How Much Does FOMO Influence Your Collecting?

I don't follow new releases very often. I buy that I what not by what's new. I generally pick a few watches I want and shop those until I find the deal I'm happy with.

FOMO is rampant in today's society and it's used (created maybe? amplified certainly) by marketing departments to separate us from our hard earned money.

Once I realized that even if I had all the resources in the world, I could never have or do all the things I want (try attending 2 different events occurring at the same time in different cities), hyperactive FOMO decreased drastically.

Do I still get FOMO? Absolutely. Do I let it drive my purchasing decisions anymore? Very rarely.

All of society should be trying to do a better job of dealing with the wistful feeling of not having or doing something we could have had or done.

A younger me would have FOMO. Now I don’t care. I love when a sales rep tells me a watch is limited, and if I want it, to get it now since it’s limited. I Always tell them I’m not an impulse buyer, and if it’s not available when I’m ready to buy, then it wasn’t meant for me.

I purchased the GS tonge. When I saw it for the first time, the rep pushed me to buy it since it was a limited edition between WOS and GS. Two years later, I came in and picked it up with no problem. 😂

I’m getting much better at it. It used to be the case where if I saw a limited edition or a small batch from a brand I’d like I felt I had to get meaning I had about 5 Seikos at once. Now I can contain myself.

Most of the time.

The amazing thing about the rangemaster was they didn’t JACK the price up up up just because they knew watch people were definitely going to have FOMO.

I haven’t figured out why yet but I get SO offended when I see microbrands putting out a special edition and just JACKing up the price for no reason other than to take advantage of the watch fans they supposedly love and are grateful to. The KNOW this FOMO is real and they are going to take advantage of that to make a cool quarter mil in a morning.

I can’t knock it from a business standpoint, it’s smart, but it’s so annoying or offensive when the watch company says “we’re doing this for the fans.” If you were honest you’d say “we’re doing this for the money.” I’d have way more respect then.

Yeah, it is still reasonably priced, although a bit high for a watch with a Miyota 8000 series movement. I have to admit that FOMO drove my purchase in part. It's funny you mention profits because Marc actually referenced that in his video. When he and TGV were debating doing a third one, his bookkeeper told them they definitely need to do it. 🤣

I’m so happy you got one! LIW is pretty much my favorite

I had a little bit of Fomo when I first started getting into watches, but the I realized how many watch manufacturers there are. I'm probably most jittery when it comes to watch parts. I will buy dials even if I have no idea how I might use them.

I must admit that I love myself a good limited edition

It is my favorite microbrand, if it can still be called that. I have to say I am not a fan of the most recent Islander release, the Baiting Hollow, but then, I am not a big fan of skeleton watches. I don't mind the exhibition caseback on the Rangemaster Mechanical, and I wouldn't mind an open heart dial, but I just don't really like the full skeleton.

I have to reluctantly admit that FOMO can indeed factor into my decision making process.

I had contemplated the Zelos Spearfish with the burnt orange dial when it was released, but decided to pass, thinking it would probably not get a lot of wrist time. It sold out within minutes. Every time I saw a photo of that dial afterwards, I kicked myself for missing the opportunity, so when I noticed a rare Zelos restock of 3 units, I grabbed one as quick as I could. I love that watch, but I was correct in my assumption that it wouldn't see much wrist time - even so, I'm really glad to have it in my collection.

Several weeks ago, I stumbled across the Nivada F77, and was really intrigued by it. It had apparently had been sold out, and was being relaunched, including a new brown dial variant that I just loved from the photos on their web site. Knowing that the previous versions had been sold out, and with the Spearfish story in the back of my mind, FOMO caused me to place my order as soon as the brown dial version became available. That was several weeks ago, and they are still available to order (and I still haven't received the watch yet). If I hadn't been worried about missing out on that one, I probably would have waited. Part of me is hoping that I don't like the watch when I receive it, as that may help me apply more logic and less emotion to future purchase decisions, since FOMO was a definite factor in my decision to purchase that watch.

I wasn't able to resist FOMO with the second Rangemaster, but I probably would have purchased it even without FOMO. FOMO wasn't enough for me to get a Studio Underdog relaunch while they were available, nor was it enough for me to get one of the Snoopy Seiko watches, so I know I am making decisions based on more than FOMO, even if it does influence me somewhat.

Heck yeah that movement on the rangemaster Needs the exhibition case back. Congrats on this beauty!

I'm A, but when what I want is limited I'm completely FOMO. How does that work?

That would be B, same as me. 🤣

I chose B but it’s not so much FOMO. It’s more like KIMO… knowing I missed out.

For instance, if Blancpain released a 40mm Fifty Fathoms right now, I could probably sell some pieces and raise the money over time but not instantly like these limited editions require. Yet even if I had the money on hand, I don’t have access to a BP boutique or AD anywhere near me.

So I know the minute that it’s announced, I’ve already missed out. If it were part of their regular collection, I could make plans, get to an AD and buy one. Instead, it affects my collecting in the sense that I’m shopping for models that will be available when I’m ready on my schedule.

What is FOMO ?

Fear of missing out.

ah, for me it's more of a FOFM (fear of a financial mistake 😂)

What the hell is FOMO? I swear to God I stop using social media for a couple years and it's like I don't know English anymore. Please enlighten a boring old dad who isn't hip and with it any more you dig?

Domo arigato mr fomoto

I like to have the opportunity to buy a watch when it is 1st available. Trying to get something that was limited later can be impossible, difficult, expensive, or just a very long waiting game. I won't get something just because everyone else seems like they are. I also won't buy anything with the purchase of resaling for a profit.

Fear of missing out.

Oh I've missed out for sure.

WTF is FOMO?

I am too tired to Google it and too old to really care.

Fear if missing out.

Who cares about missing out? FFS. It's a watch or watches. Jewelry.