How to convert "Non watch people" to becoming enthusiasts!

Probably your own passion. I've seen this with both watches and whisky. Nerding out over something can be attractive to others.

I don't.

Most people couldn't care less about watches and trying to "persuade" them to be as interested as I am will likely drive them away.

We are in the minority and I'm good with that.

I'm with @foghorn. Unless they show an interest already then they're going to be bored stiff when talking about coaxial escapements, springdrive movements, etc. It's the same with cars. I explained to my sister how a basic internal combustion engine works and she did not care. The only thing I can think of is maybe include their favourite movie? If they love mission impossible say "the dw290 show picture is what tom Cruise wore

Buy them a watch - worked for me.

This is a tough one. I find that it is very hard to get somebody to wear something on his/her wrist, who has not experienced that as a child. It very often feels like a nuisance to them. From a functionality perspective the regular watch cannot compete with the smartwatch. 

Any approaches that work come from viewing the watch as a fashion accessory, status symbol, or a piece of personal or general history first, and once that watch is in place, gradually expanding the horizon. 

But most of the time these efforts do not bear fruit if the person wasn't used to a watch growing up, at least in my experience. (I tried with my own kids to no avail.)

Things you should NOT do:

1. bring them to the Rolex boutique when they have nothing on display.
2. show them the price of Nautilus and Rolex watches on Chrono24.
3. talk angrily about the way hype has ruined watch collecting and that you need to buy watches sight unseen to stand a chance of owning them.

😂😂😂

jokes aside, for me the best way is to allow them to experience first hand a mechanical watch with a visible escapement and ‘sweeping’ seconds hand. And see if it piques their curiosity. If no, then you are better off applying points 1-3 since they might just love the dark side of watch collecting 😂😂😂

Gift them an affordable mechanical watch with a display caseback. If you are into building or modding you can personalize it to their taste and lifestyle. Maybe watching the movement in action will pull them in. If not, they still have a kick ass watch and your birthday shopping is all done.

I find it difficult, my daughter shows a bit interest but, not to the point starting her own collection. Not surprising not many take notice of your wrist. Only real watch lovers I find will ask "what is that" on your wrist. Mostly if it something quite different or unusual or a luxury flashy watch is when a non watch collector will ask.  I do love talk about watches with friends but, you can tell when you are losing their interest. Any advice would be great. Especially when I can't afford a luxury watch but want to share the experience and enjoyment collecting watches. 

Give them an automatic Hammy or Tissot and then bask in their hate for you for starting an addiction that can't be undone. But at least you all will have something to talk about. :D

Why would you want to ruin someone else's life?  :-)

Ding ding ding 🔔

I had a coworker who always used to roll his eyes when we talked watches. Bought him a Hamilton for Xmas, he's got a speedy Ultraman now 😂

I don't.  Most people have better things to spend their money on. 

I got my wife a nice vintage mechanical and she seldom wears it. Its a shame.

As a big fan of bourbon/watches who has also seen demand create IMO some pretty dumb prices in the bourbon world…selfishly, I almost want to do whatever I can to get them not to like them haha (I still dont know if I’m joking on this one)

Anytime I bring it up with friends to half heatedly gain interest though is w the friends of mine who just like learning, and then finding where watches meet their interests. I have one friend who is becoming a pilot so he has been kind enough in small doses to hear me out and thought GMT watches were cool. But it’s not swayed him one bit lol 

My wife's Movado and Rolex cost more than all of my watches combined. I often wear multiple watches a day.  She hasn't worn one in a decade. I have learned not to repeat those gifts.

My son has never worn a watch that I have bought him.  I don't even try with my daughter, however, I have her writing with a fountain pen. I have gifted friends and other family members with limited success.  Curiously, a sweeping second hand impressed one friend more than it has ever impressed me.

Sounds like you made some progress lol I gifted my wife a watch many years ago before I was into the hobby. She hasnt worn it in a long while and I only recenly realised it says "Swiss movement" on the Mother of pearl dial. 

I like the idea of this. Sadly it has not converted my wife lol Maybe it will convert others 😂

I can feel this. Im not really trying to persuade anyone but I do have an uncle and I can see his into the hobby.... has a big collection but isnt "into" watches if you know what I mean. I would say his more of a collector but not an enthusiast but I do agree that there is some satisfaction in knowing that its a small but passionate world. 

Oooo thats an interesting angle I did not think of. That pretty much something we all can relate to unless you sorta hate all movies lol 

F91W. If anyone can appreciate that watch then I guess they are an enthusiast without even knowing it lol

I appreciate this view. Funny enough I did grow up having an F91w at some stage when I was a kid so I guess you have a very strong point here. Its very likely that all us enthusiast grew up having a watch at some stage in our lives. 

Hahahah funniest answer yet lmao. Yeah I must say the knowledge of a machanical movement and the subtle sweep of a machanical seconds hand is something magical in its self and It sure drew me in. 

Kill two birds with one watch. I like it. 👌

If im ever successful at this issue I will be sure to hit you up. I have an uncle I wana convert because his halfway there and have a collection but I dont think he knows about this unique world. 

100%. PRX or Khaki field for the win! lol 

WOW. Success. Teach us your skillz grandmaster. 🙏

Thats sad but I can understand. Id love to get my wife something nice but I doubt she'd ever wear it. She did however say you would rock a Reverso but I dont have Reverso money just yet lol 

Damn I thought you had your Pilot friend locked in. Maybe show him a Laco and see if his still not interested. 

Not quite what I was getting at, but whatever floats your boat.

Yeah, in a way the smartwatch could benefit the high-end watch industry in the sense that it conditions people to have something on their wrists, in contrast to my kids who plain tell me: "Dad, I would take it off and eventually lose it." (Which is unfortunately not an excuse but the truth.)