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Main Forums => General Discussion - Modern Watches => Topic started by: hidden830726 on July 21, 2015, 06:18:21 PM

Title: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: hidden830726 on July 21, 2015, 06:18:21 PM
Hi all,

I read this at facebook and thought to share it here for to see is your view and opinion on this..

TLDR the author of the article Timothy, have this view on why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more....

http://www.timothytiah.com/2015/07/20/why-a-man-with-many-luxury-watches-doesnt-wear-one-any-more/ (http://www.timothytiah.com/2015/07/20/why-a-man-with-many-luxury-watches-doesnt-wear-one-any-more/)

Quote
I came into the world of luxury watches only in my second or third year of working. I had just earned my first small sum of money and was looking for something to spoil myself with. My friends at the time were all big on watches and told me I had to get one. They say a watch is the only accessory a man can buy (we don’t carry hand bags).

So what watch can I buy? I was recommended a Tag Heuer. A Tag I was told is like the BMW 3 series of luxury watches. It’s the entry level. It’s not the Maserati or the Porsche but it’s a nice watch. I went shopping and forked out about RM6,000 for my first Tag (after some discounts).

After the Tag, I heard of even more watches. The Rolex was the obvious one that stood out. Now every watch has a message that the wearer sends out right? So I asked of what message a Rolex sent and the common reply I got was “I’ve made it”. So when you wear a Rolex, you’re saying “I’ve made it”.

Out of interest I started doing research on a lot of different watches. Rolex was nowhere close to the top. In the range of the Rolex there was Panerai, Hublot and many other similar watches that you can get for RM20-40K.

Above that there is the Audemars Piguet that go for RM40,000 to as high as the hundreds of thousands. Above that there is the Richard Mille that starts at RM300,000 (for a watch… I know). And above that there are many many many more watch brands I had never heard of before and never bothered to get familiar with because I often can’t even pronounce their names.

These luxury watches look absolutely beautiful and I can understand why people who want to have them just to have them. They’re a great piece of art and it takes a lot of work to make some of them. But there is a little more to that.

What does your watch say about you?

A watch tells people who you are and what you stand for but “success” doesn’t necessarily have to be the only message you send out. I heard this story of a judge in Singapore who always wore this cheap Casio watch. The message he sent out was

It’s just that somehow with the media portraying success as a very important thing, we all rally around trying to portray success by the things we carry. Guys do it with watches and cars. Women do it with bags and bling.

My father is a successful man in his mid-sixties who has spent the past 40 years of his life working to earn money. In his lifetime I’ve seen him buy and wear a wide range of luxury watches probably to send the same message that many of us young people long to send today. That we’re successful or we’ve made it. For my wedding present he gave me one of his old watches, something I keep with me and only wear on very special occasions. It’s a watch I will likely pass down to my son one day.

In our recent conversations he told me that he wanted to buy a new watch. I was thinking maybe an AP, Patek or something like that? But he said no. He wanted a SEIKO.

I was a little taken aback. Why would you want to buy a SEIKO when you have many other nicer watches to wear and his reply was “Why? It’s a nice watch”.

I then realize how clouded we sometimes get from all the advertising or branding that we get hit with. We often buy things because of the brand and fail to see that when something is nice… it is nice. Regardless of the label it carries.

So for his birthday present, my siblings and I went out to buy him a nice SEIKO. It cost RM1,580 after discount.

(https://www.flickr.com/photos/49905431@N05/19816165202)

As I was buying the watch I remembered the things that my father told me about luxury watches from someone who has had many. He doesn’t want to wear them any more because he’s afraid he gets robbed (he specifically says he’s afraid his hand gets chopped off for it). He doesn’t want to wear them because he feels upset whenever he knocks it against something hard and damages it.

But most of all,  he doesn’t want to wear them any more because he doesn’t feel like he needs to prove anything to anyone any more.

That made me ponder today that maybe we don’t need luxury watches to send any messages. We can have them if we love them and they make us happy but we don’t need it as affirmation for who we stand for or what we are.

The message after all I was giving my Dad for that SEIKO was this:

Here’s one of the most reliable watches in the world that will tick for as long as you want it to. Just like the watch, I hope your life will go on as long as you want it to.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: CKL1213 on July 21, 2015, 09:40:30 PM
He and his dad are not WIS, watch is NOT for recognition but appreciation.

It is something like a man who driven all the BMW, Benz, Audi, Ferrari, Lambo, Bentley, McLaren, Pagani.

Then he say driving a Toyota is reliable and one of the best.

Because he already owned the better things in life where other mortals can only dream of.

I eat abalone for the past 35 years, suddenly eating mix rice I also won't starve.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: roystock on July 21, 2015, 11:20:54 PM
He and his dad are not WIS, watch is NOT for recognition but appreciation.

