Idiots and watches.

[RPKESQ]

It is hilarious to see posters on a Porsche BBS make statements about how idiots only have expensive watches to impress others.

I appreciate the design and craftsmanship of fine mechanical watches. There is no other item in the world where you can carry around such mechanical wonders in such a small package. Fine watches combine the engineering, artistic skill and master-craftsmanship combination that Leonardo di Vinci represented in man.

While I have not been drawn to any Rolexes since the 1950's, they do represent great quality (except in their lowest priced mechanicals). I prefer Patek Philippe, Omega, Breguet, F.P. Journe, Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre far more.

Being able to tell the time is not the facile princeps reason to own a fine watch.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

It is hilarious to see posters on a Porsche BBS make statements about how idiots only have expensive watches to impress others.

I paid $3400 for my 928 six years ago.

Not everyone that owns a Porsche got ripped off just to impress people. Honestly i do not even tell girls i own a Porsche when i'm getting to know them because there is such a stigma attached to them.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Honestly i do not even tell girls i own a Porsche

Good call - you might actually have to produce a Porsche at some point if you lead them on like that

[Tim Hancock]

[QUOTE=RPKESQ;5319728]It is hilarious to see posters on a Porsche BBS make statements about how idiots only have expensive watches to impress others.

QUOTE]

Just to be clear, I did not state that fine watch owners are idiots. I just personally find no value or use for them. I am sure many will have similar opinions on my prized collection of old used motorized toys.

[Zeke]

I have 2 Omegas, mine and now my dad's. It recently cost $200 to have one of them cleaned and a new crystal installed. I guess they need service every few years. I could have a lot of watches or even high end phones for 200.

I guess my old '63 Seamaster is pushing a couple grand in value these days. If it weren't for the fact that my wife enjoys wearing it daily, I'd have little use for it.

Never did have much use for it by the time you could tell time with a pager. Now that we all have cell phones, I think a watch is redundant. Maybe when the watch costs less than 100 and does the Dick Tracy thing along with everything else my phone does, I'd rethink.

Cool to think of a $100 watch/camera/iPod/phone/nav system/Internet access/blah, blah....

[RPKESQ]

[QUOTE=Tim Hancock;5319778]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

It is hilarious to see posters on a Porsche BBS make statements about how idiots only have expensive watches to impress others.

QUOTE]

Just to be clear, I did not state that fine watch owners are idiots. I just personally find no value or use for them. I am sure many will have similar opinions on my prized collection of old used motorized toys.

Just to be clear, I never accused you of saying that.

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I paid $3400 for my 928 six years ago.

Not everyone that owns a Porsche got ripped off just to impress people. Honestly i do not even tell girls i own a Porsche when i'm getting to know them because there is such a stigma attached to them.

Thats the point.

Not everyone who own a high end item, any item, bought it to impress others.

[RPKESQ]

[QUOTE=milt;5319782] I think a watch is redundant. QUOTE]

If it's main purpose was to tell time, than yes it is.

If that is not the main purpose, than how is it redundant?

[pwd72s]

[QUOTE=RPKESQ;5319823]

Originally Posted by milt

I think a watch is redundant. QUOTE]

If it's main purpose was to tell time, than yes it is.

If that is not the main purpose, than how is it redundant?

Possibly because anybody with a cell phone now has a watch?

[Zeke]

[QUOTE=RPKESQ;5319823]

Originally Posted by milt

I think a watch is redundant. QUOTE]

If it's main purpose was to tell time, than yes it is.

If that is not the main purpose, than how is it redundant?

Well, I had to go back and read the entire thread... again. I guess what you're saying is that you like to wear a little piece of marvelous engineering on your wrist. 'Cause otherwise, all it does is tell you the time and date, and maybe the phase of the moon.

If you have a phone, don't you get all that and more? There are clocks all around us. We don't need watches to tell time.

[JeffO]

The advertisement on the bottom of the page is for knockoff watches. a Rolex for $49. I personally like Omega. I have a Speedmaster with a display back. An absolutley great hand winder that I get a lot pleasure in wearing. my everyday is a seamster. I recently picked up a 45 year old Constellation pie pan for dress occasions. I do not think a 45 year old timex or seiko would make it that long. not because of quality issues but just because they have no value. those are pretty much disposable watches. break it then replace it. Someday an IWC will be mine.

[RPKESQ]

[QUOTE=pwd72s;5319847]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

Possibly because anybody with a cell phone now has a watch?

OK, is this point really so obtuse that no one understands it?

If the main purpose of a fine watch is not in fact to tell time, than why would having a cell phone would make the fine watch redundant?

Some high end watches no longer tell time at all.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

.... than why would having a cell phone would make the fine watch redundant?

Come again?

[scottmandue]

But what about the few of us who are not chained to a cell phone?

I do own a cell phone but do not carry it with me all the time... or have it on all the time when it is with me (like when having dinner with friends or at the theater).

I don't wear jewelry (except my wedding band) so I wear a watch as jewelry and yes it is also a cool piece of machinery you can wear on your wrist.

