Brands, Branding, and Brand Obsession — WatchProSite Forum Digest

ThomasM · 2015-03-06T10:56:39Z

Explore the psychology of brand obsession in luxury watches and cars. ThomasM's post sparks a debate on brand influence, quality, and consumer behavior.

ThomasM

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

35 replies16281 views1 photos

ThomasM's introspective post delves into the complex psychology of brand perception, questioning whether rejecting popular brands is as much a brand influence as embracing them. His reflections on personal preferences for less common luxury items, from cars to watches, invite the community to explore the evolving landscape of brand obsession in the digital age.

35 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

Hi,

I've been a watch nut (and car nut, and audiophile, and...ok, I admit it, I'm OCD...) since the early 1970's.

I can't say I've aways been a Purist...no, wait, let me correct that - I've always had the idea of being a purist in my mind, but I wasn't completely sure what it meant nor realized the full implications...

I do know I preferred Lamborghini to Ferrari not only because of the cars, but also because the brand was less well known, less popular, hence I got the extra joy of "knowing something only those in the know, know..."

Porsche's were positively COMMON by comparison...

Little did i know...

The same applied to watches and watch brands - the Big Three were the ne plus utra - PP, AP, VC...Rolex was just POSITIVELY COMMON...

Little did I know...

I have come to realize that, in the world of psychodynamics and behavioural psychology, NOT choosing a brand because of that brand is just as brand influenced as BUYING a brand because of the brand...

Little did I know...

Today, not much has changed, but much has changed.

The WWW; social media; editorial power to the masses ...

So answer me this -

why is Honda so popular today?

why do so many people aspire to wear their belt buckles?

Key Points from the Discussion

The act of deliberately avoiding a popular brand is still a form of brand influence, demonstrating that one's choices are shaped by brand perception regardless of whether they are buying into or rejecting mainstream appeal.
Some luxury items, like a specific belt buckle design, can be appreciated for their intelligent engineering and functional benefits, such as durability and ease of strap changes, rather than solely for their brand prestige.
The desire for a branded item can diminish as it becomes overly popular or ubiquitous, leading collectors to seek less distinctive alternatives to avoid conspicuous consumption.
Brand identification can stem from an admiration for what a brand represents, even leading to 'rebranding' or 'debranding' of items, such as adding luxury car rings to lesser vehicles or removing badges for a more discreet look.
The power of brands and branding has intensified due to social media and the emergence of new customer demographics, leading to larger logos and a focus on social status display over product quality.
Many high-end brands may no longer offer the same quality as decades past, yet their powerful branding allows them to sell products to consumers who prioritize brand image over intrinsic value or craftsmanship.
The community welcomes diverse viewpoints and beginner questions, emphasizing that open discussion is crucial for identifying different perspectives and fostering a rich, engaging environment.

The Discussion

Ares501 - Mr Green

Mar 6, 2015

LOL! another precious about belt buckle ;)

I think that H on buckle is for Haldimann ;) Cheers D

ThomasM

Mar 6, 2015

I just can't get over how popular they still are... [nt]

foversta

Mar 6, 2015

These belts are old-fashioned in France for at least 3 years.

You look like a teenager who goes to his first evening at the club with it. I have to confess that never the power of the brands/brandings has been so strong. Is it due to the influence of social media? Or to the emergence of new customers? Both? Things have changed a lot these last years and we can feel it in the attitude of the brands: logos ae becoming larger, more visible. You buy more and more often clothes or accessories from "prestigious brands" not the the quality (which is far from impr

ThomasM

Mar 6, 2015

Agreed; there are many legitimate and useful reasons for powerful branding...

some of those reasons useful to consumers and not just the conglomerates and brand collecting tycoons that have scooped up hallowed ateliers in the past 2-3 decades. I thought it might be fun to explore what those benefits, assumptions, and yes, even red herrings, might be... Cheers, TM

pplater

Mar 6, 2015

Hello ThomasM...

Welcome here! You will find that this is a friendly, relaxed community of generally like-minded people. You will also find that we have fora dedicated to many of your interests; enjoy wandering through them. Looking forward to reading more of you here, and seeing your taste in watches. Cheers, pplater.

ThomasM

Mar 6, 2015

thank you for your kind welcome, Pplater! I've heard...

about this mythical place; glad I finally found it. I hope everyone here are not too like minded; that would make discussions awfully boring! Do y'all allow different points of view? Are newbies allowed to ask beginner questions? What about fanboys? Will I have to worry about getting dogpiled and gangbanged just because I don't like a particular model from a favorite brand? I'll take some time to wander around...it looks like a pretty cool place! By the way, know anyone downunder? A certain Wand

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Horological Meandering forum with 35 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →