I Don't Get It

Titanium has its benefits, and the appearance is pure taste. I quite like it, but don't own any. Busy dials is also a taste thing to me. If you are interested in a watch that does more stuff, you'll have to accept more stuff being displayed. Some people want that, others don't. I'm not that big on adding lots of decorations to a dial, but if it's information or being used for something, I don't mind it much. Transparent case backs aren't for showing off to everyone. Some people are more interested in seeing the parts of the movement and motion of the balance and rotor than they are some finishing technique. There is more than one reason to want to look at something. I don't care enough about AP to talk about any of their watches. There are a lot of G shocks. Some are bright and flashy, and others aren't. I imagine you wouldn't call the regular square g shocks "in your face." Ultimately, a lot of their design is to serve various functions as well as look a certain way. Some people want the function and put up with the design, some people want the design, some people want both, and some people want neither. To me, they're kind of like an impact wrench or something. They should serve their purpose well, which they do, and given the option, I'm going to choose one with an exterior that I think looks neat. While I dislike the look of many of them, fortunately for me, there are an ungodly number of G shock models and colors, and the appearance really is a secondary consideration.

Totally agree with busy dials, not for me at all.

Titanium case, great for a field watch but that’s were I draw the line.

Integrated bracelets, no thanks.

G-Shocks, the older ones for me.

The beauty of this hobby is that there are thousands of references to pick from, so you have a high chance of finding a design that resonates with you and you can thoroughly enjoy, without having to conform to anyone else's tastes. 👍

I, for one, dislike the design language of Rolex in general and can't stand their dated aesthetical choices such as serif typefaces, cyclops, gaudy fluted bezel or blingy jubilee bracelets, despite these watches seemingly being big favorites in the community at large. Thankfully I have a bazillion other options to choose from and that speak to me so I don't feel like I'm missing out. 😀

To me, it’s GMT complications: Why the market supplier madness? Is it because affordable movements are available from Seiko and Miyota? Then, their dial and handset integrations often seem like design afterthoughts or copies of other manufacturers. Finally, do people find it difficult to figure out time zone changes on their own?

Agreed completely on all points, I'd add integrated bracelets in general, date complications (are folks memories really that crap) , round indices, hype..

But you're wrong about mayonnaise 😜👍🏻

We like watches so there's definitely something wrong with all of us. Let's see...Titanium can look like steel in some cases and I like different materials. I'm on the fence with busy dials as it depends on the watch. I'm with you on display backs with unimpressive movements. The Royal Oak is what it is to me and I'd not purchase one myself. I don't own a G-Shock but may some day as a few appeal to me.

I make my own mayonnaise so... 😋

Agreed on the weird stuff that Americans call mayonnaise. Over here we luckily have the good stuff. 👍 And hat tip to the people creating their own, that's leagues above store bought. (And easy)

Everybody has their own particular moans and niggles regarding watches. I personally can marvel at the technical mastery and engineering of super complicated watches with busy dials but wouldn't buy them, even if I could afford to. I agree that overly busy dials are not for me as well in most cases.

The same goes for the use of "exotic" materials, some designs I just don't get. *cough* RM*COUGH* But I'm impressed that they managed to create it. There are also some seemingly popular brands whose designs I don't vibe with or find boring and I don't understand their appeal. (e.g. Hamilton and IWC).

I've accepted that transparent casebacks have become standard but agree that if the movement isn't that pretty there's not really a point to me. I do however remember the first time I ever saw one and that's basically what got me into collecting so I don't mind them but would much prefer a well designed embossed closed caseback.

Luckily there's nobody enforcing us what to buy and we are spoiled for choice. (Trying as they may be through influencers, media and group think in forums.) Buy what you like, people! 👍

I'm willing to accept contrary opinions from my own on all things.

However, even the slightest hint of mayonnaise in the air makes me gag. You are all wrong about mayonnaise, you mayonnaise consuming reprobates! Wrong wrong wrong!

About transparent casebacks on affordable watches: sure, it looks nothing like a patek or lange caseback, but even an nh movement, even if not decorated looks hella cool for someone who can only experience the wonders of the affordable watch market. It is a reminder that there is something special about your watch, it gives you visible proof of the little machine beating away inside. Its nicer then a boring stainless caseback imo.

