Rant incoming but you know what I don’t care.

Popular and original brands will alway garner more attention, it is just the way it is. I would not take it personal. Enjoy the watches you love and I am sure there are others that share your taste and it is okay if they do not. Try not to let it get to you.

If this is related to your recent post; Good or bad, most folks will scroll right by Ali Express clone brands. It does not mean they do not like you, they simply may not like "homage" brands. If I am being honest, I do not particularly care for brands that steal other folks IP and tend to ignore them, but if you enjoy it cool, the lack of likes should not invalidate your experiences.

1. No one owes you comments & engagement.

2. You can't force people into liking watches that don't resonate with them. Why are you trying?

3. This place might not fawn over all watches, but at least they're not being actively shit on like might happen at other places.

4. Rants like this actually drive away people that would otherwise engage with your content.

5. If you are posting for the engagement, I believe that's the wrong approach, but I'm not a professional content creator, so what do I know?

Asking this non-sarcastically: What difference does it make how much attention your post gets? There is no "winning" here besides connecting with other watch enthusiasts. If posting watch pics isn't getting you what you want, try something else. Comment on other's posts. Write something. Be a part of the community. Or don't. This is just a lighthearted place, I wouldn't let it get you wound up.

Like I mentioned in my above post how can a watch forum claim to be so welcoming when it’s always the same brands that get noticed? If Tom, Dick and Harry only post Rolex’s and Omegas while Johnny, Billy and Timmy only post Casio, and Timex’s who’s gonna get more likes and views? If all four brands are well liked why are the two expensive ones always seem to get more views and likes. I sometimes wonder if I did go out and spend $$$$ on a watch is it even worth showing off? Why should I have to spend thousands to be respected on a watch forum.

I get that it can be disappointing to post something and get no/few responses. That said, sometimes a post just lands at the wrong time, or doesn't attract eyes.

A generic wrist shot of a generic looking watch will never gain as much attention as an interesting shot of an interesting watch. A brand that people aren't following will attract less attention than a brand hyped and followed by many.

If you want engagement, you need to figure out what people engage with, then do it often enough to gain a following.

Some people post interesting stories along with well staged shots, like @Catskinner.

Some people post engaging, and thoughtful posts filled with memes/gifs llike @Mr.Dee.Bater.

Find what you do well, and rock it. Or, be like most of us, and be content when your posts get a couple of reactions at best....

So I go extra on AliExpress posts because I own a few myself but also I understand not everybody can afford to drop 10k or even 1k on a watch. So I always show some kind of love to inexpensive watches. On the other hand I never post watch photos but when I do make a post I try and think if a topic that will attract the interest of most of the watch community. THEN I wait to post it until a Friday or Saturday night when most people have time to sit back and scroll through Watch Crunch. Using this idea I've posted 3 times and 2 out of 3 have received hundreds of comments. One of them actually got rather toxic in the comments which I regretted and seems super uncommon on this app. But at the end of the day everybody has an opinion and just be glad the people who dislike homage watches are scrolling through rather then posting negative comments reflecting their distaste. Good luck with future posts my friend. I'll be waiting to show you some love in the comments.

My point was some brands are just gonna be worthy of peoples time and energy. I say from now on only post a NWA if the brand cost over $1k anything below that should have its own category like a AWA aka Affordable Watch Arrival.

AWA is a good one. But I just wanted to add that this post here is interesting and look you've already got some comments coming in.

I'll give you my 2 cents. Buy what you like and can afford. Don't worry about what others think about your watches. If they bring you joy and pleasure, that's what matters. Is it nice to get comments from other collectors? Sure thing, but it isn't the end all, be all. We all don't have the same taste or pocketbooks. That's what makes this forum (for lack of a better word) fun. I see other collector's pieces, learn about all kinds of watches, I find I like things I didn't know I would, and I get to make friends with some great people.