[RPKESQ]

[QUOTE=milt;5319856]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

Well, I had to go back and read the entire thread... again. I guess what you're saying is that you like to wear a little piece of marvelous engineering on your wrist. 'Cause otherwise, all it does is tell you the time and date, and maybe the phase of the moon.

If you have a phone, don't you get all that and more? There are clocks all around us. We don't need watches to tell time.

Not in a mechanical manner.

High end mechanical watches can have:

24-hour watch
Automatic watch (self-winding watch)
Chronograph for measuring short time periods
Double chronograph or rattrapante, split-second timing or lap timing
Flyback chronograph, can be reset while the timer is running
Date display
Day of week display
Second time zone
Equation of time
Display of zone solar time (as opposed to standard time)
Display of true local solar time
Display of sidereal time
Display of time zones (for the world traveler)
Time of sunset
Time of sunrise
Easter date calculators
Quarter repeater
Five-minute repeater
Minute repeater
Passing strike (chiming watch)
Alarm
Month display
Sign of the Zodiac
Display of leap year cycle (year 1 to 4)
Moon phases
Mechanised star chart
Astrolabe dial
Perpetual calendar
Annual calendar
Power reserve or réserve de marche
Quickset date
Week of year
Dead second
Foudroyante (Flying Seconds)
Tourbillon (considered by some to not be a complication but rather a mechanical refinement)



They do not need batteries.



They are made with such precision that it makes the best cars look like buckets of rocks. They are in every sense of the words, the premire mechanical constructs that will fit on your wrist or in a pocket ever devised by man. All wrapped up in an artistic design and superb craftsmanship.

What about that is not worthy of appreciation?

[MRM]

The Oysterquartz Day-Date originally came with a picture of a 928 on the cover of the owner's manual. I looked to see if I could download a picture of the original manual, but I couldn't find one quickly. The factory apparently thought the quartz version would supplant the mechanical Day-Date just as Porsche thought the water pumping 928 would replace the 911.

There's a lot of kvetching on this board about how high quality goods aren't available any more, and bemoaning the cheap mass market goods that have replaced the nice quality (but more expensive) stuff we all grew up with. But the same people make fun of anyone who wears a fine watch or suit.

You wear a fine watch for the same reason you drive a well made car, buy expensive tools, wear a good suit, or eat food that wasn't produced for McDonald's Dollar Menu - because you appreciate things that are made well, that are high quality and make your life more pleasant. Craftsmanship, quality and taste enhance your life. I enjoy strapping on my watches the same way I enjoy strapping myself into my 911. And almost no one but me knows what is hiding discretely under my sleeve because I don't wear my watches for anyone but me.

BTW Joe, the guy who told you your GMT was worth $5,000 was trying to steal it from you. It’s worth more.

[cmccuist]

I was with Bechtel for 24 years. I left for another company and about a $30k/yr raise! If you're with Bechtel for 25 years, you get a pretty nice Rolex. They still have that benefit.

Well, my dad felt bad that I missed out on the Rolex. So after about 4 years with my new company, he gave me his! It was given to him by a Saudi prince. He was in Saudi Arabia for 7 years. He's a doctor and treated a member of the royal family. That prince was very grateful and gave him the Rolex.

I plan to wear it proudly and then pass it on to my son. So yes, a great watch is more than just a timepiece. It's value can be monetary or it can be a piece of family history for generations.

[Zeke]

Never said I didn't appreciate a fine watch. I called them redundant. However, I've never seen a watch that would do all that. I suppose if I could afford one, and figure out how to do all that, I could wear it w/o it being redundant.

But, since I'm just an average guy, I don't play with those kinds of sophisticated toys. Put me in with Tim H. and company.

BTW, my dad's Omega tells the date, just the number of the day. When it stopped, it took me a half hour to get the date right.

[widgeon13]

Everything escalates into a pissing contest here, why can't someone say they like something w/o some fuchhead starting an argument.

Just STFU if you don't like a watch or don't want to spend the money. I didn't get the impression that anyone was trying to impress anybody.

F--- Off!

[mike monde]

My wife bought my Submariner for me when I turned 30 years old. I always liked this watch and although I would have persuaded her not to spend what she did over 20 years ago (1,500.00) it has been on my wrist for the last 20 years. I believe it is worth 3 or 4 times that amount in todays market used. Although I would never sell it as I plan just to hand it over to my son once I kick the bucket. Which can/is part of the ownership of a unique time piece. I have often had conversations with Rolex owners who where wearing a watch that was handed down from their father of grandfather. Which, IMO, is worth more then any dollar value that you can place on it.

Back then I owned 3 or 4 watches. I had a friend who once told me that once I started wearing a Rolex I would never wear another watch and if I was ever in a $$ jam you could always get something at the pawn shop. Fortunately I never have been in such a $$ jam that I would have to hock my watch butI can say that he was spot on with it being the only watch that I wear. It is the only watch that I have worn the last 20 years and it still looks good after all these years.
I will admit that there are some Rolex's that I would be uncomfortable wearing as some just project an image that is a little "loud".
I think you should practice what you often hear about a p-car, buy the one that you like and the one that you can afford, whether it is a Rolex, Tag or a Timex.