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sheepdoll
ยทI joined the local collectors group in the late 1980s. This was not their focus. Wrist watches were tool watches. It was about railroad grade and chronometers. Even in the 1990s there was not a lot of interest. Basic stuff that now trade for 300 to 500 was going for around 60 to 120. It would make you sick to know what my speedy cost in the early 90s. This was before the movie came out and the books were written.
Getting information was the hard part. The other side in the 1970s was that one could simply walk into a store an buy something. It would be like walking in to a mall shop and getting common stuff, that does not really interest collectors, since anyone could get it. No real scarcity. Print advertising was everywhere.
I had minimal interest, but I did like the way stuff looked so there was something in the background. What I was most attracted to was the LED display watches, since I had trouble reading an analog dial (converting the abstract spaces to decimal number.)
Rolex on the other hand, like now was all they wanted. The high end stuff was on a sort of need to know basis. If you knew the names, then you could join the club. Most people were happy with Timex. The Japanese watches were something one got from a cereal box.
Look at BTTF. The 1980s watches and timers were product placements. The 1950s watches were pretty basic stuff, which even now is cheaper by the dozen. I did figure out Doc Browns 1950s watch that is hard to identify. I forget now what it was but it was a bit pricey. Of course the character had a bunch of watches. The ones that are known came from the stunt doubles.
Getting information was the hard part. The other side in the 1970s was that one could simply walk into a store an buy something. It would be like walking in to a mall shop and getting common stuff, that does not really interest collectors, since anyone could get it. No real scarcity. Print advertising was everywhere.
I had minimal interest, but I did like the way stuff looked so there was something in the background. What I was most attracted to was the LED display watches, since I had trouble reading an analog dial (converting the abstract spaces to decimal number.)
Rolex on the other hand, like now was all they wanted. The high end stuff was on a sort of need to know basis. If you knew the names, then you could join the club. Most people were happy with Timex. The Japanese watches were something one got from a cereal box.
Look at BTTF. The 1980s watches and timers were product placements. The 1950s watches were pretty basic stuff, which even now is cheaper by the dozen. I did figure out Doc Browns 1950s watch that is hard to identify. I forget now what it was but it was a bit pricey. Of course the character had a bunch of watches. The ones that are known came from the stunt doubles.