Snake Oil Department, Top This

[Mart68]

yeah, as much as I don't get the expensive watch thing, they do provide "something" as they are a piece of jewellery. Their function (giving time) is 10% of the appeal (everyone has a phone that gives the time anyway).

so, for cables, I could understand if someone said "a paid a little extra, could they look good". But just a little extra lol

I do get the expensive watch thing - I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a watch (current timepiece was £35 via Amazon) - and it can serve a practical purpose in business - the 'watch check' is very real thing. But I'm running out the clock now work-wise so there's no point for me anymore.

My cables I did spend a fair bit more than necessary for custom made by someone who cares about doing it perfectly - to prevent the 'fall-apart' I've experienced with some store-bought cables. But, I can afford to indulge and I don't claim that they sound better than the cheap stuff (they really don't).

 

[egellings]

People also complain about the price of an Apple Watch, but are willing to spend €/$50,000 or €/$100,000 on watches that are not as accurate.

Those watches likely have a high collector's item value, and their ability to tell time is merely a superfluous attribute.

 

[Sal1950]

Who needs a watch when we all have some kind of phone in out pockets?

 

[egellings]

Who needs a watch when we all have some kind of phone in out pockets?

Watches have a value from simply being jewelry, with time telling as an added attribute.

 

[Andypm]

A fool and their money are easily parted.....

 

[Audiofire]

A fool and their money are easily parted.....

That's the way to comfort oneself, since a fool has to live with himself or herself all the time while others can only observe externally.

 

[Sal1950]

Watches have a value from simply being jewelry, with time telling as an added attribute.

True, as do many other pieces an types of jewelry and collectables.
I've just never been into wearing that kind of stuff.
I only wore a watch regularly during my years in the military when time could be a large issue
I have half a dozen watches and rings, etc.
They all lay in a drawer until the extremely occasional day I want to "dress-up", maybe once a year, usually less.

 

[Mart68]

True, as do many other pieces an types of jewelry and collectables.
I've just never been into wearing that kind of stuff.
I only wore a watch regularly during my years in the military when time could be a large issue
I have half a dozen watches and rings, etc.
They all lay in a drawer until the extremely occasional day I want to "dress-up", maybe once a year, usually less.

I've worn a watch since I was six years old, I don't feel right without one on.

Never worn any other jewellery, not even rings.

Don't always have my 'phone on me and it's more convenient to just glance at your wrist.

 

[egellings]

True, as do many other pieces an types of jewelry and collectables.
I've just never been into wearing that kind of stuff.
I only wore a watch regularly during my years in the military when time could be a large issue
I have half a dozen watches and rings, etc.
They all lay in a drawer until the extremely occasional day I want to "dress-up", maybe once a year, usually less.

I agree. I've never owned a watch or jewelry. I'm not a dresser-upper, either.

 

[BeeKay]

For that there's...
https://www.madscientist-audio.com/

There will be fire under the roof once @gfinlays gets to know about this shameless abuse of a trademark

 

[Roland68]

Those watches likely have a high collector's item value, and their ability to tell time is merely a superfluous attribute.

In most cases, you can forget about watches as an investment. Even if you know a lot about them, you can still make big losses. I was shocked when I found out that many friends and acquaintances have lost 30-80% when selling their collector's watches in recent years.
Often you only get the material value + 10-30%.
It's only a single-digit percentage range of expensive and well-known watches that retain or increase their value.

 

[mhardy6647]

It's only a single-digit percentage range of expensive and well-known watches that retain or increase their value.

Just as is the case with (vintage) audio.

 

[Petrushka]

Just as is the case with (vintage) audio.

Except Accutrons, which were not expensive. And some watches that were distributed to military pilots.

 

[mhardy6647]

Except Accutrons, which were not expensive. And some watches that were distributed to military pilots.

OK.
So now I am picturing a military pilot with some Altecs. Must be piloting a C-130.

 

[GXAlan]

Except Accutrons, which were not expensive. And some watches that were distributed to military pilots.

