Does rarity change our aesthetic sensibility?

M'Bob · Jan 16, 2022

I throw this out because I’m undecided on the answer..

Take the first watch, for instance: if it wasn’t rare, and valuable, from a purely aesthetic point of view, would you find it appealing? If you showed it to a friend, who you felt had a good sense of design and taste, and they had no idea about desirability or price, and you compared it to the one below, which would they think is the more aesthetic choice? Personally, I can’t decide if I find the racing dials cool because they’re uncommon, or if I take a step back, find them gaudy and cheap looking. What’s your take?

blufinz52 · Jan 16, 2022

Good question. I have a modded 311.30.42.30.01.005, with the racing dial and hands, which I find more attractive than the standard speedy. I also prefer a Tintin to a standard speedy, but I am most likely in the minority. The only reference I have with someone who isn't a watch nerd is Mrs. Blufinz. She has stated a few times that the modded speedy is the one watch she finds most attractive.

In the end, rarity sometimes does change my aesthetic sensibility, but not in the case of your specific example; I prefer the Japan Racing Speedmaster over the standard.

M'Bob · Jan 16, 2022

blufinz52
Good question. I have a modded 311.30.42.30.01.005, with the racing dial and hands, which I find more attractive than the standard speedy. I also prefer a Tintin to a standard speedy, but I am most likely in the minority. The only reference I have with someone who isn't a watch nerd is Mrs. Blufinz. She has stated a few times that the modded speedy is the one watch she finds most attractive.

In the end, rarity sometimes does change my aesthetic sensibility, but not in the case of your specific example; I prefer the Japan Racing Speedmaster over the standard.

I was hoping you wouldn’t do this. Now that I go back and re-examine it, I’m finding the dial more interesting. I’m doomed…

malilis · Jan 16, 2022

the Japan dial is fun and bright .. but the standard one is classy .. your choice ! 😁

hansmaulwurf · Jan 16, 2022

Hm,

I think the answer is YES and NO. I share your opinion of your posted ˋracing´ as a cheap looking watch.
But at the other hand the ˋtin tin´ is rare and good looking with a high quality impression from my point
of view. So at the end: It depends… 😎

But you are right, there are sometimes unexplainable reflexes of true collectors!

BR
Hans

Sherbie · Jan 16, 2022

Not sure i can answer you, but it surely depends on each individual’s point of view

For example - FWIW, my wife doesnt like any of the watches i currently favour - eg she hates anything with a cyclops date magnifier, doesnt like any type of bezel ( coloured or otherwise), hates splashes of colour on a watch dial or hands, and basically only likes watches that are plain, and symmetrical.

nkhandekar · Jan 16, 2022

The colour matched chronograph (orange) and time keeping hands (white) are a smart design choice that work practically. I like orange hands on a watch (The Milgauss stands out for me in this way too). I would take the racing dial version over the regular all things being equal.

(PS I like the Tintin dial, just because of the inside joke, and the rocket in "On a marché sur la Lune" looks super cool)

Fish70 · Jan 16, 2022

I've always like flashy things 😁

marcn · Jan 16, 2022

Does it change “our” sensibilities? It certainly seems to sway markets.

Individually, I’d hope not, especially if one is able to be honest about how something actually looks as a thing independent of context.

Just for me, somewhere north of 95% of all watches are total abominations regardless of context. Very glad when I see others loving them (“there’s a lid for every pot!”) but others enthusiasm (leading to acquisitions and subsequent scarcity) never triggers me to question my visceral responses.

M'Bob · Jan 16, 2022

marcn
Does it change “our” sensibilities? It certainly seems to sway markets.

Individually, I’d hope not, especially if one is able to be honest about how something actually looks as a thing independent of context.

Just for me, somewhere north of 95% of all watches are total abominations regardless of context. Very glad when I see others loving them (“there’s a lid for every pot!”) but others enthusiasm (leading to acquisitions and subsequent scarcity) never triggers me to question my visceral responses.

