The Not So Unusual Overlap Between Watch and Car Guys

In the world of passionate collectors, there's a curious story that often goes unnoticed. It's the unexpected overlap between car enthusiasts and watch nerds; two groups of people who seem interested in different things on the surface but unknowingly share a deep connection. When scrolling through a watch collector’s Instagram page, you’ll sometimes see the link: a vintage Porsche with a vintage Submariner, or maybe even a customized Seiko Tuna with a Daihatsu Copen.

 

Source: @financialmistakecopen on IG

 

At first glance, these passions might seem entirely different: one involves mechanical beasts barreling down a track at 200 km/h, while the other revolves around delicate, wrist-bound timepieces. Yet, for those who love one, it’s more unusual not to love the other.

But why do people who love cars often fall head over heels for watches, and vice versa? Let’s think out loud for a bit.

 

The Tinkering Instinct

Let’s admit it - there’s something deeply satisfying about taking things apart and putting them back together. For many of us (especially men), this instinct to tinker is hardwired. From the time we were kids dismantling our toys (sorry, Mom) to fixing up our first car or watch, we’ve always found joy in understanding how things work. Call it curiosity or call it compulsion, but the need to poke, prod, and perfect is just there.

 

Source: @watchfigures on IG

 

Cars and watches offer the perfect platform to scratch this itch. Both are essentially puzzles with a mechanical soul, and there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of tweaking something yourself and seeing it work better, look cooler, or feel more like you. 

 

Why We’re Wired for It

Source: @watch.nik on IG

 

Evolution might have something to do with this instinct, too. Our early ancestors spent a good chunk of their time building tools, crafting weapons, and finding creative solutions to problems. Fast forward a few tens of thousands of years, and that need to work with our hands hasn’t really gone away. Today, instead of spears and fire pits, we’re upgrading gear ratios and regulating movements. But the underlying drive is the same: to create, improve, and leave our mark.

This tinkering instinct taps into our innate desire to create something lasting and reflects our identity. And when you’re working on a car or a watch, every tweak feels like a tiny victory. Every scratch, every stripped screw, every blown gasket, and every success tells a story, one that’s personal and satisfying.

 

We All Love Precision and Craftsmanship

Source: The Seiko Guy

 

Cars and watches are feats of engineering. For the watch lover, the appeal is in the intricate balance of gears, springs, and escapements that keep the watch ticking (or sweeping) with precision. A well-crafted movement is a miniature masterpiece, where every part must work in sync to achieve its purpose of keeping time.

Similarly, cars are a showcase of mechanical ingenuity. A high-performance engine is as much a work of art as it is a tool, with pistons, valves, and crankshafts all working together in perfect synchronization. Both machines demand attention to detail during design and construction. Think about a Seiko Spring Drive movement or a Lamborghini V10 engine; two completely different things, yet both showcase the many years of research, development and optimization from their respective makers.

 

Machine Lingo

Source: Roke11 on YT

 

With cars and watches both being machines, their fans actually speak a common language. Listen closely, and you’ll notice a surprising amount of overlap in the terminology. Words like gears, rotors, barrels, manuals and automatics are just as at home in a workshop for timepieces as they are in an auto garage. Heck, we even like referring to the watch movement as “engines” because that’s what they are essentially!

This connection also explains the abundance of automotive-inspired watches on the market. Brands like TAG Heuer, Autodromo, and Chopard have successfully captured the essence of motorsports in their designs, incorporating elements like tachymeter bezels, chronograph functions, and dial faces modeled after car gauges. Seiko modders can be seen following this trend as well, with automotive inspired mods gracing our feeds from time to time.

 

Customization

Source: @little.horologiarium on IG

 

At their core, cars and watches are platforms for self-expression. Sure, you can keep them stock or “OEM”, but where’s the fun in that? There’s much fun to be had in tweaking, modifying, and customizing; taking something that’s mass-produced and turning it into something personal and familiar. That Seiko dive watch you bought? Add a new ceramic bezel, upgrade to a sapphire crystal, and pop on a custom strap, and suddenly you’ve got a piece that’s uniquely you. Your Lancer? Throw on some coilovers, upgrade the intake, and tweak the ECU, and now you’re driving a car that feels like an extension of yourself.

This isn’t just tinkering for the sake of it either. There’s pride in knowing that the watch on your wrist or the car in your garage doesn’t look or feel like anyone else’s, or at least not something you’d so easily see worn or driven by other people. It’s been shaped by your hands, your taste, and your personality. And let’s be real here, there’s a dopamine hit every time someone notices your custom mods and says, “Whoa, that’s awesome. Where’d you get that?”

 

Wrap Up

Source: @finemods on IG

 

Cars and watches may be very different objects, but our sentiments towards them are the same - they add value to our lives beyond just tools for timekeeping or going from point A to point B. We can appreciate a clean and well-kept stock unit but we also like adding our personal touches. We love vintage pieces that are much older than us, and we’re also excited about the new innovations and improvements that are coming out more recently. We take good care of them, hoping that we can pass them on to the next generation, or sell them so you can get your next project car/watch.

One of our community members once noted that watch modding is just like “car modding that fits on a table,” and we think this sums up the thought behind this article. If you’re a watch guy (or a car guy) who’s looking to get into watch modifications, you’ve come to the right place. We offer top shelf mod parts with great compatibility, tight tolerances, and premium finishing so you can upgrade or build a watch you can be proud of. Be sure to check out our one-stop-shop of hundreds of parts and tools so you can start modding today.

Happy modding!