On the member side I think there are so many more choices now. Sub forums on facebook, yahoo and such.

 

I think that the novice watch enthusiast has far more resources presented to him now than five years ago. In short, SCWF (oops, old habits) is up against a flashy roster of YouTubers, Insragrammers, and a bunch of other far more high profile websites. Those that are here tend to be either well studied experts, or folks who wish to sit at their knee, horology wise.

As for vintage Seiko, which is where I started, its become too much of a minefield for a new collector. Its hard enough for a seasoned collector to sift through the fakes, frankens, and frauds on auction sites. Joe Newbie might well decide that a brand new reissue of what he covets is the better bet.

 

I think that the novice watch enthusiast has far more resources presented to him now than five years ago. In short, SCWF (oops, old habits) is up against a flashy roster of YouTubers, Insragrammers, and a bunch of other far more high profile websites. Those that are here tend to be either well studied experts, or folks who wish to sit at their knee, horology wise.

As for vintage Seiko, which is where I started, its become too much of a minefield for a new collector. Its hard enough for a seasoned collector to sift through the fakes, frankens, and frauds on auction sites. Joe Newbie might well decide that a brand new reissue of what he covets is the better bet.

Not just a newbie might decide to buy a reissue...I have been selling off the Seikos and Omegas, including the MM, Omega X33s etc....Had the Tuna last year but sold it....then saw this 2016 Solar Tuna version used going for $200. The version is like an entry level Tuna but done so well, in my opinion. So, I bought it. No regrets! Also spotted a used Save the Ocean Turtle and grabbed that one (here in Osaka).....and I thought I was getting out of collecting! Now I am looking for that gold Turtle! Of course years ago I had many 6309s,6306s etc....
wrist shot 2 by toypoodleKimi, on Flickr
dial wrist shot by toypoodleKimi, on Flickr

 

Great pics of timepieces above, exceptional imo. Seems newer generations are not as timeline specific as earlier generations were.
Watches are amongst a dying breed of accessories of tie pins, cuff-links, pin-down collars, bell-bottoms, etc. for many unisexually.

I consider watches essential still. My hand sized computer device known as a mobile phone is currently amongst the missing, my watch is running(slow2min), and my brains now exhibiting diminishing returns.
Time & Tide wait for no one.

Good luck & Best wishes......

 

It appears that this enthusiasm from new members has greatly subsided over the past 5-6 years.

Hmm, something disrupting watch enthusiasm for the past 5-6 years?

 

This - but, and it's a big butt.....I asked a parts supply house about sales of batteries etc if they'd diminished because of wrist computer sales and they said yes but to some extent people who are now wearing a wrist computer when they didn't wear a watch at all before are wanting to buy a real watch for dressing up etc.

 

I remember reading the old forums, and each day, there would be new members inquiring about vintage models. It appears that this enthusiasm from new members has greatly subsided over the past 5-6 years. Are Seiko's relentless reissues having an effect on the market? At the same time, high quality vintage pieces are more difficult than ever to source. What's going on...?

Natural consequence of a finite supply?

 

The hobby has only grown, for all brands, Seiko included. The wealth of information on the Internet now makes knowledge that used to take years to acquire just a search away. Many don't search enough and end up with frankens, but that's still growth in the hobby.
I think forums are growing right alongside YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, just not this one.

 

If its not growing, then why are the prices still going up like rockets ?

The hobby is growing.. but maybe not on this forum?
What doesn't help of course is the tidal wave of fakes flooding the auction sites. Most of the half decent 6139's and 6309's in particular offered for sale are well photographed junk.
There are no short cuts anymore. Research is more important than ever, and anyway, I believe researching and learning is most of the fun for serious collectors.

 

If its not growing, then why are the prices still going up like rockets ?

 

My thoughts exactly!

 

The Farcebook killed a lot of forums and as has been mentioned a lot of folk are wearing 'smart' watches.

I tried one myself but after a day or so I got bored with the thing.

 

I think the hobby is still growing and as popular amongst watch guys as ever but these days we are all spoiled for choice with different forums, Facebook, Instagram, blogs etc which dilutes the number of participants and as always lots of lurkers on different forums who are happy just to lurk without adding anything, on the SCWF and other forums about 90% who view a thread do not post.

