How many female members now?

NGO1 · Jul 31, 2022

“Have a “ladies-only” sub forum. “
This is the respond from both, my wife and daughter. Topics the better sex interested in are much different than our daily squabbles. More than that, my gals don’t want to be judged for asking “is it safe to buy from Hodinkee?”

I’ve been trying to get my gals interested in watches for years. Very little success. I’m told I’m “too serious” when having a watch discussion. If we expand that thought a bit and inject a healthy dose of assumption, my gals would say that watch forums are intimidating and as newbies, they don’t feel welcome.

Have a women-only sub forum, no testosterone in these threads. No snarky comments, no sexist responses.

Walrus · Jul 31, 2022

ngo516
“Have a “ladies-only” sub forum. “
This is the respond from both, my wife and daughter. Topics the better sex interested in are much different than our daily squabbles. More than that, my gals don’t want to be judged for asking “is it safe to buy from Hodinkee?”

I’ve been trying to get my gals interested in watches for years. Very little success. I’m told I’m “too serious” when having a watch discussion. If we expand that thought a bit and inject a healthy dose of assumption, my gals would say that watch forums are intimidating and as newbies, they don’t feel welcome.

Have a women-only sub forum, no testosterone in these threads. No snarky comments, no sexist responses.

Actually it makes sense and although “geared towards females” may be better because plenty of guys here but their significant others watches and are knowledgeable about them. But yeah I could see ladies getting drowned out by talk of 45mm PO or what have you when a lot of women want a 28mm speaking in general terms of course. I tried getting my wife a ladies tissot (I think it was tissot) it wasn’t even expensive she just has no interest and she tucked it away somewhere and would rather wear an armitron. Hey if that makes her happy whatever but the battery life on those are terrible. Seems I change that battery every 3 months while my quartz Tag and Maurice Lacroix last years. But really on Reddit I don’t see many ladies showing watches there are always exceptions but maybe it is a “guy thing” but I did get one of my female coworkers interested in watches now I see her looking at different ones online asking me my opinion. If I ever come across a less expensive ladies Swiss watch in my hunting I’ll pick it up for her.

So obviously there are numerous women who like watches but maybe they aren’t interested in talking so much about the length of the second hand or arguing about water resistance with the crown pulled out.

Omegafanman · Jul 31, 2022

dsio
The 17% is Google analytics data which tends to be fairly accurate with a dataset as large as ours.

In terms of why it’s not welcoming I think the abrasiveness with which some treat new people asking for help is a part of it, some of the comments and discussions belong more in a frat house than a watch community and the general sausage party vibe that a place gets when the vast majority of membership are blokes to the extent that they think it’s just them all contributes.

Try opening a thread on Governments responses to Covid and see how far that gets you in terms of abrasiveness. People soon start wishing you dead. There are a lot of threads on different topics here with different vibes. If someone seems genuine but unsure my experience is that people are helpful and supportive if a little clumsy at times. If someone has a nice barn find people fall over themselves irrespective ;0).
There are wider issues in 2022 about culture and how people should express themselves/what views and behaviours are acceptable, what is funny and what is crass or offensive. Sadly I think some internet media (including the news) emphasise polarising views and statements to drive traffic and hits. Conflict and disagreement might be increasing in the world in part due to algorithms and bots just to sell more advertising, which would be ironic. It is possible to focus too much on things and over analyse them (as I am here). In the right combination salt and pepper adds to a meal but too much of either leaves a bad taste in the mouth. If someone want to champion ways to bring more diversity here most members I am sure would welcome and support that. Equally if there is a thread with some challenging content (judged by the readers own clearly perfect social moral and cultural compass) maybe at times they should just ignore it and just focus on threads which better suit their interests and personality…and mood (the internet, timing and frame of mind can also have a big impact on how people react). Lastly on occasion when I see things I really don’t like I have often sent the person a PM rather than grandstand in public or start a keyboard warrior fight. I mostly have good responses / people have removed or modified posts. I have done the same if I have caused offence inadvertently. Of course the overworked mods are always backstop.
If we don’t communicate openly how will we develop… and it will all get a bit dull and bland.
We are getting ready for beer and African curry tonight… for a party to watch the UK Lionesses win the football cup

Spruce · Jul 31, 2022

I'm not in favour of parcelling off any members into a sub-forum.

OF is generally inclusive and should aim to integrate all members regardless

Turpinr · Jul 31, 2022

Which brand of watches has the best selection for women ??
My missus started her selection with 3 Gucci's which now seem quite tiny.
I bought us both Tudors at xmas 2019 when I took early retirement.
The options were a 1926 with diamonds or a Claire de Rose and she chose the former.
Since since then I bought her a Longines Conquest the following xmas then a Bremont Solo LC.She then bought herself a Longines Evidenza last xmas.
Then fairly recently I bought her an Omega Aqua Terra 30mm and I'm so impressed with it that I now want the 38.5mm quartz version.
She's a member of a Bremont facebook group but I don't think she wants to join any others.
I'm glad she shares my love of watches and it means I dont feel guilty about splashing a few bob on luxury time pieces.

Edit.Ive just remembered she liberated a Tag Heuer 2000 from my ownership too which is worn mostly on walks.
It looks better on her than me and gets a lot more use.

Syrte · Jul 31, 2022

Do we have tha technical ability to run a survey among forum lurkers who might be women?
I too had wondered about a separate area, a « ladies den » or « ladies corner » which might feel safer- but I too had the same objections as @Spruce about dividing walls in the forum.
Of course if this gets done it should be clear everyone is welcome in all areas of the forum.

