What are the most controversial watches in your collection? Here’s what you had to say
Buffy AcaciaAs a long-time lover of the weird and wonderful, I’ll always support a controversial choice. Whether it was buying a Cartier Pasha instead of a modern Omega Seamaster or replacing my Tank Basculante with a $15 Citizen from an op shop, I know what it’s like to make decisions most watch enthusiasts would cringe at. But it’s those watches that reflect our truest selves, because we’re willing to put up with the side-eyes that come with them. We asked you what your most controversial watches are, and here are some responses from the bravest.
View this post on Instagram
The Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch is still the controversial king
It feels like watch culture never fully recovered after the release of the Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch back in 2022. There’s never been so much immediate hype over a watch that the average person could afford before, and limited models have only recently become available to purchase online. However, with great popularity comes great resistance, and there has been no shortage of hate directed at the MoonSwatch. Whether it’s the Bioceramic case material that’s fairly indistinguishable from plastic, or the quartz movement with not an ounce of Omega heritage, people will find any excuse to call it overpriced, overhyped, and little more than a toy.
What the haters are missing is a sense of whimsy. The MoonSwatch was never meant to be an affordable Speedmaster, but rather Swatch’s joyous take on the Speedmaster architecture. It may not be your cup of tea, but there’s good reason why it remains in such high demand after two years. Conversely, the lack of hype for the Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms only goes to prove that the MoonSwatch hit upon a winning formula, and it deserves its place in many collections.
Fashion watches and quartz watches are popular for good reason
Quartz watches in general have always faced their fair share of snobbery, but the affordability of the movement means that more of your money is going towards things like build quality, case finishing, fitment, and so on. Not everyone cares about the so-called purity and history of mechanical watchmaking, and even those who do can learn to appreciate the role that quartz movements have played in it. You can still buy a luxury watch and enjoy its features, but if you get a quartz one, you’ll likely end up with thousands of dollars in savings.
Sure, if you look at the RRP of a fashion watch with a generic quartz movement, it would be easy to assume that people are getting ripped off. But those watches can often be found with significant discounts, especially towards the end of a season when sales get stacked up. If you know what you’re looking for, you can actually find some bargains. Designer labels can also cater to aesthetics outside of watchmaking’s usual standards, and that leads to fun and unique designs. Just look at some of the Y2K-era Oakley watches and how collectible they have become.
Is that watch really controversial?
Maybe it’s just the way the question has been phrased, but I’m not totally convinced that everybody’s picks are truly controversial. Maybe your Rolex faced some negative reactions when it was announced, but Rolex is always going to attract all kinds of opinions because it is by far the most famous watch brand. Personal taste is one thing, but in the current market, there’s no such thing as a Rolex whose purchase can’t be justified. I could argue that the same goes for Tudor and the lesser-known Omegas, although I understand that something like the Ploprof isn’t going to be to everyone’s taste. Are you all just humble-bragging?
The usual suspects make their appearances
There are some brands that people just love to hate. Sometimes there’s logic behind it, and sometimes it’s just blind bandwagoning. Hublot, Panerai, and Bremont are just some high-end watch brands with solid reputations among their fans, but you can definitely expect some unfortunate comments if flaunting them on social media. Thankfully, negative watch reactions are a rare occurrence in personal encounters. Budget-focused watches like Invicta and Daniel Wellington aren’t automatically trash either, as some Invicta models are actually great, and Daniel Wellington is often a stepping stone into the larger watch world.