I got an honorable mention at GameFront for bashing Blizzard fanboys

[Hammerskjold]

But this was already the case before cell phones.
An expensive or interesting timepiece is too difficult to recognize for the majority of people and so it has never become a status symbol among the masses.

I'm going to slightly disagree here, at least with the 'never' part.
There was a time (nyuk nyuk) in the pre-quartz days where having -any- wristwatch, was a status symbol. I didn't personally live it, but my late grandparents did. Specifically, my grandfather was a travelling jewelry merchant, during the WW2 era.

Now before I give the false impression my grandparents were rich and old money, I have to say selling jewelry in the midst of a world war is probably pretty damn difficult. They wouldn't have survived if my grandmother was not the main breadwinner (working as a clerk in a major news magazine iirc) at the time.

He tried his best given the circumstances, and it was probably a huge stroke of luck\providence he made one amazing sale that made it possible to pay the hospital bill during the birth of my mother.

Now the reason I'm meandering on a personal anecdote here is to lead you, to another anecdote! In his later years, my grandfather took a liking to a mechanical watch my dad had, and my dad gave it to him. It wasn't until later I learned that he took a liking to the watch (and wore it everyday), because it reminded him of an era when even just having a watch on your wrist meant something.



Allright enough of my personal anecdote. I'm going to drop the -R- Bomb, Rolex.

In general I'd agree with you that most people nowadays, would probably not recognize or even look at what watch you're wearing. The exception being, I would say Rolex, specifically the Rolex Submariner. Aka probably the #1 most counterfeited\copied\homaged watch in the world.

Now I'm not saying this because I'm a Rolex fan, I actually kinda think the brand can attract a lot of dickbags and dickbaggery. (Having said that, I'm not one to deny the brand have quite the history and influence.)

And I've seen a lot of examples where people want a Rolex to signify that they've 'made it'. I've seen folks who are not that into watches, but knows the basic look of a Rolex Sub. I've seen folks who don't know what a mechanical watch is, but wants the 'best', 'GIMME ROLXE NOWZ PL0X !'

Now there are people who cares not a fig about what other people think, and just want a rollie brand watch for themselves. But IMO, they're probably in the minority.

(where e.g. even people with very limited financial resources splash out 600 dollar for a new iphone.

I'd say this jibes with my own experience as well. Not being an Apple hater, but I do think Apple marketing does play a part in their success.

I forgot what the name of the founder of Rolex, so I'll just make up a name and say Hans Wildorf Rolexicon probably would've approved of Apple marketing. Maybe a joint venture between the 2 brand, Applex. Or even better, Ropple! I think it's catchy name amirite guys? Guys? People?

/cricket chirps

So even among people with some more money to spend a bigger car is a much easier way to spend your money then to buy a serious watch.
But that is fine.....a watch you buy for yourself.

Again this seems to jibe with my own experience as well, though with the added hilarity that I've seen and dealt with people who can not afford the upkeep of a status car.

But I absolutely agree with your last sentence. Buying a watch or anything else mostly for the approval and attention of others, don't always work out the way people wish it would.

Anyway, when you look at the exclusive brands today, many of them were less exclusive 50 years ago. So you can find GP, Zenith, omega etc. watches from the 60s or 70s for a few 100 dollar in pretty good condition. And those are nice things to stumble upon.

Just curious, where do you go to hunt or even to just browse for these? The site\link to the Oris diver pic you gave was very interesting, and if I were to buy a watch nowadays chances are I'd go the innernetz route.

But I am amazed and not a little envious whenever I hear stories of someone stumbling on a great find in a brick and mortar location. "I found an amazing vintage watch on a garage sale\Goodwill store for 10-20$..."