I myself enjoy all the posts of all the watches. I don’t know how I found this group, but I enjoy it so far and I’m posting all my watches that I have in my collection regardless of the cost. All I know is that they bring me all joy.

I’m glad you like the AWA suggestion. Let’s be honest here no one’s gonna win a Rolex vs Timex Battle or an Omega vs Casio Battle. The more expensive brands will always win. Some may not like to admit it but it’s the truth.

Most people here don't make this forum a popularity contest or care about likes and views. The watches can be popular and some of the posters are popular with a strong following they earned with the stories that went along with their watches. Likes and views are meaningless in the real world and a read post is like yesterday's newspaper. If you want real recognition go to one of the watch meetups posted here and get to know people.

This is spot on. ⬆️

For me, I personally have a distaste for aliexpress “homage” brands. But instead of saying something negative or leaving a 😂 emoji I have learned (still learning) to just scroll past.

That said, it’s really just for the homages (clone-homages in particular). For me, it’s because it cheapens the world of collecting (I know you clearly disagree) and is an infringement into another brand’s IP. IMHO. I think others share that opinion and instead of spamming you or others with negative comments, we just scroll past.

I can’t celebrate what I consider a fake Rolex, Cartier or AP, simply to be a nice neighbor. In fact, I consider my silence to be me being nice (if you dont have anything nice to say…)

But, that has nothing to do with the price of the watches. Today, I cheered on a Joker Invicta (banger of a watch - you know who you are) and I often comment on $100 Casios. I have friends on here with entire collections worth less than $1000 combined and I think their collections are 🔥

So let’s not make this an affordable watches have no place here argument.

Do I engage more with expensive brands or the newest cool release (hype)? yeah probably. But who goes to the car show to stare at Toyota Corollas? Sure, that may be the brand I’m buying, (because it’s in my budget) but I for one will be standing behind the barrier starring at that Porsche GT4 RS I’ll never be able to afford. Not in jealousy (well maybe a little) but more in awe.

All of that said, I think you did find a topic that will get you the engagement you seek.

Welcoming is different.

The absence of people automatically shitting on say an Invicta Pro Diver or an AliX brand or calling people names just because they don't vow down to Rolex is the welcoming part.

A Pro Diver NWA post is NEVER going to get as much engagement as a Speedmaster NWA; more people want the Speedy or at least will respect it than ever will the Pro Diver. That's just a fact and no amount of wishing it were different is going to change that.

I respect what you're trying to do, and while I can't say we'll always see eye to eye on watches, I'll always respect you enough as a person to tell you what I feel is the truth if you ask me and not talk shit about what you feel pride in.

Will I say things critical of a watch or brand you like? At some point I'm certain I will. It's inevitable. But, I'll never intentionally try to belittle you or anyone else for your subjective choices.

That respect to realize we all make subjective choices in this hobby and not make personal attacks based on those subjective choices is where the welcoming part is.

Again, I don't understand what your definition of "winning" is here. Nobody is winning here. We are just people on the internet talking about watches. What are you thinking others are accomplishing that you are not getting access to?

My most liked WRUW is a Casio Duro, getting more attention than a Submariner.

This is true. I think you should be more bothered if you’ve spent a long time thinking on and writing a post which gets little reaction, than if you’ve simply posted a picture with a couple of explanatory words.

That said, I’ve had my fair share of posts I spent a bit of time writing, which then got 2 tumbleweeds and a thumbs up.

Sometimes you just post at the wrong time; or the algorithm swiftly takes against you; (or your content wasn’t as good as you thought it was 🙊)!

Clomages are not fakes, but they're not that interesting either. I know, because I own one. It brings you joy, to own such an iconic piece of design and not be afraid to damage or lose it. But we all consume watch media here. Owning a copy is better than owning nothing, because you can't afford the original is fine. But we can all watch pictures of originals for free, so pictures of copies aren't that exciting.

And to reiterate what others said: People don't owe you their attention. They also don't automatically have to respect your opinions - just your person.

