Think I have watch “burnout”

STANDY · Aug 20, 2022

I have plenty of watches to wear. Too many really…..

My interest in Modern has dwindled to Meh…watching a Speedmaster 321 that looks like a 1861 selling for $20k. Seeing Seiko churn out 10-15 watches that look the same priced from $600 - $6000.
Also little offered by anyone that’s not several thousand more than I expect.
Just the price of a Omega strap is irking me from anything modern.

Vintage still has some interest but the hustle and bustle of sifting through overpriced average. Shady dealers and flippers. Beating hundreds to the punch.

I’m still here enjoying the fun and friendships made over the years.

But think the mojo is missing lately.

My last purchase a few weeks ago made me smile more for the giggle at the Rolex conundrum. (So all is not lost 😉)

Anyone else been through the watch game rut lately

styggpyggeno1 · Aug 20, 2022

I am with you.

Modern not interesting at all. The usual vintage suspects are overprized and/or overhyped. What keeps me going is that I do enjoy the watches I already have - and - I like looking for the "road less travelled" watches. The ones that are quality but has no following. You know what and which I mean. And of course their names are never to be spoken out loud - as that would ruin them too...

Like the Seiko-Rolex! Bought on the beach?

eugeneandresson · Aug 20, 2022

STANDY
Anyone else been through the watch game rut lately

Yep.

watchyouwant · Aug 20, 2022

Well known and common human condition. Often extends to other human activities. Can include partners too. In that case, the decision what to cull ( strictly watches !) , why and when , is taken out of your hands and 50% will be gone. Which can bring you back to the Basics; how many .... ( Insert watches in our case ) do you need. I bought 3 new watches in 30 years of collecting/restoring/dealing . The last one is a keeper, because it ticks all my boxes. Tudor Pelagos LH red Titanium with Titanium band. All the other Speedies, Submariners and a few more will go eventually. I've enjoyed every single one.

Intime · Aug 20, 2022

In The Netherlands there's a saying "Bezit van de zaak is het einde van het vermaak" meaning when you own a certain object that's the end of the fun.

The process to get a certain object is often more fun because you search for it online, keep checking it out online or in a window, perhaps saving for it, reading reviews etc.

Intime · Aug 20, 2022

By the way, that doesn't count for me while waiting for the Snoopy.

STANDY · Aug 20, 2022

styggpyggeno1
I am with you.

Like the Seiko-Rolex! Bought on the beach?

Oddly it’s a Mod made by a pretty good restorer of vintage Seikos. (That has been around for many many years) Made from actually decent parts and even upgraded to a better Seiko movement (which was a choice) Probably the go to Seiko mod guy in the Southern Hemisphere.
Even had a 3 week waiting list while he put it together so Very Rolex 😉

I am like you, more than happy with the watches I have in great condition I have sourced over the years.

cicindela · Aug 20, 2022

Perhaps one watch purchased in last 5 years.

Tony C. · Aug 20, 2022

cicindela
Perhaps one watch purchased in last 5 years.

dibs! 😁

Tire-comedon · Aug 20, 2022

Experienced the same two or three years ago. Modern watches became too expensive and an investment oriented world, and I felt that for old watches I collect, I could only find what I already had.
Moved to another non-hyped watch field. A kind of refreshing new start.

gbesq · Aug 20, 2022

I have little interest in the modern stuff (I own one modern Omega and one modern JLC), but I still get a charge out of hunting for the vintage stuff, the rarer, the better. This one, which I acquired after years of searching, keeps me interested in the hobby and makes me smile every time that I wear it.

Taddyangle · Aug 20, 2022

Totally feeling same. 10+ years of collecting. There was a time when I was buying a watch every 6-8 weeks. While it seems extreme looking back, that exercise really helped me determine what I liked when it comes to my enjoyment of wearing a wrist watch.

I was initially attracted to Omega because (10+ years ago) I felt it was a pretty low key brand. And that it was a great value. But over time, and more important, loved the look of the Omega watches, and how wide their range was on their offerings. Speedmaster, Ploprof, Seamster300, Aqua Terra..... and of course unlimited Limited Edition Speedmaster watches.

But then the prices became so out of control (for me) that I got really turned off.

