Do you believe that wrist watches reflect your personality. What watch you wear or is in your wish list , share your thoughts as to what makes them so special. Is it worth spending so much just to know the time or is it a statement .
Over to you .
Wrist Watches - Are These a Power Statement to You
Dpkmax on 24/03/2017 - 14:22
Last edited 24/03/2017 - 18:35 by 1 other user
Last edited 24/03/2017 - 18:35 by 1 other user
Comments
I have no idea what you just tried to say
Don't judge a book by the cover or a person by the watch.
Would that be similar to how you can't judge a person's intelligence by the literacy of their replies?
@thevofa so very true mate
I really don't think someone's financial worth should be something shown off. In fact, it's one of the great things I appreciate about 'straya… especially if compared to some other places I've been to.
Visible wealth is a good way to spot someone who's probably poor. Take a drive through some cheap neighbourhoods and see how many BMWs you see. If these people have money for a BMW, why are they renting a post war house in a dodgy suburb? I'd rather drive an old hyundai and have $30k less debt.
Or some people just like their cars? And BMW's arent expensive unless they're new.
A 2012 BMW 5 series is $25-30k.
Not really anything bank breaking vs a 20k hyundai. Higher running costs but your statement is pretty judgmental.I agree with this. Often fancy watches, cars etc do nothing more than signify an aspiration for wealth and status. The irony is that most of the time they highlight an individual's lack of wealth, and some unattractive character traits - that they feel the need to draw attention to their expensive possessions. To me there are few things more off-putting than someone attempting to big note themselves through a ridiculously expensive watch. But perhaps that's just me.
@Vallani: A common misunderstanding is that those people buy watches for your benefit or to show off. Sure there are those that do, but there are a lot that buy watches for their own personal enjoyment.
Orrrrrrrrr maybe some people just appreciate the finer things in life…you know you can't take money to the grave so you might as well enjoy life a little while you can*
*Obviosly within your means
Hmmm - are you speaking as a representative of the Muggers, Burglars and Miscellaneous Shysters Union, or are you suggesting the ways Aussies do show their wealth is inappropriate? For me they do it with clean skin, a lack of major malnutrition and adequate hydration :-p
And houses with more rooms than they can remember using.
"In Australia,people don't show their money like they should"
So the concept of nouveau riche is entirely lost on you?
Who on earth would you be "showing" and why?
Hint: no one cares, you would look like an excited FOB with their first paycheck.In Australia,people don't show their money like they should.
You mean we aren't a bunch of pretentious pricks? lol
Eventually I realised some people in Australia do "show" their wealth in a sort of gold-chain FOB way, and that group is low-level crims. Especially drug crims. They are pretty much the only Australian group I have seen trying to "show" their wealth by wearing it. I suppose you could look at it a huge sliding pretentious scale and argue the whole of Brighton (Melb) is pretty much attempting to showcase their wealth, or most Jag/Porsche drivers are at signalling their wealth, but I suspect the commenter was thinking more along simple gold-chain style "showing", seeing as this is a thread about "power statement" watches (lol).
God this reminds me of 70 era posers. Just need the open body shirt and the hairy chest adorned with many gold chains.
Look at the simple, simple monkeys "showing their wealth".
Freaking hilarious
A mate at work got me into watches and I have since grown a little collection.
Orient is definitely my favourite brand with nice designs and excellent value for money.
With something like fine watches, some people see them as a power statement, but I certainly don't and I know others who don't as well. I see it as an amazing piece of craftsmanship to make such an intricate little piece that sits on our wrist and most people don't give it a second thought. And people who have something like a Jaeger or Patek, I think the people who would have one would have it because they appreciate how fantastically designed and made they are.
My 2 cents
Wore my blue Orient ray 2 to work today as it's one of my favourites I have, but a Grand Seiko is probably my dream watch. Have you seen the spring drive movement?! So nice ahahahaha
Plus one for Orient. I only have one watch from them, bought about 8 or 9 years ago but it is still in perfect condition. It's this one in the rose gold. I love and adore it to bits. In fact, I'm wearing it today, it's on my wrist right now. :)
My dad bought me my first proper watch when I was 12 and I've never lived without a watch since. I'm pretty sure my mum still has that first watch somewhere in one of the drawers at their place.
