To own a watch: a tool of convenience, or "mechanical jewelry"?
Recently I had a conversation with my mother explaining my interest in watches. She is a religious person, and is concerned with the aspect of humbleness and had the famous question: "so what is the difference between a $10 and $10000 watch? If they are meant for the same purpose of telling the time..."
In my interpretation, my explanation to her was something among the lines of:
1- It depends a lot on how well made the quality of the watch is, and its durability.
Let us use Rolex as example, since it is the only brand she truly knows about luxury watches, but it is the example to many people elsewhere.
Even if a Rolex seems exaggerated to have an over 4 or 5-digit price tag, if we ignore the market demand influences for that, we can explain to someone how a Rolex is an example of an well made watch, how the movement has a lot of care and thought into it, and how the parts often bring the highest quality materials to it.
Mom and I watched some watch repair, and we got to see WW1/WW2 watches, and the difference between them and a Rolex is night vs day. The war-era watches are generally made of brass (because of wartime restrictions), are well beat up, and their radioactive dials aged like milk in vinegar, and even some survived through time today, there is a high chance many others didnt. Whereas a Rolex watch, even when badly rusted and requiring thousands of dollars to repair, can still be brought to life. It's hard to say if current Quartz watches could survive for 100 or 200 years if something happens to the circuitry or display, so one advantage mechanical watches have is how durable they can be when properly serviceable.
2- They are not just about telling time: nowadays they became family heirlooms, self expression statements, fashion pieces. Or as I would describe, "mechanical jewelry".
In all fairness, many of us agree that wrist watches, in a strictly practical sense, are outdated as tools for time telling. Even when mechanical watches can be virtually everlasting if they are able to be serviced, doesn't take out the fact they are bound to lose accuracy, and loses even to the smelliest Quartz clock in the dollar store.
But if that would be the thing, why we still love watches? Of course we know about the whole power status gist of luxury watches (aka Rolex), but, in my opinion, jewelry is not just about money, it is about self expression. It is about looking good. Or it is something handed down by a family member.
I don't use a necklace to look expensive, I use it to look good. Some of us might have a necklace, a ring, or something else that was previously owned by our mothers, grandparents, or someone important. Sometimes it is just how you want to express yourself to the world.
The watch in this poll's picture is my Technos Alarmdate. As of yet, this is both my biggest statement as both as a historian and a watch enjoyer. Because, according to my research, the mechanical alarm watches popped up in the transition era where Quartz wasn't good yet and didn't have much complexity, so this was the solution they had for a while. Even if Quartz catched up fast and mechanical alarms became relics of the past, both the fact it is a living example of an era our constant technological advancements, and it is almost as old as my own parents! It loses close to 30 seconds every day, I have to adjust the time every week, but as a self expression piece it is one of the best things I have, and I don't care if I am the only one who knows this, since it still looks cool as fashion. Also, Technos is a Brazilian brand, I have at least some degree of patriotism in there, I admit.
For other strictly fashion pieces for me, I have my Casio Edifice for the sportsy casual occasions, and another vintage Technos with the really small 29mm dial, which looks perfect as a dressy watch and gives me that classic look, back when it was common to use smaller watches.
3- Despite being "outdated", it doesn't mean it makes them any less useful timekeeping devices.
And this is whete my Quartz watches come to shine. My Casio AE1200 "Royale" and my recent Orient's X-Games watch are great examples of watches that have both countdown timers and stopwatches, for all sorts of applications.
I use my X-Games if I am going exercising, since it has all the functions I want while costing less than 110 BRL, so I won't miss if I break it or if someone robs it (sadly worrying about robbers is a thing where I live), while my Royale is one of my everyday drivers, and the multiple timezone functions is a lot more useful than people would account for. For example, if I want to know my boss' current time (I work as a freelance translator over the internet, and he lives somewhere in central USA), I know he is 4 hours behind my current timezone. If I had to know what time it is on my phone, I would need to open my phone, open my app, wait for it to load, maybe wait for some ads to go down... While on my watch, I press a single button and bam, there it is my boss' timezone.
