Let's Talk Pretentiousness in the Watch Community.

Ok, I've noticed and read parts of this thread since it was started. Not sure I can add anything meaningful, but I feel a little sensitive about this.

I have always enjoyed watches (I remember loving my old digital Timex watch with light up and stop-watch functions). I am someone who has aquired increasingly nicer and more expensive watches as my means allow. If I became a billionaire tomorrow, I would have an insane collection of expensive watches that I find attractive (no yellow gold, no diamonds, nothing >44mm, every face would have to be legible so I could quickly tell time). I am definitely proud of the watches I own and the personal career/financial advancements that make increasingly more expensive watches a reality.

I have distinct preferences and tastes that often don't match others or what seems to be most popular.

I own a "modern day Rolex" that many of you pretentious Omega fanboys so much love to look down upon - ha ha). However, I didn't buy a Sub or GMT Master II because I don't like the large chunky (usually black) bezel. I don't look down at anyone who owns these, they just don't do it for me.

I appreciate the look of my watches and I often admire them throughout the day. I have had people comment positively about my watch, and I liked it. I find my $500 Tissot Visodate just as attractive as my Explorer II.

I don't look down at people who don't own >$200 watches, and I regular compliment people's watches when I find them visually appealing (even though I can see they're fairly cheap quartz products).

I do look down somewhat on watches that are ridiculously large (the "Ploprof"? Is borderline ridiculous to me - and I don't say that to offend anyone anymore than anyone calls out "modern day Rolex" to offend me). I travel a lot for work and I have seen monstrous gaudy versions that ironically have so much bling or crap all over the dial making it unusable to even tell the time. I think the people that wear these are posers and they don't impress me at all. I love wearing my 42mm Explorer II (that some people believe is too large) because it is very easy to tell the time with a quick glance when sitting in a meeting.

"pretentious
adjective pre·ten·tious \pri-ˈten(t)-shəs\

: having or showing the unpleasant quality of people who want to be regarded as more impressive, successful, or important than they really are"

According to this Merriam-Webster definition I would argue I am not pretentious. According to some of the comments from other posts maybe I am.

I have to also point out or admit, that I do not own an Omega (yet) but this OF is the only watch forum I check every day and regularly post on.

Why?

1. Maybe because on some level I have to agree what some have said, in that people here are generally more interested in watches (very often vintage, rare, or less popular styles) and less interested in the "look at me" factor.

2. There are a lot of knowledgeable posters here (avid collectors, historians, watchmakers) who post very informative and interesting things that teach me new things everyday.

FWIW, I do expect an Omega will be in my possession in the not too distant future and I will very much look forward to sharing it on this forum just as soon as I do.

Have been lurking much longer than that.

More? Ouch! 😉

Most? Ouch! 😉

What is this...pick on Al day? 😀

I think if you look at who has the most likes, I'm certainly not at the top. I also like to think that my likes are for providing useful technical content primarily, rather than posting pictures of pretty watches in the WRUW thread...NTTAWWT...

My "posts to likes ratio" is also pretty modest...I see for example a member who has just over 3,000 posts, but over 14,000 likes. And another with less than 2,000 posts and almost 12,000 likes...and there are more like this.