Are watch enthusiasts being played?

I think at times we get so into the research and fall in love with the idea … and when we are confronted with the real thing the feelings are underwhelming … the saying, “never meet your hero’s !” Is so true … I think at times when we approach this hobby methodically with extreme research the love at first sight looses its fizz… maybe sometimes we go with our gut feel and emotions after all these are more emotional things than anything else…

Also I’ll sell you my Speedey sapphire sandwich for $5500 if you like hahahah

All the fuzz, videos and community is just a clunky timekeeping device on our wrist; old, outdated technology by today's standards.

On the other hand, it's something so comforting, so beautiful, to have a constant force in our fast-paced lives and environments. An object so unnecessarily and ridiculously refined that if we weren't using watches today, but archaeologists were digging it up somewhere in Egypt, we might scratch our heads as to why they were so particular with their timekeeping devices, to a degree it's funny, yet still display their artifact in the world's finest museums.

But it's still just a watch. Nothing life-changing. I too struggle to manage my expectations every time I try on a watch at an AD after meticulously researching it online.

Thinking about it. If it wasn't so light your thoughts about it may have been different. If I am spending that kind of money on a watch it better feel like I'm putting a solid heavy chunk of metal on my wrist. It's the real deal not some $119.00 copy. You don't want to feel like you have your practice jersey on. You want your game jersey.

I heard someone say (probably on here) that the sizzle is in the micro brands..the sub $1,000 watches vs. luxury brands, because of the value proposition of what you are getting. I kinda get what he was saying now. It actually made me take pause, when I got more excited for my Timex “Falcon eye” with that gorgeous green dial, then I did for the “speedy”.. idk. It made me begin to reevaluate things, the hobby, value, hype, etc. I mean the Timex is a sub $200 quartz watch! Lol. It’s just interesting to me..I still get excited for Casios.

Maybe you are right. The lightness, really threw me off. It was shockingly light..which, I am assuming, is because of the craftsmanship (which is a great thing). I was not expecting that. I think I was expecting something more “substantial” feeling for $7k.

Yeah that just makes you feel like you're paying for the name. With a display caseback that may have helped too. You can look at what you payed for.

Oh I totally get that… I get excited about any watch really but I fell into too much research with the speedy and it killed the buzz…

When I tried one on many years ago I didn't get the buzz I was expecting either, so I walked away. But then I realised that I needed to have the exact reference that went to the moon.

It wasn't as easy then, in fact I'm not sure how I managed to find it. But putting that one on felt so much better. When you think that the old bracelet was no longer tight, there was obvious wear and tear all over, and it didn't keep time as expected, then you have to wonder why I'd be happier.

It's down to visceral reaction. To me the new was sterile, the old shared the history.

So no, we're not being played so long as we listen to our gut when we put it on, rather than our ego.

And buying those Apple goggles is down to pure ego, one-upmanship. Because you know those first gen at $3.5k will be obsolete within x months.

Price? For me, it's man jewelry with a bit of Walter Mitty wish fulfillment to give me some association with more rugged pursuits that most of us will never try or experience (hence the popularity of all the desk divers and the even more rugged ultra deeps). Sure the Pagani feels almost the same but can it handle the vacuum of Space in case NASA ever calls😜/ can the 5KX take you diving with the Trieste? 😜

At least you were chasing an association with history and not flexing or just looking for status (in which case, all you would need is the design, price tag and the label to make you very happy).

I had the opposite experience but I was a huge Apollo fan before I got my Speedy so even after researching forever before my purchase, my store experience didn't disappoint and many years later, I still love it (and I got the Hesalite and non-display case back, for NASA of course). Also, I didn't have a Pagani or other homage designed to look and feel like the Speedy to blunt my appreciation for the real thing (not that there is anything wrong with homages).

At least you saved yourself some money which you can spend on a watch that you will truly love.

Hey, I had the same feeling when looking at every modern IWC, and even the JLC MUT moonphases... it just didn't feel particularly special or worth that much money, regardless of how good the construction and design must be. I think I'm just apathic to new watches anyway, and prefer the search and acquisition, as well as the history, of used uncommon watches (like early-2000s JDM pieces) or '60-70s vintages.