It is something like a man who driven all the BMW, Benz, Audi, Ferrari, Lambo, Bentley, McLaren, Pagani.

Then he say driving a Toyota is reliable and one of the best.

Because he already owned the better things in life where other mortals can only dream of.

I eat abalone for the past 35 years, suddenly eating mix rice I also won't starve.

+ 1
For me, it was never about status
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: nikfs1881 on July 22, 2015, 12:51:59 AM

He and his dad are not WIS, watch is NOT for recognition but appreciation.

It is something like a man who driven all the BMW, Benz, Audi, Ferrari, Lambo, Bentley, McLaren, Pagani.

Then he say driving a Toyota is reliable and one of the best.

Because he already owned the better things in life where other mortals can only dream of.

I eat abalone for the past 35 years, suddenly eating mix rice I also won't starve.

+ 1
For me, it was never about status

+2,
Fully agree!


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Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: meoramri on July 22, 2015, 05:11:18 AM
A story about 'humility' but in reality more about success.

This is what separates a WIS/collector and a show off


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Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: Timeless on July 22, 2015, 05:25:37 AM
Indeed meaningful article, I'd take it as achievement purposes for owing a decent watch
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: toypoodle on July 22, 2015, 08:20:03 AM
Ditto
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: sidestreaker on July 22, 2015, 12:14:39 PM
Senseless articles like these are just getting repetitive.

He may be talking about modesty and practicality but he's trying to say he has done this, tried that, and now he's trying to share some of his half-wit values with the readers. Seriously?

I enjoy luxurious watches and I appreciate it for what it is. I am a sucker and it makes me feel good wearing a certain brand especially when it becomes a conversation starter with others who are like-minded. Also, appreciation of workmanship, history of the company, technology, etc and blah blah blah.

One day, a shallow being such as myself may come to a point when all the novelty will fade away but I'm certain I'll not be pompous enough to sit down and write an article like this to tell others about values of life and what's not.

For now, it feels good to be on the dark side.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: D'Andy on July 22, 2015, 12:57:33 PM
Senseless articles like these are just getting repetitive.

He may be talking about modesty and practicality but he's trying to say he has done this, tried that, and now he's trying to share some of his half-wit values with the readers. Seriously?

I enjoy luxurious watches and I appreciate it for what it is. I am a sucker and it makes me feel good wearing a certain brand especially when it becomes a conversation starter with others who are like-minded. Also, appreciation of workmanship, history of the company, technology, etc and blah blah blah.

One day, a shallow being such as myself may come to a point when all the novelty will fade away but I'm certain I'll not be pompous enough to sit down and write an article like this to tell others about values of life and what's not.

For now, it feels good to be on the dark side.

You summed it up nicely. +1
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: davidtth on July 22, 2015, 01:23:59 PM
i notice many start from Tag watch, i think the journey begin with wrong path... he should start with Grand Seiko

dont mind me, i'm just a fans talking  :Laughing_on_floor:

eventually, its still up to personal preference, everyone can live with or without watch :)
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: kingpin on July 22, 2015, 01:44:58 PM

He and his dad are not WIS, watch is NOT for recognition but appreciation.

It is something like a man who driven all the BMW, Benz, Audi, Ferrari, Lambo, Bentley, McLaren, Pagani.

Then he say driving a Toyota is reliable and one of the best.

Because he already owned the better things in life where other mortals can only dream of.

I eat abalone for the past 35 years, suddenly eating mix rice I also won't starve.

+ 1
For me, it was never about status

+2,
Fully agree!


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+ 3.
Totally Fully Agreed.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: Yoda on July 22, 2015, 02:59:50 PM
Senseless articles like these are just getting repetitive.

He may be talking about modesty and practicality but he's trying to say he has done this, tried that, and now he's trying to share some of his half-wit values with the readers. Seriously?

I enjoy luxurious watches and I appreciate it for what it is. I am a sucker and it makes me feel good wearing a certain brand especially when it becomes a conversation starter with others who are like-minded. Also, appreciation of workmanship, history of the company, technology, etc and blah blah blah.

One day, a shallow being such as myself may come to a point when all the novelty will fade away but I'm certain I'll not be pompous enough to sit down and write an article like this to tell others about values of life and what's not.

For now, it feels good to be on the dark side.

