I got into a discussion some weeks ago about extremely expensive watches. I think they are stupid and just a “look at me, I’m rich” item. But, apparenty, I know jackshit about it because it’s all about the quality of the materials used and “the feel”. Seems a 10k watch is extremely better than a normal watch and I’m just too dumb to understand it because I don’t know how better it is when a watch uses precious metals in its gears instead of less-precious metals. This, said by a wage slave, by the way.
Suffice to say I realized it was pointless to go on with the discussion and I let it die after their “explanation” on why I was being dumb.
I have 3 luxury watches. I’m not rich, it took quite a while to pay off each. That’s probably all, those were the only 3 I ever really wanted. I bought them because I like watches, nobody else I know cares about them at all. The ones i picked have interesting movements or history. I didn’t get them specifically for their brands. None are Rolex. I would say the biggest difference is not just the materials, it is the quality and tolerances of the machining. The surface finishes.
I like to build and mod watches. I have quite a few made with Seiko movements and aftermarket parts. Some are pretty nice, and I never thought there would be much of a difference between a $400 Seiko and a luxury watch. Until I held my Tudor for the first time. The bracelet has almost no play to it between the links. My Seikos feel sloppy by comparison. The brushed surfaces feel almost soft, they are so smooth. I find myself just rubbing it sometimes. The clasp has little ceramic balls for the detent, and they are very smooth to operate. Wearing it is an excellent tactile experience. Like a fidget toy. It’s also the watch I wore during my daughter’s birth, and that is primarily what I think of when I wear it.
But yeah, long story short they do feel different. I bet there are a ton of people that only buy them as status symbols, though.
A friend of mine has a few Rolex. Those watches are way less precise than a $5 quartz watch, it’s all about showing that you have money. The quality of the materials gives no advantage. They are objectively ugly too with the big round circles, and look like watches for kids who learn how read the time.
I’ve been told by rich guys that you must wear the strap a bit loose so that it the watch will rotate a bit around your wrist, which forces you to “put it back” while showing to others that you have a Rolex.
Exactly my thoughts on it. There are things that are expensive just because they are made so rich people can show off. Is there a point on having diamonds on a watch? No, it doesn’t make it better, just more expensive so you can show others how much money you have.
Same thing witd loud cars, they are made just so the owner can be the center of attention for a split second. I kinda feel bad for those idiots thinking they need to show off the money they have. It has to be one hell of an inferiority complex if you need to tell everybody how rich you are every moment of your life.
I do understand that. But I hate hypocrisy. Just say that you buy it because you want to show how rich you are, don’t try to sell me the “superior quality of the gears make them better” bullshit.
Just be honest and say it clear: “I buy it because it’s expensive”. It’s fine. Except it’s not, because you are embarrassed to admit you only want to brag about money and instead try to lie others (and yourself) about the reason why you buy it.
I got into a discussion some weeks ago about extremely expensive watches. I think they are stupid and just a “look at me, I’m rich” item. But, apparenty, I know jackshit about it because it’s all about the quality of the materials used and “the feel”. Seems a 10k watch is extremely better than a normal watch and I’m just too dumb to understand it because I don’t know how better it is when a watch uses precious metals in its gears instead of less-precious metals. This, said by a wage slave, by the way.
Suffice to say I realized it was pointless to go on with the discussion and I let it die after their “explanation” on why I was being dumb.
I have 3 luxury watches. I’m not rich, it took quite a while to pay off each. That’s probably all, those were the only 3 I ever really wanted. I bought them because I like watches, nobody else I know cares about them at all. The ones i picked have interesting movements or history. I didn’t get them specifically for their brands. None are Rolex. I would say the biggest difference is not just the materials, it is the quality and tolerances of the machining. The surface finishes.
I like to build and mod watches. I have quite a few made with Seiko movements and aftermarket parts. Some are pretty nice, and I never thought there would be much of a difference between a $400 Seiko and a luxury watch. Until I held my Tudor for the first time. The bracelet has almost no play to it between the links. My Seikos feel sloppy by comparison. The brushed surfaces feel almost soft, they are so smooth. I find myself just rubbing it sometimes. The clasp has little ceramic balls for the detent, and they are very smooth to operate. Wearing it is an excellent tactile experience. Like a fidget toy. It’s also the watch I wore during my daughter’s birth, and that is primarily what I think of when I wear it.
But yeah, long story short they do feel different. I bet there are a ton of people that only buy them as status symbols, though.
A friend of mine has a few Rolex. Those watches are way less precise than a $5 quartz watch, it’s all about showing that you have money. The quality of the materials gives no advantage. They are objectively ugly too with the big round circles, and look like watches for kids who learn how read the time.
I’ve been told by rich guys that you must wear the strap a bit loose so that it the watch will rotate a bit around your wrist, which forces you to “put it back” while showing to others that you have a Rolex.
I don’t remember the specific name but it is a good start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspicuous_consumption
Exactly my thoughts on it. There are things that are expensive just because they are made so rich people can show off. Is there a point on having diamonds on a watch? No, it doesn’t make it better, just more expensive so you can show others how much money you have.
Same thing witd loud cars, they are made just so the owner can be the center of attention for a split second. I kinda feel bad for those idiots thinking they need to show off the money they have. It has to be one hell of an inferiority complex if you need to tell everybody how rich you are every moment of your life.
And, you just don’t understand that if you can afford a $40,000 watch with premium materials, it doesn’t matter that they don’t keep correct time.
I do understand that. But I hate hypocrisy. Just say that you buy it because you want to show how rich you are, don’t try to sell me the “superior quality of the gears make them better” bullshit.
Just be honest and say it clear: “I buy it because it’s expensive”. It’s fine. Except it’s not, because you are embarrassed to admit you only want to brag about money and instead try to lie others (and yourself) about the reason why you buy it.