If you can cleanly segregate these issues regarding watches or other things in life, a tip of the hat to you. So much of our perceptions are, and maybe should be, context-based. After all: if a group of well-versed people gives a thumbs-up to something, and someone finds it unappealing, are they seeing what the others aren’t…or missing something the others are perceiving?

pdxleaf · Jan 16, 2022

Depends. Often what appeals to other people also appeals to me. Unfortunately, I tend to be the last person to discover something, which is when it is already expensive.

The racing dial immediately appealed to me. I loved the color scheme. Learned later aboutcthe cost.

Tintin didn't appeal to me at first. Reminded me of a London Bobbies hat. Admit to being persuaded by the rarity.

Apollo 8 DSOTM immediately appealled to me a d I bought it. After owning it afew months I sold it for another watch.

Alaska was a tricky one. Like you,i couldn't decide if I liked it. It grew on me and almost boughtvone several times a couple years ago. While i was looking slowly forca good one with box and papers, Eugene told the whole bloody world aboutvhow great they are so now i will never afford one.

In summary, rarity is an influence, but passion will win out in the end. If you don't love it, you won't keep it. The problem is in figuring out what to buy before it gets crazy.

Solution is to buy everything and then after you fugure out what you don't like, sell it. Tell your wife you read about it on the internet and you'll be okay.

arturo7 · Jan 16, 2022

Nope.

Rarity might increase one's desire. But aesthetically, an ugly watch is an ugly watch.

Many things are rare because nobody wanted them in the first place.

p4ul · Jan 16, 2022

M'Bob
If you can cleanly segregate these issues regarding watches or other things in life, a tip of the hat to you. So much of our perceptions are, and maybe should be, context-based. After all: if a group of well-versed people gives a thumbs-up to something, and someone finds it unappealing, are they seeing what the others aren’t…or missing something the others are perceiving?

Emperors new clothes??

Great question, I am swayed by ‘the knowledge’ I desire ALL of the above watches because of that.

I am suddenly considering selling my watches because all I want is a plain symmetrical face with no date or clutter. Not sure which one yet, the search starts. Damn you. 😉

Darlinboy · Jan 16, 2022

M'Bob
Does rarity change our aesthetic sensibility?

For me, any watch has to be first and foremost aesthetically appealing to me. Layering in rarity on top of aesthetics only makes it even more attractive - the "challenge of the hunt" bonus.

cineaste · Jan 16, 2022

I hate patina usually, but if a piece is rare and the patina is spread even i might consider it!

ArmbandUhr69 · Jan 16, 2022

M'Bob
............ if it wasn’t rare, and valuable, from a purely aesthetic point of view, would you find it appealing? ...............]

The eternal question. Are you buying something because it pushes your personal buttons or because it is "fashionably" collectable right now?
When I bought every one of my watches, I researched every bit about the movement and performance but I never even considered collect-ability and whether anyone else liked them. 50 years ago that would not have been a question you would have asked, nor was it 5 years ago when I bought my Tudor BB Bronze. 100% that it pushed my buttons was the sole reason. As it turns out, many of my purchases now have people who find them attractive, which has nothing to do with my ability to see into the future. As a new member on this forum, it is a bit of an eye opener on what and how enthusiastically people jump on the current popular models.
I am always very interested in those who announce they are collecting the odd ball products, because you can tell it is done out of pure enthusiasm for that watch rather then any future financial benefit or being part of a distinct community.
For those who buy them purely as something they alone lust after, they will be loved no matter where collecting trends drift to. If you collect based on others opinions then you end up with things that in effect you have bought because others find them attractive, either ascetically or financially. Whether you get to realize that benefit depends a lot on how collecting fads evolve.
I like antiques but don't collect. What I have noticed over say 20 years is that the value varies greatly as preferences change. Same with older cars, models go in and out of fashion.
My 2 cents worth, be true to yourself and buy what you like. You'll never regret that whereas you may feel depressed sitting on a collection that no one wants at some time in the future and to which you have no real attraction.

ArmbandUhr69 · Jan 16, 2022

M'Bob
.......... After all: if a group of well-versed people gives a thumbs-up to something, and someone finds it unappealing, are they seeing what the others aren’t…or missing something the others are perceiving?

