I've noticed this term being bandied about a lot on this forum and others, and a quick Google told me that it stands for Watch Idiot Savant. I did laugh. But I'm not quite clear on the definition - does it basically just mean like a watch nerd? A bit like the Big Bang crew with their comic books? Is it derogatory in any way, or a catch-all term of endearment for peeps who are just overly interested in watches? Just wondering...

 

Nerd?! How dare you! I'm a geek!

 

My apologies...

 

So are you a WIS?

 

Well, according to the dictionary...

idiot savant
plural
idiots savants
play \ˈē-ˌdyō-sä-ˈväⁿ(z)\ or \ˈē-ˌdyō-sä-ˈväⁿ(z)\

1. 1 : savant
2. 2 : a person who is highly knowledgeable about one subject but knows little about anything else
   

Knowing "little about anything else" is the key point here.

 

Lol...it's more of self-effacing term used amoung watch geeks. Tongue in check and meant in humor. You know your a WIS when you are a member on multiple watch forums, have enough watches that you routinely have an afternoon change out, have tools to change your own straps and/or size bracelets, subscribe to watch magazines and participate in a million page thread numerous times about when a certain watch will be delivered ()...if any of those describe you then you are likely a WIS.