Semantics behind purchasing expensive watches...
Discussion
Hello,
Ok, so I was dragged into a healthy debate with a colleague about buying and wearing expensive watches (i.e. watches £1k+) and I wanted to see what others on here thought:
Are watches bought to satisy the conspicuous consumption theory? If you really ask yourself deep down, do you wear an expensive watch because you want people to know that you're wearing an expensive watch. I'm sure all of us get a little warm feeling inside when someone makes a comment along the lines of "is that a real 'x'?" and you get to respond with a blasé, but slightly smug and hushed "yes".
Ok, so I was dragged into a healthy debate with a colleague about buying and wearing expensive watches (i.e. watches £1k+) and I wanted to see what others on here thought:
Are watches bought to satisy the conspicuous consumption theory? If you really ask yourself deep down, do you wear an expensive watch because you want people to know that you're wearing an expensive watch. I'm sure all of us get a little warm feeling inside when someone makes a comment along the lines of "is that a real 'x'?" and you get to respond with a blasé, but slightly smug and hushed "yes".
The more you get into them the more you appreciate watches in all prices bands. I'd comment if I saw a mate with a Seiko 5, CWC, Stowa, Sinn, old Universal Geneve or JLC Reverso (as examples only!) - totally independently of price and just because they are all good examples of their type, have obviously been the result of an informed decision and I'd just want a good look anyway.
For me I like watches, always have since I was a child. I don't know why or where it started as my dad isn't interested at all. But even as a kid I always used to say that if I was very rich I would collect watches.
So owning and buying watches is just a way of fuelling this passion for me.
I don't just like expensive watches, I like any watch including fashion brands as long as the looks and function of it appeal to me and the price reflects the quality as I see it.
Regards what others think has no bearing on me as most people I come in to contact with day to day have no interest in watches at all. I have probably only met two people who were remotely interested.
So owning and buying watches is just a way of fuelling this passion for me.
I don't just like expensive watches, I like any watch including fashion brands as long as the looks and function of it appeal to me and the price reflects the quality as I see it.
Regards what others think has no bearing on me as most people I come in to contact with day to day have no interest in watches at all. I have probably only met two people who were remotely interested.
Edited by dustybottoms on Tuesday 17th August 12:35
Number 8 said:
Hello,
Ok, so I was dragged into a healthy debate with a colleague about buying and wearing expensive watches (i.e. watches £1k+) and I wanted to see what others on here thought:
Are watches bought to satisy the conspicuous consumption theory? If you really ask yourself deep down, do you wear an expensive watch because you want people to know that you're wearing an expensive watch. I'm sure all of us get a little warm feeling inside when someone makes a comment along the lines of "is that a real 'x'?" and you get to respond with a blasé, but slightly smug and hushed "yes".
of course.Ok, so I was dragged into a healthy debate with a colleague about buying and wearing expensive watches (i.e. watches £1k+) and I wanted to see what others on here thought:
Are watches bought to satisy the conspicuous consumption theory? If you really ask yourself deep down, do you wear an expensive watch because you want people to know that you're wearing an expensive watch. I'm sure all of us get a little warm feeling inside when someone makes a comment along the lines of "is that a real 'x'?" and you get to respond with a blasé, but slightly smug and hushed "yes".
blueg33 said:
Podie said:
I go for watches that I like.
I've had comments from people "in the know" that "it's only a quartz" or "it's only an ETA movement in a fancy case" - woo, couldn't give a flying. I bought it because I like it.
You need to post that in the Replica watches thread!I've had comments from people "in the know" that "it's only a quartz" or "it's only an ETA movement in a fancy case" - woo, couldn't give a flying. I bought it because I like it.
I couldn't care less whether people notice or not, I've bought all of my watches because I liked them (I didn't even canvass opinion from SWMBO!). I think I'd actually be embarassed of someone fawning over a watch of mine, although obviously if it were someone who was a fan like me then I think I'd act differently.
I have lots of reasons. I think price is a major contributor. Not necessarily to be a show off, but I was conditioned by my mother that if I pay cheap I pay twice. With that in mind I tend to think along the lines of do I buy several cheap watches or one decent one that costs the same as the cheaper ones combined?
Off the back of that. I then tend to look at things based on how sturdy they are, how renowned the company is, how long they've been in existence. How long has that model been on the market etc etc
Which then leads you onto what inevitably is the more expensive of the market. I know things go wrong with Rolex's, Breitling's, etc but as a rule you tend to hear of people who have had these watches for years and years with little to no problems.