Easier said than done. I disagree about this place not being a popularity contest seems like everyone here is somehow/someway always trying to upstage someone else.

A Pro Diver NWA post is NEVER going to get as much engagement as a Speedmaster NWA; more people want the Speedy or at least will respect it than ever will the Pro Diver. That's just a fact and no amount of wishing it were different is going to change that.

But this just proves my point cheaper brands should not be posted in the NWA section. That’s why I’m all for a separate section on affordable watch brands In that $20-500 range. Also from what I get from this is if the watch is trash don’t post it? If that’s what you’re saying then anyone here with a budget less than $10k shouldn’t be posting anything new.

Humans are social beings and a big part of their wiew of themselves is the reflection, feedback from others. Because from feedback tunes everyone's behaviour so they can live with each other and help each other. So it's natural we want attention. However, misusing natural cravings is not healthy.

So... what is more important to you? Enjoying watches and sharing them with others, or getting attention from them?

A few people have already said what I’m going to say, but I’ll say it anyway..

Some of us are simply not fans of the ‘clomage’ watches. I personally dislike them but never go on peoples posts and say that out of respect. I prefer to keep my negative comment to myself only because I don’t want to turn this place into one where people talk shit to each other.

That doesn’t mean I’ll only respond to expensive watches. Honestly, I’ve scrolled past posts of the real Nautilus as well because I just don’t find it interesting. Each to their own.

Also, I generally scroll past NWA posts where people say “I just bought a watch” and nothing else. Yes we are here for the watches but also the stories that go with it. What/Why/How did you buy it? etc..

I’d be much more into reading that sort of post and interacting with.

I'll simply repeat the best piece of advice that was ever given to me by a friend about SM:

Say your piece and get out. Expect nothing.

It's really that simple

The only result I expect with a separate section for affordable NWA is that members will skip this section altogether. There is no logical reason why this will interest more people just because it has a section of its own.

Also from what I get from this is if the watch is trash don’t post it? If that’s what you’re saying then anyone here with a budget less than $10k shouldn’t be posting anything new.

Not what I said, AT ALL.

But it's obvious that you expect equal engagement for every watch post; which is just unrealistic.

Best of luck, Mr. Quixote.

I don't see the issue.

Let's take my WRUW post from today, my Longines Zulu Time. I'm wearing it on a green leather strap that caught the attention of a couple of passers by. That's what i'm here for, to chat to people about watches. If nobody likes my picture, i'll just go find something I like, and strike up a conversation there instead.

If you only want to get likes, i'd argue you're here for the wrong reason.

You suggest cheaper watches go in a seperate section, but it seems to me like that would further divide the "haves" from the "have nots". I for one am not going to go looking for a 20 quid chinese copy of a Submariner, I've seen the real thing enough and I don't need to see a knock off.

Anyway, back to window shopping through the WRUW section, where i've had my eyes opened to various brands by people posting interesting shots, or telling interesting stories, just as @KristianG mentioned.

It may not be what you said, but some are gonna look at it that way. That’s why I’m all for a separate AWA category.

If that's what someone read into that, then in my opinion, they are simply chasing validation & engagement & not satisfied with their collection.

Segmenting sub $500 watches away from the main channels is just going to make the problem you think exists worse.

It wouldn't "fix" anything, because cost isn't the main deciding factor in reactions, popularity is.

Create the "AWA" section and F-91Ws, Duros, SNK809s, etc., will all still get more reactions than Cadisen copies of other brands. San Martin will get more reactions, just because San Martin is more popular than most other Ali Express brands.

Social media is visually driven, so learn to take good pictures. If you want interactions with your posts, find interesting ways to frame your wrist shots, stage watch pics in interesting ways, etc... Essentially find a way to make the pictures worth engaging with, and people will engage. Get even more engagement with an interesting or funny write-up to go with the pictures.

History is , unfortunately, repeating itself here.

Back on topic- I don't generally react to any watches posted unless they are in the WURW section, where the majority belong.