You summed it up nicely. +1

(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a585/leong33/Star%20wars/tumblr_medl7nNZDR1qdeqbpo1_500_zps2rzhl4jv.gif)

(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a585/leong33/Star%20wars/tumblr_mkekncKkPc1qcfjrio1_500_zpsyq8ut9zw.gif)

(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a585/leong33/Star%20wars/tumblr_mwp2jz4kfI1slviq5o1_250_zpstxvgdztd.gif)

(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a585/leong33/Star%20wars/eHQxM2s0MTI_o_star-wars-episode-3---anakin-skywalker-vs-obi-wan-kenobi_zps7dmv8ru4.jpg)
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: mikeylacroix on July 22, 2015, 04:26:02 PM
humble brag
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: hidden830726 on July 22, 2015, 07:37:22 PM
I cant even afford a Luxury Tag Heuer, only can afford some Stowas and bronzo....

I real life.. i cant afford to buy BMW, and i cant afford to feed him also.

My dad only gave me Swiss Army.... where is my Patek

Let's not sour on others achivement... i'll earn more money...

Quote
I eat abalone for the past 35 years, suddenly eating mix rice I also won't starve.

ahem. what "abalone"?

Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: ckoh on July 22, 2015, 07:42:27 PM
i don think they know about the appreciation of watches.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: niteowl on July 22, 2015, 09:10:43 PM
Senseless articles like these are just getting repetitive.

He may be talking about modesty and practicality but he's trying to say he has done this, tried that, and now he's trying to share some of his half-wit values with the readers. Seriously?

I enjoy luxurious watches and I appreciate it for what it is. I am a sucker and it makes me feel good wearing a certain brand especially when it becomes a conversation starter with others who are like-minded. Also, appreciation of workmanship, history of the company, technology, etc and blah blah blah.

One day, a shallow being such as myself may come to a point when all the novelty will fade away but I'm certain I'll not be pompous enough to sit down and write an article like this to tell others about values of life and what's not.

For now, it feels good to be on the dark side.

You summed it up nicely. +1


+2. Totally with you guys on this
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: jason_recliner on July 23, 2015, 06:54:40 AM
Didn't read the article but I get where the author is coming from.  I recently sold all my high end watches, not my choice but my financial situation deteriorated.  I thought I would miss them but I really don't.  If anything, I feel better about myself not being beholden to a box of expensive baubles.  It is very surprising!
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: JeepWH on July 23, 2015, 07:48:54 AM
The only thing that I really agree is the final phrase:

"Here’s one of the most reliable watches in the world that will tick for as long as you want it to. Just like the watch, I hope your life will go on as long as you want it to."

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: theseira on July 23, 2015, 08:58:15 AM
Guys some of us are buying the watches because we love the watch.

Looks like the writers dad used to buy watches to show off his wealth until he found out that showing off is pointless because there will always be others richer than you.

Well glad he learned his lesson. As always guys buy the watches you love and don't lose money!
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: CKL1213 on July 23, 2015, 09:32:49 AM
"Businessweek Asia's Best 25 Young Entrepreneurs in Asia JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award 2008"

don't play play oh
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: WHEELQ on July 23, 2015, 09:37:17 AM
I think the son misunderstood his father request.  The poor ol daddy probably wished for a piece of Grand Seiko. And the ignorant son who only knows about Tag/ Rolex/ Hublot/ Pam/Patek bought him a Seiko Premier instead.
 :Blue:
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: meoramri on July 23, 2015, 05:15:02 PM

I think the son misunderstood his father request.  The poor ol daddy probably wished for a piece of Grand Seiko. And the ignorant son who only knows about Tag/ Rolex/ Hublot/ Pam/Patek bought him a Seiko Premier instead.
 :Blue:



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Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: Yikkie on July 23, 2015, 10:06:01 PM
Wear a watch because you like it, not for showing off your wealth or sending out a message.  True watch lovers will appreciate the art of watchmaking instead of the brand on the dial. Afraid of getting robbed?  Why not wear a Grand Seiko or other enthusiast brands that no robbers will recognize and save the Rolex or AP when you are not walking along a back lane? 
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: chrisyen on July 24, 2015, 12:44:27 PM
i notice many start from Tag watch, i think the journey begin with wrong path... he should start with Grand Seiko

dont mind me, i'm just a fans talking  :Laughing_on_floor:

eventually, its still up to personal preference, everyone can live with or without watch :)

our friend here told me, you will only know how to appreciate LEXUS after you driven Merz & BMW
so i do agree that i only know how to appreciate GS after i wear rolex

his case is classical - he buy wear watch not bcoz he love watches... pure accessories and sympolize of his status till he realize he dont need watch for that

our case are different, we have watch poison bug in our vein... we love watches !

likely he will nvr buy grand seiko, he wont appreciate grand seiko for sure.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: iamyourfazaaa on July 25, 2015, 12:24:16 PM
humble brag

I agree. Pointless self-aggrandising article.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: Clmntchong on July 25, 2015, 03:52:41 PM
For my case,  i want to have sonething to pass on to my son.

