Horological Meandering

My dad collected grandfather clocks. He moved to England in the early 1960s and over the next fifteen years or so amassed a collection of forty-something fully operational and striking grandfather clocks. Had he sold them when he retired to The States in ... 

Whilst the wristwatch seems to have transcended generations and multiple technological disruptions, I can surely see the likelihood of the scenario you paint. Mentally my answer has been to maybe limit the number of pieces I leave behind, to go for qualit... 

to see them in operation is very satisfying. I suspect this has to do with the fact we are also analog creatures. I don't believe this will disappear. Clocks are on the decline because it's really difficult to service them, whether in terms of finding qua... 

I was doing a mental timeline on how long these watches will stay on people's wrists. My daughter isn't into watches. She likes the Reverso but told me that she's not really into it like how I was. The way she said it kind of summed up everything that I w... 

And great “investment” potential, the mechanical engines and watches should still exist but not for its original purpose of telling time. Now, watches are an accessory, also for some is a way of showing “how successful I am”, just like many posts saying w... 

Hey Nick! Respectfully, your analysis is spot on - but as far as it goes. Here’s an alternate perspective. If there were only one dichotomy at play then the future for mechanical timepieces - as with clocks - might indeed be grim. But is it as simple as ‘... 

I’m reading this post backwards 😂

But I do take exception to your wag: while the escalator has not obsolesced the stairs, I do believe digital media has taken a huge chunk out of print media (books, magazines and newspapers). And that’s the point, I’m not sure (to use the great example so... 

I have thought about this subject often, The retainability, the servicing and maintenance cost of mechanical watches - are they really worth it. Watches have no intrinsic value as with any other personal property. They are worth only what someone will pay... 

At the point to own several as we do, I don't know, though. Pocket watches are old fashioned, desirable, but not practical. Wristwatches are also an element of style and of our personality. I don't see them threatened. Young people from today or tomorrow ... 

And I have to say that in many ways I fully follow your reasoning (including having a father into grandfather clocks, of which definitely not all will survive him by much). Some issues have been raised in response that are also relevant. An interest in th... 

All before it will indeed look antiquated and old hat to the next generation as the pace of human evolution of available tools - for interaction with others & the world around us - continues at an ever increasing pace. I remember as a boy going to Tractio... 

Very well written and definitely thought provoking. Enjoyed reading the numerous responses as well that are well articulated. The one thing fundamentally different between a watch and a grandfather clock is that one would always relate better to the forme... 

interest will wane over time.

One key difference between grandfather clocks and mechanical watches would be the amount of money spent on marketing new mechanical watches. I’ve never seen an ad for a new grandfather clock in my life (that I can recall). Creating social desirability thr... 

The outcome hinges at least in some part on the vast sums of money Rolex, Patek, Omega/Swatch, Cartier/Richemont will spend on selling luxury. Would you back those horses to win?

Rather than give you my views on the subject and my reasoning, let me give you an anecdote. I have two daughters. One has worn a watch that was gift from a boyfriend a total of one day. The watch is still somewhere in our house, but she couldn't tell you ... 

true Tony...actually the first thing i see when i meet a person is what is on his wrist ;-)

i'm quite positive not just because i see the interest of my son who is 9 now.... but also i see hints and these are serious efforts from young watchmakers ! may be one of them is building the next Calatrava or the Royal Oak - to be part of the future hol...  

And a sophisticated and cognizant audience of collectors to appreciate those watches. But it’s not the independent watchmaker making 100 pieces a year I’m worried about - it’s the global demand to satisfy a broader industry of mechanical watch manufacture... 

A cell phone for time, that seems not promising. Even if they wear a smartwatch, that still doesn't bode well. Further if smartwatches overwhelm the under USD 1K market, that is another strike against mechanicals.

By the way, in the thirteen or so years you and I have been floating around this place, I’m pretty sure that’s the longest post from you I’ve ever seen. I’m honored, Ronald 😀 NickO

NT

...but rarely terse! Cheers, pplater.

This may be my favorite thread I've ever started ...  

NT

See what happens when you say something sensible? A welcome throwback to different times. Keep it up! Cheers, pplater.

. . . with three gas stations. (Never seen one with four, but wouldn't be surprised by one, either.) I wonder what happens to the value of car collections when stations are fewer and farther between. Eventually, they will disappear altogether. Not in our ... 

1. They are Green technology. No batteries to replace (good for the environment especially landfills and our water resources). No external energy required except for the action of your wrist or the winding action of your fingers so no extra energy infrast... 

This subject matter is worth musing, even if it has been discussed time and time again. Let us all check-in with ourselves about how we spend time and resources. Comparing wristwatches to grandfather clocks is not nearly as appropriate as comparing wristw... 

As has already been pointed out the Roger Smiths and Gronefelds of this world are likely somewhat immune. For these special craftspeople and watchmakers there will likely always be a consumer. On the bigger, broader picture, I think much of this outcome w... 

I believe that a certain segment of social media driven "must have" pieces will do well like luxury handbags, as well as truly artisanal high horology (like art collection). One can project a brand or their own personality or sense of style from their wri...