Are we living through a time of declining ethics?

M'Bob · Sep 11, 2026

These two threads were practically concurrent, so it put a fine point on it:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/caveat-bonhams-another-auction-house-to-be-avoided.194133/

Thread 'Caveat Bonhams - another auction house to be avoided' ·

Hello Omega hive,

I watched a recent auction from Bonhams in France (where buyers from inside EU would have to pay extra import VAT on top of hammer+commission!).
There was a single photo...

mac_omega · Sep 8, 2026

https://omegaforums.net/threads/ai-faked-images-on-auction-listing.194107/

Thread 'AI Faked Images on Auction Listing' ·

I came across this listing for a 9kt gold Omega dress watch at a small UK auction house. It looked a bit uncanny from the thumbnail, and it wasn’t difficult to determine that it was put...

PTG_96 · Sep 7, 2026

Is it all about the deal, and the money? Does taking advantage of someone make us feel superior? What about being honest, fair, and taking joy in the fact that a buyer got something that makes them happy?

AI is a very seductive tool, and my fear is that it can be too tempting to misuse it for purposes of deceit and manipulation.

And the auction house not changing their listing after being alerted by our member who is an authority in that particular niche? Disgusting and offensive behavior, and I, for one, will never buy from them now under any circumstances.

cristos71 · Sep 11, 2026

I think the recent Goldberger Auction sums up where some are in terms of ethics.

M'Bob · Sep 11, 2026

To be fair, we have to delineate between lack of knowledge/incompetence, and intent to deceive, the latter obviously more offensive, while both are inexcusable, particularly by auction houses.

Larry S · Sep 11, 2026

I’m not certain of that. I think most folks are still ethical. I think the 24 hour “if it bleeds it leads” click bait media saturation gives us that impression. The behavior of auction houses hasn’t changed since I became interested in watches. Caveat Emptor.

Wahoo98 · Sep 11, 2026

Not sure about the overall level of ethics in society, but AI is going to provide such a powerful tool for those with questionable ethics that it will have a profound impact on innumerable aspects of life (to state the obvious). Not sure anyone really knows what to do about it or how it will shake out. While it will also be useful for folks with good intentions and/or trying to verify authenticity, for example, hard to see how it doesn’t on balance undermine trust when reality can be so convincingly altered.

Spruce · Sep 11, 2026

Well, if you want to know my position on ethics, you need to promise to pay me usd 5000 👨

hen · Sep 11, 2026

I am afraid you are right, 'pros' dont really care about ethics, its all about the bottom line.

A lokal young hailed entrepreneur is under police investigation at the time here. His hero is Gordon Gekko from the movie, hence his company is called Gekko & co. Seems like his ambition was to be most like his movie counterpart, so unpayed bills, fraud and lost funds are in his wake.

This get filthy rich quick mentality is admired by a section of society and watch flippers are among those. Too bad auction houses are too.

Tony C. · Sep 11, 2026

While greed is an ancient vice, it was arguably supercharged ~40 years ago when Reagan, Thatcher, and the above-referenced 1987 film Wall Street coincided.

"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good" was the line spoken by corporate raider Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas in the film. And I would say that it was essentially taken to heart by broader American society. Of course it infected other nations as well, and has played a major role in the deterioration of values in all of them.

It will, of course, end very badly.

Garden Veggies · Sep 11, 2026

It’s only getting more difficult for collectors. I miss the days of just worrying about franken/reps

pdxleaf · Sep 11, 2026

Cartoon idea: Two guys peaking into the street through the curtains from a darkened room.

One guy says to the other: "Remember when all we had to worry about was AI faking watch pictures instead of AI killer drones?"

But I'm sure it'll be fine. (Don't kill me, AI.)

elephantcage · Sep 11, 2026

I'm certainly learning more about 30 percent of Americans than I ever wanted to know. Ethics....heh.

Dan S · Sep 11, 2026

I do think that we are seeing a decline in ethics, but obviously I'm also a believer in human nature and have met a lot of people in this hobby that I trust deeply.

As for auctions, they are such an easy way for people with questionable ethics to make a quick buck, I think they've always been and always will be a problem. Not just high-end watch auctions, but all the way down to the little auction houses in the country-side that my family frequented when I was a child. There was always some funny business going on.

