Watches: Gadgets or Jewelry

[was385]

I've always found the overall opinion towards watches on SF strange. It seems like a large percentage of the posters here come in and knock high end watches for being expensive when something much cheaper could do the same thing. IMO it's very similar to our collective fascination with high end clothing. How is a Patek any different than a pair of Edward Greens?

 

[Imhoff]

No consideration for the option of "Art"?

 

[lenahan]

To me, a watch is both personal adornment, and a very efficient tool. My primary is a 60s Rolex Datejust, belonged to my grandfather from the 60s until his untimely death in the 80s. My mother gave it to me about a year ago. It is incredible accurate, no that I have had it serviced, and it is a beautifully made example of "industrial art." It is far more efficient that a cell phone. I will never understand those individuals who insist on using their cellular phone as as timepiece. It is incredibly inefficient, and it is very rude to constantly pull out or check a cell phone, especially as there are many places where you shouldn't use them. plus, without my watch, I would constantly forget the date.

 

[in stitches]

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

Can we please get artoftime in here?

oh, im not good enough huh?

Originally Posted by Imhoff

No consideration for the option of "Art"?

i mentioned it

 

[pvrhye]

Jewelry since their function is completely overshadowed by more practical alternatives.

 

[in stitches]

Originally Posted by pvrhye

Jewelry since their function is completely overshadowed by more practical alternatives.

gaaaaaah. i give up. you can not imo define something solely by it alternitaves.

 

[pvrhye]

Originally Posted by in stitches

gaaaaaah. i give up. you can not imo define something solely by it alternitaves.

Calling it jewelry isn't a value judgement. I'd love a nice watch, but in the capacity of jewelry. There are always 5 electronic devices with the time in eyeshot for 90% of my day. For important functions I set alarms on my phone so I don't need to check the time.

 

[in stitches]

Originally Posted by pvrhye

Calling it jewelry isn't a value judgement. I'd love a nice watch, but in the capacity of jewelry. There are always 5 electronic devices with the time in eyeshot for 90% of my day. For important functions I set alarms on my phone so I don't need to check the time.

iz ok.

i am a watch crazy person. i know where you are coming from and everyone has the right to their own opinion, its a nice part of the forum when its actualized.

 

[RSS]

Neither. They are watches ... or horological instruments if you prefer.

 

[bimmy]

Originally Posted by Metlin

This part I disagree with. ... Of course, it would work great if you lead a boring life where all you do is walk back and forth between your home and your office.

It frankly seems that you need a reality check. Yes, that's what most people do. Personal experiences are not identical; your reality is not everyone else's. Just because you need a watch, does not mean everyone else does. Watches are not the primary means of telling time for the vast majority of people. Even with your go-go jet-setter life, keeping your electronic devices should not be difficult. I worked in plenty of places that had iffy electricity and I managed to keep my cell phone and netbook from dying.

...that paragraph was not intended to be hostile, please don't interpret it that way.

I am not saying that not one person on Earth uses a watch, just that most don't. And how many people that have chronographs, GMTs, diving watches actually use them for those purposes vs their aesthetic qualities?

 

[bhall41]

Originally Posted by gdl203

For me, personally, I'm not too interested in measuring performance too closely. I collect watches that I find aesthetically pleasing first, with a secondary interest in the movement encased in it. I'm interested in the design, the finishing, the details of the case, dial, hands, etc... I'm also fascinated by how watches work and how a bunch of wheels powered by a simple spring can keep time as accurately as they do, in a world where everything is electronic and digital. It's really fantastic to get into the details of it and follow the flow of the energy from the mainspring to the hands.

I completely agree.

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by bimmy

a watch is almost completely unnecessary in today's world...
In my world it is absolutely essential. But, I'm not exactly your ordinary guy-next-door.

 

[in stitches]

Originally Posted by gdl203

For me, personally, I'm not too interested in measuring performance too closely. I collect watches that I find aesthetically pleasing first, with a secondary interest in the movement encased in it. I'm interested in the design, the finishing, the details of the case, dial, hands, etc... I'm also fascinated by how watches work and how a bunch of wheels powered by a simple spring can keep time as accurately as they do, in a world where everything is electronic and digital. It's really fantastic to get into the details of it and follow the flow of the energy from the mainspring to the hands.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!11!!1!!!

Originally Posted by RSS

In my world it is absolutely essential. But, I'm not exactly your ordinary guy-next-door.

truer words are rarely spoken

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by gdl203

I collect watches that I find aesthetically pleasing first, with a secondary interest in the movement encased in it. I'm interested in the design, the finishing, the details of the case, dial, hands, etc...

I approach watches similarly ... with perhaps a bit more emphasis on the movement in addition to the other factors you mention.

 

[Imhoff]

Originally Posted by in stitches

i mentioned it

Should have figured, since your post rate is about 100 day. I kid.