How often do we hear the old adage, 'you get what you pay for" (not always)
How often do we hear the sincere but naive question, "How much is that" before the questioner even begins to fathom the other aspects of what makes tthis field so interesting to long term enthusiasts and connoisseurs? price the universal language but too often misleading
How often do we hear, offered unsolicited, even sometimes unwantedly, "This was $50,000" as if that figure universally signals something anyone and everyone would understand.
Back in the old days, one of the reasons we used to give for not allowing price discussions, was, "Price is admittedly important in any discussion of material commercial objects - objects or services that can be bought and sold and traded for money.
But you can do that anywhere.
Here, we want to cultivate and develop an appreciation for other aspects of horological appreciation, which are much harder to find and much harder "quantify."
Like a wonderfully complex and sometimes delicate multicourse haute cuisine meal created by a master chef, the subtle flavours can be drowned out, killed, by a generous dousing of chili sauce or excessive use of salt by the neophyte gourmand.
Price discussions are like the bottle of chili sauce or ketchup with a loose cap - it can kill other important aspects of watch appreciation and discussion.
For me, price is merely an administrative speedbump - first, I'd like to learn the intrinsic qualities; the backstory; the context; the romance.
Then, if compelling enough, and my interest is sufficienttly aroused, and I am moved to seriously consider ownership, then and only then do I want to know the price, and then only to know if I can afford it.
This is me as an enthusiast writing.
Me as an acquirer, or buusinessman, or pragmatist, I would have different priorities.
This site is for enthusiasts; there are plenty of other sites for businessmen and pragmatists."
Cheers,
TM