I do love the Speedmaster and if not for my desire to continue with the Speedmaster Decades Collection (SDC), I'm not sure I'd buy another watch. No changes to the SDC in almost 5 years. I will add to it before this decade is over. And then finish out with a gold bracelet upon retirement.

Matty01 · Aug 20, 2022

Yarp,
I took a break for 4 years after buying a lovely Rotary off Tony C
Have bought a couple of watches in the last fortnight- pretty much only interested in vintage these days but will keep a couple of more modern watches I like… much more open to no name watches… here’s my last 2

dsio · Aug 20, 2022

I haven’t bought one for myself since the Apollo 8 years ago now. I’ve still been buying them often for other people, mostly friends and family looking for their first good watch. I take far more joy from converting non watch people into watch people than I do buying for myself these days and I’m not really in a position to buy myself these days anyway.

I think I’d have been a really good Jehovah’s witness given how many I’ve turned just locally.

The watch I wear most is still the Daytona, it’s just comfy convenient and durable. It makes it hard because I compare everything to it.

jimmyd13 · Aug 20, 2022

I've been collecting for 32 years. I rarely see a new watch that appeals to me but the thrill of finding a classic "in the wild" keeps me going. While I buy more art now than watches, I always gave my ear to the ground.

That said, I am sitting in an auction room having just watched a quartz JLC bring nearly £800; a Seamaster 600 bring £600 .... and I really wonder what people are thinking. I cant wait to laugh when some of these buyers bring them to me to restore.

STANDY · Aug 20, 2022

Must say I’m spoilt for vintage to enjoy for years to come….

Rose gold Zenith sort of capped a vintage spree that lasted many years

Many a mint watch like this 8888 along the way

Larry S · Aug 20, 2022

Went from tapping to pressing the brakes harder when I retired three years ago. I still enjoy my collection although most of it is in the bank. I used to wear every single watch in my collection at the office or in my travels. Now not so much. I still enjoy OF and reading articles but I too am put off by the hype and the prices. As soon as the boats are put to bed for the winter, I will resume culling which I honestly hate to do, but it’s better for someone else to enjoy a watch that for it to sit in the safe deposit box.

Davidt · Aug 20, 2022

jimmyd13
I've been collecting for 32 years. I rarely see a new watch that appeals to me but the thrill of finding a classic "in the wild" keeps me going. While I buy more art now than watches, I always gave my ear to the ground.

That said, I am sitting in an auction room having just watched a quartz JLC bring nearly £800; a Seamaster 600 bring £600 .... and I really wonder what people are thinking. I cant wait to laugh when some of these buyers bring them to me to restore.

Is this the SM600 with box, original strap and papers?

I left a bud and coincidentally logged on to see if go under the hammer. Suffice to say I didn’t win it by a long shot as when fees are added to the hammer price, even for a nice little set, the price is a way away from what I expected.

Re the OP, I get it as well. I started with vintage watches interested only in 60’s Speedmasters. The surge in prices turned me off so after a bit of a lull I turned to 60’s Seamasters, both dress and tool as they offer similar enjoyment at a lower entry point.

Personally I enjoy the hunt so saving to buy a 20k Speedmaster every 2-3 years wouldn’t cut it for me. I like to receive those knocks on the door for a parcel with a filthy barn find watch enclosed. Reminds me of Xmas as a kid.

Dan S · Aug 20, 2022

I was feeling the same way a couple of years ago. Unexpectedly, I developed an interest in vintage Citizen watches, which allowed me to buy some interesting watches at very reasonable prices. That jumpstarted things for me a bit.

DoctorEvil · Aug 20, 2022

Dan S
I was feeling the same way a couple of years ago. Unexpectedly, I developed an interest in vintage Citizen watches, which allowed me to buy some interesting watches at very reasonable prices. That jumpstarted things for me a bit.

If you like vintage Citizen, here's some eye candy for you from the 1970s:

It used to belong to my Dad and he gifted it to me a couple of years ago. It needs fixing if I want to wear it, as the winding mechanism is broken.

Think I have watch “burnout”

STANDY

styggpyggeno1

eugeneandresson

watchyouwant

Intime

Intime

STANDY

cicindela

Tony C.

Tire-comedon

gbesq

Taddyangle

Matty01

dsio

jimmyd13

STANDY

Larry S

Davidt

Dan S

DoctorEvil

Similar threads

I think I have a weakness...

i think i have a 1920's omega pocket watch any help identifying?