Mmmm, yes there is expertise here that is invaluable and a repository of detail info that would be almost impossible to hold in any one place. But, members here have varying financial reserves, may be of different religions, have chosen their partners for personal reasons and the list goes on and on. On that basis, why should they all be of one voice on one specific watch and why should you be swayed by that.
Technically and for detail specifications, this is the place, but for choice, that's for you alone.

M'Bob · Jan 16, 2022

A ArmbandUhr69
The eternal question. Are you buying something because it pushes your personal buttons or because it is "fashionably" collectable right now?
When I bought every one of my watches, I researched every bit about the movement and performance but I never even considered collect-ability and whether anyone else liked them. 50 years ago that would not have been a question you would have asked, nor was it 5 years ago when I bought my Tudor BB Bronze. 100% that it pushed my buttons was the sole reason. As it turns out, many of my purchases now have people who find them attractive, which has nothing to do with my ability to see into the future. As a new member on this forum, it is a bit of an eye opener on what and how enthusiastically people jump on the current popular models.
I am always very interested in those who announce they are collecting the odd ball products, because you can tell it is done out of pure enthusiasm for that watch rather then any future financial benefit or being part of a distinct community.
For those who buy them purely as something they alone lust after, they will be loved no matter where collecting trends drift to. If you collect based on others opinions then you end up with things that in effect you have bought because others find them attractive, either ascetically or financially. Whether you get to realize that benefit depends a lot on how collecting fads evolve.
I like antiques but don't collect. What I have noticed over say 20 years is that the value varies greatly as preferences change. Same with older cars, models go in and out of fashion.
My 2 cents worth, be true to yourself and buy what you like. You'll never regret that whereas you may feel depressed sitting on a collection that no one wants at some time in the future and to which you have no real attraction.

Nicely put, but I will add that there could be an economic factor. Here’s what I mean: if you have mega deep pockets, you can buy what you like with total disregard for what others think, It really won’t matter what the watch does value-wise.

My pockets were never that deep, so while I bought what I liked, I always had an eye on what historically remained desirable. Because of that, thankfully, I haven’t gotten slaughtered on the value of many of my pieces.

On the other hand, I love my Speedmaster 125, and yet few people do. So while it haven’t lost money on it, it’s stalled now in the mid $3K range, and honestly, I don’t see it going much up. No regrets, though…

M'Bob · Jan 16, 2022

A ArmbandUhr69
Mmmm, yes there is expertise here that is invaluable and a repository of detail info that would be almost impossible to hold in any one place. But, members here have varying financial reserves, may be of different religions, have chosen their partners for personal reasons and the list goes on and on. On that basis, why should they all be of one voice on one specific watch and why should you be swayed by that.

Like learning about art, craft or design, sometimes it’s not just a matter of what you like, but others who are well-versed in their respective fields can educate and train your eye to nuances that may exist, and the neophyte may have missed, or doesn’t appreciate.

STANDY · Jan 16, 2022

To use a fishing lure analogy. It has to catch the fisherman first and then the fish.

So making a fishing lure with both is hard. Some have preconceived views that only green lures work another a orange lure only works. The fish will eat both but at certain times they want purple.

The more lures you have the better chance of catching a fish

The more watches you have doesn’t make you tell the time any better.

So we buy watches to tell the time. Everything else is in the head of the wearer once that is done. Appealing for colour, rarity, cost, shape, movement, historical significance or whatever.
Buy what you like and what you want. Chasing internet or forum rarity or must haves will have you eating beans forever. Every influencer or blogger loves the watch until his/her next article is being penned

Does rarity change our aesthetic sensibility?

M'Bob

blufinz52

M'Bob

malilis

hansmaulwurf

Sherbie

nkhandekar

Fish70

marcn

M'Bob

pdxleaf

arturo7

p4ul

Darlinboy

cineaste

ArmbandUhr69

ArmbandUhr69

M'Bob

M'Bob

STANDY

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