I wear a Baume Et Mericer Capeland 10064. Same complex movement of many much more expensive watches but not as common as a Tag or similar. On weekends while doing chores/renovating i rock the cheapest possible g-shock. From time to time a March L.A.B AM3 coupe limited.
3 vastly different watches for 3 different situations.
I'd guarantee noone would have a clue what any of them are except for perhaps the g-shock. I'm ok for that. I appreciate them all for their individuality
TLDR: Wear the watch you appreciate
Am I the only one that hates having a watch strapped to my wrist?
I just want to be unfettered.
Run Forrest! .. Run!
Although I could never stomach Richard mille watch prices (op) I could see myself purchasing a hublot big bang or Rolex diver in the future. The design, materials, mechanism and craftsmanship they're a cut above for sure.
Most RMs look tacky to me.
AP > Hublot
RMs are the most grostesque things I've ever seen, both in design and price.
My respect for sportsmen and celebs who buy them are lessened when I see them.
Hublots I dont like too much because they dont seem to be engineered well… there's enough teardowns to see that.
APs are great. The Royal Oak etc. Offshore. I like them but again, the rapper ethic and ostentation is a bit much.
I'm sure sportsmen and celebs don't buy them but are paid to wear them.
I dont believe so. At this level they dont need advertising.
At the Rolex Omega Hublot level they do.
I just drive a bmw z3. It lets the ladies know that I'm a power type of man. Wink wink
wiggles pinky finger
you will pick up all the chicks interested into the "side bulge"
I drive a Japanese toy but the chicks like my "centre bulge"…..
I feel self-conscious wearing expensive sh*t so I don't.
I have a 2008 tag heur carrera with the rubber strap. I love it and wear it every day. Got it as a gift from someone i worked with.
I would like a rolex one day, or a patek phillipe.
Depending how the finances are when im 50.I'm going to hazard a guess, based off your spelling and grammar, and say probably not good.
now we are guessing people's financial status from their grammar on the internet?
Sorry I didn't realise you had to have perfect grammar to be wealthy or successful. lol (profanity).Just because someone is educated does not mean they are intelligent. Plenty of oil rig company men on $500k a year who can't spell.
Plenty of English majors who are on $60k for their whole life and love correcting people and judging people for their spelling errors.And if there was a string of incoherent sentences by me please point out what you didn't understand?
You're being a douchebag.
Cool story, just don't judge people based on their spelling on minor spelling/grammatical mistakes on the internet because the fact is you have no idea how much money people have. People who think they are better than other people aren't usually very successful because they have a hard time cultivating and maintaining relationships and people think they are (profanity).
Some people like fancy cars, some people like boats. Some like holidays and travel etc…
A 25,000 Rolex is a better investment than a car or boat for example. Each to their own.I disagree. If you're going to actually 'invest' in a car or a boat, you can make great money, but Rolexs just tend to hold their value, rather than appreciate for the most part.
and a car, for the most part, or boat, are going to depreciate, unless you buy a collectable of some kind- but then the same can be said for the watches. A rare rolex is going to appreciate.
You said invest, so a collectible is implied. But you don't need to buy classic cars to do this, you can stay ahead of depreciation just by ordering new cars and flipping them with 6months or a year based off supply and demand. The new Range Rover Velur would be an example of this. If you can get a car on the first shipment, you could drive it for a year and sell it for a profit or break even.
Please show me a 25,000 car that you can invest in and sell for a profit a year or 5 years later.
If your point is that you can invest in a car, that's fine, but a 100k patek phillipe is a better investment than a 100k merc in the long run.
@murphy84: A $25k car? Probably and MGA if you can get one or MGB, also a Mercedes SL R107 would be a good option.
I agree if you are talking about a new $100k Merc, that doesn't get you very far into the Mercedes range. But if you find something like a Mercedes Pagoda, it would almost certainly be a better investment.
easy. look at almost any japanese sports car from the 90s era. a lot of them are becoming absolutely untouchable now, and almost all of them have been appreciating.
Honda NSX was around 50k 5 years ago, now 100k+
Nissan R34 GTRs are 80K+ with certain models 100k+ (Mspecs, Vspecs, Vspec II). Even the 32 and 33 GTRs have been climbing in price.
Toyota Supras (both turbo and NA) have been going up. Importing a clean one from Japan these days sets you back 40k AUD minimum. Gone up about 10k on average in australia over last 5 years).
