Popularity Issue

Yes and no. There are certain items that I love because of their utter standard-issue everyman commonality, like the Casio F-91W and the Timex Easy Reader. I wouldn't mind the cliched yellow gold Rolex Day-Date either.

But I definitely suffer from a nonconformist streak that does not want to blend in and be indistinguishable from every other basic rube that goes with the flow. When it comes to flavors of the week, this is especially true as falling for fads is poor decision making and endemic to weak wills, impressionable people that lack their own identity.

Actually, identity is the issue. Does want identify with the consumer group, or do they wish not to be associated with them? There is also the vanity of exclusivity as honestly voiced by Kiran Chhabria. If the item is to express one's self, should it not express that one is a beautiful, unique snowflake?

Less of a problem when you buy old junk...

That makes a lot of sense! Maybe it is just the subconcious that really selectively chooses to be identified with a particular group or not. But it does not really cover all the bases. I mean, for one I appreciate the Black Bays. It seems everyone has or wants one. Coming from different groups or status in life. I want one too! But somehow it kinda looses its appeal on me because of this, its popularity.

IKR! You're lucky vintage is your passion. But that is not really my thing. No offense meant my friend. 😉

I don't mind "popular" watches but I do tend to go for the less known brands or models, but this is mostly because these are the very brands that are willing to innovate or do things a bit differently.

I don't fear seeing my watch on the wrist of other people, since most of the people around me either don't wear a watch at all or use a Smartwatch, However I admit to have the issue of "guilt by association", some models are popular with crowds that I don't want to be associated with.

There’s a difference in things being popular because they are a great product, and things being popular due to hype (i.e. moonswatch) where its really just cheap with branding (see also Supreme).

If it’s the first, I have no problem being in that crowd. However, I refuse to join the second.

Agree with post above re popular watches being great and hyped. I buy what I prefer aldough looking at my collection you could say I gravitate towards not so popular models. GA2100 and BB Pro are probably more popular ones I have, rest is in "if you know you know" category

I identify with the notion of staying away from the hyped-up pieces; generally speaking, I don't necessarily go where the main herd tramps, but there are some exceptions.

In October last year, I found myself first craving and then finally acquiring a Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 - albeit second-hand. At first, I asked myself why I wanted it so much; was it the torrent of positive reviews, the really decent second-hand pricing, or the overall design?

In the end, I reconciled with myself that the PRX would be a fun alternative to the Tudor Royal I had acquired sometime in mid-2022.

Now I find myself waiting to take delivery of a Nivada Grenchen F77 - yet another watch falling into the "integrated bracelet" category. Maybe I have been subconsciously caught up with this overall trend, or perhaps I am bored.

Either way, the PRX and Royal see plenty of wrist time, and I think that's probably what is most important - buy what you like, and don't worry about the hype.

I'm with you. I love unique because it catches the eye. We walk around in a world where we see and know many things, so when we see something unusual, it's immediately noticeable and stands out.

I'm not really sure why I feel the way I do. Maybe it's because during my childhood, I was always the immediately noticeable person because I was always the new kid.

My father was in the Navy and we moved every three years. Being the new kid anywhere is tough, because you have to find where you fit in and take a lot of bullying from those who resent the new kid, but having to constantly do it over and over again...let's just say it builds character, and I guess I always felt like I stood out. So now I like things that stand out too.

To me it is not more of being associated with a particular group. Though that may contribute to a certain degree. It's the general popularity of the watch itself. Sometimes I am thinking I just prefer left field options.

I understand but in reality as much as we think that the popular watch is everywhere it isn’t… except for the Apple Watch, which is like the corona virus is f@cking everywhere!!

The main reason I held back for so long not to get the Speedy. In real life especially around me I don’t see it at all… but I do get the the Cologne thing though… I remember Calvin Klein’s Eternity was the most popular scent when I was in high school back in the Philippines man! Every sweaty teenager after paying basketball will spray it on to hide their sweaty stinky smell hahahHA!! Good times… 🍻

You know, Thorsten Veblen had a theory about the purchase of luxury items and exclusivity was part of his theory of conspicuous consumption. The purchase and public use of high value luxury goods communicated class standing in social settings. Flex culture is an extreme example of this idea. So, exclusivity is sort of wired into the hobby, at least according to this theory, especially at the luxury level. There is some supporting evidence of this in the high number of limited edition releases, and also in the increase in value of many microbrands with limited production runs.

