My distaste for watch culture as it stands comes down to their status in the 21st century as the ultimate Veblen good—an object of conspicuous consumption with value greatly inflated beyond its practical application. Add to that their greatly increased size and complexity—the largest of which tend to resemble some kind of hideous valve or gasket—in comparison to the elegant designs of the mid-century.





There isn't a lot to interest me in the current watch conversation. Long time readers might have noticed when we do recommend watches they tend to be reasonably priced reissues or paired-back unbranded models. The excitement around physical movements seems more akin to interest in car engines or computer specifications than fashion or aesthetics.