I'm the sort of person who likes to know a bit about what I'm wearing, buying, eating, listening to so like to do a bit of a research. Nowadays I'd be happy with a cheaper watch providing it would be something that would last the test of time. I'm very interested in a Sinn for this reason (not that cheap I know) but its a bit down the priority and want lists at the moment.
Off the back of that. I then tend to look at things based on how sturdy they are, how renowned the company is, how long they've been in existence. How long has that model been on the market etc etc
Which then leads you onto what inevitably is the more expensive of the market. I know things go wrong with Rolex's, Breitling's, etc but as a rule you tend to hear of people who have had these watches for years and years with little to no problems.
I'm the sort of person who likes to know a bit about what I'm wearing, buying, eating, listening to so like to do a bit of a research. Nowadays I'd be happy with a cheaper watch providing it would be something that would last the test of time. I'm very interested in a Sinn for this reason (not that cheap I know) but its a bit down the priority and want lists at the moment.
The first decent watch I had was a Seiko Kinetic that my girlfriend (now my wife) bought me for my 30th. Way back then, the kinetic models were not that long out and it cost about £300 IIRC.
I wore that watch virtually all the time, but had a few other like G-shock, Skagen etc.
I really got into watches when my wife asked me what I wanted for my 40th - "an Omega Seamaster Automatic" I replied and that's what she got me. I love that watch and really appreciate the weight, build and the accuracy of its movement.
Since then I've bought a Seiko Honda F1 Racing quartz which until recently was my Mon-Fri and an Oris Diver Date which is my new Mon-Fri (and punches above its £800 price tag imho).
I prefer mechanical movements from an engineering perspective and feel rightly or wrongly that I get more for my money than buying a quartz - you need to spend a bit more for a decent mechanical watch though (Christopher Ward and some of the german and Russian brands being the exception)
I will buy more (I fancy a Breitling one day), but I need to resist...
I wore that watch virtually all the time, but had a few other like G-shock, Skagen etc.
I really got into watches when my wife asked me what I wanted for my 40th - "an Omega Seamaster Automatic" I replied and that's what she got me. I love that watch and really appreciate the weight, build and the accuracy of its movement.
Since then I've bought a Seiko Honda F1 Racing quartz which until recently was my Mon-Fri and an Oris Diver Date which is my new Mon-Fri (and punches above its £800 price tag imho).
I prefer mechanical movements from an engineering perspective and feel rightly or wrongly that I get more for my money than buying a quartz - you need to spend a bit more for a decent mechanical watch though (Christopher Ward and some of the german and Russian brands being the exception)
I will buy more (I fancy a Breitling one day), but I need to resist...
Miguel Alvarez said:
I have lots of reasons. I think price is a major contributor. Not necessarily to be a show off, but I was conditioned by my mother that if I pay cheap I pay twice. With that in mind I tend to think along the lines of do I buy several cheap watches or one decent one that costs the same as the cheaper ones combined?
That doesn't really follow though - with a high end watch you are buying jewellery. My G Shock could easily out live my Omega yet costs a fraction because it is primarily a watch, an Omega is primarily a bit of jewellery - in fact, i have it on today and the date is wrong because i did wear it over the weekend...sums it all up!Tiggsy said:
Miguel Alvarez said:
I have lots of reasons. I think price is a major contributor. Not necessarily to be a show off, but I was conditioned by my mother that if I pay cheap I pay twice. With that in mind I tend to think along the lines of do I buy several cheap watches or one decent one that costs the same as the cheaper ones combined?
That doesn't really follow though - with a high end watch you are buying jewellery. My G Shock could easily out live my Omega yet costs a fraction because it is primarily a watch, an Omega is primarily a bit of jewellery - in fact, i have it on today and the date is wrong because i did wear it over the weekend...sums it all up!But going off of what you said that these watches are jewellery. Even jewellery comes in different qualities. You can't really compare a G-Shock to an Omega (well you can) but I'd compare an Omega to a fashion watch like Boss, or Gucci and in that sense I'd see the Omega as something that would last longer than the Boss or Gucci etc.
Tiggsy said:
Miguel Alvarez said:
I have lots of reasons. I think price is a major contributor. Not necessarily to be a show off, but I was conditioned by my mother that if I pay cheap I pay twice. With that in mind I tend to think along the lines of do I buy several cheap watches or one decent one that costs the same as the cheaper ones combined?
