Discussion
pingtsai initiates a thought-provoking discussion on the motivations behind watch purchases, building on a previous thread about celebrity endorsements. This article explores the deeply personal and often complex factors that drive collectors' decisions, from aesthetic appeal to horological significance and brand loyalty. It invites readers to reflect on their own 'secret formula' for acquiring timepieces.
What Motivates You to Buy a Watch?
Recently I posed the question of whether celebrity ambassadors help sell watches and received numerous thought-filled responses. The different opinions and viewpoints that arose were indicative of the personal nature that surrounds watch collecting.
Some of you said that indeed celebrities did have an effect on the overall sales of a watch, especially since brands continue to use them. Others expressed distaste for celebrity endorsements altogether. The vast majority however said that although they believed celebrities do help sell watches, they do not play a factor in their own purchasing decisions.
As an extension to the sentiments that were expressed previously I would like to follow up by asking everyone then, "If celebrity ambassadors don't get you to buy watches then what does?" What in particular motivates you to consider a watch over another one when you make your purchase?
We always see individuals in a mental battle as they seek help trying to decide between two timepieces. Sometimes the two choices are very similar and it's simply a matter of brand but other times they are very different and more factors come into play.
The criteria points may seem pretty obvious but since watch collecting is such a personal thing, each person will have a different set of factors in a different order of priority. Feel free to reveal your secret formula here. Who knows, maybe the information will prove useful to watch brands in their market research.
Of course we can’t speak for the mass watch buying public, some who proudly “like” watches for the personas that are attached to them. but for the lovers of the science and art of watchmaking, the Purists, we represent them loud and clear.
Some motivational factors in watch buying to think about:
• A good price
• The brand name or brand loyalty
• A review from a reputable and trusted source
• The watch just has a great look to it
• The watch has a spectacular movement
• The watch has a spectacular story
• You admire the watchmaker and want to support him
• A really good, knowledgeable salesperson
• A really "hot" salesperson
• The watch has a high resale value
• There's a current high demand for the watch on the market
• It is rare. Only a limited number were produced or exist
• A really good picture of the watch
• You see someone else wearing the watch and it looks good on that person
• Your "significant other" says that he or she really likes how the watch looks on you
• When they say, "We only got 3 in and 2 of them were sold within a day. There's a guy coming in this afternoon to look at the one we have left but..."
• Other factors that are not listed
Which ones are likely to get you to buy a watch?
magazines or websites like The Purists/TZ (yes, those dangerous scans people post! Lol), and looks like my brain unconsciously processes them and all of the sudden, after some time which ranges from few months to years, I will start wanting some. Friends do play a role in the purchase too many times.
Nothing else. It can be its coolness, its refinement, its originality, its history, its charm, its eccentricity,it doesn't matter, because any of these reasons is a good reason. Don't forget that I am attracted by both vintage and modern watches, so the playground is vast, but each time I buy a Watch because of THE Watch, not all the reasons which may " surround " the Watch. Aaah, there are also the reasons I don't buy a Watch, and in this case, a brand, a watchmaker are to be mentionned. ;) Bes
and one to which for me the answer has changed over time. Fifteen years ago I bought my first "high end" watch, an entry level Rolex, because I loved the way it looked and it was a statement that I had arrived. I had just graduated from medical school, was finally making some money and wanted a status symbol. I was 27, and knew nothing about watches. In Knoxville, Tennessee, Rolex, Omega, Tag, and Breitling are the only high end watch brands one is going to find. In America Rolex is by far the m
1. Design - looks, comfort and wearability - this is going to be on my wrist and I must like having it there 2. Cost - Obviously 3. Availability and ease of future servicing - would probably rank as high as cost, and this is where the movement is not as important as the serviceability. 4. Something that is missing from my collection as I don't buy two of the same kind in different metals 5. Stays under the general public radar and should go unnoticed 6. Something that I believe can continuously
This question helps to find what we like in watches and can even help us choosing the right one (we see from time to time people getting rid of a watch a few weeks/months after buying it). Well, first, I take a very long time studying, trying the watches I like. After several months, I know perfectly what are its pros and cons and... if I still want it. So, to answer your question, how do I finally come to that point when I would be eager to "have that watch". The watch in itself is important bu
Ping, It made me thing and I ended up discovering that I use a lot of negative logic: The brand don't make me ashamed to wear the watch The watch don't have lots of "bling" The brand is not popular among thieves (a serious concern here) No precious metal On the positive side: The watch fits my aesthetic criteria of beauty The watch have local boutiques and maintenance The watch fits my lifestyle (I don't wear a suit) The movement must be accurate The dial and hands must be easy to read The brand
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