Nice little post. Love the collage Eric.
I couldn't agree more(sorry about the French customs issue, but it happens) The hobby is one of the key parts of any sub-culture. I have been in the Aircooled VW scene for years and have met great smart and super funny characters. This watch hobby, is definitely no different.
If any major brand wants to justify high prices and a constant fight on this particular hobby, is only due to their lack of ingenuity and creative design. I can honestly say that I look at new watches and I am not impressed with the designs. The technology in fact has not changed much. I look at a new submariner and compare that to say the 6538 you recently posted, and hands down I would jump to the 6538s side.
My guess is that the majority of us are romantic in a sense, as well as smart and creative and are lacking a market that appeals to us in a genuine way. Cheap is definitely not out the question either, but I like to call it being resourceful
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