“So what is a watch lover to do? Refine your tastes, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Recognise the social dimensions of this hobby, but don’t let it make you (too) cynical. Enjoy watches for their craftsmanship and the way they make you feel. Bond with fellow enthusiasts over your shared passion. Above all else, maintain a healthy sense of perspective and humour about all the status jockeying and one-upmanship, because it is in fact, an intrinsic part of the game!”
EXACTLY! all about perspective! ….. and humility and non judgmentalism! Because if you’re into any of it you can’t NOT play the game from some aspect
Great read ….. “we have met the enemy and he is us” Walt Kelly from the comic strip Pogo 😉🫡
“In watch collector speak: Taste is a function of two things.”
I just wanted to add to this observation that the examples you use are specific to liking/disliking brands, but it could equally be about conveying other preferences: “I only like and wear precious metal; I only like vintage because modern feels soulless; I like movements but not brands and my parents didn’t love me; etc.
I've been buried in life and just got around to finishing this. What an excellent piece, thank you! I'm an AP fan as you know. I hate the sentiment around the brand amongst the collector community, but I simply like the design of the watches above all else. Does that make me some kind of contrarian? It is very muddy and gray around there and I often just bite my tongue in certain discussions because I don't think many actually believe me when I wax poetically about my Code, claim I didn't buy it to get an RO, or actually do have a nice relationship with my boutique manager with zero games played.
There are niches within niches in this hobby… there’s no end to it. The urge to self justify is what you’re describing, and I think that’s the place to start if you’re looking to nip it all in the bud. Live and let live ❤️
“We can’t forget the contrarians… The ones who take pride in liking what everyone else hates. They’ll sing praises of Hublot just to get a rise out of AP snobs. In theory this is about ignoring social influences and liking what you like”
Other games: geeking out to seek Jack Forster’s approval. Buying micro brands as a way to support friends (genuine or perceived). Proclaiming loudly that you’ll never pay above retail. Only buying via AD (or the inverse).
I think the way you’ve defined “game” here is the issue: everything is a game, because everything is couched as a response to social stimuli. That sounds like a truism, and it’s fine if that’s what you were trying to say, but I’m not sure what the value is in pointing it out other than to say, “Hmm, isn’t that interesting.”
That’s precisely the value… to conclude everything is a game, and to point out it is worth being aware of this instead of getting caught up in your own rationalisation BS.
“We may not always be conscious of it, but on some level our collections are shaped by a desire to fit in and be respected by our peers.”
MAY be shaped. We can strive to recognize that desire and actively opt not to care about fitting in, or getting respect, or other similar external pressures. Whether we succeed is another matter, of course. This is as far as I got before I had to comment, still reading 😂
“On some level” therefore… “are shaped”. It’s a factor, not the ONLY factor. Anyone who claims it simply isn’t a factor, is a liar. Or at least, that’s what I’m saying 😝
Desire not to fit in, as I’ve explained here and elsewhere, is itself a social stance. As for the latter… how can you know such folks exist when, by definition, they don’t talk about it?
“So what is a watch lover to do? Refine your tastes, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Recognise the social dimensions of this hobby, but don’t let it make you (too) cynical. Enjoy watches for their craftsmanship and the way they make you feel. Bond with fellow enthusiasts over your shared passion. Above all else, maintain a healthy sense of perspective and humour about all the status jockeying and one-upmanship, because it is in fact, an intrinsic part of the game!”
EXACTLY! all about perspective! ….. and humility and non judgmentalism! Because if you’re into any of it you can’t NOT play the game from some aspect
Great read ….. “we have met the enemy and he is us” Walt Kelly from the comic strip Pogo 😉🫡
Plainly… you can’t NOT play the game. Isn’t that nuts.
“In watch collector speak: Taste is a function of two things.”
I just wanted to add to this observation that the examples you use are specific to liking/disliking brands, but it could equally be about conveying other preferences: “I only like and wear precious metal; I only like vintage because modern feels soulless; I like movements but not brands and my parents didn’t love me; etc.
Good addition, great points 🙏
No difference between a beggar and a thief. 😎 Another banger friend! 👑👌🏾🔥🔥🔥
Cheers hermano 👊🙏
You do excel in discussing abstract concepts👌
This ain’t abstract! This is as real as it gets!!
Yes it is. I was just referring to your skill of analysing and dissecting the complexities of behavioural psychology so well☺️
😁 appreciate your kind comment sir 🙏
Goyard toting Fuccboi approves 🤌
Did you only get this today?
I must have missed it first time around
What an absolutely perfect summation of the psyche of watch collectors. Bang on. Of course, that may just be my confirmation bias!!
Haha! Thanks for taking the time, Farhad.
One of your best articles. The Backstage Pass Game.
High praise. Appreciated man 🙏
I've been buried in life and just got around to finishing this. What an excellent piece, thank you! I'm an AP fan as you know. I hate the sentiment around the brand amongst the collector community, but I simply like the design of the watches above all else. Does that make me some kind of contrarian? It is very muddy and gray around there and I often just bite my tongue in certain discussions because I don't think many actually believe me when I wax poetically about my Code, claim I didn't buy it to get an RO, or actually do have a nice relationship with my boutique manager with zero games played.
There are niches within niches in this hobby… there’s no end to it. The urge to self justify is what you’re describing, and I think that’s the place to start if you’re looking to nip it all in the bud. Live and let live ❤️
“We can’t forget the contrarians… The ones who take pride in liking what everyone else hates. They’ll sing praises of Hublot just to get a rise out of AP snobs. In theory this is about ignoring social influences and liking what you like”
Or maybe just trolls 🧌 fishing for fun 😉🤣
Other games: geeking out to seek Jack Forster’s approval. Buying micro brands as a way to support friends (genuine or perceived). Proclaiming loudly that you’ll never pay above retail. Only buying via AD (or the inverse).
I think the way you’ve defined “game” here is the issue: everything is a game, because everything is couched as a response to social stimuli. That sounds like a truism, and it’s fine if that’s what you were trying to say, but I’m not sure what the value is in pointing it out other than to say, “Hmm, isn’t that interesting.”
That’s precisely the value… to conclude everything is a game, and to point out it is worth being aware of this instead of getting caught up in your own rationalisation BS.
“We may not always be conscious of it, but on some level our collections are shaped by a desire to fit in and be respected by our peers.”
MAY be shaped. We can strive to recognize that desire and actively opt not to care about fitting in, or getting respect, or other similar external pressures. Whether we succeed is another matter, of course. This is as far as I got before I had to comment, still reading 😂
“On some level” therefore… “are shaped”. It’s a factor, not the ONLY factor. Anyone who claims it simply isn’t a factor, is a liar. Or at least, that’s what I’m saying 😝
What about those who desire not to fit in, but stand out? Or those who don’t see collecting as having a social component?
Desire not to fit in, as I’ve explained here and elsewhere, is itself a social stance. As for the latter… how can you know such folks exist when, by definition, they don’t talk about it?
🤔😶🫢
Wowow, my fav type of reads :) great job!
Thank you for taking the time! 🙏
You've uncovered my soul and I am weeping.
😂 not sure how serious to take you right now.