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So...what happened to the Timepiece Gentleman?

Omegafanman
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
I think all these YouTubers/Instagram personalities/Influencers are part of the problem. Big egoes who feel the need to promote themselves.

Luckily, most of them seem to be focussed on modern watches.

Keep in mind the algorithms are changing. People will need to sell their souls to the devil / be the devil to get any profile. It is harder and harder for independent or not for profit content to get any traction - it is a land grab by the big boys. Also Govs and companies have armies of people and bots spreading their version of the word nowadays.
 
tyrantlizardrex
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Omegafanman Omegafanman
It is harder and harder for independent or not for profit content to get any traction..

This is very true.

With the 2016(ish) change in the Instagram algorithm, it became nigh on impossible to get more than 10k followers organically, unless you're posting boobs or memes, or are a famous person or brand.

No one who's making stuff because they enjoy (rather than hoping to profit from it) it is going to pay these platforms for promotions, or bot companies for likes and follows.

Seeing the other side of this, as someone who asks for support through micro-donations, I can understand why these folks go out of their way to earn sponsor dollars. Because you can't like on asking listeners/watchers for support.

Point in case: The approximately 23 hours of work, and £80 cost of software/hosting for the last three 1 hour podcast episodes have netted me a total of £155 in support from 29 people, off the back of 4600 unique downloads.

I am not complaining about this - I'm chuffed that anyone would think the thing I make is good enough to put £1 in the pot - and thankful for every bit of support I get.

In general, I think people have got so used to free (even if it's covered in ads), that they typically don't/wont pay for content.

I also feel awkward about asking, but fυck it, I'm making a thing, if people are liking that thing, I shouldn't feel bad about asking them to contribute.

But the awkwardness shall remain.
 
dsio
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
I interviewed Gary Shteyngart last week for an upcoming episode of the Time 4A Pint Podcast, and we talked about the finance industry folks that he met when writing Lake Success and the GTGs they have.

They're interested in what the watch you're wearing cost. But the thing that scores you cool points is being able to say that you paid MRSP or below. As shows that you have solid connections, and good relationships rather than just the ability to throw money at the problem.

He was saying that these gents have no problem with spending money... but they don't see value in paying multiples of what something is worth just to have it. They want a good deal.

These YouTube douchecanoes on the other hand, seem to want to be ripped off. They think that's cool.

I never thought I'd say these words - but I'm with the bankers.

I think its blokes in general more than just bankers, like my dad has this old 20 foot shipping container he got for free from a company that was going to pay to get rid of it, and he turned it into his shed for the cost of moving it and he’s always so proud that he has an awesome shed that cost him nothing. My grandfather had this massive haul of vintage vacuum tubes and electrical spares from when the US Air Force left Australia in the 50s after the pacific campaign, the airport he worked at were going to have to pay to dump it but he salvaged all the valuable stuff and I’ve still got the best bits now, he had a lifelong pride that the USAF’s loss was his gain on that one lol
 
tyrantlizardrex
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With the banking folks, it’s more that they can afford to pay the silly inflated prices… but the ones that got retail are treated with deference by their peers.

It’s total nonsense isn’t it?
 
abrod520
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
With the banking folks, it’s more that they can afford to pay the silly inflated prices… but the ones that got retail are treated with deference by their peers.

It’s total nonsense isn’t it?

But... but... but... they like overpaying for things, like at auctions! It's the "winners circle" effect!

/s

/thread drift
 
tyrantlizardrex
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abrod520 abrod520
But... but... but... they like overpaying for things, like at auctions! It's the "winners circle" effect!

/s

/thread drift

I get the impression that the folks that do that are a different breed altogether…
 
abrod520
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
I get the impression that the folks that do that are a different breed altogether…

True, if only because what bankers do is in accordance with the laws their firms buy.
 
Dedalus05
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I am getting serious, "I liked watches before it was cool to like watches" vibes here in this thread ::stirthepot::

Entirely justifiable though. These "influencers" and their aspirational lifestyle schtick is extremely distasteful. Extravagance, glitter, and unholy complications over aesthetic. Yuck.

God forbid I see one of these characters wearing a watch I own. I'd sell it immediately in disgust.

Sell it right into the bubble they create. 🤔
 
Archer
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
I worked in the automobile industry some time ago when I was a big car enthusiast. I quickly realised that most people who worked in the business could just as well be selling white goods. No love there at all.