Having said all that, I find that I actually enjoy meeting someone else that is wearing or even has the same watch as me rather than being upset my watch may be owned by lots of other people. I have plenty of popular watches in my collection that I see frequently here on Watch Crunch posted in WRUW. I also have watches in my collection that are pretty rare, as I collect vintage and have several limited edition watches as well. Even with those, I am always happy to meet someone else who has one of the same watches in their collection as one of mine. I guess I just don't really think much about how popular or rare a watch may be when it comes to adding to my collection. Just my two cents worth. 😁

I went to see the PRX at an AD when it was released and it killed any prior urge that I had to buy it. I remember standing in front of the display stand and thinking to myself that it can't be that I'm the only one who's not impressed by it.

To be perfectly honest, it was not love at first sight. The attraction grew over time, and only after handling it multiple times. After I acquired it, it only took a week on the wrist for it to cement a place in my watch box - letting the watch (and that dial) glimmer in the sun is certainly a sight to behold.

I'm not trying to say that you will definitely be attracted to it if you gave it a bit more time; but I will say that sometimes, you gotta let things grow on you. If it is not the PRX, then I imagine you're saving the money for something you truly fall head over heels for immediately, and that's awesome too. 👍

I get your drift. A great product would always sell itself. Even more so with great marketing. An informed consumer can see thru the hype and decide on the better options.

Probably what I mean in this post, if I may say so or if I'm not mistaken. We gravitate towards the more underrated or lesser known pieces but not really for exclusivity's sake. 😀

That may be a good alternative! However, in my case it is also not absolute. I may like some microbrands, but not all. It still depends on the watch itself. 😉

Wow! that is a splendid collection brother! Very unique in their own individual right. I would be wearing some of these than a lot of them popular/hyped pieces. Thanks for sharing! 😉

I don’t have social media so I’m barely aware whats hot or not. In the end its personal preference and I’m buying it for myself. If it happens to be popular then it must be good. If not its fine its not for you.

That’s why I just bought what I liked , my boring Ranger which to me is a perfect everyday watch that no body even notices, tgats fine by me , I like yours for tge same reason , it’s a good watch that just tells the time well !

You would have learned to fight and I know your a good guy and a religious man , but boy when you were young I bet you could handle yourself… adversity builds character, I grew up only moving once and that was a big enough shock as a kid .

Well said brother! Cheers!

Exactly! I'm just not comfortable probably with over-saturation. But hey, to each his own. Cheers!

I worked out and wrestled in high school. But more importantly, I learned how to adapt to new environments and read people very quickly. Those traits have served me well, both personally and professionally.

I know what you mean! I've been there too. See, if you do not like a watch (for whatever apparently silly reason) just do not get it. If you do not like a watch because everybody else owns that is a perfectly valid reason. Life is too short to waste time by also justifying "why" you like or dislike something about your watch.😀

I wouldn't call it justifying. It's just the "why" part of it. But you're right! I shouldn't even bother finding rhe reason. I just have to probably go with the flow where my instinct directs me. As long as I don't offend or inconvenience anyone. Cheers!

I don't hate popular/hyped watches but models that are too commonplace tend to lose appeal for my personal wear, I have this tendency to get something a little *different* that speaks to me more.

Hence why I got a Speedmaster 57 when most Omega fans own a Speedmaster Pro

OR when a lot of Grand Seiko owners choose the SBGA211 Snowflake as their 1st Spring Drive watch, I went for an SBGA415 instead...

And while a LOT of Rolex owners go for the Submariner as their first Rolex, I've just lost interest and am waiting on a Yachtmaster I from my AD instead...

Exactly what I mean! You surely hit the mark bro! Once a model becomes popular, no matter how much I desire it on the onset, I just lose interest.

I'm with you bro - some of the most popular watches in the world, say a daytona or a sub, I've zero interest in obtaining - they are so popular it's a meme!

My first big watch purchase was a crazy rare and Ti/ cermet (ceramic metal) spring drive Seiko Prospex that's only 1 of 200 ... and absolutely nobody (including some GS employees I know) had heard of it. (SNR043 - moonlight ocean)

Could've gone for the most popular Omega, Zenith or Breitling for the same money, but following the crowd wasn't for me 😉

Absolutely! It may sound silly, but that's the beauty of this hobby. We have our own different perceptions and directions we want to take in our collecting journey. Different tastes, different weights given to each watch attribute just as we are all different individuals. That's a great piece btw! 😉