Decoding the Watch Hobby: Insights from the 2025 Watch Enthusiast Community Survey

In 2025, an ambitious survey was conducted, taking a deep dive into the world of watch enthusiasts. The considerable results had a lot to teach about the current state of the watch community, with interesting revelations coming to light.

Most notably, storytelling and socializing emerged as key elements in the community of modern watch lovers. Despite some resistance to classifying it as a ‘hobby’, data from the survey showcased that the dynamics of the watch industry revolve heavily around individuals who engage in watch collecting or appreciating.

Survey data also suggest that watch collecting is rarely a standalone interest and is often a subsequent collecting hobby adopted by individuals seasoned in other areas of collecting. Collectors typically bring previous experiences from other collecting hobbies or fields of interest like engineering or autos before immersing themselves in the world of watches. As such, watch collecting is often viewed as a higher-stakes hobby with pricing and product complexity acting as entry barriers.

Equally important to note is the indisputable impact of world affairs on the watch industry. With enthusiasts, brands, and events spread across the globe, international tensions and conflicts invariably influence the industry and the hobby. Despite this, the hobby remains a cherished distraction for an expanding global community. Understanding this dynamic relationship between watch lovers and their hobby provides valuable insights into consumer behavior in the industry.