WatchFinder and YouTube entropy

I can just agree, stopped watching it when they changed the „format“.

Honestly, I don't mind the new format that much. That said, "unfunny Dobbyesque sidekick" got me to laugh out loud a little. Totally can see where you are coming from.

Your Terrific is still doing the hands only style, so at least there is that. I do like Tim Masso's 5 minute reviews over at WatchBox Reviews as well. They are more focused on high end stuff, but I almost always find myself learning something from his reviews. That guy is a walking encyclopedia of watch knowledge, and has a dry sense of humor that sneaks in every once in a while.

Usually best to, "Reveal the Youtube and conceal the Youtuber," as Oscar Wilde once said.

I like the sidekick....

Well said! It’s like the tragic day when the members of KISS revealed their ugly mugs. The dirty side of their troglodyte frames came into repulsive focus.

I mean. They "immortalised" themselves as holograms and fans were happy af.

It's way worse than a face reveal imo.

They say that those videos are still beign released, but that YT does not promote them, you have to look for them

I kinda stopped watching. I didn't think so hard about it, I just stopped caring

I have to say that I like the channel and enjoy their content as well as Andrew Morgan Watches private one.

But that just me.

I think Andrew tried very hard to be the adult in the u tube space. Difficult when so many are just looking to get the hit on their channel. Got to give him credit for trying.

We are riding a watch content wave that will peak and subside much like televised poker experienced.

Producing hours of content results in played out topics and the urge to surrender to clickbait strategies for even the best creators.

I've never enjoyed YouTubers who "tell" me what to like or not to like, who create "buy this, don't buy that" content or think that I'm incapable of making up my own mind if you'll just give me the specs.

Cringy creators who project the wise teacher persona are perhaps ok for newbies but the more the curtain is pulled back the more anyone with much time in the hobby can spot the BS. Why would I care that a creator gives a thumbs up to a watch that is either comped or generates revenue through clicks and views?

The objective for many YouTubers has morphed from promoting our hobby to promoting their channel. If bashing a watch, celebrity or industry figure generates more clicks and views you can bet that's where the most revenue hungry creators will go.

The urge to have a video "do well" begins to supercede all else until one is left with a creator who loves being seen on your screen more than they love the hobby.

The apathetic apocalypse has already begun… and people thought I was mad to even suggest it. Oh, isn’t Watchfinder YouTube awful now that we’ve seen their faces and they make jokes now… yes, how dare they do that! This is a serious business. It’s the end times I tell you…

You are not allowed nice things, you will just ruin them.

I’m sure there are worse things to watch, no?

You're right. There are some excellent channels, and you've mentioned two of them.

Mosso is astonishing and I'm lucky to have had two of my watches roll between his fingers. This Watch, That Watch is also proper good.

I feel compelled to agree with you. Their faces were at their best as unknown unknowns (with apologies to the late Donald Rumsfeld).

Yup. The medium makes the madness. Fortunately there's still plenty of sober stuff available.

I don't waste my time on Nico Leonard videos since he seems to epitomize much of what's wrong with the watch hobby as far as I'm concerned. His undeniable success is understandable given how many people seem to only want to be entertained, and gravitate towards mindless fluff. I can't really blame channels like Watchfinder for wanting to duplicate that success, but at the same time I find it somewhat disappointing that they feel the need to resort to that level in order to do so. There is still a fair amount of great watch related content on YouTube, it's just not found in the same places as it used to be.

Totally agree on Nico Leonard. He's fallen into the trap of thinking he's a rock star, next aim is to emulate Jake Paul. 🙄

Agree 100% - This Watch, That Watch is a great example of a channel that still provides content worth watching. It's one of my current favorites.

I feel those comments are a bit tough on them.

From their recent videos, you can still tell they know what they are talking about. Yes, they are less serious compared to hand only videos but they are far from lazy I would say (you can tell there are still some thought put into the scripts).

Also, they are producing more videos. I think they are just trying out different styles of content creation. I relish that they seem to enjoy the process of making such videos with casual banter and jokes. We should support channels for being creative and willing to go out of their comfort zone.

You make reasonable points.

However, reaching beyond a comfort zone isn’t a virtue in itself. The high quality storytelling combined with the simple, studied presentation gave the videos character. That blend was its distinctive quality, and it’s been abandoned. It’s been replaced by a faddish format filmed in a cupboard.

By chopping and changing (or, more charitably, experimenting) with different approaches they’ve replaced stability with volatility. From a branding perspective that’s not good. Had they stuck to their guns they could have added to an already impressive, respected and even loved body of work - injecting consistent quality into the mix.

It’s like watching a butterfly retreat into a chrysalis and emerge as a caterpillar.

Me too....he makes me laugh

I agree. I find myself watching it a lot less. I blame the YouTube algorithm, which favors videos with human faces. That's the real reason many watch Youtubers (even game review Youtubers) have switched to this format.

Absolutely!

I'm a fan of YT - in many ways it's a pure expression of the punk ethos, but: anyone can doesn't mean anyone should!

It's always a treat to stumble across a relatively new, relatively small channel with outstanding production values, it's still a treat to watch Random Rob or Frederico or any other channel where it's content first, fancy lighting second and it's never a treat to see Jory Goodman.

Of late though? There's a sense of group speak, of opinions are divisive so let's not have one and of - you nailed it - entropy.

Remember when a new 'Talking watches' was released? Some guy I'd never heard of and a heap of 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 watches and an interesting collecting philosophy? Now it's a white bread, middle of the road celeb talking about how much the same watches the last guy showed us are worth! And all the best of 2023 vids where the only things that change are the accents?

I mean, theoretically I can choose not to watch - but it's a heap more fun to engage and then complain! 😂

Yes, I preferred the old format, but I do like Tom the "Dobbyesque" side kick, and I do like Andrew too

Completely get where you’re coming from when talking about their “old” style of videos. It’s unfortunate that they seem to have disappeared.

I do so the appeal of their newer videos though. They’re fun, witty, and still contain interesting commentary on watches and, more so, the watch community. They can be a bit “much” though, so I agree with you to some extent there as well.

They had a vid with nico in which he said they would be more successful if they revealed their faces whilst they just praised him nonstop about his channel growth. Really hoped they wouldn't listen to him but here we are. I still like watchfinder but I miss the old format

I’ve seen plenty of references to this Nico person and didn’t know who he was. So I went looking, found him and muttered, “oh I see, that prat.” He’s just the kind of individual I avoid.

Haha I have mixed opinions on him. I hate his stupid dramas and videos mocking the watches of celebs I've never heard of

However when he makes something that isn't pure algorithm feed he's actually quite interesting and so is an occasional watch of mine

I kind of agree. They should, when found a one watch review revert back to the old way, but when doing a general discussion stick with the new way.

Reminds me of what happened to Top Gear before it went with stupid stunts.