RX7s, silvias, early gen WRX/STIs have also been going up in value.
Yeah, but a car or a boat can take me to places I couldn't go without one and have great experiences.
A watch on the other hand, can show me the time, but that's about it.At least you can have fun in a boat or a fast car.
Wtf you going to do with some lame ass watch?
Check whether it's dinner time yet or not
I like watches. I like to admire the shiny details, the ticking of the movement, the intricate guilloche patterns and blue metal hands. I don't expect others to notice nor care about what watch I'm wearing. I buy them for myself. I think people who buy them to impress others can spend their money better elsewhere.
Don't know too much about watches but I like a simple Seiko one. Not sure if it's a "premium" brand but I like something modest but of good quality. Anyway to research a watch (and more importantly find one at a competitive price. Is Duty free an option).
Seiko are a brand who produce watches from the very affordable to high-ish end luxury, definitely can't go wrong with them!
I wear watches because I love the craftsmanship and some useful features to have on my wrist (dual time, chronograph etc.). I also enjoy the novelty of a mechanical movements on a couple I own and can live with the servicing costs (which aren't that much at an independent place). If I see someone with an expensive watch (or rather a rare one) I just hope they share my interest or a particular taste in fashion! It's not much of a statement outside that.
No not really.
i do love my watches!
It's funny i have a Omega Seamaster, and a bunch of others? From Ferrari watch i got from Abu Dhabi,A couple from Japan and mexico
Yet my favorite watches are My Green Bay Packers watch i bought a Lambeau field for about $150US and my Back to the future 80s Casio CA-53W i got from AMAZON $17USi need a device that shakes or rotates all my watches for me.
No one mentioned about activity watches. Hehe
I like my Withings Activité Sapphire watch. It looked like a nice normal watch but tracks my steps, sleep and swim with 8 months battery life where you can change the battery yourself.
Near Zero maintained fee and also app controlled and self time adjustment, very handy when you travel thru different time zones.
G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-1000-1A9 is what currently surrounds my wrist, gets whacked against all kinds of surfaces at work and doesn't have a mark on it (heavy transport industry electrician).
I work with others that hate watches and will constantly be taking out their phones to check the time, don't know how they do it…
Had a smart watch for a while but too little battery life and a bit gimmicky for my liking.
Great watch, my favourite G-Shock. I've been looking at pictures of this one for ages and it will be my next watch, albeit with a different strap - GWG-1000-1A3. Great to see others like them too :)
I have a g shock, Armani, omega speedmaster and a Apple Watch
G shock for outdoors
Omega for family and special occasions
Apple Watch, pretty much wear it everyday
I have earwax in my ear
I have only bought one watch in my life- Casio Protrek. It's so robust and rigid. It runs on solar power and its waterproof. It shows time and has multiple sensors which I rarely use. I am so proud of it and wear it everywhere I go. Wearing it from last four years I now have a habit of it, and I don't think I will ever need to buy another watch again.
I love it. I still have a ProTrek with taitanium casing. That thing just won't die. I love the sensors.
But recently I want an activity watch, so I have Withings and Apple Watch now and the ProTrek only use for outdoor like hiking or skiing.
But Casio finically started with smart watches, I am waiting for them to upgrade ProTrek with some of those features and it will be my ultimate watch. ;)
Like the previous comment which I suspected is also this watch that I also currently use, I can't really seeing myself buying another watch for a while either, bar some catastrophic failure of it (doesn't look like it, prerty sure the strap will go first but that's replaceable easily). I have got a few scratches on the face unfortunately.
Large easy to read digital face and I don't ever need to worry about the battery power :P.
I wear an Apple Watch Series 0. First watch I've had since primary school and find it is an essential item now.
The apps aren't of much use, but having notifications pop up is the game changer - just reading someone say this online doesn't come close to doing it justice.just love watching pawnmovies when a nice lady wears a stylish watch - its a really big turn-on! LOL
yes
lol
I don't even have a wrist watch, planning to buy 1 but never realized, any good recommendation?
A few things we need to know to point you in the right direction:
What's your budget?
What do you do for work?
Hobbies?
a wristwatch is just a one sided handcuff, be free, get rid of it, don't buy one, its just a marketing gimmick. You'll enjoy the liberation. (Haven't used one in 15+ years.)
Watches in formal gatherings does make me think that someone has cash to spare. Doesn't make me think any more or less of them.
