful for everyone while not being too overwhelming, however I’m starting to notice it’s now less ‘Bites’ and more ‘7 course tasting menu complete with wine flight and surly waiter’.

So how have I solved the problem of it being too long?

I’ve added another section!

@Unholiestjedi made an interesting post asking folks how long they spent on Watch Crunch recently, which got me thinking that there will be those who only want to spend a few minutes on WC each day and maybe they would benefit from a super quick round up of the week.

And so, the ‘3 Things’ section was born. Each week I’ll pick the 3 most interesting, fun or informative things from the WC world for those short on time.

Let’s give it a go…

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1. Biggest watch releases

I think the biggest watch announcement this past week has to be the Moonshine MoonSwatch which dropped today. Considering the level of speculation and all the cool renders and imaginings of what this could possibly be over the past couple of days it turned out to be…. underwhelming. Another big release this week is the Farer moonphase collection, which seems to have had a more positive, though still mixed response.

2. A new WC content creator

The new official content creator for Watch Crunch is here! Joshua, @jjDemir, has the official WC TikTok channel up and running for your viewing pleasure.

3. A celebration of microbrands

My top post for you to check out this week is from @AllTheWatches. He is planning his next microbrands tournament and asking for suggestions as to who should join the fight. Its well worth a couple of minutes scrolling through some of the suggestions and cool pictures in the comments. So many brands I hadn’t heard of!

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Enjoy your appetiser and got time for more?

Come and check out what else has been going on…

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New Members:

Hello to some of the newest members of our community I’ve seen posting around….

@pavandeshpande, @Dallas, @PresentDayPrimitive, @WatchFanatic, @justimeout, @Brazilianquickfingers, @LSGSY27, @bataviacaliber, @Reverend, @Elcioffis, @Alex75, @Tossel, @NishantH, @GinoWatch, @300watchenthusiast, @SammyD84, @egcr72.

Welcome everyone!

***

Hot posts:

Lots of philosophical thinking in this weeks hot posts which got the community talking….

Philosophy of watch collecting

@QuietManClass asks “What is your watch collecting philosophy”, triggering a collection of interesting, thoughtful and humorous answers.

Philosophy of field watches

@robbits asks “What is your field watch philosophy?”, to see where people sit on the disposable vs luxurious spectrum. Good question! Should a field watch be something you feel compelled to baby?

Better than expected

@Fiatjeepdriver posts his ‘good’ edition of (“Which watches have surprised you?”)[https://www.watchcrunch.com/Fiatjeepdriver/posts/watches-that-surprised-you-good-edition-28254], and people share their pleasant surprises.

All or nothing?

@Tony14 opens up the debate of compromise when it comes to your grail watch: “Would you compromise on an unobtainable grail watch or pass altogether?”

What does WR even mean?

@DixonSteele gives his take on what you can expect from water resistance and others drop their 2 cents about how brave they get with their watches around water.

***

Upcoming Events and meetups:

12th March - Birmingham Clock and Watch Fair - Birmingham, UK

31st March - London WatchCrunch Meetup: Part II – London, UK

27th March – April 2nd - Watches and Wonders 2023 - Geneva, Switzerland

1st April - WatchCrunch Meetup @ Watches and Wonders - Geneva, Switzerland

8th April Watch Crunch x Prosper meetup - Bruxelles, Belgium

28th – 30th April - Windup Watch Fair 2023 - San Francisco, CA

5th May - Cruise ship Meetup - New Jersey to UK

14th – 16th July - Windup Watch Fair 2023 - Chicago

20th – 22nd October - Windup Watch Fair 2023 – New York

Let me know if you hear of any other meetups and I’ll add them to our weekly calendar.

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Here are the latest watch releases from the past week. If I hear about any new watch drops which I think people would like to know about before the next letter I will update this section.

