Horological Meandering

Another thought to ruminate on for this weekend while the very fun PuristS GTG in Europe is keeping us entertained with regular updates. I thought it’d be a good juxtaposition to compare what I’d call the good vs. not-so-good sides of our hobby: friendshi...  

OK, I'm only (half) joking, but Hodinkee is really just a giant infomercial at this point. They have a vested interest in fueling the vintage watch price bubble as they have their own vintage watch shop. Continued collaborations with manufacturers make it... 

[nt]

They have a few videos where they meet some interesting collectors that are worth seeing. The rest is junk.

[nt]

You might even make a little on the side just for fun. But once it starts paying the bills, it inevitably takes on a different character. J

and spotlight on six & seven figures watches. It's a shame it comes down to big money & making money so often. On the flip side this is why I enjoy PPro.

...regarding 99% of what I see on the web about watches and horology. The blogs which feature in the likes of Hodinkee's Watchville app - with one or two exceptions - post little more than puff pieces. Nothing critical, no depth; just content that might a... 

Hi E, I think I'm among the people you feel are just trying to be opposed to negative comments so I'll try just to explain how I try to participate on the PP forum. In fact, Patek is a traditional brand where members have often a long experience with watc... 

Really appreciate your post and viewpoint as well as your contribution as Patek moderator. Ultimately where comments, positive or negative, are offered in an open and constructive spirit - which I think is more the case on this site than on any other! - t... 

I don't notice everything going on PPro but I generally see that it is fair and I think the moderators let discussions develop even if it may not be the most positive for a particular brand. Obviously I understand the moderators have their own opinions to... 

It is important to keep your head cool and not to be an echo-chamber. By the way, about what tourbillon are you talking about?

are not nice. would have been better if the Tudor was bought by somebody who actually wanted to wear it.

[nt]

I started reducing my visits to H consistently over last few months. Some watches on their vintage shops are so jacked up in price even with incomplete set it is difficult to justify the price. they have consciously shifted from a good block to a commerci... 

[nt]

I wish I had the patience to restate all the criticisms of him I have posted here and on Hodinkee and on other-branded-Fora over the last 2-3 years; but the point is his ego has gotten the best of him. He wants to be an "influencer" of the market-not just... 

watches are investments. vintage watches even more, thus websites, supposed-to-be gurus, etc try to show (and push) something different. Tudor is simply the last one, what about Heuer? Those artificially inflated prices are like a stock market's rally...s... 

The investment grade will be this icon 5 fat-cat-smoking-cigar = SS heritage inspired chrono LE that can be resold in one month for a $10k profit before the struggling manufacturer releases the same watch to the general public in 6 months ...  

I kind of hope this happens!

(nt)

and if we put the price in the context of art even this price isn't so crazy...see this item that went for the same amount www.christies.com or if you want to have more fun and even Now clearly the price for this Tudor what it is and can indeed ... 

watches are seldom unique pieces, while each artwork is unique (prints, lithographs,etc are exceptions). nothing wrong with H policy, if someone has 350k to invest in that Tudor, he/she won't have any issue in feeding his/her family.

Just thank you for this post. Great examples of "contemporary art". Never understood the pricing. Nothing but money laundering comes to my mind.

someone's made-to-measure suit and shoes and why it's unacceptable to wear a sports watch when so clothed ("Oh Jeeves, how dare you lay out my Royal Oak when you know I'm dressing for dinner? Please, fetch my Calatrava and by God do it with haste!"). With... 

bias is always there in some brands/pieces but I think that there is a right balance. I see this news about the Tudor as an interesting piece of information...to reinforce Tudor as a brand and benefit the brand. In fairness Tudors are some of the most hon... 

My comments were not intended to have anything to do with Tudor as a brand or manufacture. I don't have a strong opinion on them one way or the other. And I've never bought into the "halo effect" whereby an astronomical sales price for a vintage watch is ... 

But the market is the market, and if '67 Malibus and HW Tudors now go for 350K so be it. With Hodinkee I enjoyed reporting, not hustling. And that is where this ezine is now. It (or Clymer) has a vested interest in making the vintage market-the auction ma... 

And yes, as to what the market dictates, I believe we are in agreement. I think my take on the situation comes from my years spent as a trader: I believe in markets, but I'm ever wary of the possibility that someone is "talking their book" or that of one ... 

comes to salesmen, be they sellers of watches or fixed-for-floating swaps ;-) I wish we didn't need to have this sort of discussion, but seeing as how we do, I'm glad that this forum and its members exist to facilitate it in a rational and even-handed man... 

Every blog (or forum) is made of opinions and clearly Ben has his own view of certain pieces. Actually he did report the news...of course Bacs and other auction houses try to get the best for their buyers but I don't see it is an issue. H is a free resour... 

But if I had to believe what he wrote about this Tudor 7923, then I would be very happy as I have a few watches which are as rare and desirable than this 7923, even Red. The Pakistani Fifty Fathoms Milspec, for example. How many did we see? In the real, 2... 

only the question about H is - is it a business house or a neutral blog about Horology. If they're explicit & tell it is a business house - well, he can write what ever he wants. else, there are some ethics H have to think about. but as you say, he can wr... 

or even a neutral forum. Both are made by people with opinions..and rightly so! I wouldn't want to read press releases. With all the due respect I have read this "I will switch somewhere else" pretty much every day there..yet everyone is still there comme... 

But I take it for what it is - usually just a regurgitation of marketing information provided by the manufacturers and some nice photographs. Certainly not unbiased, critical reviews by any stretch of the imagination. I think that people criticize Hodinke... 

A few others have replied about being naturally skeptical in all things. This may be a matter of cultural difference. I don't find that there's anything wrong with calling bulls*** on a watch blog about something and still continuing to read it. I think a... 

I suspect my GTG invite will be lost in the mail. It would be very boring to talk mainly about $$$. It is always something that comes up naturally of course. But it is much more fun to hear about the journey.

I suspect there are quite a few PuristS in the queue for your treasures.

We are sharing elaborated opinions and sometimes convictions, here. Speaking about value is not PuristS' favorite game. Value is so subjective. I cannot pretend some of my treasures are worth 340 K USD, it is hard to pretend that a 7923 is worth that kind... 

Congrats to a new multi-millionaire.

(nt)

Ben is a smart guy. Hodinkee has blown up and why not monetize it. He did not create the vintage bubble (although he has profited). As for the dealers, well, when the bubble bursts, they will go back to selling bowling balls or whatever the object d'art o... 

Is not Ben or H driving up prices but the market..so if there is a bubble well..let it be. I personally don't buy vintage so I am totally safe I see the vintage market played by few that want something really exclusive (and rusty) for their own reasons th... 

as some of the content is fantastic, but let's not forget their direct involvement with Tudor. I'm not sure if still exists, but at the very least they were the site where the official Tudor forum was being held for a number of years.

Very clear that certain incentives are driving actions at H. Nonetheless, I do very much enjoy Jack Forster's articles.

(Btw, hope you had a great weekend of celebration!). Cheers. -Joe

They give us information that otherwise wouldn't always be available. Just remember to always read with a healthy dose of skepticism.