New Acquisitions Forum, should we bring it back?

[Jim Haney]

With the decline in prices for timepieces, it is apparent that people want to show off what they have purchased and often a bargain for under $100, they can buy good KW/KS ,sometimes in Silver cases and are almost rabid about posting them.

We had this Forum about 8 years ago and current Moderators at the time, MartyR & myself, suggested we eliminate it, because when someone would post a new acquisition it would end up as a educational thread because of all of the comments about it and instead of a few pictures and everyone saying great watch, much educational information was posted about it and lost in the forum so we were spending too much time moving these thread to the regular watch forum to save them as educational threads.

The recent bookend thread that was quarantined and returned is a classic example.

The OP stated his goal in the 1st post and after several examples were shown people just started posting single watches with no relevance to the title of theme, making a joke of the thread.


If we could agree that the Forum would be for a few post to show off everyone's new watches without a lot of history attached, it would work as intended.

 

[Kevin W.]

I am all for it. Would like to see it come back.

 

[leeinv66]

I would like to see the New Acquisition Forum return, but not based on value. There is not a minimum value placed on the horological items that get discussed on our message board. A ten dollar watch is as important to a new collector as a ten thousand dollar watch is to a seasoned one. There is room to discuss them all in our regular forums.

 

[joetime]

yes I would like to see the new Acquisition forum return just to show new watch only.

 

[DeweyC]

Jim,

I think this is a good idea. New acquisitions presents a host of questions that are kind of unique to finding a "new" watch.

It may take some effort to move/split threads that become more of a research/educational interest beyond ID and how the particular watch fits into the picture. I think it could encourage participation.

But I like the idea.

 

[4mula1fan]

Please Show the Most Recent Addition to Your Collection thread kinda covers it already.

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

It may take some effort to move/split threads that become more of a research/educational interest beyond ID and how the particular watch fits into the picture.

This is exactly the problem with such a forum. It quickly becomes redundant because those who initially just want to show their watch inevitably have questions about it or others do. So, now we have educational content in two locations. And, we create a jumble of educational/non-Educational, American/European.

I honesty don't see what is wrong with what we have today. What is the problem with showing a new acquisition in the appropriate forum, be it American or European?

 

[grtnev]

This is exactly the problem with such a forum. It quickly becomes redundant because those who initially just want to show their watch inevitably have questions about it or others do.

Could it be set up where replies are blocked/not allowed?

The original poster gets one post to show off his latest acquisition with no replies allowed. If he/she or anyone else has further questions, then they would have to start a new thread to ask their question.

Richard

 

[darrahg]

I favor the current presentation for new watch purchases and well as for all those 'old finds'. Persons commenting on watches is what I find interesting and informative.

 

[Les harland]

I would like to see the New Acquisition Forum return, but not based on value. There is not a minimum value placed on the horological items that get discussed on our message board. A ten dollar watch is as important to a new collector as a ten thousand dollar watch is to a seasoned one. There is room to discuss them all in our regular forums.

The ten dollar watch might be their only watch
My first one was £5, roughly $10
There is also sentimental value which could make the $10 watch priceless to someone

 

[John Cote]

This is exactly the problem with such a forum. It quickly becomes redundant because those who initially just want to show their watch inevitably have questions about it or others do. So, now we have educational content in two locations. And, we create a jumble of educational/non-Educational, American/European.

I honesty don't see what is wrong with what we have today. What is the problem with showing a new acquisition in the appropriate forum, be it American or European?

I have to say that I am with Dave on this. I honestly don't see the reason for it. If some people don't like looking at "New Acquisitions" or especially common or cheap new acquisition, just don't look at or don't comment on these threads. I don't see anything wrong with a new collector wanting to get either praise or information or any feedback for, or simply just show off a new acquisition. We are an educational institution. We are not just a club for experienced collectors with cream of the crop watches. Those forums do exist but this one is not that.

