A Series: My Watch Collecting Journey, Issue 2.
Building on the first installment of My Watch Collecting Journey I now bring you Issue #2
What I learned from WatchGang
The idea of WatchGang is fun. Who doesn’t love getting $300-$600 RRP watches (I know, I know, RRP isn’t all that solid of a reference) sent to them on a regular basis for about $100? Well, after receiving 4 watches from WatchGang, this guy doesn't love it anymore.
Why?
The general inability to choose my own watch turned out to be a bit of a downer. Of the 4 watches I received from WatchGang, I have given two away, mostly because of the colors of the watches.
What I realized with WatchGang is that they are an overstock seller, or liquidator. They buy, at a steep discount, mostly microbrand watches in odd colorways that the brand could not sell and then offer them on subscription.
I did pick one of my watches, but even that was the picking from what now feels like the watch box at the back of the closet.
Maybe I matured into wanting different watches. Maybe I never belonged on WatchGang.
Overall, I’m glad for my experience with WatchGang, but there are better ways to have acquired the knowledge WatchGang gave me.
So what knowledge did I acquire from WatchGang?
One: I need to be in control of my acquisitions. God help future gift givers. I need to be better at dropping hints. How? Show the wife/kids some real outlandish pieces like a Kross Studios Death Star Tourbillon followed by a more reasonable piece like a Seiko Tuna
![SEIKO PROSPEX SBDY117 [PROSPEX Diver Scuba Mechanical Save The Ocean Special Edition] Mens' Watch Shipped from Japan Feb 2022 Released](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81XwNY4DdyL._AC_UY741_.jpg)
Two: The above referenced RRP lesson. RRP is only what the brand HOPES it will sell for, and not the actual value. The actual value of a watch (any item, really) is what someone is willing to pay for it.
If you are or were a WatchGang customer, what do you think of them? What did you learn about yourself or about watches from your experience?
Long time watch appreciator, 2022 inductee into the obsession. Originator (or perpetrator depending on your point of view) of #WhimsicalWednesday, #MacroMay & #MacroMonday Omega Speedmaster simp. Like...
I definitely want to be able to choose what watch I buy. Even then it’s easy to have regrets.
I definitely want to be able to choose what watch I buy. Even then it’s easy to have regrets.
True, but if we buy a Seiko and have regrets, much easier to sell it than getting a Nautis watch that didn't sell to begin with and trying to sell it.
I have no experience of Watchgang but if I understand the concept with subscription you don’t choose the timing either. I like the feeling of what and when.
WatchGang is a joke and a ripoff. Anyone who thinks they are getting a bargain by subscribing to that scam deserves to part with their money.
That is all...
I like Watch Gang better than the Underwear of the Month Club. At least with Watch Gang you're not in danger of catching Brachyura... if you know what I mean!
Watch gang is a good way to acquire a number of watches…that’s it. It gets you familiar with what a mechanical watch is and gives you a wrist rotation.
Hopefully watch purchases say something about your style and maybe your personality. I don’t think watchgang can offer that.
I confess to not knowing what WatchGang is.
I have no experience of Watchgang but if I understand the concept with subscription you don’t choose the timing either. I like the feeling of what and when.
When I was a member, I could choose monthly, quarterly, and I think half-yearly or Yearly.
You just couldn't choose anything about what you received.
I confess to not knowing what WatchGang is.
And I feel that you should keep it that way.
WatchGang is a joke and a ripoff. Anyone who thinks they are getting a bargain by subscribing to that scam deserves to part with their money.
That is all...
The wife signed me up and after the first three, I told her I was cancelling and she bought some points or something that allowed me to pick my next one from a selection of about 20.
I like that one, but it wasn't exactly a prime lineup of choices, so I cancelled.
Maybe this post needs to be somewhere other than Watch Crunch, but I hope my experience helps people at least know what they are getting into before they subscribe.
And I feel that you should keep it that way.
This made me literally “LOL”.