That doesn't really follow though - with a high end watch you are buying jewellery. My G Shock could easily out live my Omega yet costs a fraction because it is primarily a watch, an Omega is primarily a bit of jewellery - in fact, i have it on today and the date is wrong because i did wear it over the weekend...sums it all up!My G-shock still tells the time and changes the date depending on the month/year but the straps broken so its in a drawer. My Omega will last many years and unlike cheaper watches can be sent back and refurbished (for a price), rather than replaced. Its also gives me a lot of pleasure wearing it. If I wanted a watch that was virtually intervention / maintenence free, I would have replaced the strap on my Casio.
Tiggsy said:
That doesn't really follow though - with a high end watch you are buying jewellery. My G Shock could easily out live my Omega yet costs a fraction because it is primarily a watch, an Omega is primarily a bit of jewellery - in fact, i have it on today and the date is wrong because i did wear it over the weekend...sums it all up!
Up to a point you're correct, but the Omega is designed for a purpose, even if you don't use it for that.Getting a divers' rated 300m with a HEV does take some expertise and money!
Regardless, I find digitals 'cold' and would sooner have a quartz over one. Or even better, a hummer...!
With regards to the OPs point, yes it is nice when someone notices what you're wearing. I'm not interested if they only recognise the watch as 'expensive' though; if they're interested then I'm happy to chat with them and ask what they were etc. But if their only interest is noticing it because I've spent money then I will quickly switch off!
I bought my watches for me, so there is a variety of them and who they are made by, what price points they fit into and what they're designed function is (divers' etc.) and that's what makes me buy them.
I buy on their movements as well, my Omega Constellation Hummer is a perfect case in point; not a particularly expensive watch but I love it for being different!
Number 8 said:
Hello,
Ok, so I was dragged into a healthy debate with a colleague about buying and wearing expensive watches (i.e. watches £1k+) and I wanted to see what others on here thought:
Are watches bought to satisy the conspicuous consumption theory? If you really ask yourself deep down, do you wear an expensive watch because you want people to know that you're wearing an expensive watch.
I have over £10k worth of watches if you go by RRP.Ok, so I was dragged into a healthy debate with a colleague about buying and wearing expensive watches (i.e. watches £1k+) and I wanted to see what others on here thought:
Are watches bought to satisy the conspicuous consumption theory? If you really ask yourself deep down, do you wear an expensive watch because you want people to know that you're wearing an expensive watch.
unless you were a watch fan you would not have a clue.
My most expensive watch is an Anonimo, I have sinn, Glycine and Zeno watches most people have never even heard of them and are usualy shocked when I tell them how much they cost when they ask.
They are shocked because they only typically know brands like Rolex and Omega.
So to answer question not only do I not buy watches to show off I actualy look for less conspicuous watches in teh first place.
Having said that I am sure at some point I may well buy a Rolex but it will not be for anybody elses befefit but my own because I like sea dwellers. On the other hand if I ever get that much money to spend on a watch I will probably buy a Glassutte Original or a Zenith or maybe a Panerai not to show but just because I like them.
Same with cars if I could afford a Lamborghini I would buy one. Not to say look how rich I am but because I want one.
Pesty said:
Number 8 said:
Hello,
Ok, so I was dragged into a healthy debate with a colleague about buying and wearing expensive watches (i.e. watches £1k+) and I wanted to see what others on here thought:
Are watches bought to satisy the conspicuous consumption theory? If you really ask yourself deep down, do you wear an expensive watch because you want people to know that you're wearing an expensive watch.
I have over £10k worth of watches if you go by RRP.Ok, so I was dragged into a healthy debate with a colleague about buying and wearing expensive watches (i.e. watches £1k+) and I wanted to see what others on here thought:
Are watches bought to satisy the conspicuous consumption theory? If you really ask yourself deep down, do you wear an expensive watch because you want people to know that you're wearing an expensive watch.
unless you were a watch fan you would not have a clue.
My most expensive watch is an Anonimo, I have sinn, Glycine and Zeno watches most people have never even heard of them and are usualy shocked when I tell them how much they cost when they ask.
They are shocked because they only typically know brands like Rolex and Omega.
So to answer question not only do I not buy watches to show off I actualy look for less conspicuous watches in teh first place.
Having said that I am sure at some point I may well buy a Rolex but it will not be for anybody elses befefit but my own because I like sea dwellers. On the other hand if I ever get that much money to spend on a watch I will probably buy a Glassutte Original or a Zenith or maybe a Panerai not to show but just because I like them.
Same with cars if I could afford a Lamborghini I would buy one. Not to say look how rich I am but because I want one.
The point with a watch is that it's jewellery at that price. Thats why people get confused...they think "why have a £2k watch" but if they saw a nice ring or ear rings on a woman they wouldn't ask the same (they may think it's a daft amount to spend still)
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff