Ethan

As always, a calm and sober voice of reason. Very well said indeed, sir. I, my friend, would be more than honored to hoist a green mug with you.

I'm not generally a fan of re-posts; sad, cyclical expressions of momentary originality. I do think that it's worth re-posting topics that are educational (like The Zigmeister's 7750 two-parter), or at the very least thought-provoking. I am re-floating this expanded version of my original theory for three reasons: 1) I'm pleased with it, and having tossed it around at the office, the editing suite, and at dinner with friends over the last couple of weeks I've had the opportunity to add a little more insight. 2) The original post provoked some interesting responses. 3) I wanted to give Clive another opportunity to use the sadly unappreciated, truly British expression, "Claptrap". So here's the expanded theory: The replica watches we covet and ultimately collect are an essential part of the armour that we must use to protect ourselves out there in the Big Bad World everyday. We need this armour as protection against a number of specific societal evils; Stereotype, Prejudice, and perhaps worst of all, Assumption of Character. It may seem odd that I would list Assumption of Character as the worst of what I would categorize as Reactionary Devices, but consider it as compared to the other two; concept Stereotype as vague, lazy generalization, and Prejudice as both preconceived and irrational in basis. Assumption of Character, on the other hand, by definition assumes intimate knowledge of the central combination of qualities that distinguish each of us from everyone else; terrible at it's very root. The instant scrutiny to which we all fall is not unlike that which we use to determine our interest in the replica watches we collect. Is that 196 the Asian 7750 or the Swiss 7753? What is the subdial spacing like on the new Daytonas? Is there a gap in the datewheel of Josh's SS Datejust? How obvious is the laser-etched crown? The difference is that we can disassemble the watches we collect to determine their worth (well, at least The Zigmeister can). We can clean them out, and if we desire a higher level of perfection, we can modify them. But if we ourselves do not want to be disassembled and evaluated by the ever-curious, then we need to be well protected. If we want concept Opportunity to remain intact, we need (by logical extension) the Assumption of Character to stop at a cursory glance. In short, we need to be very well protected, and very good replicas* of whatever is most expected and desired at the moment the Reactionary Devices are in play; we need armour. Armour has always linked protection and status. Since the dawn of armoured combat (yes, I mean armoured, not armed), the most affluent have had access to the finest armour. In the middle ages, while the best the Serf could hope for was thick leather with a few sparse studs, the aristocracy was fitted with custom plate; each piece carefully measured and custom made for the individual wearer. The decorations of heraldic devices (crests) further distinguished the combatants on the battlefield. It was very easy to see the privileged in the throngs of hacking warriors; their colours and armour helped separate them from the masses. We don't use armour anymore (at least, not in the same sense), but it does play a role in our business and professional environment. To a great extent, we have the same need of those distinguishing markers and devices in the workplace to set us apart from our masses. If you are one of many who work in a suit-and-tie culture, you know what I'm talking about. If you're in sales, or marketing, or consulting, or finance, or (like me) entertainment, then you will agree that our jobs at their basis consist of asking people to give us money. Whether you're looking for an investment for a new start-up, or securing financing for a television pilot, it's still asking someone to open their wallet and give you money. Of course, who you are, your connexions, your demeanour, and your attitude all play huge roles, but equally (and more to the point, immediately) so does your appearance. Today, the suit is our armour of choice, but unlike the armour of yesteryear, it's far more affordable. You do the best you can; mine are hand-made in France. But they're available to anyone who wants to walk down to the European store I get them from and pick up a few. Expensive, yes, but not out of reach for anyone who thinks their dress is important; point is, anyone can have them. So what does that leave? That's right: the watch. Nothing in our modern business environment so small can so quickly separate us from our colleagues. The luxury watch is instantly recognizable, and with the same instancy conveys a wealth of likelihoods. You have money. You have (some, at least) taste. You have enough (providing your shoes don't look like total crap) disposable income to spend several thousand on an excellent chronometer. You are (likely) not a complete screw-up. These are complete and total assumptions, yes, but then again, first impressions always are. But very few can afford to have these kinds of status symbols. That's why we buy replicas. I know that some members here are fans of specific rare watches, but I will bet that most are people with a healthy aesthetic sense, that want the beauty and status associated with luxury timepieces, but who also have the common sense not to spend $65K on a friggin' watch. I will also bet that very few of the members here actually show off their watches to their peers, or outwardly draw attention to them claiming they are the genuine article. That's not why we buy these things. We buy and collect these watches because we are attracted to their beauty. Because we recognise their value as compared to other, similarly priced timepieces. Because they give us a small confidence boost when we wear them. Because they say to the people of position we are trying to interact and do business with, "I am stable. I am secure. I am worth taking a chance on". Because to some small extent they help to reduce the anxiety associated with the insecurity even the most egotistical person must contend with in the modern business environment. Because, in a phrase, they protect us. They are a stop against the aforementioned ever-curious; a check against pursuing disassembly as a means to further information. They serve as part of our guard. They serve as part of our armour. *Yes, I know you're reading this bit and thinking, "What?!?! I am not a replica of anything. I am original. I am unique. I am not a faceless suit/drone/clone/robot in a sea of other suits/drones/clones/robots." Well of course you are. We're all different. But in the face of generalisations that are initiated during the initial reactionary phase which occurs the first time we as humans do anything, we by our very nature categorise to save time and brain cycles. Herein lies the basis of first impressions. Why do you dress up to go to a job interview? Or to meet new clients? Or to a club with your friends? Because you need, at least for the initial reactionary phase of new human interaction, to replicate at least the general group of people the person or group of people with whom you are interacting has an interest in extending concept Opportunity to. Concept Opportunity is defined (at least for the purpose of this theory) as the most advantageous possible position from which to begin a specific endeavour. So, you want to at least look like the kind of person the potential employer is looking to hire, that the potential client wants to work with, or the hottie in the crop-top wants to get naked with. Now, whether you get the job, the clients, or the girl in the end is where the originality comes into play. But this isn't part of the Reactionary phase, it's part of the Information phase; you look good on the outside, now let's see what's on the inside. Not much different than searching for reps. How many times have you seen a knockout rep, only to find that it's movement is garbage? Didn't you email the dealer, or post on the board, questioning whether the rep was available in a 2836 rather than a 7750? Yes, it's what's inside that counts, but nobody buys reps for the movement alone... You never get to the Information phase if you can't pass the Reactionary phase.

The place looks fantastic guys. GREAT job.

This is hilarious!