I would hate to be a newby just starting out collecting but then again I remember 20 years ago collectors saying they would hate to be just starting out when 6105s could still be picked up at flea markets for $25 and then again 10 years ago when the likes of a 6105 could cost $400 for a nice one.

I also think now a days you need to have a good amount of disposable income to collect as everything from spares to collectable models can get expensive.

Also these days it is getting so hard to find genuine 100% original examples in any sort of condition but at least when or if we do find nice examples we have the guys who can sort them out.

 

I can only speak for myself...The Hobby is Growing better than ever

 

Is the Forum getting older? Are the new guys a product of the new generation that want everything now? Waiting for parts/ patiently hunting a bracelet link...just not in their DNA.
I want perfect now to post on Instagram. Might be something to it.

Rob

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Thats so true, when speaking with Jim we have said the same thing, we canhunt for years sometimes but others want it NOW

Is the Forum getting older? Are the new guys a product of the new generation that want everything now? Waiting for parts/ patiently hunting a bracelet link...just not in their DNA.
I want perfect now to post on Instagram. Might be something to it.

Rob

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I think watch collecting is certainly growing - every day I see good old fashioned economics at work - a fixed supply of nice older watches coupled with growing demand (and some hype and stupid money...) = higher and higher prices.

Apple Watches aren't having an impact on the people who like vintage watches - they are killing sales of department store quartz fashion watches, not so much the older or luxury mechanical ones, which are often less about telling the time than conveying status (esp. at the high end). I work in a solidly middle class occupation (public education) and see nothing but smartwatches on the wrists of my colleagues.

Where I agree with other posters is that traditional forums are what is not growing. I see this not only in watches, but other hobbies as well. For better or worse, social media platforms are the future of the internet, especially with smartphones on whose systems app-based stuff works much better. I still prefer the forum format, but I am also getting further away from being one of the "young" people that are the future of any hobby.

 

I'm certain that the hobby of watches will be around for a long time even though a lot of people aren't into it, most people I see out on the street are just wearing cheap fashion watches from brands like MVMT or Apple watches, I've seen a few people with some nice watches in public or G-Shocks and it's actually how I made a good friend around the same age as me who is also a collector, I am only 20 years old and I got my first Seiko(SKX009) two years ago on my 18th birthday from my family(hence my name)

That's really what got me into watches and collecting them so that gift is very important to me even though it's just an SKX, like Ikuo Tokunaga said "Please touch your own favorite watch with your kind heart and love for ever." But that also goes for the people who buy fashion watches, if somebody enjoys a fashion watch from MVMT or Michael Kors then that's the watch they love and there's nothing wrong with that.

But it's not just that, in the world we live in today the people I know at least, I can't speak for everybody but they just aren't into watches as a hobby, they just see them as something they wear to look nice each day, in short they aren't collectors they just enjoy watches for fashion.

However I myself got into vintage Seiko's this year, I always wanted a pepsi 7548 because Gen Schwarzkopf wore one and he is for sure legendary to me. I had no vintage Seiko's in my collection until I bought my 7548-700B and I found this forum a few days after I bought it from googling questions I had. So I can't really say 100% why the hobby isn't growing, but this is at least my perspective.

 

Some of us went back to Rolex

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I think many people wear apple watches these days but then there are probably people who wear a Apple Watch for their health etc, for which they are useful. But when the time comes to relax or dress up, nothing can beat a vintage watch and nothing new ever will. Apple Watch will never hold a candle to a vintage GS on a leather band in terms of style, but I don’t think that’s it’s purpose.

 

I’m doing my best to force it on the next generation!

My son (12 now) has worn a Seiko pepsi skx033 for a couple of years (getting pretty beat up) on a tropic rep. Had to swap the strap recently as it’s worn a lot (not something us crazy people see)

I often ask him if any of his mates ever ask about his watch, never once.

Interestingly though he favours it over a digital Casio to wear off his own back.

 

I’m doing my best to force it on the next generation!

