Where are we with watches? Some thoughts on the current watch world.
amanico
That may sound like a strange question on a watch forum. We are all here because we are watch fans and lovers, but the question remains.
I had this discussion many times, with a lot of friends, through private message or in person, recently.
Indeed, for some years now, the watch fair(s) are less and less interesting, the novelties are not so thrilling, or, should I say less and less exciting, while prices are madly going up, Innovation is less and less present, as well as daring watches.
There are always some exceptions, for sure but they are rarer and rarer... And when there is something of interest, brands play the card of " unobtainable " because of the the price or the availability.
Did we become " cows to be milked " for them? What is this fools game which consists in stating that most of the watches they make are not available for sale?
What is this " luxury " world where you have to take an appointment when you want to see some watches?
All of this generates a feeling we can call... " Horofatigue ".
STILL...
Still, there are more and more people who are paying more and more interest to watches which were produced between let's say the late 90's to the early 2010's. At that time, Creation, Innovation, Madness, Excitement everything we miss nowadays was present, almost each year. Patek, Vacheron, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger Lecoultre, Girard Perregaux, Ulysse Nardin, even Panerai made us dream, and the list is not exhaustive!. We were waiting for the SIHH and the Basel Fair like excited children just before Christmas.
So, there are still watches you can hunt, watches which will provide a lot of pleasure and satisfaction, from that era... Or from the vintage era. How many vintage Patek, Rolex, AP, Girard Perregaux, Ulysse Nardin, Jaeger Lecoultre, Omega, Universal Genève, Mido, Favre Leuba, just to mention a few of them, are desirable? Many!
So, while the watch industry seems to look for a second breath or to be at the end of a cycle, our passion for watches is still there. Go to some serious second hand watch shops, or go to some GTGs, and you will see if your heart doesn't beat faster in front of some marvels from a Past which is not always so distant.
Another solution is to play the Independents' card. They take care of their Customers, but the availability can be a problem, as well as the service of our beloved tic tacs... And at a certain price, too.
So, my friends, Passion for Watches is still there, despite the current offer. We just have to widen our scope, and consider watches from the Past, recent or distant.
We can really feed our dreams and desires in the Past!
Maybe this will give a lesson to all these brands which treat us like milked cows? Maybe they will wake up and give us what we really like?
What do you think? Are we only a few to think this way? Am I exaggerating Reality?
I am curious to read your thoughts.
Best,
Nicolas
Comments:
Lankysudanese July 1st, 2024-09:35
I couldn’t agree more. Once an item flips from being a functional tool to a status symbol to an actual asset…the original functional attributes (which is what drew us in into this hobby) become less and less apparent in the “novelties” and it becomes the Veblen-ism which dictates things. To me, though, this means that non-hyped vintage and neo-vintage pieces (I’m mainly talking panerai and JLC in my case) are the way to go, along with carefully-selected independents (I won’t name names). Basically, I ...
amanico July 1st, 2024-21:35
Yes, there is a lot to fall in love with, with the early 2000's watches...
MCG (Markus) July 1st, 2024-10:18
Yes I think alike! 👍🏻 Pitty in many ways for us, also for me (as an example). I begin to look less and less at established luxury manufacturers, because of the price increases (which I find simply rud), or the availability issue. In many ways the whole behavior of these brands...
taipeigirl89 July 1st, 2024-10:22
I am glad to read this, Nicolas from having to spend an exuberant amount on other items, to having to be interviewed, to trying independents (who may have quality control issue), just to get a SS watch that I like. I am stepping away from this craziness. I found a much better alternativ...
J K July 1st, 2024-10:29
Totally agree with your opinion, Nicolas! I just cannot put my mind around the fact that modern Rolex and similar watches (A TOOL WATCH IN IT'S ESSENCE) has a price tag of $$$$ and sometimes $$$$$ put aside availability. It completely discourages the passion. Which IMHO is a vital part of watch c...
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