Deep breaths, folks
It's funny, every time a Swatch collab comes up, the haters go nuts. Just... why? Why bother? Let people like what they like! It's been popular, successful for the companies involved, and it's just a fun little watch.
Watches are silly anyway, we have phones and clocks all around us with the time. A watch is a tiny bit of personality on your wrist. That's it. Let people like stuff, and leave the toxicity in the back of the fridge with those leftovers you forgot were there and... whew, nope, that stinks, okay, nevermind, throw the toxicity out. I think those were peas? Aw man, I like peas! Oh, wait, no, that's mold. Okay, yeah, I'm going to just take the trash out.
Edit:
Listen, I've had to clarify this a lot, so I'm just going to pop some of it up here. This isn't about criticism. Criticism is healthy. This is about hounding, harassing, idiotic comments, not letting people enjoy things, belittling people who do enjoy things.
Some examples of healthy criticism:
"Bioceramic is a little soft, I wonder how well it can maintain a seal for diving."
"I'm glad Swatch seems to have made better straps for these, the MoonSwatch straps were really uncomfortable!"
"All the exclusivity stuff feels anti-consumer. They make it so hard for their fans to get one to build up hype? They disappoint us for hype? That's lousy."
"God, I wish they wouldn't use that bio-sourced plastic for the crystals. It's so easy to scratch. I wonder if that scratch resistant coating helps."
"I hate that Sistem51 movements are sealed. Maybe it helps with longevity, but all mechanical movements eventually have issues, and this becomes something to frame or throw out once that happens, and I just don't buy watches I know I can't wear forever."
Examples of toxic stupidity:
"Happy meal toy!"
"Only a child or idiot would be into these."
On any WRUW or ANY Swatch post at all: "PLASTIC!"
"It's PLASTIC!"
"Fucking idiots lining up for some plastic kids toy."
"That's disgusting."
Seriously, you can't even post about a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT Swatch watch without some idiot coming in shouting "It's PLASTIC!" "Happy meal toy!" "Disgusting plastic!" "Why'd you waste your time with a Swatch?"
Imagine if, instead of calling it a kid's toy, every watch of a certain brand was attacked for being, "For impotent boomers searching for external validation." Be pretty hard not to take that personally, right?
Criticism is good. But toxicity, commenting on a person's own tastes, name calling, that's shitty. I get that maybe some similarly simple minded person did a laugh react at your "It's PLASTIC!" image once, and now you need that dopamine rush you get from external validation so you spam it. Trust me, as an ADHD person who struggled with external validation, I do get it. But that's why you sometimes need a reminder that it's toxic and pushes people out of a hobby that should be bringing us together. Sometimes it's easy to lose sight, that, "Just a joke," becomes, "Harassing anyone who posts about a certain topic incessantly."
She/Her Got bored of smartwatches, so I ditched them for the ones with ticking and gears. Who knew that could become an obsession? Mostly like colorful and inexpensive watches, love me a cool Swatch....
The people going nuts totally miss the point. If you are already in an enthusiats space like WatchCrunch, you are not the primary customer for this watch. It's for non watch people and a gateway to the Swatch group.
So far, this looks better executed than the Moonswatch and time will tell.
🍿
Forums get a little bit dull when everyone agrees. Debating whether the latest Swatch collaboration is rubbish or just crap keeps the interest going..... Still going to get one though. 😉
Forums get a little bit dull when everyone agrees. Debating whether the latest Swatch collaboration is rubbish or just crap keeps the interest going..... Still going to get one though. 😉
Oh, totally getting one myself too.
Not, like, by waiting in like for 24 hours with a tent and a place to pee, but more like, it's been a few months and I can swing by a store and cross my fingers thing.
Anyway, disagreement? Cool. Toxic shit like, "This is shit!" "These are kids watches!" "No serious collector would get these!" "These are trash!" Like, come on, that's kindergarten-level trash talking. Give me a hot take like, "Who cares if these cheapen the brand? It's been cheap since the Swatch Group started putting silicone in their movements!" That's unique.
I wouldn't call myself a hater..
Its like watching someone being ripped off playing find the queen on a street stall. You think surly they know its a con, and yet they bet another 20. Id think yeah there are dumb people walking around without their carers. Shrug n walk away slightly amused.
Thats pretty much how i feel about these watches. Btw i have a swatch, it just doesn't have omega stamped on it.
So if you wanna over pay for a swatch, then fill yer boots, im just gonna shrug n walk away.
Oh, totally getting one myself too.
Not, like, by waiting in like for 24 hours with a tent and a place to pee, but more like, it's been a few months and I can swing by a store and cross my fingers thing.
Anyway, disagreement? Cool. Toxic shit like, "This is shit!" "These are kids watches!" "No serious collector would get these!" "These are trash!" Like, come on, that's kindergarten-level trash talking. Give me a hot take like, "Who cares if these cheapen the brand? It's been cheap since the Swatch Group started putting silicone in their movements!" That's unique.
I own quite a few crap watches. I own a few kids watches. I can't get offended by someone I don't know opinions. I own a BOSS watch and have to wear it on anniversaries as the wife bought it for me. That kind of thing gives you a thick skin 😕
I wouldn't call myself a hater..
Its like watching someone being ripped off playing find the queen on a street stall. You think surly they know its a con, and yet they bet another 20. Id think yeah there are dumb people walking around without their carers. Shrug n walk away slightly amused.
Thats pretty much how i feel about these watches. Btw i have a swatch, it just doesn't have omega stamped on it.
So if you wanna over pay for a swatch, then fill yer boots, im just gonna shrug n walk away.
See, that's the problem, assuming you know better than everyone else. You assume everyone getting something is a rube, instead of just... respecting their choice? Like, you can think that it's not worth the price, but assuming that other people's opinions are wrong is where it starts to get problematic.
I don't like Rolex watches, for example. But I don't assume everyone with one is a rube who got ripped off. They got what they liked for whatever reason they liked it and paid what they thought was fair. They're happy, I'm happy. Not everyone likes watch collecting for prestige, materials, engineering, or history. Some people just like the ticky thing on the wrist.
The reason I express my opinion (that they are over-priced plastic toys) on this subject is mainly for me. To stop me from getting caught up in the hype and wasting MY money that could be better spent elsewhere.
If someone wants to buy one, more power to them. Glad they have the money to do so.
The reason I express my opinion (that they are over-priced plastic toys) on this subject is mainly for me. To stop me from getting caught up in the hype and wasting MY money that could be better spent elsewhere.
If someone wants to buy one, more power to them. Glad they have the money to do so.
I like Lego, so I know a thing or two about overpriced plastic toys. 😉
See, that's the problem, assuming you know better than everyone else. You assume everyone getting something is a rube, instead of just... respecting their choice? Like, you can think that it's not worth the price, but assuming that other people's opinions are wrong is where it starts to get problematic.
I don't like Rolex watches, for example. But I don't assume everyone with one is a rube who got ripped off. They got what they liked for whatever reason they liked it and paid what they thought was fair. They're happy, I'm happy. Not everyone likes watch collecting for prestige, materials, engineering, or history. Some people just like the ticky thing on the wrist.
Kudos for applying the awesome word ‘rube’. You are a writer akin to my selective taste of prose.
See, that's the problem, assuming you know better than everyone else. You assume everyone getting something is a rube, instead of just... respecting their choice? Like, you can think that it's not worth the price, but assuming that other people's opinions are wrong is where it starts to get problematic.
I don't like Rolex watches, for example. But I don't assume everyone with one is a rube who got ripped off. They got what they liked for whatever reason they liked it and paid what they thought was fair. They're happy, I'm happy. Not everyone likes watch collecting for prestige, materials, engineering, or history. Some people just like the ticky thing on the wrist.
I wonder if people like that go to a theater then tell other people not to watch a movie. I know I'm not seeing peak cinema when I go to see Cocaine Bear, just let me have my fun. I know what I'm about!
I wonder if people like that go to a theater then tell other people not to watch a movie. I know I'm not seeing peak cinema when I go to see Cocaine Bear, just let me have my fun. I know what I'm about!
Fantastic movie by the way!
I love the Swatch collaborations - just wish they were priced a little closer to impulse money.
They are free to price their product however they want but I would actually consider a purchase at around $200 for the moonwatch and $250-$275 for the Blancpain (considering it’s a mechanical). Or at least it would be if the nearest US swatch store wasn’t over 800 miles away lol.
$400 for a Blancpain is REALLY hard to justify for though. I mean guys that is more expensive than a Baltic!
I cannot agree more. Let the backlash to backlash begin.
If you don’t like it, that’s fine. If you think they’re overpriced, you’re probably right (just about every Swiss watch is, tbh). If you’re irritated by the hype, mediocre quality, poor roll out (how are they not available online as originally planned a year and a half on?), long lines and crazy secondary market prices of the MoonSwatch - and which these likely will as well - fair play.
But every time I look at my MoonSwatch, I grin - because it is fun. In terms of smiles per dollar, it’s as efficient a way to spend money as I’ve spent on a watch. That’s all there is to it.
These look fun too. I think they missed a trick by not calling it the Sistem 51 Fathoms, but oh well. I really like the whole nudibranch conceit, as contrived as it is. I’m not going to wait more than a few minutes in-line for one (just don’t care enough), but if I walk by a swatch boutique and they have one in stock, I’m likely going to pick one up.
Well, there are also cultural differences between people of different countries and in some places it is more ok/problematic to be negative about someone's individual choices than others.
Personally, I sometime like to poke the bear. I see a negative aspect of a watch I notice on WRUW, comment on it, and wait for the bear to respond to the poking. For example, I did this regarding negative displays on Casios, because in some models that is a real problem. The bear could ignore me, they could say that in their experience this was not a problem with this watch (possibly explaining why this is different), or respond with partial agreement that the watch is not for everyone or something of this ilk. Either way I learned something about the watch.
P.S. Where is the angry bear emoji when you need one?
🐻 Doesn't look angry though. 😂
I'm wearing out the laugh emoji reading all these comments. But I wonder what the three women would think if in the next panel their three husbands said, "Honey, we just bought the new Swatch/Blancpain for $400?"
Oh, man, and you can pretend you're a giant eating trees with broccoli. You might be on to something here.
Watches are like food. Some people like broccoli, and some don't.
It's terrible when people have opinions. Let's gatekeep them. Let's tell people that, if they don't like something, then they shouldn't be saying so. I mean... seriously? You can't see how ridiculous that is?
How about you leave people to say what they like; don't gatekeep; and get on with your day?
Opinion gatekeeping is the worst computer virus.
Honestly it’s a really awesome time to be in the watch hobby. In general it’s not a really well made watch but it’s going to get people more into the hobby. The watch have a range of fun colors and Blancpain can still say they never made a quartz watch. I don’t really have any plans to own a Blancpain but I wouldn’t mind having this in the collection.
Why would I ever buy a watch from a company that refuses to make a quartz watch?
I'm wearing out the laugh emoji reading all these comments. But I wonder what the three women would think if in the next panel their three husbands said, "Honey, we just bought the new Swatch/Blancpain for $400?"
I know what my wife would think. It does involve pain... just not a Blanc - pain
I'd buy one. 😀
I can't afford this Swasio. I'm still saving up for the new limited edition digital PRX, that one with the hand-lettered blue script. I just read an article about in My Ho'sDinkee. And they seem to think that there's a super limited edition model coming out that says "NOT a Casio A171" on the dial as well, also in that same hand lettering.
They say this new digital PRX will be only $1400, which in America right now is the price of two tanks of gas and a Happy Meal.
$400 is not happy meal prices. But it's getting there.
But it's also bringing you well within range of some pretty cool vintage pieces..
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/geneve-automatic-36mm-cal-1022--id30021177.htm
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https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/geneve--cal-613-gold-plaque--id25586126.htm
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https://www.chrono24.co.uk/girardperregaux/gyromatic-high-frequency-automatic--id28349449.htm
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https://www.chrono24.co.uk/breitling/geneve--id30399586.htm
The reason I express my opinion (that they are over-priced plastic toys) on this subject is mainly for me. To stop me from getting caught up in the hype and wasting MY money that could be better spent elsewhere.
If someone wants to buy one, more power to them. Glad they have the money to do so.
Don't forget time. You had to go wait in line.
Don't forget time. You had to go wait in line.
I don't really care about waiting in a line unless I'm not rewarded with the prize after waiting in the line.
*posted elsewhere
I dreamt I had been practicing saying Blancpain in my best French accent all night (I can't do a Swiss accent apparently). I woke up this morning and Mrs Yonder told me I had been talking in my sleep.
"What was I saying?" I asked
She shrugged and said "It sounded like you kept repeating the word.. plastic" 🤒
Seriously though.. no judgement from me, people can spend their hard earned cash on whatever they want.
You could also lean into the other way. Practice a midwestern U.S. accent. Oooh, or one of the northern midwestern states, like Wisconsin or Minnesota. Then go into a Swatch store and ask for the "Blank Pain Swahtch." Make a joke like, "Blank pain? But I already got back pain!" Collect the groans.
I don't really care about waiting in a line unless I'm not rewarded with the prize after waiting in the line.
I would have to drive 4 hours just to get to a swatch store.
I would have to drive 4 hours just to get to a swatch store.
5 for me, so yeah.
I've said this elsewhere, but when the MoonSwatch was announced, I was ready to drive those 5 hours overnight, but then I saw the mob outside the store and realized it was a strong likelihood I would not be rewarded with the prize for the drive and the wait.
The people going nuts totally miss the point. If you are already in an enthusiats space like WatchCrunch, you are not the primary customer for this watch. It's for non watch people and a gateway to the Swatch group.
So far, this looks better executed than the Moonswatch and time will tell.
But will IT tell TIME?!🤣
I intend to get one once i can get to a swatch store and no long lines. Thank goodness it isnt limited edition. I would really love it if they sold it on swatch website for convenience. My nearest physical swatch store is a plane ride away.
I'm a fan of the collabs and it looks good from pictures. I'm also a sucker for watches that have positive environmental impacts. Here's a pic of my timex waterburry ocean made from recycled ocean plastic. 😄