However for all of the criticism leveled at WatchUseek, it is a gigantic forum with many women members chiming in without parititions.

Hence my question, is there a way to run a survey among women lurkers and find out what they would want or expect?

Syrte · Jul 31, 2022

PS @Turpinr I would submit Longines is the major brand whose marketing and offerings are most attentive to women. 50% of their clientele is women (hence their attention and interest, as they told me, for female watch enthusiasts as myself).
They are the only brand I’m aware of that created a modern reedition of an iconic model taking women into account with the 36mm legend diver - available in 4 colors. Even some men like the smaller version as the large one is very big.
Go to Omega and all they will have is bling bling bling— plus one 36mm version of the dive Seamaster, and one smaller Aquaterra.

noless · Jul 31, 2022

sheepdoll
I was going to post the following photograph in it's own thread. Perhaps here (this thread is void of images) I went through and sorted those drawers. Was surprised how many ladies movements I had. I further sorted them into what I call coffin movements from tank and oval movements. Have also bee searching online sites for chronograph cases.

In some ways perhaps it is a good thing there is low interest, as it does keep the prices down (at least for the tiny movements.) Not so much for the chronographs. The hardest part is that the cases probably went to the fiery furnace for scrap. Which does make for a challenge. Still I found one or two that might have potential.

For what its worth I personally adore the ladies movements, for one as a beginner the lower cost of these movements has made them a lot easier to get my hands on, and I can't help but marvel at the the features that were squeezed into these diminutive movements.

I think I have probably worked on as many ladies movements as I have mens. I must admit though, at times I wonder if the missus is actually interested or not with all of these tiny watches I give her... mayhaps I need to accept that in many ways I am getting them for me, and using her as an excuse to do so, but how could I not when they are just so cute...

Turpinr · Jul 31, 2022

Syrte
PS @Turpinr I would submit Longines is the major brand whose marketing and offerings are most attentive to women. 50% of their clientele is women (hence their attention and interest, as they told me, for female watch enthusiasts as myself).
They are the only brand I’m aware of that created a modern reedition of an iconic model taking women into account with the 36mm legend diver - available in 4 colors. Even some men like the smaller version as the large one is very big.
Go to Omega and all they will have is bling bling bling— plus one 36mm version of the dive Seamaster, and one smaller Aquaterra.

The blue Conquest I got her is an absolute belter.
It was less than half the price (new)

of the used Aqua Terra i got her and had applied indices whereas the AT hasn't.
She agrees with you on the blingy part and most companies are just as guilty as Omega.

My pic isn't the best but I prefer the ladies Conquest to the gents variety.
The only criticism that i have of Longines is the bracelets are easily scuffed although both of hers are still ok.

Turpinr · Jul 31, 2022

This one got a big👎

Syrte · Jul 31, 2022

@mrs_LA and @Otterina have also contributed.

Could this be perhaps a median idea @dsio, @Trev?
Perhaps divide the « Omega modern watches » section into two subsections, one « for men » and one « for women ».

The Omega women’s line is very specific.
This will signal that the forum does pay attention to women, and it means all other sections are coed.
Maybe have a sticky at the top of that section to explain the thinking.

Spruce · Jul 31, 2022

And, like @Syrte, I really like Longines. They have consistently produced very attractive (and reliable) 35/36 watches that are ideal for wearers, like me, with skinny wrists.

Omega used to but I find the newer models (apologies in advance) too broad and clunky for my wrists, which is why I’m always posting/wearing older models.

Another plus about Longines is that they are reasonably priced and, IMHO, elegant without being ostentatious.

Edit: sorry for going off thread

Turpinr · Jul 31, 2022

https://share.tangiblee.com/www.gol...677eef06/f061b534-3cc3-4be4-8e3d-1e11f85260f3

My missus has her eye on this too.
The engraved Roman numerals are particularly striking.
I can see this particular thread costing one of us a few b🙁b

Shabbaz · Jul 31, 2022

How many female staff members do we have?

Syrte · Jul 31, 2022

Shabbaz
How many female staff members do we have?

Do we think it would make a difference?
I’m a moderator on the Military Watch Ressource Forum, I can assure you it hasn’t brought any new female membership 😁

dpwaber · Jul 31, 2022

Wimin are just people.

blufinz52 · Jul 31, 2022

Dan S
And as we speak, on another thread, a regular member is joking about what a woman would say about how it would look if he put a watch down his pants. 🤦

Is this any worse than the comment about 'autistic box ticking'? My adult son has autism, and any comparison to ticking boxes to what my son goes through is more offensive than a Mae West quote IMO.

Scooterino36 · Jul 31, 2022

I have a simple process. I take an extra 5 seconds before posting something, and ask myself "is this snarky/rude, and would I be this snarky/rude to a person in real life"?

Just having a small amount of self awareness can go a long way, even if we aren't always perfect.

JimInOz · Jul 31, 2022

Scooterino36
I have a simple process. I take an extra 5 seconds before posting something, and ask myself "is this snarky/rude, and would I be this snarky/rude to a person in real life"?

Just having a small amount of self awareness can go a long way, even if we aren't always perfect.

I sense bullshit.

Show us a pic of your scooter and then I'll retract my "sense" comment.

Scooterino36 · Jul 31, 2022

JimInOz
I sense bullshit.

Show us a pic of your scooter and then I'll retract my "sense" comment.

Lol it's a family nickname that's unfortunately stuck.