A constant evolution and inherent value have ensured a secure niche for high-end watches in today’s market, Narun Thamavaranukup, the managing director of watch distribution company, PMT The Hour Glass, avers. With smartphones ubiquitous, one might think wristwatches would lose their charm. However, as Thamavaranukup elucidates, these timepieces are more than mere instruments to tell time.

 

For Narun, watches play multiple roles – they are assets, investments and collectables. “Our watch business could remain sustainable for a decade even if we cease all marketing activities,” Narun enthusiastically stated, indicating the unwavering demand for watches in Thailand which he observes growing annually.

 

His company experienced an unexpected effect of the pandemic over the last three years. More free time led to an increased interest in watch collecting, particularly amongst the younger generation, insists Narun. High-end watches are attracting a demographic significantly younger than that witnessed previously, with individuals aged between 25 and 35 years old now forming the fastest-growing segment.

 

by Alex Morgan

Top photo: Narun Thamavaranukup, the managing director of PMT The Hour Glass, Image courtesy of The Hour Glass via Facebook

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/high-end-watch-demand-increases-among-younger-thai-generation

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-15

 

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This is new to me. So those (possibly Indian) fellows who hold watches in my face on the sidewalks of Sukhumvit several times a day, or from their motorbikes as they go past, are not completely wasting their time? 

Can they get a loan of one or two Hi-end watches from a dead friend....asking for a certain General.

So what I am being told is they want a Rolex or Omega to be up to an hour late?

Strange advert sorry non article. Top quality watches have always been very popular within Thailand society.  Rama V I believe 1900's gave Royal Warrant to JW Benson of London watch maker (the company held Warrants from Queen Victoria and her husband,  King af Denmark, last Tsar of Russia and Emperor of Japan). 

Amazing how the planted articles from watch dealers always say demand for watches is up, and the planted articles from real estate brokers and developers always say that demand for property is through the roof ????

King Rama V had a Patek Philippe pocket watch which you can see on display in the Patek museum.

 

https://www.prestigeonline.com/th/watches/watch-art-grand-exhibition-singapore-2019/#:~:text=Sold on December 3%2C 1897,enamelled royal emblem of Siam.

 

 

2 hours ago, Enzian said:

This is new to me. So those (possibly Indian) fellows who hold watches in my face on the sidewalks of Sukhumvit several times a day, or from their motorbikes as they go past, are not completely wasting their time? 

Only the real ones are collectable.

Prawit will be proud of the young people of today.

Be wary. The high-end watch I got free with 12 gallons of petrol twenty years ago stopped working before my car fuel gauge registered empty. ????‍????

All I can say ( if they are talking about Rolex etc) is that the Thai youth are very well off today . I have many foreign friends of all ages and I’ve never noticed one wearing such a watch or Indian style gold chain. I’d be too afraid to be robbed, hurt etc.  My Vietnamese mother in law was on holidays in Vietnam , her chain , which wasn’t that big, was ripped violently from her neck and hurt her badly as she also fell. The thought of that happening didn’t cross her mind.  Expensive watch robbing is common everywhere, from driving in a traffic jam, on red lights, walking , and coming out of  parkings. I wouldn’t wear one , although I like them .

, and have considered it in the past.

Perhaps the article should read a very small percentage of the younger generation as about 99% of young Thais could only dream of owning such a timepiece!

With the invent of the smart phone watches have been mostly relegated to being nothing more than a fashion item. 

8 hours ago, Venom said:

With the invent of the smart phone watches have been mostly relegated to being nothing more than a fashion item. 

Or for those who don't want to go fumbling in their pockets for their phone... and maybe, just maybe, for those who do not carry a mobile.