Is the falling diamond industry trying to take over watch fam?

Diamonds on watches is not for me.

Speaking for myself, I am not a big fan of bling on watches. If I had half a million dollars to spend (waste) on a Hublot, I would much prefer something like the sapphire Big Bang to the rainbow Big Bang.

This

looks much more aesthetically pleasing than this,

at least in my mind.

I think most watch guys hate diamonds on watches.

I think it's more for people outside the hobby or super rich people or people who see diamonds on celebrities etc.

Blinged out watches requires a certain taste. A taste that I’m not into. So I figure the some people like me have better taste than others. Just sayin’

I'm not interested in precious stones on watches to be honest

Engineering has always played second fiddle to esthetics. The number of people who buy watches based on specs and engineering is insignificant when compared to those who buy based on looks and brand name.

Iced out watches are for the top 1% of the 1%.

Not something us typical enthusiasts will ever own and so we don't normally give it a second thought except when we are deluding ourselves into thinking we could one day afford one. Afford, not buy.

I love rocks and minerals, so when I first entered college, I was a geology major. My major changed, but my love for gemstones didn't, so I don't mind some bling.

Generally speaking, shiny, sparkly things are fine by me. Can't help it, it's a natural attraction.

Not really into diamonds. Although some alternative precious gems add just enough bling without being over the top. I believe everyone should have at least one or two items that let's them "shine" every once in a while. Maybe it's just a cultural thing.

Lady here - my own personal preference when it comes to watches is probably on the dressier side but I'm really not a fan of diamonds on watches (although I'm more than happy to wear jewels on my ears and fingers 😂). I think for me it often feels like a really lazy, unimaginative way of trying to charge huge amounts more or indicating that it's a "ladies watch" so perhaps it's about the implementation rather than the principle? There are some amazing full bling pieces by e.g. Piaget that I can't help admiring.

As I said in my comment, it tends to be a cultural thing. I agree that rolling a Rolex in diamonds like it's shake and bake looks dumb. However a bit of bling is good for the ego. When you start from nothing and get to a level where you can afford a certain lifestyle, the glitter of a jewel is a constant reminder of your struggles and success.

So "better" taste? No, just different. That's what makes all of this beautiful. 👍🏾

So true.

It doesn't have to be diamonds.

imo, having an iced out watch is like going up to a criminal, slapping them in the face, then asking them to rob you while looking deep into their eyes. You better hope you get a bodyguard detail with that ice. Though, if you can afford it, you probably have bodyguards already.

If a watch comes with gemstones, fine. But adding after-market gemstones can actually cause the value of a good watch to decrease, simply because the types of gemstones that can be applied "en masse" are generally of low-value, with many inclusions. Thus, "icing out" a watch can be like taking a Bedazzler(tm) and adding rhinestones and sequins to every stitch of clothing that you own.

Nico mentions this practice here.

It depends on what you mean by 'engineering'. By the terms of horology, the most engineered watch is the Citizen Caliber 010; that's accurate to +-1 spd. But that's still beaten out by radio sync to the atomic clock.

So in terms of engineered for accuracy, mechanical watches are rather irrelevant. Really. A $30 walmart Mickey Mouse watch would do it for me.

So we're really in the realm of jewelry and style and self expression (which is fine). In that case, then if you want diamonds on the bezel, that's fine with me! I won't go for that cuz I'm cheap in that sense, but if it make you happy then it's money well spent.

Hard pass for me...but I'm good with brand installed ones

Doubt that, do keep in mind about synthetic stones and vintage watches.

Nothing discreet about it, different strokes for different folks and all that🤣. I didn't want to come off argumentative. If I did I'm sorry. If we all had the same tastes and opinions then this site would be stale AF😁👍🏾

Lmmfao

It's all gravy baby👊🏾😉

I blame the musicians and the entertainment industry for this, actually. Used to be diamonds/precious/semi-precious stones on mens watches were tasteful stuff. Tasteful, rare stuff.

Now it's just....ugh.

@balaji07 this is a great topic. To be able to learn how different tastes are born of our various races, cultures and upbringings. It's beautiful. This is what civilized discourse is all about!

I don't care for gems on watches and doubt I ever will, even if I could afford them. In fact, if any of you ever see me with one here, don't hesitate to contact my family and tell them I've suffered a major head injury!🙄

Bling/diamonds/gems are a serious turn off. It’s very much a negative attribute.

Depends, is it earthed diamond or chambered diamond? This is the reason for the diamond downfall. The industry agreed to treat a diamond that is created by plasma in a chamber to be "as good as" a diamond that took years to be created and has to be unearthed.

Diamonds were once marketed as rare and special so it became the sign for engagement or for someone rare and special( which isnt the real story) but as the synthetic lab grown diamonds have now challenging the multi billion dollar mining industry, are they now targetting watch world and men ? Regardless of the culture and upbringing. Lets say a man has a million to spare should he go for a tourbillion or a simple watch with diamonds for the same price? These days we can have factory set diamonds even at 3k£ quartz watch.

Let’s say you have got a prize money to buy a watch under a million. Will you go for a tourbillion or a hand made complicated watch vs a mass produced simple sporty watch with diamonds on them for the same price :). Lets say they are Real diamonds and not lab diamonds.

My personal preference... Tourbillon all day. I was trying to make 2 points, A) the state of the diamond industry due to bad decision. B) because of the availability and low price, having diamonds in a watch is not luxurious at all.

Not too much, but just the right amount, gives a bit of class to a piece, such as a dress watch. Of course, sports or tool watches should stay such, no blingy rocks. I cant rock a fully iced one as well :P