What Motivated You to Buy an 'Expensive' Watch?
Discussion
petrolnog said:
Gaz, how large is your TV? is it HD? I hope you don't own anything larger than a 15" CRT, because surely thats all you need to see the TV pic, after all your getting the same basic image arent you?
What's yout point?
TV sizes deal with viewing comfort. If I am sat 15 feet away from the screen, then I would obviously prefer something bigger so I can see more at distance without having to strain my eyes.
What does this have to do with a watch? If indeed, you were even making such a point in the first place.
-DeaDLocK- said:
TV sizes deal with viewing comfort. If I am sat 15 feet away from the screen, then I would obviously prefer something bigger so I can see more at distance without having to strain my eyes.
What does this have to do with a watch? If indeed, you were even making such a point in the first place.
What does this have to do with a watch? If indeed, you were even making such a point in the first place.
I would say that the point is that the underlying comment in most of the watch criticisisms is "but you don't need it", and the reposonse involving cars or TVs is that we all buy things that we want, not that we just need.
northernboy said:
I would say that the point is that the underlying comment in most of the watch criticisisms is "but you don't need it", and the reposonse involving cars or TVs is that we all buy things that we want, not that we just need.
Ah, thanks. I get it.
I think generally non-watch folk cannot distinguish between the artistic and utilitarian facets of a watch. All they see is the utilitarian, and thus anything above a certain amount of money is deemed too much as a watch's primary purpose is to tell the time. As long as you can read the face, it's job done.
Unlike cars and television, where the utilitarian features come into play a lot more, e.g. doing more than just getting you from point A to point B, and doing more than just showing you a simple picture.
Expensive watches are far more like paintings (which offer nearly no utilitarian value whatsoever), where craftsmanship, exclusivity and art come into play. I think folks like me just cannot get it into their heads that a timepiece can also be a canvas.
I had my Omega Speedmaster as a present.
My old man swapped a Daimler Double Six Coupe for several top end watches with one of his watch dealer clients.
I had the Omega, my sister had a nice Tag, my mum had a very nice Ebel and my brother in law had a Baume & Mercier.
Same day I had picked up my BMW. Went round toshow my parents and they gave me an Omega! Not a bad day that one.
My old man swapped a Daimler Double Six Coupe for several top end watches with one of his watch dealer clients.
I had the Omega, my sister had a nice Tag, my mum had a very nice Ebel and my brother in law had a Baume & Mercier.
Same day I had picked up my BMW. Went round toshow my parents and they gave me an Omega! Not a bad day that one.
Hmmm, to answer the original thread it depends on your definition of "expensive". I've always had very cheap watches, although I decided to buy a decent Seiko about a year ago (RRP about £400, unheard of for me!)
For me it's expensive enough to get a good feeling when I look at my wrist and for other people to say "nice watch" but also reasonable enough so that I am not nervous about scratching it or wearing it in public. It's got a few little scratches on the strap now which I don't care about, but if it were a £3000 watch I'd be gutted.
My problem is that I would like an Omega Seamaster or a Rolex but if I put my hand on my heart I actually prefer the look of my Seiko, and whilst things stay that way I could never justify an expensive watch.
For me it's expensive enough to get a good feeling when I look at my wrist and for other people to say "nice watch" but also reasonable enough so that I am not nervous about scratching it or wearing it in public. It's got a few little scratches on the strap now which I don't care about, but if it were a £3000 watch I'd be gutted.
My problem is that I would like an Omega Seamaster or a Rolex but if I put my hand on my heart I actually prefer the look of my Seiko, and whilst things stay that way I could never justify an expensive watch.
-DeaDLocK- said:
northernboy said:
I would say that the point is that the underlying comment in most of the watch criticisisms is "but you don't need it", and the reposonse involving cars or TVs is that we all buy things that we want, not that we just need.
Ah, thanks. I get it.
I think generally non-watch folk cannot distinguish between the artistic and utilitarian facets of a watch. All they see is the utilitarian, and thus anything above a certain amount of money is deemed too much as a watch's primary purpose is to tell the time. As long as you can read the face, it's job done.
Unlike cars and television, where the utilitarian features come into play a lot more, e.g. doing more than just getting you from point A to point B, and doing more than just showing you a simple picture.