Luxury watches in an office setting tells me someone can only (ill) afford one watch and wears it everywhere to flaunt.
No watch/cheap watch from a well dressed, well mannered and confident person tells me they couldn't give a crap what I think. That's THE power statement watch.
I got a very nice watch for my birthday. I wear it all the time. No one has ever noticed or commented. No one cares.
Here is a thought, if watches are just a power statement then they have to have certain characteristics.
Firstly, the more expensive it is, the better it sells even if it doesn't offer more (like price increase in same model). Since more expensive means you have spent more on those.
Secondly, it has to be able to signal that you can spend that much money on things. Since, if they don't, no statements made.I kinda think they'd be losing their value as a tool of power statement, even if they were. I don't think watches are as popular anymore? People would be able to tell an expensive watch, but they'd not know how expensive they are. I think a lot of people who buy those watches are buying them because they enjoy having something so finely detailed with them.
If you can't see the value of that, then it'd be easy to think those two conditions I've mentioned has to be true. Cheap digital watches are better at telling time. Price of automatic watches are fairly large if you just think of them as a time piece, not a hobby (since, refer to last sentence).
I think it compliments a formal attire very well.
However, I find smartwatches much more convenient and wear mine everyday for convenience, not to make a statement.
In this day and age, I'd only spend more money for heavier traditional watch as a statement piece
No one has mentioned https://wristsociety.com/ yet. Anyone tried this? Seems like a good way to sample new brands
Had a g shock duel face and was a great bit of kit, complet stainless body and band with saphire crystal.
It was always a talking point with every handshake i did.
I have a fitbit surge now and i can say that the fitness watches do make you look tacky… imo.
I would love to have a full mechanical pocket watch though, i think they are a touch of class to em.
Which model Gshock?
G-510D
I love watches, and I like to wear one. But I can't tell one watch from another, or care what watch another person is wearing, status symbols don't impress me. Watches are falling out these days as a time keeping device, but they still look great as an accessory (as long as they're not gold lol). Dozens have asked about my original Bradley, which has been my sole watch for the past few years now.
I've been collecting watches for about 10 years and to be honest most people won't know and don't care what watch you wear anyway. Collecting watches is more like a hobby for me.
I have 50 watches, started a facebook group facebook.com/groups/WristCheck
Always had watches of all stripes, even $5 povvo ones if something happened to my regular ones, can't fathom how people either don't know the time or pull their phone out fifty times a day.
Recently got a Citizen EcoZilla, love it. Owned a Tw Steel that was a bit problematic but looked great, but my best ever was a Pro Trek that lasted well over ten years before the solar battery carked it finally.
When Casios smart watch is solar powered and more rugged I'll most likely get one of them.
got given a rolex, wore it for 2 weeks, don't wear it anymore
instead have a $15 casio that tells time in 5 timezones which is great because i work with people overseasthe rolex is too stressful to wear - scared i'm gonna lose it/break it/get stolen
Given by whom?
No offence and not knowing your situation, most people who are given Rolex are given fakes. Or if they are have wealthy parents who have gifted it to them, they wouldn't be worried if they lost or broke it or it got stolen.
This topic is close to my heart, so pardon the essay. Frankly its simply about whether you are into it or not.
Power statement? - IMO - No. But I can understand how it can quickly become one depending on the environment you mingle in.
Reflect your personality - Absolutely. It’s not only a watch, but everything you wear reflects your personality. Right from the clothes, to the car you drive to down to the shoes we wear. Its a choice which we consciously make, so obviously it reflects a part of you. Watches are specifically a good indicator. A CEO of an ASX 10 company wearing a G- Shock would obviously have a different take on a the same situation as another CEO wearing a Greubel Forsey.For me watches invoke a sense of completeness, I like the idea of having something non-digital in my life, that sweeping second hand of my mechanical watch is simply an absolute delight to watch.
What watch you wear: In order of acquisition…
Tudor Black Bay Bronze.
Seiko SRP145
Frederique Constant Slimline
Longines Conquest on bracelet.Grail Watches: (Money aside, I’m not sure if the Mrs will ever give permission)
Lange Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon
VC Overseas Perpetual Calendar
Patek 5170G
Lange 1815 ChronographWishlist (Probably can coax her into agreeing with me)
VC Overseas Ultra Thin.