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Top row left to right: G-shock, Lorca, Timex, Garrick, Farer

Second row: Cartier Unlimited Clash, Certina, Hermes, Boldr, Maurice Lacroix

Third row: Kurono, Jacob & Co, 2 colourways of the new Citizens, Unimatic x south park

Fourth row: Hamilton Jazzmaster, Louis Vuitton, JLC, Tissot panda, Ollech & Wajs

Fifth row: Rotary

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@TheSharperTheBetter chose this weeks photography club theme of ‘Furry/Fishy/Freaky/Feathered Friends!’, meaning everyone had the chance to share their pet pics. He chose this gorgeous shot from @Fiatjeepdriver as the winner this week:

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Check out all the other shots from last week here and see the runners up and this week’s new contest theme choice, set by @HotWatchChick69, in the latest thread here.

Also, the powers at WC HQ tell me the winners badges for the photograph club are now ready! I will send them the list of all winners, but if you don't get your badge in the next few days send me a message and I'll get it sorted.

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This week’s column contributors:

@thekris - Specificity

An interesting take on how the concept of how ‘specificity’ can guide our watch collecting.

@Porthole - The perils of vintage problemsolving with Porthole #1: When the content becomes more contrived and the watch just doesn’t sit right

We journey again through the Porthole and can sympathise about a watch that just doesn’t hit the mark on the wrist.

@justimeout - My attempt at Answering why are you obsessed with watches

A very well produced and thought-out video about a 2 beautiful vintage Omegas belonging to the creator’s grandfather.

@Shakespeare - The Beatles and their watches: Part IX – Joey Ramone’s apple watch

The next part in his thoroughly well researched articles on the watches worn by these icons of music.

@Finnarm - The Golden Age of Watches

An opinion piece on how we are living the dream of the watch golden age right here and now.

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The idea of 'entering your villain era’ is, unsurprisingly, a concept from social media to describe a backlash reaction to the social pressures of being Instagram perfect. It’s when a breaking point has been reached, you’re sick of keeping up appearances and you've decided something has to change. The villainy that ensues isn't about becoming nasty, hateful or unkind, but more about stopping the constant battle to always be the hero, learning when to say no and deciding to really live your life unapologetically.

It got me thinking…

Who are the villains in the watch game?

The IG flexers?

Ultimately, they are just giving people what they want and are doing well out of it as a result. They embody the aspirational. The 'grail' of life goals for many. Just as we lust over pictures of Patek’s and JLC’s, others do the same over those instagramers living their dream on a private jet to Thailand. They inspire others to dream, big with their diamond encrusted Daytona’s and Bugatti Veyron’s. They are the Bruce Wayne’s of the watch world (though probably with a less gritty back story).

What about the grey market flippers?

Honestly, aren't they providing a valued service to many (or at least the few with the cash)? When you desperately want that grail Rolex for a special life event, but detest the games the ADs play, the grey market gives you another option. Their process is transparent. No games. You got the money, we got the watch. A refreshing change to the AD dance. They kinda remind me of James Bond’s ‘Q’ (if he charged exorbitant prices for exploding pens). They get you cool stuff, when you need it.

So the AD’s then?

You want a hard to get watch at retail? This is just how it works. You give them your name, you do them some favours, maybe buy some jewellery, boost their sales figures and then they’ll do you a favour and find you that Subby you’ve been after. Old school quid pro quo. It’s just business. You don’t like it? No problem. You go and you make room for someone else. No one is forcing us to play with them. Its not like they are selling one of life’s necessities. These guys are like the Winston Wolfs of the watch world (no, he wasn’t a ‘good guy’ as such… unless you needed to get rid of the bodies).

So that leaves us, the enthusiasts...

It looks like we are the haters in a world where flex-culture, FOMO and grey market flippers are the norm. Chasing 'likes' and validation on social media has affected watch collecting to such a degree it's driving many true enthusiasts to become disenfranchised.

Instagram accounts are deleted, influencers unfollowed, and updates unsubscribed. We defy the social system that we have found ourselves in and refuse to build a watch collection based on the ‘likes’ it will bring.

Do you deny the flexers of their likes?

Do you refuse to play the AD games?

Do you give a dark smile when you hear about the Rolex crash and imagine the ‘investors’ sweating?

Welcome to your villain era!

Your turn…

Does not playing by the excepted new rules of flex culture make us the villains and haters?

