Have you ever gotten someone else interested in watches?

[AtomicTom]

Not sure if I might have asked this a long time ago, but maybe things have
changed over the years. And answers might have changed too actually.

Here we go: Have you ever gotten someone else interested in watches?
Or more accurately, have you gotten someone who didn't really care
about watches, to get into them? Or even into the hobby as a whole?

[jtbenson]

yes.
and all their wives hate me.

[amckiwi]

I have got a friend interested by showing him every time I purchase a watch.
But not sure it qualifies as he loves Invictas!

[Steve O.]

Not really on point, but I remember when and how I seriously started collecting watches nearly thirty years ago. I worked with a guy who's father was a jeweler, and would pass down some seriously nice vintage pieces to his son. I'd always had a passing interest, but then I became fixated. I bought my first "decent" watch from his dad - a 1970's Omega Seamaster. In those days, pre-internet, etc., it was hard to find vintage or used watches. I trolled watch shows, gun and knife shows, pawn shops, and antique stores. My second major (to me) purchase was a 42mm Droz Super Compressor for $100. from a clock dealer at an antique mart. Had no idea of its significance back then. Seems like yesterday.

[Torrid]

I drove someone to spend more on watches than they were, but never really got anyone into watches that weren’t already interested. I backed off big purchases on watches years ago and his collection now dwarfs mine price wise and has some amazing pieces. I have a co-worker that is obsessed with the Casio F91w. He talks about them all the time.

[93 Turbo]

Yeah my Bro in-law. He's now got me into cars specifically Porsche's. All these hobbies are money pits, but at least you have something to show for it at the end of the day...

Oh yeah & stating the bleeding obvious, but cars are a lot harder to hide than watches. Be careful out there.

[namor]

I have a buddy who was literally a one-watch guy - he had an Omega Seamaster and was content with just having it. I started showing him my most recent purchases, and he caught the bug. 20 years later, he has become more affluent and rotates between his SD43, a No Date Sub, an Aquanaut, and is hard on the chase for a Journe. And I don't feel any guilt at all!

[Henryj]

Does “What did you buy now?” from my wife count?

[AtomicTom]

You guys always find a way to make me laugh ! ..It's amazing !!!

Actually wish I could have a story like you guys with getting someone into
the hobby. But it seems like everyone is into everything else in the world, but
watches on this end. Sure there are family, and friends that have watches,
but they are either step counters, or fashion watches from places like QVC.
And I don't think any of the men in my family even wear watches. In addition,
when I get a new watch, I usually always get the question, "How many watches
do you need?" Or "Don't you have enough watches?"

However, although I haven't gotten someone into watches. I guess I was one
who was on the other side of things. ..My brother is into watches, and both
my dad, and grandfather were into watches, and they all actually got me
into watches, and this hobby. ..It's just one more thing that I can never
thank them enough for.

Have to thank all of you guys just for looking, and especially for chiming in !!!

[jeckyll]

I may have supported an already emerging interest, but that's all. More of a facilitator

[deepcdvr]

Tom - QVC rocks!


I’ve gotten a bunch of people into watches, which works out well for me as a habitual flipper

[sierra11b]

Years ago I gave a friend a SBBN015 while drunk and he’s been hooked ever since.

[Ryeguy]

I don’t know if I got him into watches, but I was talking about watches years ago to a buddy who was wearing some basic quartz Citizen at the time.

Next time I see him, he’s wearing a Rolex Datejust. He now wears a Rolex GMT Master II. I don’t think he has traveled outside my time zone in the last decade.