Horological Meandering

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?

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. 

Best,

Nicolas

1. The brand don't make me ashamed to wear the watch
2. The watch don't have lots of "bling"
3. The brand is not popular among thieves (a serious concern here)
4. No precious metal
   

On the positive side:

1. The watch fits my aesthetic criteria of beauty
   
2. The watch have local boutiques and maintenance
3. The watch fits my lifestyle (I don't wear a suit)
4. The movement must be accurate
5. The dial and hands must be easy to read
6. The brand has great sales persons and reasonable prices
   

The "I don't care":

1. The always debatable "in house" movement
   

Cheers,

Nilo

I buy the watch itself; it has to speak to me and be understated (these days). Then the movement has to mechanical and the brand established long enough to offer proper service in the future (which explains why I don’t buy from the independents). I don’t look too much at resale value, as for me watches are not an investment, I hate that commercial argument. If I look at resale value is to decide between buying new or going for second hand.

When the above criteria are met then come the people. I love watches because they are a testimony to human ingenuity and craftsmanship. I value manufactures with a proper vintage department and métiers d’art skills that impact their collections (VC, PP). On the other hand I also value brand history and what the watch represents: the Omega Speedmaster or the Rolex GMT just belong to watch history.

Great topic.

Best,

Stan