1966 Bulova Accutron Astronaut GMT (Caliber 214) Vintage Watch Review/Measurements

1966 Bulova Accutron Astronaut GMT Vintage Watch Review with Measurements "The Accutron movement made its official appearance in October 1960. Designed as an electronic movement, the Accutron, designated the Caliber 214, utilizes a 360 Hz tuning fork and battery to replace the traditional...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Don’t forget that post of mine

The bad thing about the Accutron is that the electronic coil can randomly die with age and is not repairable nor replaceable. One of the big restoration companies, Old Father Time, has also retired so the expertise for commercial restoration services has shrunken even if the community has a lot of documentation.

 

[Petrushka]

OK.
So now I am picturing a military pilot with some Altecs. Must be piloting a C-130.

1966 Bulova Accutron Astronaut GMT (Caliber 214) Vintage Watch Review/Measurements

1966 Bulova Accutron Astronaut GMT Vintage Watch Review with Measurements "The Accutron movement made its official appearance in October 1960. Designed as an electronic movement, the Accutron, designated the Caliber 214, utilizes a 360 Hz tuning fork and battery to replace the traditional...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Don’t forget that post of mine

The bad thing about the Accutron is that the electronic coil can randomly die with age and is not repairable nor replaceable. One of the big restoration companies, Old Father Time, has also retired so the expertise for commercial restoration services has shrunken even if the community has a lot of documentation.

I have a dead one.

 

[pablolie]

I actually don't get the comparison of useless audio snake oil and collectible watches at all. Check the Patek Phillipe or Audemars Piguet or Blancpain etc etc webites and tell me where they lie and make up pseudo science to sell their product to someone that doesn't value or need it? They don't. If the value proposition doesn't appeal to you, by all means don't buy one, but a good rule in life is to not judge what you don't understand [1]. In fact I think car manufactuers manipulate buyers far more than any "luxury" watch brand ever has.

Each and EVERYTHING we buy has a significant mark-up on it, and it sells at that price because of "perceived value" - and market economy would not succeed for a second longer if you take that out of the equation. If everything sold for COGS (cost-of-goods-sold i.e. just the material and labor that goes into it) there'd be zero motivation to innovate.

[1] As evidenced by never ending discussions like "Why is vinyl still alive?" etc etc. Personally, if I can't contribute constructively, I'd much rather stay away from talking about products I don't "get".

 

[Barry_Sound]

What I don't get about cables is how much people are willing to pay for microscopic sonic differences that some cables might cause. All that money and you have to squint and adopt a clinical attitude to convince yourself that the sound is improved in some way.

Thats true for people spending 30.000 on a DAC as well. Would they hear any signifcant difference to a 10.000 dollar DAC? Or 5.000? Dont think so.

 

[Barry_Sound]

I do get the expensive watch thing - I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a watch (current timepiece was £35 via Amazon) - and it can serve a practical purpose in business - the 'watch check' is very real thing. But I'm running out the clock now work-wise so there's no point for me anymore.

My cables I did spend a fair bit more than necessary for custom made by someone who cares about doing it perfectly - to prevent the 'fall-apart' I've experienced with some store-bought cables. But, I can afford to indulge and I don't claim that they sound better than the cheap stuff (they really don't).

Truth is, most people do not care about watches and cant tell an automatic from a quartz. I appreciate the history and level of quality of let´s say Rolex but I detest the clientele wearing them these days. Prices are a joke. I had a loose contact in Switzerland who worked at Rolex, and according to him the real value of their watches (steel models) was around 1000 swiss francs, not more. The employees were able to purchase the common models at a considerable discount, but were not allowed to resell them at any time, otherwise they would be fired.

 

[Mart68]

Truth is, most people do not care about watches and cant tell an automatic from a quartz. I appreciate the history and level of quality of let´s say Rolex but I detest the clientele wearing them these days. Prices are a joke. I had a loose contact in Switzerland who worked at Rolex, and according to him the real value of their watches (steel models) was around 1000 swiss francs, not more. The employees were able to purchase the common models at a considerable discount, but were not allowed to resell them at any time, otherwise they would be fired.

Of course you are right, but that's not how it plays out in the real world where the superficial does matter.