CaliberKingPin · Sep 11, 2026

I think it takes all sorts and there will always be some you can trust and some you can't! As for the actual ethics of society right now? My personal opinion is that our society has pushed you need to do what is right for YOU a little too much the pendulum has swung a little too far in that direction and needs to swing back a little more towards the centre. IMHO

rootbeer7 · Sep 12, 2026

I think there is a lack of ethics across all walks of life; from basic politeness and manners right the way through the spectrum until you get to those mentioned by OP.
AI magnifies this because those in the know use it their advantage whilst those ignorant of it believe every word that’s said.

Donn Chambers · Sep 12, 2026

Tony C.
While greed is an ancient vice, it was arguably supercharged ~40 years ago when Reagan, Thatcher, and the above-referenced 1987 film Wall Street coincided.

"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good" was the line spoken by corporate raider Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas in the film. And I would say that it was essentially taken to heart by broader American society. Of course it infected other nations as well, and has played a major role in the deterioration of values in all of them.

It will, of course, end very badly.

Exactly. The idea of “ethics” in any business that depends on making a profit is a convenient fiction - is it ethical for drug manufacturers to get a 100-200x markup on a vial of insulin in the US just so they can continue to make a profit on a substance that costs them then a $1 to make? I think not, but they were doing it up til a few years ago when the government forced them to offer it at reduced prices for people without insurance. That came too late for a young woman I knew since she was a child - she died from complications of her Type 1 diabetes because she couldn’t afford her insulin anymore and was only taking it a few times a week instead of daily like she needed. It was all she could afford.

Bonk · Sep 12, 2026

elephantcage
I'm certainly learning more about 30 percent of Americans than I ever wanted to know. Ethics....heh.

The questionable auction listings were from the UK and France. Why did you single out Americans?

Bonk · Sep 12, 2026

Tony C.
"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good" was the line spoken by corporate raider Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas in the film. And I would say that it was essentially taken to heart by broader American society. Of course it infected other nations as well, and has played a major role in the deterioration of values in all of them.

The idea that a line from a movie has somehow negatively affected the overall ethos of American society is ridiculous. Greed has always existed but a line from a movie didn't influence it one way or another. Greed is a human condition not specifically an American one.

Tony C. · Sep 12, 2026

B Bonk
The idea that a line from a movie has somehow negatively affected the overall ethos of American society is ridiculous. Greed has always existed but a line from a movie didn't influence it one way or another. Greed is a human condition not specifically an American one.

Apparently you took what I wrote too literally. The line in the movie was a reflection of a broader cultural embracing of that ethos, which was gaining steam at the time for a variety of reasons. It was celebrated in the film, and many people increasingly came to believe it, though not solely because of the film, of course.

Your final line is a straw man, as I never suggested otherwise. But the U.S. has largely been responsible for paving the ultimately destructive road that the West has been on for the past ~40 years.

Fallout Boy · Sep 12, 2026

M'Bob
To be fair, we have to delineate between lack of knowledge/incompetence, and intent to deceive, the latter obviously more offensive, while both are inexcusable, particularly by auction houses.

I think there are four people at work here: first the 'expert and specialist' and the 'price setter.' B reads it from A and makes the minimum bid or the price, C then types it into the computer. D swings the auction hammer. Done. And E as the buyer has no clue.
Name the culprit.

Bonk · Sep 12, 2026

Tony C.
Apparently you took what I wrote too literally. The line in the movie was a reflection of a broader cultural embracing of that ethos, which was gaining steam at the time for a variety of reasons. It was celebrated in the film, and many people increasingly came to believe it, though not solely because of the film, of course.

Your final line is a straw man, as I never suggested otherwise. But the U.S. has largely been responsible for paving the ultimately destructive road that the West has been on for the past ~40 years.

I took it literally because you specifically chose to point out American society and I took exception to that. Just like I take exception to the idea that "the U.S. has largely been responsible for paving the ultimately destructive road that the West has been on for the past 40 years".

I am an American and I don't take kindly to someone criticizing my country using overly broad statements. Despite it's flaws America has done more to advance modern society than any other nation and suggesting America is largely responsible for the degradation of modern society is unfair and inaccurate.