My son (12 now) has worn a Seiko pepsi skx033 for a couple of years (getting pretty beat up) on a tropic rep. Had to swap the strap recently as it’s worn a lot (not something us crazy people see)

I often ask him if any of his mates ever ask about his watch, never once.

Interestingly though he favours it over a digital Casio to wear off his own back.

my sons only wear a watch when we go on vacation. they know if they don't meet me at the designated time, they are SOL with lunch or other things at the time I tell them to meet up. one time, one son missed out because.................his phone ran out of juice! LOL.

<* shark >>><

 

I am like @uncleluck and am trying to encourage my kids, who are 12 and 9 by buying them casios and g shocks. Hopefully they will grow up to be watch enthusiasts like their old man!

 

I just bought an orange Orient Ray for my 17 year old daughter for Christmas.
I had to re-po the orange 7548 after I loaned it to her for her SAT and ACT tests, which she kept and decided to use in the shower.
Hope it takes, as my earliest childhood memory of a watch was an Orient as well.

Rob

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I just bought an orange Orient Ray for my 17 year old daughter for Christmas.
I had to re-po the orange 7548 after I loaned it to her for her SAT and ACT tests, which she kept and decided to use in the shower.
Hope it takes, as my earliest childhood memory of a watch was an Orient at well.

Rob

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You should have re-sealed the 7548 for her, I just did my orange one yesterday. As long as the back sealing faces are good they seal up well still with new crown gasket & back gaskets.

 

I do not think we give the younger generation enough credit. They live in a virtual world and most want instant gratification but I do see the sense of nostalgia in wanting something vintage. I know my daughter loves old vinyl records and listening to 80s music. I look at watch collecting like owning a fine piece of art or a fine wine, or collecting vintage cars or motorcycles. There is something to be said about the art and craftsmanship that goes into a fine timepiece that is simply not there in an Apple Watch and I think there will always be people who appreciate that. Lets not give up on the younger generation. We all have to do our part to instill an appreciation for fine things with the younger people we interact with day in and day out.

 

From this 3 year newbie I can say there's a lot of interest, but the new folks have headed to other platforms like Instagram, YouTube and Reddit. I also meet new people dabbling in watch repair on YouTube sites that put up repair vids and answer a lot of questions.

'Smart' watches may be causing somewhat of a renaissance but I can't say for sure, not really being in that arena.

My take on these newer sites is that there a lot of interest in watches but not in depth expertise. I am for example active on Reddit, where I will take every opportunity to point folks with specific questions to the more brand focused forums like this one.

Just for reference I'm 63 next month so am not one of the youngsters on social media. Just took me a while to discover my interest in this hobby.

 

I agree tastes and times change. Tastes, availabilities, prices are all in flux. As of a few weeks ago my opinion was that a real watch can only have a mechanical movement. Lately I realized that what I paid for my Pepsi GMT ten years ago would not buy me the bracelet for the same watch today. Two weeks ago when i first became interested in the 7T34 Flightmasters I saw images of impressive member collections but then I realized that all or most of the activity was between 2012 and 2014. Tastes change, shared interests slowly move out of our line of sight but the people are still around. Is interest in our hobby shrinking? It just looks like that. I hope. I am just starting a collection!

 

with regards to SCWF - I think there are A LOT of lurkers out there. It's the usual day-to-day crowd but I'm continually surprised by people who pop into a conversation that are generally not very active.

I think there is a lot of interest in our hobby but people just doing their own thing ...

 

I don't think that watch collecting as an interest is declining. However, many collectors have been lured to social media and those that are new to the hobby never get past the social media onto sites like this.
There is definitely a difference in the posts of FB and Instagram - posts on those forums are more transitory and the structure doesn't provide for detailed discussion over a period of time.
In many of these forums it seems to be more about conspicuous consumption, rather than knowledge sharing.


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Thinking about whether the smart watch phenomenon is leading to a watch renaissance I thought I'd share this Reddit post. I see these sorts of posts several times a week. So yes I think smartwatches do spark an interest.

As I mentioned above there's a lot of interest on social media but not much knowledge. Head on over to meet these folks, they're always very appreciative of our help.