Expensive watches are far more like paintings (which offer nearly no utilitarian value whatsoever), where craftsmanship, exclusivity and art come into play. I think folks like me just cannot get it into their heads that a timepiece can also be a canvas.
Quite well put Deadlock
I'm in the "love watches" camp and can see from both sides as I work with someone who doesnt understand them. He used to be quite vocal about watches just doing a job and how his £20 casio is just as good as any expensive watch blah blah blah. Vocal that is until I asked him why he bought his car (911) and didnt just buy an impreza if he wanted to go fast, after all, the Impreza "does the job" too, which was his entire arguement. He countered with the fact that although the Impreza was as fast as his Porsche, the 911 had proper heratige and quality in the construction and a real sense of owning something that has standing and timeless style, whilst the Subaru was just a tool to do a job. He kind of trailed off at that point as he began to see mine. Quality of construction, performance and heritige are not exclusive to cars.
He has kind of understood alot better since then and has even started taking a bit of an interest himself. (He now wears a £300 Seiko, so he's getting there)
Neil
(who is currently sporting his newly arrived Oakley time Tank
) 1. Wanted a mechanical/automatic as opposed to a battery watch.
2. Wanted something that to my eye looked good, which, to my eye, it does.
3. Wanted something that had a reasonable expectation of lasting a 'lifetime' so I could pass it on (Bought it the same year as my first born)
4. Wanted something that was good with timezones as I travel frequently
5. Something I could sell almost anywhere for the price of a ticket out of whereever I was if needed.
6. Needed something that was robust enough for diving/parachuting/climbing etc. but still looked good in a formal environment.
7. Tossing up between Submariner and Explorer the Explorer won as it is a little more unusual and isn't obviously a 'Rolex'.
2. Wanted something that to my eye looked good, which, to my eye, it does.
3. Wanted something that had a reasonable expectation of lasting a 'lifetime' so I could pass it on (Bought it the same year as my first born)
4. Wanted something that was good with timezones as I travel frequently
5. Something I could sell almost anywhere for the price of a ticket out of whereever I was if needed.
6. Needed something that was robust enough for diving/parachuting/climbing etc. but still looked good in a formal environment.
7. Tossing up between Submariner and Explorer the Explorer won as it is a little more unusual and isn't obviously a 'Rolex'.
baSkey said:
TEKNOPUG said:
Vanity? Insecurity? Delusional tendancies? Appreciation of craftsmanship, style and elegance?
Dunno mate, haven't worn a watch for about 8 years. I do know that you certainly don't need to wear a watch to know what the time is. So I guess that watches are just jewellery and therefore this question is equally applicable to women who wear expensive ear-rings, necklaces etc...
Dunno mate, haven't worn a watch for about 8 years. I do know that you certainly don't need to wear a watch to know what the time is. So I guess that watches are just jewellery and therefore this question is equally applicable to women who wear expensive ear-rings, necklaces etc...
i don't think this is the thread for *you*..!
WHAT MOTIVATED *YOU* TO BUY AN 'EXPENSIVE' WATCH?
Correct "BUY an expensive watch". I clearly stated my reasons above. Just because I choose not to wear one does not mean that I didn't BUY one and ergo OWN one...
To my great pleasure, I have never had to buy myself an expensive watch (though the now ex does have a Cartier Tank Francaise from myself). My parents bought me a TAG for my 21st (classic, white face), and I now have a Breitling Hercules (bought by the ex for me, black face).
I do love good watches - the design, the feel, the craftmanship - and it is a 'feel good factor' strapping one to your wrist. It's obvious that the designs have evolved over time, the craftmanship is exquisite, and it has a certain pleasing aspect of all those dials, springs, cogs etc working together in harmony. Even the sound of a chronometre watch is pleasing. Now being shallow - it can also be a display to show you've arrived in life, the women will take notice of it, it's good fodder in the pub and they tend to be pretty.
BUT right now in my life, I could never justify spending that kind of money on a watch for myself.
I do love good watches - the design, the feel, the craftmanship - and it is a 'feel good factor' strapping one to your wrist. It's obvious that the designs have evolved over time, the craftmanship is exquisite, and it has a certain pleasing aspect of all those dials, springs, cogs etc working together in harmony. Even the sound of a chronometre watch is pleasing. Now being shallow - it can also be a display to show you've arrived in life, the women will take notice of it, it's good fodder in the pub and they tend to be pretty.