Or are we the Rebel Alliance in the Evil Empire? (mixing my genres, I know… so villainous)

And most importantly, which is the perfect villain's watch?? (I think we all now have a great excuse to go buy one and I already know what I’m getting).

Thanks for reading folks and see you next week.

Kaysia.

@Deeperblue

Banner picture: The RJ ‘Joker’ villains watch

Reply
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Thank you for the shout out!

I already own three villain watches.

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Also, you left out a potential villain in the watch world; the brands themselves. LE this, not LE, but not widely available that, raising prices, lack of QC & CS. What if the villains are the brands?

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I love being the Villian!! Villains always have the coolest cars/watches and gadgets!!

Also I love Transformers right!! So c’mon the decepticons have jets!! Constructicons!! Off course who else Megatron and Galvatron!! Villains are cool!

And for my Villian watch !! Off course my soon to have Seiko Spring Drive!!

Yeah it’s a Seiko! With Grand Seiko movement!! Folks would say, “Why not just get Grand Seiko instead?!!”… and I say, “why?!” Cuz I’m a Villian I like to defy logic …

😜😂

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UnholiestJedi

Thank you for the shout out!

I already own three villain watches.

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Also, you left out a potential villain in the watch world; the brands themselves. LE this, not LE, but not widely available that, raising prices, lack of QC & CS. What if the villains are the brands?

Oh yeah I forgot about the dark side!! C’mon Darth Mail is the coolest second to Vader of course!!

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What you are describing as villainy in professional wrestling (or "raslin'") is the "heel turn". A good guy is a "Face", a bad guy is a "Heel". The process whereby a good guy becomes a bad guy is a heel turn. Some of us went in that direction a long time ago.

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(Use of @Porthole 's likeness and watch without permission.)

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UnholiestJedi

Thank you for the shout out!

I already own three villain watches.

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Also, you left out a potential villain in the watch world; the brands themselves. LE this, not LE, but not widely available that, raising prices, lack of QC & CS. What if the villains are the brands?

Is that a Sith??

Yeah, you win.

Too true about the brands also.

Limited additions, lazy watch updates (dial colour changes), price rises without justification. Yes, I could definitely see them in the villain role.

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Ichibunz

I love being the Villian!! Villains always have the coolest cars/watches and gadgets!!

Also I love Transformers right!! So c’mon the decepticons have jets!! Constructicons!! Off course who else Megatron and Galvatron!! Villains are cool!

And for my Villian watch !! Off course my soon to have Seiko Spring Drive!!

Yeah it’s a Seiko! With Grand Seiko movement!! Folks would say, “Why not just get Grand Seiko instead?!!”… and I say, “why?!” Cuz I’m a Villian I like to defy logic …

😜😂

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I always think the scariest villains are the ones that are so bat$*%! crazy you literally have no clue what they are going to do next. 😂

Honestly though, that is one sweet watch. Definitely villain worthy. 👌

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DeeperBlue

Is that a Sith??

Yeah, you win.

Too true about the brands also.

Limited additions, lazy watch updates (dial colour changes), price rises without justification. Yes, I could definitely see them in the villain role.

The front one is Darth Maul, a Sith who was the Emperor's protegé in Episode I, before Obi-Wan sliced him in half.

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Aurelian

What you are describing as villainy in professional wrestling (or "raslin'") is the "heel turn". A good guy is a "Face", a bad guy is a "Heel". The process whereby a good guy becomes a bad guy is a heel turn. Some of us went in that direction a long time ago.

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(Use of @Porthole 's likeness and watch without permission.)

Like 'The Rock' did?

I hope you're telling me you're secretly The Rock!

I thought I recognised those wrists! And I can definitely see The Rock in a vintage Bulova!

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DeeperBlue

Like 'The Rock' did?

I hope you're telling me you're secretly The Rock!

I thought I recognised those wrists! And I can definitely see The Rock in a vintage Bulova!

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No, the Rock's wrists are as hairy as yours. He too would have to cheat to get the badge. I am more like this:

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Always enjoy your bites!

I have some flipper friends who jumped in to watch business during the pandemic, thinking they would make millions. Now they have to work extra hard to get out of their debt. Well karma karma....

