Are you Influenced?
Words and Photos by Peter C.
Are you Influenced?
I
am! There, I’ve said it. I’ve been influenced by both Youtube and
Instagram. And I’m in my 60’s. Here is my tale of woe. (Not
really, I haven’t had to sell the house or lose my wife of 36 years. So
if you think you need help, get off social media and see a professional. I’m
not kidding. This is just a light hearted article to share my experiences
with today’s social media and a market it impacts.)
My
hobby is buying and selling watches. I always enjoyed them. I’ve
worn them most of my adult life. I retired a few years ago and
inexplicably started watching YouTube channels about watches. At that
point, it was The Urban Gentry and Tim Mosso at Watchbox. One of my first
Urban Gentry videos was about a 1960’s Timex Marlin. I was hooked. I
used to own that watch. In fact, a lot of people I knew used to own that
watch. I searched Ebay and found one, then two, then…….! I began to
buy watches, clean them, maybe replace a crystal or strap and sell them for a
little profit. I then found most of the watches on eBay are priced at
market with little opportunity for profit. I then put an ad in the local
paper. I had a fair amount of success at buying peoples junk drawer watches and
selling them at a decent profit. I only share this to explain I promised
myself that the hobby would pay for itself. And I’ve been fairly
lucky. It has, mostly. So no divorce!
I
bought my 1960’s Timex due to TGV. I then started looking for the next
fix. I bought a Seiko Cocktail time SRPB43 because I saw it on the Time
Teller channel. I bought an Orient Bambino also because of the Time
Teller. Not to say I didn’t research them. But all the research was
on other YouTube channels. I was in neck deep. I bought a Seiko
SNKL43 and 41. I bought a Seiko Sarb 033 due to every Youtuber I
watched! I even bought a micro brand - a Borealis Cascais v2 because of
Jody at One More Watch. Of course, this doesn’t include the numerous
watch straps I purchased from YouTube sellers. I even bought a watch
strap from Teddy Baldassarre. I was trying to support him when he was
just starting his YT channel.
I
found everything I bought had a connection to Youtube. The one common
denominator is all of these watches, except the Sarb 033, are gone. I’ve
sold them all. Not that they were bad watches, I just continued up the
food chain. But the YouTube thing didn’t stopped. The biggest
purchase for me is an El Primero. I had some nice sales and had a little
“watch” money burning a hole in my pocket. And guess what? I was
watching Random Rob’s Youtube channel and saw an El Primero at a very nice
price. It was only a couple of years old and in great shape. Rob
wouldn’t lie to me, would he? Don’t worry, he didn’t! It’s a great
watch. But why did I buy it? Because I heard, on YouTube, it’s a great
watch. I will probably sell this one as well. I just haven’t
connected with it.
So
where does all this get me. Well, I’m pretty lucky. I’ve enjoyed
the watches I’ve owned regardless if it was for years, months or even a couple
of days in one case. I’ve had fun buying and selling watches. Not
always but most of the time. And most importantly, since the watch
community is so small, you can develop relationships with many of the YouTubers
themselves as well as with other members of the community. When you enter
a chat it’s like any episode of Cheers. Much of the first few minutes is
saying hello to your friends. And since the last year was so confining
for many, it has been a great way to connect.
When
I first started writing this, I thought I would be complaining about this damn
new technology. We should shut it down! (Think old guy telling you
to get off his lawn!) Anyway, while I don’t watch many of the channels I
started with, I found quite a number of new ones I truly enjoy. Ok, a lot
of channels, I’m subscribed to almost a 100. WatchChris is one
favorrr….Wait!, I’ve bought at least two watches because of him! Seriously,
this community is full of great people from all sorts of backgrounds that just
enjoy watches. Yes, we complain and debate the esoteric details of an
outdated technology but it’s fun!
So
yes, I have been influenced by YouTube. But I’m an adult and take
responsibility for my actions. Of course, I am still looking for the next
fix. I’m sure I’ll find it due to those damn YouTubers! Get off my
lawn! :)
P.S.
I think I was remiss in not mentioning at least a few of my favorite
channels. In no particular order:
WatchChris
Amin
Watch Reviews
Bobby
Legs
The
Watch Lounge
Engineer
Wannabe
Watch
Talk with the Punters
SoCal
Watch Reviews
Design
Atelier
Rock
the Watch
The
Town Watch
AllinHerMovements
Just
the Watch
Apologizes
to all the ones I missed!
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