Completely with you on busy dials. Particularly on "pilot" watches, where all the scrawl gets in the way of actual function (I'm looking to you Citizen and Breitling),

Other than that I dislike bulky watches intensely. And I just don't get dive watches at all. Soz.

I don't get it that you don't get it.

But that's how the human race is made of individuals who seldom agree with each other.

I agree on all accounts except.. have you ever tried chilli mayonnaise?

I don’t have any real dislikes. But I do like lugs on my watches. So watches without lugs and integrated bracelets is not really my thing.

I have a pretty long list: digital displays, Roman numerals, GMT hands, superfluous text on a dial, the word "Quartz" on any dial after 1980, display case backs, jump hours (with very few exceptions), ketchup on French fries (and mayonnaise or vinegar on fries), canned cranberries, chicken wings, titanium cases and bracelets, external cyclops, as a start.

I have no strong opinions for or against mustard.

Well, that’s the mic drop! Well said!

You know what I agree with? “Buy and wear what you like” IMHO trying to figure out other peoples taste/style is a waste of time for me. But damn I love mayonaise! 😜😂

Haha well we are the exact opposite when it comes to the subjects listed except...well not the mayo cuz that shh gross. The dullness and less bling is what is one of the things I like about titanium. I love g shocks and the royal oak(some models) . I would prefer just a solid case back 99% of the time even on higher end models cuz well when I am wearing it I can't see it so who cares. Flightmaster master and Navitimer look awesome to me so I guess I like busy dials too. I have tons of things I don't like about watches that people like. Two off the top of my head are power reserve indicators on the dial, and California dials. Different strokes for different folks I guess. I am just glad that there are options that compliment individual styles.

De gustibus et coloribus ...

Titanium is a verry interesting material for watches:

-It feels cheap. Only if you live in a world of preconceptions.

-It looks dull. Probably, it is just different. I don't want bling polished steel everyday.

What amazes me is the feeling when i touch it. It is like Alien skin, a non-earthy thing. It is like touching a new dimension.

And I am glad that we have so many choices in watches, some pleasant for me and some that make me laugh. If those watches exist is because some other people buy them.

Watches under 50mm? Why even bother making them?

The meh design of Tudor (except the North Flag and Ranger), Tissot, and Rolex (except the original Explorer).

Unless a coating is applied, titanium is actually easier to scratch than steel, not harder.

I don’t like sunburst dials

I don’t like blacked out/dark indices

I don’t care about lume

With you, though high grades of titanium can be polished (see Swiss Watch Company Hyper-G — though their logo is a hot mess.) And mayonnaise can be delicious… 😋

😉

Point well articulated. I stand corrected. To revise my original statement: GShocks might have the pedigree but they're gaudy, flashy, bulky, and not that great to look at. Still won't get them.

Grade 5 titanium a la Grand Seiko is not dull. It’s slightly grayer than steel, but you’d be hard pressed to notice unless you held them side by side. Well worth the tradeoff for the light weight and comfort.

Busy dials can look overdone, but they can be done well. For me a good example is the Citizen Nighthawk. Lots going on, but well thought out and usable. Well, you have to squint at the slide rule bezel, so not very practical, but then how useful is a slide rule bezel anyway? And yes, I did teach myself to use it. The busyness also mitigates the size. The 42mm would look like a dinner plate on me, but the business makes it wearable.

I got display case backs on Seikos to Grand Seiko. Given a choice, I’ll always take a display caseback, I don’t care how cheap the movement. I like to see the cogs and the balance wheel tick.

The Royal Oak does nothing for me. If I had Royal Oak money, I would get a Lange, or something, you know, attractive.

I have a G-Shock Square, the plain Jane black variety, and a Casioak. Fair enough if you don’t like the look, but I don’t see what’s flashy about them, or how they’re anything like the Royal Oak, including the Casioak. They’re perfectly utilitarian. Well, my Casioak is red, but I like red.

I always put mayo on a burger. Fight me.

Whatever the hype if item of the week is, oh and anything made by Rolex. Hype king.

I totally agree Steve, Sherwin obviously hasn't tried Aldi German Mayonnaise.🤣👍😉