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Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: dennis.T on July 25, 2015, 07:40:17 PM
I buy watches bcos I love watches... If u need to show off , u can just put your beemer or Benz key on the desk and spin it with your vertu
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: chenht on July 25, 2015, 09:39:20 PM
humble brag

I agree. Pointless self-aggrandising article.

I don't unserstand what is the purpose of of the write writing such article.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: artyca on July 26, 2015, 10:37:35 AM
Some people buy watches as a means of status symbol... I want to show off how rich I am.

Others appreciate fine watchmaking because of the handcrafted micro engineering marvels that humans can accomplish.

To each his own... A Seiko is uncomparable to a Patek only from a horologists (or WIS) perspective...
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: watchenthusiast on August 03, 2015, 04:07:15 PM
a watch=a piece of art for self admiration and appreciation
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: theseira on August 04, 2015, 07:51:35 AM
I buy watches bcos I love watches... If u need to show off , u can just put your beemer or Benz key on the desk and spin it with your vertu

Spin the key with the RM!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: Cocas on August 04, 2016, 06:31:44 PM
5 months ago, someone comments....
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: gchee on August 05, 2016, 08:11:00 AM
Usually its a combination of both, to show off and also love of watches and their complications.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: meoramri on August 05, 2016, 09:33:40 AM
This is what a true watch hobbyist is all about - it is all about yourself and how you feel about your own watches.

It is important to recognize this fact early on. Only then can we start to appreciate individual taste in watches

In MWF there are 7420 registered members out of which approximately 2490 (give or take) have posted at least once on the forum. Out of this, approximately 630 of us are classified as Freshies or better (>25 posts).

From these active members, I got the opportunity to appreciate their watches whether it is just a plastic quartz to the very high end mechanical marvels without ever needing to give any disparaging remarks.

This factor is important and should be our Credo. We want people to join MWF for the love of the hobby and not be cowed by thinking that we only appreciate high end watches.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: asimo on August 05, 2016, 12:46:22 PM
Maybe u guys should switch to independent to avoid the stigma.. Consider fortis , Titoni , Speake Marin, Sarpaneva, HYT, Bedat, Romaine Jerome... GS...


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Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: Caseywai on August 05, 2016, 05:08:12 PM
humble brag

Lol. Fully agree. It's just another way of showing off with an article written in that manner. Is it just me or the author is purposely writing something to get attention? I don't sense any real humility in the article.

I love watches for the watches. It's only natural that some regard certain watches as a status watches (just like car) but it doesn't mean others who love certain watches can't enjoy them as well (like a car). It's obvious both the author and father buy and wear watches for the wrong purposes - which I believe is enjoyment of the watches and emotional connection with them. Eg. I have a watch when I first graduated from uni, a watch which I got when I first hit adulthood, marriage etc. all of them which tells a priceless story today.

And what's wrong with seiko? This person writing is like saying a seiko is a cheap watch brand which clearly it isn't at all! 


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Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: adamjohari on August 08, 2016, 12:00:55 PM
Hrmmm. My intention is to give my son the most bad ass watch that his poor ass dad could afford.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: dennis.T on August 08, 2016, 04:10:34 PM
A story about 'humility' but in reality more about success.

This is what separates a WIS/collector and a show off


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

well said bro...
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: elado249 on August 09, 2016, 01:10:55 PM
True. Wearing watches dat i love makes me feels good. Doesn't bother me bout the status when wearing kind of watches. If fact i really doesn't care my selekeh appearances when i went out as long as i am wearing my watches

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Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: Cocas on August 11, 2016, 08:01:08 PM
I actually keep my Seiko 5 watches in my car's compartment. Just in case, I forgot to put on or to exchange my watch for some rough sports.
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: adamjohari on August 12, 2016, 07:11:11 AM
Wearing a Seiko 5 right now. My dad bought one for me. :D
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: Cocas on August 12, 2016, 10:36:21 AM
"Businessweek Asia's Best 25 Young Entrepreneurs in Asia JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award 2008"

don't play play oh

Wow...that article author got a very long title award
Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: asimo on August 12, 2016, 12:53:15 PM
I actually keep my Seiko 5 watches in my car's compartment. Just in case, I forgot to put on or to exchange my watch for some rough sports.

Cosas: will the hot temperatures inside our car damage the movement ?


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Title: Re: Why a man with many luxury watches doesnt wear one any more... by Timothy Tiah
Post by: Cocas on August 12, 2016, 12:57:31 PM
I actually keep my Seiko 5 watches in my car's compartment. Just in case, I forgot to put on or to exchange my watch for some rough sports.

Cosas: will the hot temperatures inside our car damage the movement ?


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So far I put my 2 Seiko 5, 2 Seiko monsters in proton exora, Toyota vios, Mercedes-Benz front passenger seat compartments . As of now, totally no issues.