For me the rules (common sense rules) should start with "ALL WATCHES ARE IMPORTANT TO THE STUDY OF HOROLOGY...EVEN THE COMMON AND EVEN FRANKENS"...and then go to the following:

1) Post new acquisitions in their own threads. Don't hijack someone else' thread unless there is a real relationship to that thread.
2) If you post a new acquisition, be prepared to learn both the good and the bad.
3) If you post a new acquisition listen and don't be so invested that you get defensive.
4) If you post a new acquisition and don't like a reply you get either be kind or leave it alone. Never reply in anger.
5) If you don't like new acquisition posts don't pay attention
6) If you comment on somebody else' new acquisition be honest but thoughtful and BE KIND.
7) If you don't like the way the thread is going because of defensiveness on the part of the original poster or whatever...just leave it alone.
8) Always quit before you make a mean or a un-constructive reply. Always just leave things alone if you are tempted.
​

Most of this should apply to any thread on any forum. Being defensive or even being pompous is not a great thing but being mean or un-constructive is way worse.

This is the American Pocket Watch Forum. It is not the Rare American Pocket Watch Forum.

 

[Kevin W.]

Being kind i think is number 1. I wish there was more of that, in all forums.

 

[John Cote]

Being kind i think is number 1. I wish there was more of that, in all forums.

Be kind....I think you can be firm honest and still kind. If you can't...then just back off.

I've had two or three people call me since I posted this and another similar sentiment on another forum. They insisted that some people on this forum are just pompous idiots and they need to know it. This is BS. If you let the people you think are being pompous idiots just hang out there with no traffic on their threads maybe they will just go away. If not, you don't need to pay attention anyway. BEING A JERK TO SOMEONE SHOULD NEVER BE TOLERATED...even if you think the person you are being a jerk to is a pompous idiot.

Be kind...and just don't participate when you can't be kind.

 

[musicguy]

Obviously by the vote at the top of the page people do want to see other peoples
new acquisitions. Some other forums have so many different sections that it
does get confusing of where to post. For now I would post them in this section
if you want to share them with us. If it becomes something that we feel needs it own section
we will keep that in mind.


Rob

 

[Lee Passarella]

Meaning, Rob, from what I've read about the history of this thread, that if people want to comment, comments could be handled in a different thread?

 

[musicguy]

Not sure I understand, but if this is your question....

Comments should be handled in the same thread for now.

People can post a new find in many places

If it's a private label.....in the various private label threads.

If they want to start a brand new thread and see what people have to say about it.

If they want to post it in Clints thread
Please Show the Most Recent Addition to Your Collection

Just another example if it's a 19j RR watch
Show off your 19J Standard watches... I'll start with a 19j Bunn
or in
Show off all sizes of your BW Raymonds


You can revive an old thread about the same grade watch or
start a new thread. It always good to read old threads here to learn about the watches you have
and if you add your watch to an existing thread you are adding information to our knowledge base.
This is always a good choice too.

Rob

 

[Kevin W.]

On the subject of being kind i do understand. One thing i do wish is though. Than when a comment from someone in a thread is reported that someone on the mod team email, message the person and let them know that their report has been looked at. Some moderators do contact me when i report something and some of them dont do it.

 

[GeneJockey]

I don't see any added value to a "New Acquisitions" forum outside the current forums. If you know a lot about the watch you're presenting, you can educate others, and if you know little about it there are folks on the forum that can educate you. It also encourages the other forum members to post their own watches of the same type or grade. I think the best place for that is the current forum structure.

Regarding being kind, politeness and apologies for unintentional offense cost nothing.

 

[topspin]

I have voted no, but it's close. I have read and can understand both sides of the debate.

If it were the case that we were being swamped with "Hey look at my random new watch" threads then I would have voted yes to fencing them off.

Question: Have we had a LOT of useful threads being derailed by many irrelevant posts? If so, are there any practicable alternatives to the moderator having to clean it up?

 

[Les harland]

I think the "Latest Aquisition" area should be restricted to showing off a "new" watch
If the poster has any questions it should be in the normal Pocket Watch forum
At the moment there are two very similar threads in the Clock Forum
One is in the Latest Aquisition forum the other in the normal clock forum
They are two different clocks by different posters