Rolex Sea Dweller Ref. 126600.Is it worth spending so much just to know the time or is it a statement. - Yes, again each to their own. Watches used to be more necessary and mechanical watches were what everyone wore. In today’s time, they are more of an emblem of quality, craftsmanship, somewhat tradition and yes, often of wealth, taste and prestige. I’d love it if watch prices were lower and we could afford that Patek on an average salary, but at the same time, if luxury timepieces were affordable, they might not hold the same allure. Its worth noting that if none of us forked over $10,000 for a Rolex, they wouldn’t sell for that price. Period. To put things I perspective have a read of this article on Rolex.
PS. Before you ask, No, i'm not one of those guys making $250k selling eneloops partime every 2nd fornight. Far from it.
No Grand Seiko? Your WIS status is revoked
I have a Seiko in my collection and the Grand Seiko's 62GS collection (SBGR095 and SBGR092) at the time really intrigued me, unfortunately their asking price, they aren't high on my list. puts flame suit on
Many believe a watch is seen by others as a symbol of wealth, sophistication and knowledge. Some occupations demand the requirement of an exotic watch, some that comes into mind is real estate agent and sales representatives. I remember during my days as a Telstra business mobile sales executive I blew 2 months salary on a Omega Speed master so it matches the watches worn by my clients that i was meeting with. The meeting would often end with me stroking their ego and commenting on how nice their watch was (I actually took the time to research watches for this role) this allowed me to build rapport that assisted with landing a sale. After i graduated uni I did almost 5 years of FIFO work as a engineer at which stage I had upgraded to a Rolex Submariner Black Dial, and I noticed no body gave a shit what watch i wore in fact on occasions where i was on the computer and colleagues noticed the watch most immediately presumed that it was a Bali knock off. When i corrected them later some would label me into the tosser and i then become a victim of the tall puppy syndrome. After learning my lesson I have always worn a Oris TT2 or Oris TT3 as my daily as most people i interact with do not know the brand of watch and simply comment on its appearance. My takeaway of all of this is i have only treat my watch as a tool to complete my job and nothing else.
I wouldn't give a shit of someone's opinion that I'm a tosser only because I wore a certain watch. They can GGF.
I buy and wear my watch for me.
When you have to work with most of them for 7 days straight on a 12hr roster (see them at the mess as well) i guess it was in my best interest to have them on my side. In the end, watches need to be worn for the right audience.
You probably think you have to be seen driving the right brand of car to/from work too?
The only watch I own is an MTM BlackHawk and was given to me as a gift. I don't wear it as it is the one worn by Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in season 5 of the tv show 24.
Watches are one of the few 'jewellery' pieces men can have. Worthwhile to have a decent one for dressing up and formal occasions, but for daily work I find them totally useless.
In my experience you get people across both sides of the divide: those looking for flashy, brand-driven, big, bold and usually massive pieces usually acquire them (or, even worse, a "replica of them) as a power/status symbol. For this segment, Rolex may be the epitome of quality, but (if they are more aspirational than well off) they usually make do with a quartz Tag.
On the other camp you have either people who don't care about a watch and just buy something (I remember asking someone about their Cartier Tank and they said they bought it only because they could get a 'set' for them and their wife) or they're a WIS (watch idiot savant) who cares about the silicon springs, escapements and other such minutiae.
In other cases, people may be lucky to inherit a piece and that may start them on their own journey of discovery…
Got an Apple Watch 2 as a present, use it for swimming, occasionally checking time, messages, notifications, viewing family portrait, unlocking Mac… it's working great as an utility and holds a sentimental value.
I don't think people care much about what you wear or drive in Australia. No one in my company (and I really mean no one, abt 60 people) wears luxury watch or drives luxury car.
Know a guy outside work just bought a brand new X5 for 115K (said he had to drive a hard bargain with the dealer for 2 months to get 10K discount) with all "protection package" and accessories for an extra amount of "god knows how much they rip you off". Funny thing is that he got 95% of the car on a "bargain rate" loan of 4 point something % over the next 5 years… what's the point?! (Sigh… i tried to stop him…)
In Australia,people don't show their money like they should.
I have learnt this the hard way.
If u see a bloke wearing the yellow and orange overalls,dont think he is a lollipop man.I had a mate who wore only that and he is worth a motza money.
None the less,I have a Tissot too and this is like the poor mans Jaguar
Love it.