TTAC's Greatest Hits: The Ephemeral Nature Of Luxury

Maybe I'm in the minorty on TTAC, but I'll be placing an order for an iWatch. I like what I see so far. I realize there are limitations, but it's a watch, not a phone. I'm also the owner of a few luxury swiss watches. Not sure how much I'll wear the iWatch, but at the lower price points, it's not that expensive. I see zero reason for a gold version.

I don't see the appeal in this at all. It's not really a watch and that's fine because nobody needs a watch these days. I have a clock in the corner of my laptop display, a phone on my pocket with the time, my desk telephone also shows the time. The watch as a timekeeping device has long been obsolete. What a watch has turned into in modern times is a form of adornment. Some say it can be an ostentatious show of wealth or an attempt at it, some say that it's about enjoying a piece of timeless craftwork and/or jewelery (if you buy a nice one). I tend to believe that it is indeed about the enjoyment of the piece itself; I do not own a timepiece currently, but I do look forward to eventually collecting a few. I don't care tremendously about what others think since most people won't notice it and will probably prefer some gadget strapped to their wrist instead. I desire a well-made watch because I value well-made objects. I try to keep personal belongings to a minimum and what I do acquire, I tend to make sure is important to me as well as extremely durable. A computer for my wrist doesn't qualify, not because it won't be well made, but because it won't stand the test of time. It will be disposable, no different than a mobile phone or a laptop. It will never appreciate in value, it will never be handed down the generations. I presume that this is 100% fine with many, I don't presume to foist my values upon others, but I certainly don't agree with adding more disposable electronic folderol to the litany of things that distract us from our lives. On the enjoyable day that I do find my timepiece, I will look at it, see something durable and good, I will know the time, tuck it back under my cuff and then I will happily continue upon my way. I don't need a watch to tell me that I'm too fat, I know this already.

I'm not an Apple-head, so I won't be buying one. My 1991 $50.00 Helbros wristwatch w/Twist-o-flex band works just fine! Just change the battery every year. If I want more bling, I wear my 2005 Citizen Eco-Drive watch. It's a pure watch - no day/date, just a watch. If I really want to impress someone, I'll get out the white gold 1914 Elgin railroad watch my great uncle wore when he worked for Missouri Pacific RR. However, if anyone wants to buy the Apple watch, more power to them!

Relevant: ca[.]askmen[.]com/fashion/mens-watches/against-smart-watches.html