Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

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Wario406
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Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by Wario406 » Sun Aug 28, 2022 8:44 am

I really enjoyed this article and feel I gained a nice perspective on the market.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/watc ... s-new-2022


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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by unsub073 » Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:05 am

Based on their definition, for the most part, that is wear I am at. I have a couple above it, but not much.
The watches that exist in the middle range today – which, for the intents and purposes of this story, I'm considering to be those priced in the ballpark of $1,000 to $3,500

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by AtomicTom » Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:40 am

Really great article Mike. :)

Wow, so informative, and well written honestly. I definitely enjoyed it,
but realized we now need an article about the “lower class” of watches. :grin:
That’s where I dwell, along with so many others who are out there. It’s
all too much fun to me sir. Every watch, every level.

Thanks very very much for finding this !!!

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by BBK357 » Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:47 am

Gayest article I’ve read.
DEATH FROM ABOVE
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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by Ryeguy » Mon Aug 29, 2022 10:58 am

The most compelling point to me was the observation regarding Fossil's stock value since the introduction of the Apple Smart Watch. Wearable technology has simply devastated the fashion watch industry.

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Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by Wario406 » Mon Aug 29, 2022 2:49 pm

BBK357 wrote:Gayest article I’ve read.
Maybe it’s the way you were reading it? LOL! Image

I must be getting old. I remember when gay meant happy, and a fag was a cigarette.


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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by 93 Turbo » Mon Aug 29, 2022 3:21 pm

Wario406 wrote:
Mon Aug 29, 2022 2:49 pm
BBK357 wrote:Gayest article I’ve read.
Maybe it’s the way you were reading it? LOL! Image

I must be getting old. I remember when gay meant happy, and a fag was a cigarette.


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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by River Rat » Mon Aug 29, 2022 3:57 pm

I remember when middle class vintage watch collectors could buy a vintage Tudor snowflake for 2000 cheaper than the new snowflakes they make today. We had more choices it was once affordable now it’s the shits got a real hanhart 417 cheaper than the new remake maybe why BBK357 called it gay he remembers when we had better days collecting watches. Middle class have less choices with the money they make today.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by HapaHapa » Mon Aug 29, 2022 7:11 pm

My 2 cents. Someone "middle class" doesn't have any business spending $1000-3500 on a watch.
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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by gwells » Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:19 pm

hmm... guess i better sell all of mine then...

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by HapaHapa » Tue Aug 30, 2022 7:28 am

gwells wrote:
Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:19 pm
hmm... guess i better sell all of mine then...
I guess I'm just very conservative about how much I'm comfortable spending.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by Ryeguy » Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:04 am

HapaHapa wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 7:28 am
gwells wrote:
Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:19 pm
hmm... guess i better sell all of mine then...
I guess I'm just very conservative about how much I'm comfortable spending.
I think you are correct, but for me it is less income dependent and more expense dependent. I figure discretionary purchases for something like a new watch should come only after all the living expenses and family expenses are already covered.

Even with discretionary spending, I tend to look at the potential purchase as "is this something the whole family can enjoy, or is it just for me?" This is why I'll spend $ on boat stuff, but I've not replaced the motorcycle I got rid of when my daughter was born.

I think it is OK to reward yourself if financial circumstances allow, but I would never sacrifice a family vacation (for example) to fund a watch purchase.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by HapaHapa » Tue Aug 30, 2022 10:11 am

I looked up current ranges for income. Holy crap I was waaay off. Middle class living in a low cost area could easily purchase into hodinkydonkey's middle class watch range.
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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by gwells » Tue Aug 30, 2022 10:49 am

i live in a fairly expensive place (DC metro) and am solidly middle class.

but...

the only debt we have is our mortgage (and nearly paid off). and we haven't had any debt other than mortgage in at least 12 years. we don't have any kids.

there's so much more that goes into someone's ability to buy something nice with discretionary funds than just their income.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by Ryeguy » Tue Aug 30, 2022 12:39 pm

gwells wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 10:49 am
i live in a fairly expensive place (DC metro) and am solidly middle class.