BUT right now in my life, I could never justify spending that kind of money on a watch for myself.
Bought myself a Seiko Kinetic when I started my first real job in 1999. Didn't spend much on it as it is a reject from an Seiko outlet place (the second hand is 30s out so the minute hand points at the minute when the second hand points at 30s). Lasted me well enough, cost £45 to repair last month and is as good as (nearly) new now.
No need or desire for anything more expensive at the moment - I would rather spend on other stuff.
No need or desire for anything more expensive at the moment - I would rather spend on other stuff.
-DeaDLocK- said:
northernboy said:
I would say that the point is that the underlying comment in most of the watch criticisisms is "but you don't need it", and the reposonse involving cars or TVs is that we all buy things that we want, not that we just need.
Expensive watches are far more like paintings (which offer nearly no utilitarian value whatsoever), where craftsmanship, exclusivity and art come into play. I think folks like me just cannot get it into their heads that a timepiece can also be a canvas.
Yes this is my view. I love paintings. I can't afford a Rembrandt so I'd rather decorate my wall with an original by a local accomplished artist than with a poster Picasso or even a limited edition (though I admit to having a couple of those).
Similar with my watch, I'd rather have some art on my wrist that isn't 100% accurate than a battery powered perfect timekeeper. The time itself is not that important - how often do I need to know the true time to the second? The look of it and the knowledge that the movement is art is more important to me.
Those who don't get it should watch "Longitude" with Michael Gambon and Jeremy Irons. If you finish that without an appreciation then there's little hope!
TEKNOPUG said:
baSkey said:
TEKNOPUG said:
Vanity? Insecurity? Delusional tendancies? Appreciation of craftsmanship, style and elegance?
Dunno mate, haven't worn a watch for about 8 years. I do know that you certainly don't need to wear a watch to know what the time is. So I guess that watches are just jewellery and therefore this question is equally applicable to women who wear expensive ear-rings, necklaces etc...
Dunno mate, haven't worn a watch for about 8 years. I do know that you certainly don't need to wear a watch to know what the time is. So I guess that watches are just jewellery and therefore this question is equally applicable to women who wear expensive ear-rings, necklaces etc...
i don't think this is the thread for *you*..!
WHAT MOTIVATED *YOU* TO BUY AN 'EXPENSIVE' WATCH?
I clearly stated my reasons above.
i beg to differ I spent just over £2,500 on a TAG Heuer Link about 2 years ago.
The money was inherited from my brother after he was killed in a motorcycle accident. I wanted something that I could spend all the money one item, will last my lifetime, and something that i can where everyday in memory of my brother...
The watch is inscribed with a personal message, and is priceless in my eyes...
£2500 is alot of money, and if the circumstances where different (i.e my own money) then i wouldn't have bought it, but it goes to show that its not always about 'showing off' etc....
The money was inherited from my brother after he was killed in a motorcycle accident. I wanted something that I could spend all the money one item, will last my lifetime, and something that i can where everyday in memory of my brother...
The watch is inscribed with a personal message, and is priceless in my eyes...
£2500 is alot of money, and if the circumstances where different (i.e my own money) then i wouldn't have bought it, but it goes to show that its not always about 'showing off' etc....
Edited by Rochester BMW on Thursday 15th March 12:57
Rochester BMW said:
I spent just over £2,500 on a TAG Heuer Link about 2 years ago.
The money was inherited from my brother after he was killed in a motorcycle accident. I wanted something that I could spend all the money one item, will last my lifetime, and something that i can where everyday in memory of my brother...
The watch is inscribed with a personal message, and is priceless in my eyes...
£2500 is alot of money, and if the circumstances where different (i.e my own money) then i wouldn't have bought it, but it goes to show that its not always about 'showing off' etc....
The money was inherited from my brother after he was killed in a motorcycle accident. I wanted something that I could spend all the money one item, will last my lifetime, and something that i can where everyday in memory of my brother...
The watch is inscribed with a personal message, and is priceless in my eyes...
£2500 is alot of money, and if the circumstances where different (i.e my own money) then i wouldn't have bought it, but it goes to show that its not always about 'showing off' etc....
Edited by Rochester BMW on Thursday 15th March 12:57
Good on you, couldn't think of a better reason myself.
Edited by gt on Thursday 15th March 13:09
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