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Are we the villains? Maybe so, I do wear a lot of black.

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Adi365

Always enjoy your bites!

I have some flipper friends who jumped in to watch business during the pandemic, thinking they would make millions. Now they have to work extra hard to get out of their debt. Well karma karma....

Thank you!

Yes, it feels like a lot of folks have made loses in the watch game. I wonder how many are holding on to their investment collection in the hope it's just a market blip.

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Thanks!

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UnholiestJedi

Thank you for the shout out!

I already own three villain watches.

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Also, you left out a potential villain in the watch world; the brands themselves. LE this, not LE, but not widely available that, raising prices, lack of QC & CS. What if the villains are the brands?

I've also just noticed that Britt has done a 1.5hr live stream about the Moonswatch. I've not watched it, but I'm guessing it's not positive and I'm guessing she'd share your views about brands right now!

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Always a pleasure to read! I think we are all both the heroes and the villains of our own collecting dramas. 😜 However, I do see your point about IG, Grey Market, and AD all just being what they are, and simply being the accepted norm. I would posit that watch enthusiasts hating on these and other emerging norms is itself a new emerging norm. Some of us are gleefully embracing the role of hater, denouncing everything in vitriolic rants while claiming love for the hobby.

"Scorpion, why did you sting me? Now we will both die; me from your poison and you from drowning."

"Sorry, Frog, it is simply in my nature."

In your new releases section, I see you have the new Hamilton Jazzmaster Performer Chronograph. I just watched a video rant from The Time Teller that I think illustrates my point. I Will NEVER Buy Another Hamilton Watch Ever Again!!! He spends some time letting us know how good the watch is before getting to his rant.

In this video, he points out that the new Jazzmaster Performer line all have screw-down crowns. This is the reason he is never going to buy a Hamilton again; Hamilton had the audacity to put a screw-down crown on the Jazzmaster line before they put them on the Khaki line. Seriously?!? He is swearing off a brand with a rich history and heritage that is releasing great new models simply because they put a screw-down crown on a Jazzmaster before a Khaki? I understand that there are water resistance/condensation issues that have been reported by people, and I would think Hamilton will be releasing new Khaki models that incorporate some of the improved features of the Jazzmaster Performer. He even claims that the clickbait title is NOT clickbait. This really feels like a rant about a big old nothing burger, but maybe it is just me. Perhaps that would be a good weekly series; show us the most ridiculous rant, criticism, or objection to a watch you can find. 🤣 This video will be my submission for this week.

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MarkCO

The Villian IG idiots on the whole I would guess are 99% of the time wearing fakes. Christ there are a tiny number of Bugatti‘s in the world so I am certain those insta fakers aren’t driving one and as no one can get hold of Rolex, I am sure they don’t own one on the whole.

They are the people the world and especially children would be better off without.

I see those as rebels. They undermine the whole flexing game, and its social gate-keeping function. You want to flex your Rolex which you have acquired on the grey market at great expense? Now, thanks to the rebels, people like MarkCO think that you are wearing a fake. I watch this malarchy from a distance, and smirk. Well, I mostly miss the drama, as I don't have an IG account.

Does this qualify me as a hater? I hope so. If not, where did I go wrong?

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DeeperBlue

Speaking of the flippers....

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😂

Bargains galore😆, wonder if they'll swap for my mission to brown with a glob of goonmold on it.

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DeeperBlue

Yep. It's in there 😉

I was referring to the comments.

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UnholiestJedi

The front one is Darth Maul, a Sith who was the Emperor's protegé in Episode I, before Obi-Wan sliced him in half.

I loved that character. He started out as a raging beast. But then gradually turned into a tragic complex character. Between the books and clone wars, I think the writers did a great job!

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Bill_Martin

I was referring to the comments.

It's in those too.

Striko:

Never thought I'd see Eric Cartman on a watch,but there he is(going to have nightmares now,and I'm a fan of the show) so thanks a bunch😖.

I grew up on South Park.

"Look out! It's coming right for us!" is such a classic 👌

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Great bites! Thanks Kaysia!

Yes. 100% we are the rebel alliance! Valiantly moving the watch world in the right direction, and making things hard for the villainous empire.