But... That's all but a single man's extensive (and unasked for) opinion. What do you think? What do watches mean to you personally - a tool, jewelry, both or something else? Leave your thoughts and feel free to add into the discussion!
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Mikaeshin
I am curious about collecting watches with unique features, may it be a function packed monster - like Casio digital models - or features that are not obvious to find around. Still, I am still new to...
Rio de Janeiro
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I'm not sure where theories of value comes into religion, to be honest.
https://thetruthaboutwatches.com/2022/11/is-it-ok-for-christians-to-buy-expensive-watches/
Anyway, it's a time-telling device for me, and I want everything to be as aesthetic and durable as possible.
I'm not sure where theories of value comes into religion, to be honest.
https://thetruthaboutwatches.com/2022/11/is-it-ok-for-christians-to-buy-expensive-watches/
Anyway, it's a time-telling device for me, and I want everything to be as aesthetic and durable as possible.
Most of what I remember of that conversation was my mother mentioning pride and vanity about spending too much money on something you don't need.
But what I want to focus is her valid question about why people buy expensive watches in the first place, and that it is not all about vanity or trying to flex richness. All I did was to answer my interpretation on the matter
Watches are art, engineering, history, and self-expression. They have inherent value To an individual based on how well they express those traits.
It's a watch.
I've always liked watches-since the 60's.
I never wondered or cared why I like them.
They're watches.
Most of what I remember of that conversation was my mother mentioning pride and vanity about spending too much money on something you don't need.
But what I want to focus is her valid question about why people buy expensive watches in the first place, and that it is not all about vanity or trying to flex richness. All I did was to answer my interpretation on the matter
@OscarKlosoff To piggyback off what @mikaeshin said, I think a lot of worry from a religion mindset is over-focus on material possession and over spending on something that's not a necessity, much like what he mentioned.
I personally don't find anything wrong with collecting watches, even more expensive ones if that's what someone wants to do and are capable. But I think like most things in life, people can get carried away and spend too much money on something that's not necessary. In reality, that's my opinion but I would never tell someone else how to spend their own money.
Great post by the way. I think there's a lot to be said about the value of watches whether that be monetary, sentimental or historical.
My take is that watches for most are wrist jewelry making a statement about the wearer.
However, for this select group of watch enthusiasts, they are so much more than that.
Some would view them as collectibles that they acquire and enjoy looking at and sharing with others as well as wearing.
Some curate them as historical artifacts and are interested in the history of the brands and the various companies involved in making all of the various components comprising a watch. Also, in understanding the historical significance of their usage over time and importance in human achievement.
Some seek to build an investment portfolio of a non-traditional investment that would diversify risk from the stock market.
Some are just fascinated by the intricate mechanical systems in a watch.
And many of us include aspects of all of the above.
How else can you explain members in this community who own many multiples of digital watches such as Casios. You only need one to achieve the statement about who you are, you certainly aren't purchasing them for investment reasons, there really isn't a whole lot of mechanical systems to observe, and one digital watch would sufficiently provide you with an accurate representation of time, day, date and possibly additional complications.
If you accept the need for watches (that's questionable due to smartphones now), then there is no need to justify an expensive watch. Simply say that they last longer than cheap watches. If you add up the cost over time, it may be less costly to buy one quality watch than a bunch of cheap poorly construction watches.
TBH I found that most of the people who professed to be religious were using this a an excuse to stick their noses into other people business.
Your watches are whatever you want them to be.
I actually don't care how well they keep time any more. As @ChronoGuy pointed out, I am one of those who is fascinated by the intricate mechanical systems in a watch. I love how humans invented solutions to accessing information mechanically long before it arrived to us through cellular or wifi. The watch is amazing and yet an understandable invention. Many are stylish and a joy to wear. Mechanical, historical, ingenious, jewelry. Absolutely.
'dress like you respect yourself, and people will respect you' - Malcom X.
There is more to it than just wearing a watch, it's the whole package. They way you package your image will translate into how it will influence your behavior and your interaction with society. If you are in torn t-shirt and shorts your behavior/interactions will reflect how you look. How you look at any given moment is a reflection of how you feel ( or mental state ). When you slap on a nice watch after a shower in the morning, the rest of the package will naturally fall in place.
