Spaghetti Scameti....

It is a joke that didn't quite land with me. I would never purposely buy a watch that I actively would not like. Meh.

I'm glad it's not just me then 😀

I don't want this thread to appear as I'm ridiculing anyone for buying one. I'm just really curious as to the reason why? The answer will in all likelihood confirm what a joyless, humourless & cranky old man I'm becoming :)

It's not that I hate the idea, or hold anything against @benswatchclub for it, it is just not for me. It probably started out as a "wouldn't it be funny if..." type of proposition. It is the logic of the execution that confuses me. To buy one is to signal that you are mocking the thing that you are buying. And, every minute wearing it is a minute not wearing a watch that you would rather wear. It is like wearing an aggressively ugly and uncomfortable sweater (jumper) to a party. Who is actually being punished?

Hmm I'm beginning to think you may be an accountant as well as me :)

You've summed up my thinking on it perfectly.

I don't get it either. But I have made little to no effort to find out what it's about, it just doesn't interest me.

Sorry, criminal defense lawyer.

It has some nice style aspects…

No need to apologise, I married one of them 😀

That's pretty much how I have reacted to it.....until today!

It's somewhat of a joke. Probably one that requires a few pints in a Manchester pub to fully get, but I thought it was pretty funny. But since I saw the rise of MVMT, as my own company at that time ran some positive publicity at that time, and I shook my head in disbelieve. I very much understand where Ben is coming from, who generally reviews budget level watches for the average Joe. (Or whatever the average Joe is called in British English.)

No, you nailed it, "average Joe" is spot on for the average man in the street in the UK. Although given the shifting change away fromn traditional bloke's names in recent decades perhaps average Jordan would be better these days...

I, for one, loved the joke. Ordered one last week. Thought it was hilarious. These days if there’s a meme I can get behind I’m all in and in this case I could support Ben while indulging in a memey guilty pleasure. And I’ll definitely wear it around people who don’t know any better and tell them how “incredible” it is.

Yeah, I can see the idea works as a joke but to take it to the manufacturing and selling (and buying) stage strikes me as an almost Troy and Abed level of commitment to a bit. I kind of admire that commitment but it's a step too far for me.

There are worse things than dropping a few bucks on a novelty watch to support a young person trying to make unique and interesting content about an interesting hobby and doing so with integrity.

Capitalism. You put out an idea. It’s a joke. It’s ironic. People buy irony even when ultimately the joke is literally on them. You make some money. With the number of people on here that bought it, I’m sure he walked away with some cash - probably didn’t have to do much for it either (call up a manufacturer in China and ask for his “branding” on the dial of something they already make - which unfortunately is basically what a lot of “micro” brands do…) so ultimately, good on him.

Yes, you can release a clothing line, like everyone else does.

Or you can release a watch strap, like everyone and their moms. At least crapppy watch bears some bit of originality.

I would rather have a bad watch that is fun, than any cheap crap that corporate loves to give employees on holiday packages, which is meant to be dead serious. Both is merch, both is crap, but watch is bad on purpose, and corporate t-shirt is just bad. I would rather be spotted wearing a crappy Ben’s watch, than a corporate hoodie.

I kinda feel the same about most YouTube merch - it’s just a basic t-shirts or hoodies with a channel logo and i wouldn’t wear those outside, except maybe if I’m throwing the trash away.

Yeah but you don't buy a corporate hoodie, it's given to you, it's enforced & that's what makes it so crap.

I don't know why some people are getting so protective over this, my initial post said I'd be delighted if Ben was making a few quid out of it for all of his effort. I still don't get it if I'm honest but if it makes others happy, then who am I to argue differently on it? Fill your boots, as they say 🍻

I don't get it either (retired cop).

They make great gifts to distant cousins and hangers-on whom you don't really like but human society dictates you are obligated to buy presents for every now and then

Some companies legit selling their “swag” to their employees for “loyalty points” and sometimes even for real money. That’s even worse than getting the thing for free and be obligated to wear it to corporate gatherings. And I know for sure that some people I’ve been working with bought that crap. So I’m not really surprised that people would buy a Ben’s watch.

I’m not like protecting this, but you’ve asked about motivation behind the purchase and I’ve tried to be as comprehensive as possible.) If you don’t get it, or it’s not for you - it’s fine, everyone have different taste in jokes)

Nah, that’s just pure evil. That’s evil.

You've hit the nail on the head, humour is very much subjective. One man's PMSL is another man's bad taste.

I don't mind, I think it supports him and his channel. So if you like @benswatchclub content and want him to continue, why not support him with his funny "gag" watch.

I mean he did go through the trouble of actually putting together a watch, basically just to say he did lol.

Late response but I bought it mainly for 3 reasons.

For me I thought the joke was funny

I think it makes for a funny shelf display

I wanted to try an integrated bracelet watch anyway so it was either this or a $10 aliexpress special

I think it's a funny joke that is a play on what he mocks. Mostly it's a way to raise some cash for himself and/or channel. But it does allow those watch enthusiasts to take part in it, and perhaps rib those who have bought overpriced, no middle man watches. I was tempted to buy one, but a bit costly for a joke for my tastes.

#spaghettiscameti

Too costly? Have you tried using the discount code SPORTSCARFUND?

In all seriousness the price is also part of the joke, it drops to like £25 at checkout.

The watch price itself doesn't cause me to pause, it's the high shipping. Which is almost equal to the cost of the watch.

Fair enough, it was very low for me as I live in the UK

Haha, I think US shipping was around $18. I don't mind shipping, but hate when it costs over half the item or more. 🤣

Totally agree aha