A few years back I thought about the Watch Gang deal but was just to unsure. From 2006 to about 2010 I was part of a what was called BikerShirtClub.com and it was kinda like watch gang in that you pay to play and get what they send, Lots of killer bike shop shirts and tee's from all over the world, was cool. I can deal with a shirt I'm not to excited about but a watch would just stick in my craw and that was my fear.
The removal of one letter "Watchgag" says it all.
This made me literally “LOL”.
Happy to oblige. Lol
A few years back I thought about the Watch Gang deal but was just to unsure. From 2006 to about 2010 I was part of a what was called BikerShirtClub.com and it was kinda like watch gang in that you pay to play and get what they send, Lots of killer bike shop shirts and tee's from all over the world, was cool. I can deal with a shirt I'm not to excited about but a watch would just stick in my craw and that was my fear.
Yeah, rando t-shirts are much easier to deal with.
Subscription services like this where they just send you "$50 value for $19.95!" are just liquidation of stuff the makers couldn't sell.
The removal of one letter "Watchgag" says it all.
Lol, true enough
The wife signed me up and after the first three, I told her I was cancelling and she bought some points or something that allowed me to pick my next one from a selection of about 20.
I like that one, but it wasn't exactly a prime lineup of choices, so I cancelled.
Maybe this post needs to be somewhere other than Watch Crunch, but I hope my experience helps people at least know what they are getting into before they subscribe.
Kudos to the wife for trying. I have been VERY specific with my spouse as to what Watch gifts are acceptable and those that are ripoffs.
Kudos to the wife for trying. I have been VERY specific with my spouse as to what Watch gifts are acceptable and those that are ripoffs.
She kinda lets me do whatever with watches at the moment, but the most I've spent in one go was $350 for my Glycine Airman.
I'm really lucky
She kinda lets me do whatever with watches at the moment, but the most I've spent in one go was $350 for my Glycine Airman.
I'm really lucky
I thought about subscribing but that was my thought exactly. I'm not able to choose what I am getting. That's like sending a vegan into the meat market with your money and have them pick out a steak for you. No thanks. I know that there are times I wear off the wall watches for shits and giggles but I guarantee that I don't have much if anything invested in them. For a hundred bucks I can buy a bag of 100 or more watches at auction and make money as I enjoy wearing some. I know I'm buying blind but I have better odds. I know that people bought them. That's why I chose not to do the watch gang.
Never heard of WatchGang but could definitely see someone putting something like that together. Similar to those Wine Club things where they send bottles of wine every month. That's never been my thing as I am way too picky to have someone else send me something whether it's a watch or a bottle of wine.
Sorry you had that experience but if it fueled your enthusiasm for watches, then maybe it wasn't a bad thing in the end.
All of us in the watch game go through some phase of ending up with watches we no longer want to admit we own. I've successfully given quite a few away...Lamborghini watch (my nephew loves it), Masterati watch (went to one of my daughter's ex-boyfriends - not sure he appreciated it), a Stuhrling watch (went to my niece's boyfriend who really appreciated it), and on and on. I still have some real doozies hanging around that need to find a home. I'd offer them up to anyone who wants them, but they probably aren't worth the cost of shipping.
I stopped after getting a Charles Hutton. I watched as people got theirs in garish colors. When I got a subdued color, I realized I didn't want something outside my style. I quit after that.
Luckily, nothing too crazy.
Man, you got a Spinnaker out of it? Lucky
Have you heard, bud..? 😉
https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/collection/star-wars/
Have you heard, bud..? 😉
https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/collection/star-wars/
LEAD ME NOT UNTO TEMPTATION!
I can find it myself
LEAD ME NOT UNTO TEMPTATION!
I can find it myself
The C3P0 bullhead for the eyes as subdials or Darth Maul with the pushers as horns. Too good!🤪🤪🤪
I had a 3 month subscription and like any thing else that you don’t pick it’s risky. Best case you get watches you’re okay with but unlikely to love. One positive is if you’re newer you get some options thrown at you for relatively little money.
Appreciate the POV on Watch Gang. After finding this community, I am stopping my subscription.