The part of your body that you see most of the time are your hands, our brain allocates a disproportionate amount of resources to hands (and face). Wearing a nice watch or diamond ring will sub consciously influence your/others behavior, add self confidence, social status etc.
just my 2 cents.
Great post, and definitely a different viewpoint - one that's not very often explored. I can understand and appreciate where this is coming from, and thank you for sharing!
With that said, I believe (at least in part) the "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" applies to this matter. I personally believe it's all about intent. If you intend to flex, berate, and belittle those that don't have what you have, then that's no good, lame, and generally frowned upon (and we don't even have to be religious to agree on that, we just have to be decent human beings) but if you choose to purchase a Rolex over a Casio, and you're not hurting anyone, you're financially secure, and you feel like you've done your part to leave a positive mark on what you believe in - then by all means enjoy yourself! Be happy, express yourself, your style, your preferences, etc. like many here have already stated, we enjoy this hobby thanks to a multitude of reasons. Be it mechanical intrigue, material science, historical significance, pure design beauty...whatever it may be, we're all here for a reason (or multiple reasons for that matter) and if we aren't ignoring our duties as good humans, then we should be free to spend our hard earned money on the things that bring us joy. That's my 2 cents anyways 🤝
@OscarKlosoff To piggyback off what @mikaeshin said, I think a lot of worry from a religion mindset is over-focus on material possession and over spending on something that's not a necessity, much like what he mentioned.
I personally don't find anything wrong with collecting watches, even more expensive ones if that's what someone wants to do and are capable. But I think like most things in life, people can get carried away and spend too much money on something that's not necessary. In reality, that's my opinion but I would never tell someone else how to spend their own money.
Great post by the way. I think there's a lot to be said about the value of watches whether that be monetary, sentimental or historical.
Up to a (low end) G-Shock or other practical quartz might be a tool or convenience. Any thing beyond that is jewelry. You can figure the tool:jewelry ratio of your watch with this simple formula: 50/x; 50=the price of a basic G-Shock, x=the price of your watch.
If you accept the need for watches (that's questionable due to smartphones now), then there is no need to justify an expensive watch. Simply say that they last longer than cheap watches. If you add up the cost over time, it may be less costly to buy one quality watch than a bunch of cheap poorly construction watches.
I've told myself this a few times, but I'm not sure it's true.
Let's assume a Seiko turtle is $400 and will last 15 years (likely an understatement). Will a $10k Seadweller last 25 times as long? Even if it did, with servicing cost, you'd never catch up.
I'm going to keep fooling myself, though.
It's just a tool for me...
...
...
BUT I FUCKING LOVE TOOLS.
😅
It's just a tool for me...
...
...
BUT I FUCKING LOVE TOOLS.
😅
I mean... Who doesn't want to have a tool that looks nice as well?
That's why I made this post to know, since there are many interpretations on what watches mean for each one of us. Just like how there are some that see watches as a dress accessory that does the extra work of telling the time, I am surprised how some mentioned how they see it as a tool, but generally as a tool they want to look nice with, or a tool where they care about the quality of it.
You can own a flip phone or an iphone. Both do the same thing, in terms of allowing you to place phone calls. You can own a Ford Fiesta or a Ford Mustang. Both get you from point A to point B.
You can own a flip phone or an iphone. Both do the same thing, in terms of allowing you to place phone calls. You can own a Ford Fiesta or a Ford Mustang. Both get you from point A to point B.
In the world of watches, which would be the Ford Fiesta and which would be the Mustang?
Humans are emotional. Ppl pay millions for a painting bc they can afford it and the painting moves them. nothing wrong w enjoying the beauty of man made products at the same time with fulfilling your other duties w the money u make responsibily. Life is short :)
In the world of watches, which would be the Ford Fiesta and which would be the Mustang?
Use your imagination! Casio F91W-1 or similar could be the Fiesta and a Casio Oceanus could be the Mustang.