I must be dead inside or just not buying the right watch cause I don’t get the feels, good or bad, when I put on a watch or any article of clothing.

Yes, watch enthusiasts are suckers, or worse, and that includes me. Watch brands are pushing the same products year after year, decreasing the overhead most likely all while playing a game of "who can charge the most" and all we do is say how awesome all these watches are. We then proceed to spend these ridiculous sums not only on things we don't need but often without even being sure that really want them...

Full disclosure: I hate the Speedmaster. However you name three positive attributes: acrylic crystal, no #$%@ glass back, and lightweight. But I'm glad you didn't fall into the Speedy cult.

Anyway, I've been handed a few Rolexes in my life and, despite people claiming there is some irresistible magic to them, they caused extreme apathy. I want to describe my reaction, but I had none at all. "Oh, okay, it's a watch. Here, you can have it back now."

Surely somebody has mentioned that the Apple whatever has all the longevity of a car tire. And maybe the same residual value. Half the price and it'll last magnitudes fewer years.

Anyway, watch enthusiasts are generally suckers, but they are as often high on their own supply as being duped by external forces.

I think the “sucker” conversation revolves around perception of “value”, and that is a very personal and subjective thing. I love my watches; I love having something mechanical in my hands in a world of SMSes, WhatsApp/WeChat/Telegram texts, emails…the constant information load, everything moving so fast.

I purchased a Speed sapphire sandwich in May and I love it, been wearing it everyday. Is it expensive? Yes! But everytime I look at the movement I think it’s worth it…to ME, and that’s all that matters. :)

Getting played

We all are

It’s on big coo coo nest!

And we all play our parts.

Thank you! You could’ve said any better my friend. I just hate when people pushes their own agenda and convincingly create a narrative about someone’s decision. If one is happy with a homage Pagani I respect that you do you.

Your reply begs the question, "Why are you even here?"

Why? I'd say it is in part because I enjoy it and in part because I am too weak and gullible to quit despite my better judgement. It's like asking any addict why they are doing it. Drugs, gambling, food, you name it... I'm simply not denying it.

Well, at least you're honest!

20 years ago o had the same experience with the rolex gmt pepsi. I loved the way it looked in the magazine ad, saved up for it (5100.00 at that time) ran into the rolex dealer, got it on my wrist and.......NOTHING!! It felt like nothing, i didn't like the pepsi bezel at all. I ended up buying my oris ti diver chrono which i still have and like. That gmt would be worth alot more today than what i would have paid for it back then. Fast forward 20 years, i am retiring and decided on a submariner which i waited 22 months for and which i love the styling, feel on my wrist etc....

There are plenty expensive watches that don't have a transparent case back. The Submariner comes to mind.

Buy a planet ocean chronograph instead. Lightness issue solved 💪

Most luxury watches really embellish the historical story behind their pieces particularly the moon landing or first watch on Everest etc etc. But at the end of the day it’s irrelevant and over hyped.

Being played? Naw. Not anymore than for any luxury goods.

Yes we are being played. The fact we spend hours of research, hundreads if not thousands of dollars on wrist jewelry that tells the same time as our phones. But lets be real, its not about that is it? Maybe the speedmaster doesnt sing to you, try a zenith or breitling and see how that fits the bill.

No Speedmaster, Lunar Pilot, whatever you purchase, was ever on the moon. They are just copys with a nice story.

In the end you are wearing a copy of that watch because you would like to wear it.

We are not played: Maisons invest huge amount of money to push the brand. That's luxury.

I love this as i'm kinda the opposite , I used to think that the watch was lame and did not understand why everyone kept wittering on about it....

Then I tired in the new version open CB and the slightly older one... and I loved them!!!

its only worth it , if it's worth it to you.

It's all perspective. The new Apple VR headset's competitors are only around the sub $1000 range while watches have a very large range of prices for what seems to be not much in functional differences (as in they all tell the time).

You are right! I actually prefer the Zenith “el primero” it is more exciting for my tastes, and those Brietlings! Those are suberbly beautiful!