but...

we don't have any kids.
Key point. Holy crap they are expensive....fun to make, expensive to keep.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by gwells » Tue Aug 30, 2022 1:39 pm

i'd rather just practice a lot instead of making the real thing happen.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by gwells » Tue Aug 30, 2022 3:17 pm

and never go into debt for luxury items.

and yeah, i'm still driving my 2007 nissan frontier. we'll probably be getting a new vehicle in the next year or two, but we'll pay cash for it unless someone offers a ridiculous interest rate (and that i can't negotiate against for a better cash price).

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by HapaHapa » Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:41 pm

Ryeguy wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 12:39 pm
gwells wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 10:49 am
i live in a fairly expensive place (DC metro) and am solidly middle class.

but...

we don't have any kids.
Key point. Holy crap they are expensive....fun to make, expensive to keep.
No kids. You just freed up $100-200k per child (college) plus a couple hundred a month if not a grand.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by rain_maker » Tue Aug 30, 2022 6:00 pm

Reminds me of that old quote ... "the first half of your life is ruined by your parents, the second half by your kids" :lol:

HapaHapa wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 4:41 pm
Ryeguy wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 12:39 pm
gwells wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 10:49 am
i live in a fairly expensive place (DC metro) and am solidly middle class.

but...

we don't have any kids.
Key point. Holy crap they are expensive....fun to make, expensive to keep.
No kids. You just freed up $100-200k per child (college) plus a couple hundred a month if not a grand.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by rain_maker » Tue Aug 30, 2022 6:02 pm

This line hurt... :crybaby:
... a Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 would cost you $1,450 in 1986,

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by Ryeguy » Wed Aug 31, 2022 4:02 am

rain_maker wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 6:02 pm
This line hurt... :crybaby:
... a Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 would cost you $1,450 in 1986,
That’s just great marketing.

I mean a modern GMT II at $10,750 is technically a better watch than a 1675, but is it $6K better? ($4K adjusted 1675 price versus today’s GMT II MSRP)

Seiko, in contrast, adds sapphire crystals, an upgraded movements, and in many cases DiaShield case protection to their mid tier divers and raises their prices by about $300 and people complain.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by rain_maker » Wed Aug 31, 2022 5:22 am

For sure. Just made me realize I should kept my GMT!
Ryeguy wrote:
Wed Aug 31, 2022 4:02 am
rain_maker wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 6:02 pm
This line hurt... :crybaby:
... a Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 would cost you $1,450 in 1986,
That’s just great marketing.

I mean a modern GMT II at $10,750 is technically a better watch than a 1675, but is it $6K better? ($4K adjusted 1675 price versus today’s GMT II MSRP)

Seiko, in contrast, adds sapphire crystals, an upgraded movements, and in many cases DiaShield case protection to their mid tier divers and raises their prices by about $300 and people complain.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by djh1201 » Wed Aug 31, 2022 4:24 pm

HapaHapa wrote:
Tue Aug 30, 2022 7:28 am
gwells wrote:
Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:19 pm
hmm... guess i better sell all of mine then...
I guess I'm just very conservative about how much I'm comfortable spending.
As am I, just don't see much value in watches above this price point. Been thinking about buying something "high-end" for a year now, can easily afford it, but I don't pull the trigger. Guess its my frugal Midwestern upbringing.

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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by Wario406 » Wed Aug 31, 2022 7:28 pm

A sage told me many years ago... "happiness is a choice". I think watches are a perfect inflection of that.
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Re: Interesting HODINKEE article describing the “middle class” of watches.

Post by charger02 » Fri Sep 02, 2022 9:38 am

How disconnected from society is the author to think that a 1k+ watch is middle class? The article is fine, I suppose, heavy on the Swiss and a token nod to Japanese watchmaking. I think the author's social circle probably doesn't include a lot of blue-collar Americans.

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