Oh crap, my Oris betrays me 🤨

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Villain watch? Take your pick: https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/swatch-007-villain-collection

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DeeperBlue

It's in those too.

Striko:

Never thought I'd see Eric Cartman on a watch,but there he is(going to have nightmares now,and I'm a fan of the show) so thanks a bunch😖.

I grew up on South Park.

"Look out! It's coming right for us!" is such a classic 👌

I'm a South Park fan too! I'm also the author of the BanG Dream! x Love Live! x South Park crossover series over at Archive of Our Own.

"Oh my god! They killed Kenny!" You bastards!" Is also such a classic too.

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LumegaudAnar

Always a pleasure to read! I think we are all both the heroes and the villains of our own collecting dramas. 😜 However, I do see your point about IG, Grey Market, and AD all just being what they are, and simply being the accepted norm. I would posit that watch enthusiasts hating on these and other emerging norms is itself a new emerging norm. Some of us are gleefully embracing the role of hater, denouncing everything in vitriolic rants while claiming love for the hobby.

"Scorpion, why did you sting me? Now we will both die; me from your poison and you from drowning."

"Sorry, Frog, it is simply in my nature."

In your new releases section, I see you have the new Hamilton Jazzmaster Performer Chronograph. I just watched a video rant from The Time Teller that I think illustrates my point. I Will NEVER Buy Another Hamilton Watch Ever Again!!! He spends some time letting us know how good the watch is before getting to his rant.

In this video, he points out that the new Jazzmaster Performer line all have screw-down crowns. This is the reason he is never going to buy a Hamilton again; Hamilton had the audacity to put a screw-down crown on the Jazzmaster line before they put them on the Khaki line. Seriously?!? He is swearing off a brand with a rich history and heritage that is releasing great new models simply because they put a screw-down crown on a Jazzmaster before a Khaki? I understand that there are water resistance/condensation issues that have been reported by people, and I would think Hamilton will be releasing new Khaki models that incorporate some of the improved features of the Jazzmaster Performer. He even claims that the clickbait title is NOT clickbait. This really feels like a rant about a big old nothing burger, but maybe it is just me. Perhaps that would be a good weekly series; show us the most ridiculous rant, criticism, or objection to a watch you can find. 🤣 This video will be my submission for this week.

He’s always click bait

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dramstreet

Villain watch? Take your pick: https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/swatch-007-villain-collection

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Wow!

Just done a Google of these and that Odd Job one is killer! 👌

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Bill_Martin

I'm a South Park fan too! I'm also the author of the BanG Dream! x Love Live! x South Park crossover series over at Archive of Our Own.

"Oh my god! They killed Kenny!" You bastards!" Is also such a classic too.

"Screw you guys. I'm going home."

I still use that one at work 😂

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@Fiatjeepdriver Congrats bud! Cool and awesome shot indeed. 🥳 Excellent choice @TheSharperTheBetter 🍻

@Deeperblue Cool weekly roundup again, as always! 😎 My long and short take on the discussion you stirred -- I couldn't care less about flexers, flippers, and ADs. I rarely drool in envy over flexers. I don't buy from flippers. And, I have no problem with luxury watch ADs as I don't have an iota of inkling to get their time pieces. I make my choices based on my own preferences and criteria. I do me. 😉

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uhrensohn

I see those as rebels. They undermine the whole flexing game, and its social gate-keeping function. You want to flex your Rolex which you have acquired on the grey market at great expense? Now, thanks to the rebels, people like MarkCO think that you are wearing a fake. I watch this malarchy from a distance, and smirk. Well, I mostly miss the drama, as I don't have an IG account.

Does this qualify me as a hater? I hope so. If not, where did I go wrong?

I actually don’t have an IG account. I simply have no time for social media or the fakery it brings out of human beings. FB/IG/TT or the other multitude of platforms, you won’t find me on any of them. This is the only site I have any presence on. And I am certain that someone flashes a fake on here every now and again.

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DeeperBlue

"Screw you guys. I'm going home."

I still use that one at work 😂

Can you list more iconic South Park quotes you like?