This is true for most businesses, including watches. I've been saying for years that a watch factory looks like any other factory, except the widgets they happen to be making are watches. The vast majority of people who work on the factory floor make watches, but are not watchmakers or watch enthusiasts, they are just doing a factory job.

The same is true for the rest of the business - the guy in accounting is an accountant, not a watch guy. There will obviously be exceptions, but these people go to jobs every day just like the rest of us (who are not retired I suppose). People on watch forums tend to romanticize the industry a bit too much...
 
Doc Savage
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Engee Engee
Oh totally, or should I say, totes?

In 200 years time people will be referring to the deep and insightful wisdom of Gringa in the same breath as they do Wittgenstein, Sartre, Mill, Marx and Locke.
LOL my undergrad degree is in philosophy, so Witt, Sartre, JS Mill, and John Locke are my boys.

I assume you were posting in jest, but I do share (what I expect is) your concern about the great thinkers of the Western Tradition being relegated to the past by our vapid, image-based modern culture. Having said that, I enjoy Gringa's quirky humor in her watch videos.
Edited:
 
STANDY
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Go to a small fishing tackle store and the workers there live for fishing.

Go to the 3 big chains trying to price them out of the market and it’s a job for everyone that works there.


tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
This is very true.

With the 2016(ish) change in the Instagram algorithm, it became nigh on impossible to get more than 10k followers organically, unless you're posting boobs or memes, or are a famous person or brand.

No one who's making stuff because they enjoy (rather than hoping to profit from it) it is going to pay these platforms for promotions, or bot companies for likes and follows.

Seeing the other side of this, as someone who asks for support through micro-donations, I can understand why these folks go out of their way to earn sponsor dollars. Because you can't like on asking listeners/watchers for support.

Point in case: The approximately 23 hours of work, and £80 cost of software/hosting for the last three 1 hour podcast episodes have netted me a total of £155 in support from 29 people, off the back of 4600 unique downloads.

I am not complaining about this - I'm chuffed that anyone would think the thing I make is good enough to put £1 in the pot - and thankful for every bit of support I get.

In general, I think people have got so used to free (even if it's covered in ads), that they typically don't/wont pay for content.

I also feel awkward about asking, but fυck it, I'm making a thing, if people are liking that thing, I shouldn't feel bad about asking them to contribute.

But the awkwardness shall remain.

To be honest I rarely listen ( new hobby takes up more time )
But
Make a Time 4 a Pint t-shirt and a sticker. I would buy one of each Chris
Problem for me is nowadays to donate say £5 pound would cost me £12
 
marcn
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
I’m not sure they’re focused on watches at all… the thing they seem most interested in is themselves

Keep making great content. If TPG and others have hooked new eyeballs, then let me paraphrase Thierry Stern:

“No, I love the Apple Watch. Why? It puts something on the wrist for customers who might never have thought to put something there. Some of those customers will grow up, and when they do, Patek Philippe will be there.”
 
BlackTalon
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Archer Archer
This is true for most businesses, including watches. I've been saying for years that a watch factory looks like any other factory, except the widgets they happen to be making are watches. The vast majority of people who work on the factory floor make watches, but are not watchmakers or watch enthusiasts, they are just doing a factory job.

The same is true for the rest of the business - the guy in accounting is an accountant, not a watch guy. There will obviously be exceptions, but these people go to jobs every day just like the rest of us (who are not retired I suppose). People on watch forums tend to romanticize the industry a bit too much...
Ah, thank goodness for engineers. We will all happily tell everyone else about our jobs if they show interest. 😎
 
Doc Savage
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marcn marcn
Keep making great content. If TPG and others have hooked new eyeballs, then let me paraphrase Thierry Stern:

“No, I love the Apple Watch. Why? It puts something on the wrist for customers who might never have thought to put something there. Some of those customers will grow up, and when they do, Patek Philippe will be there.”
Or Seiko. But they have to start somewhere!
 
Engee
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marcn marcn
“No, I love the Apple Watch. Why? It puts something on the wrist for customers who might never have thought to put something there. Some of those customers will grow up, and when they do, Patek Philippe will be there.”

Does anyone here actually believe this? That Apple watches are a gateway to watch collection for a meaningful number of people?

I don’t.
 
Doc Savage
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Engee Engee
Does anyone here actually believe this? That Apple watches are a gateway to watch collection for a meaningful number of people?

I don’t.
It might be too early to tell. The Apple Watch has only been super popular for a few years now. I think the matriculation to analogue watches is just starting.
 
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