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8 January 2006, 10:56 AM | #1 |
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Interesting question
Just picked up the new copy of WatchTime and read the interview of the owner of Ventura watches. While he complemented Apple Computer(the best computer), and Rolex(the best watch), he also said something that gave me pause. He said that the younger generation, 35 and under, don't seem interested about fine mechanical watches, and that the market for them will dry up. It made me think, being 35 myself. I've got to say after thinking about it that he may be right, i don't see too many guys my age or younger, wearing fine watches, or understanding my passion for them. Maybe it's different in Europe??
As for his watches, I like the designs, but would never pay $Thousands for a digital watch. |
8 January 2006, 10:58 AM | #2 |
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I turn 26 on January 15th. I guess I don't fit into his classification.
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8 January 2006, 11:10 AM | #3 |
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I have been doing this watch thing for about 5 years and I turn 31 this month. He may have a point though. If you look at how hard they are trying to get new watchmakers trained, that profession was almost dead.
I don't think that it will ever die out, the product and demand are both too good.
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8 January 2006, 11:41 AM | #4 |
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I think the article is off base there. First, not all younger people have at least 4-5K for a new watch. Watchmaker shortage = $$ for watchmakers=more people becoming watchmakers. Supply and demand. =) maverick
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8 January 2006, 12:11 PM | #5 |
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It's just one guys opinion, he could be totally off base. Looking at the average age of our membership, I'd say he was.
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8 January 2006, 03:22 PM | #6 |
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That guy's got it all wrong!! Just look at me....only 29....and I've been into watches since the last 30 years!!!
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8 January 2006, 03:28 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
Let me help you out JJ, you are 129 and have been into watches since the 1930's. G' night mate.
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8 January 2006, 03:29 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
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8 January 2006, 09:22 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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9 January 2006, 03:58 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
As for the passion for high end watches diminishing, I am skeptical of that kind of thinking. First, look at the membership here (and on other watch fora). I'd bet you'll find the average to be in the 30's - low 40's. As Dennis pointed out, most younger people don't have the scratch to acquire a really high end watch. They are too busy paying off college loans, building a family, etc. But you find many of them with the interest and desire. Let's face it, the population of watch aficionados is quite small compared to the population as a whole. So it will always appear that there are very few people interested. But as for a declining population, I don't think so.
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9 January 2006, 04:24 AM | #11 | |
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Quote:
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9 January 2006, 05:36 AM | #12 |
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Around here, I don't see many Rolex's being worn by young or old.
BUT, I let my 17 year old nephew wear my new Sub at Christmas. I think he was more excited about wearing the watch than being drafted by a top notch hockey team. I have planted the seed, so I'm sure once he signs his first real "contract" witha big team, we are off to the local AD to pick up his own. |
9 January 2006, 05:42 AM | #13 |
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Second opinion.
I think quality luxury items are usually purchased later in life. Exotic cars, Spectacular Homes, Clothing & watches are no exception. You will find the odd young person in a BMW, Porsche or Ferrari, but I would guess the high end versions of these aren't purchased until mid 30's or later. |
9 January 2006, 08:39 AM | #14 |
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I just turned 25, and Ive always wanted the finer things in life. Rolex being the latest of items that has cought my attention. Ive always liked watches and tried to get the best of what I could according to the amount of money I made. I have the bmw now and next I'll get my rolex.
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9 January 2006, 09:03 AM | #15 |
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A couple of things:
1) I suspect that the lad being interviewed has either never visited Asia or simply did not account for that in his statement. At any given time in Singapore, I see enough Rolexes and other high-end mechanical watches to fill any boardroom in the world, and I'm fairly certain that this in itself should keep the market afloat. 2) The technology is inevitably getting older, auto-wind having been the last major leap in design, keeping in mind that we've yet to see how Seiko's new miracle doodad affects the market. Of course, since the advent of quartz, any new development has been incremental, but in the 1930s the automatic would have been the equivalent of, say, the Kinetic system. In effect, we are witnessing a similar uptake of technology, but the technology has by definition changed. 3) As an extension of the previous point, the nature of the market for mechanical watches has changed. While these watches were previously purchased en masse because they were the current technology bat the time, these days they are being purchased as classics in relation to cheap quartz watches. Of course the market will shrink when it's supplanted by newer designs - you don't see fountain pens outnumbering disposable Bics or Zippos being more plentiful than dispoable plastic lighters, but neither market has died out, has it? The nature of the classic market is that it is smaller and perhaps slower-moving than that flogging current and common items, but nonetheless attracts a more loyal customer base.
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9 January 2006, 09:16 AM | #16 |
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The nature of the classic market is that it is smaller and perhaps slower-moving than that flogging current and common items, but nonetheless attracts a more loyal customer base.
__________________ very well put, a more sophisticated customer base you might say. |
9 January 2006, 09:22 AM | #17 |
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For a moment there I thought we had an echo. It's probably easier to use the "Quote" button, infoe.
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9 January 2006, 11:06 AM | #18 | |
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Quote:
That sound in your ears is me blowing as hard as I can to try and help the market "dry up"
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9 January 2006, 12:31 PM | #19 | |
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You either get it or you don't, if you have to ask, YOU DON'T!! I really hope that midget cop doesn't find me in Kokomo. |
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