Is it necessary to include my Rolex in gun pics?

I wear a rolex because strapping 400 $10 bills to my wrist is just gaudy. I think I saw that in a fiddy cent video.

Some of my guns are old enough to look apropos leaned up against a grandfather's clock.

It only takes two to ruin a thread. And it was a fun thread. To bad.

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+1, although it's getting funnier again.

I've always held the opinion that real class and real taste can't be bought, and that both concepts have very little to do with money. I've known some first-class gentlemen who were dirt-poor and some who had a LOT of money. I've also known a few asses from both ends of the economic spectrum and all along the line between.

Personally, it's always been my goal to be spoken of highly in low places - and lowly in high places.

KR

That's It...................

Why not? People often like to show all the stuff they carry daily. That usually includes guns, knives, wallets, cell-phones and guess what? Watches... I don't see why it matters anyway...

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I just find it silly that some people carry their wrist watch for I usually wear mine.

If a watch can be carried instead of worn and appear in carry topics then why not post your shoes and pants?

If a watch can be carried instead of worn and appear in carry topics then why not post your shoes and pants?

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Because this is simply photography. As another poster pointed out, many of the older gun ads used props to show the gun in context. It's a subtle way of targeting a particular market by tapping into the guns "intended use." I put that last part in quotes because I don't want anyone flaming me over my assumptions about what particular guns are used for.

Let's be honest; different guns are manufactured with different purposes in mind, and by using non-firearm props in the photo art (and advertising), manufacturers can tap into potential buyers' expectations.

For instance, cowboy action guns are typically photographed with cowboy style accessories; retro ammo boxes, cowboy holster and cartridge belt, maybe a Stetson hat and a hunting knife, and an antique pocket watch. Those accessories say; "this gun would be appropriate for CAS and would fit right into society 120 years ago (or so...)."

Most AR clone photographs include tactical gear; black leather gloves, rail accessories on the rifle, maybe a kevlar helmet and ballistic vest, etc. These photos say something like, "this gun is used by groups involved in tactical work (military, LE, etc.) and is well suited to that purpose.

The same AR marketed as a target rifle (and configured to match) might show a box of premium ammo, a shooting bench, a shooting rest, and certainly an appropriately perforated target (no one would photograph their $2000.00 + custom bench AR with a target showing a 4 inch spread in the holes. ) The benchrest AR accessories are often pretty colorful, reds, whites, and/or blues often show up in anodized parts, rail accessories, furniture, etc.

For a classic heavy-caliber bolt-action, you'd include items that suggest a safari in the 1930s, etc.

You get the idea. Many photos taken by owners are an attempt to put the gun into a context in much the same way the advertisers do, because the context often explains why a person bought that particular gun.

I like looking at tastefully done gun photos, and I like a few well-chosen props in the photo too.

Consider a photo from John Linebaugh's fantastic custom six gun site: http://www.customsixguns.com/photos/CustomGuns/scan0016.jpg

Notice how the photo suggests the guns are for hunting: (the skins, the skull, the big honkin' cartridges) or for CAS (the cowboy-style gun belt and holster with the star medallion on the holster).

KR

At least SOME of you have better taste in watches than guns.

OP said:

Is it necessary to include my Rolex in gun pics?
or just my knife?
I just find it funny......

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I don't think the OP set off to start one of the more entertaining threads I've seen in a while... but he managed anyway.

I have never heard that term used before, then I searched Google for "Meal Protection" . . massive ammount of subject matter there, seems it was a craze.

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ROFLMA! Yer not kiddin'!. I hadn't even heard of meal protection.
Teh intrawebs is a big place. Guess we can't keep up on everything.

So what's next? Lolgunz.com?

I like watches. Go ahead & put 'em in the pics.

Ummm.... pretentious sports cars & guns? Kinda ******y, IMO. Ferrarri & Benelli, maybe. Other than that.... nah.

"Be not the first by whom the new are tried,

Nor yet the last to lay the old aside. "

-Pope

quote; Many photos taken by owners are an attempt to put the gun into a context in much the same way the advertisers do, because the context often explains why a person bought that particular gun

Okay...why a watch?

Some of the party poopers ought to start a thread for the list of things to be LEFT OUT of gun pictures, because I sure didn't know there would be so much complaining about watches. I'm sure there are other things that some just can't stand to have phtotographed next the guns.

Okay...why a watch?

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If it was a flashy Rolex (I'm guessing based on the OP), maybe it's with a higher-end gun to suggest that brand as a luxury brand, something a gentleman would carry, a gentleman with expensive tastes.

As another poster mentioned, maybe it was a shot of someone's dressing table where we lay out the items we carry each day - wallet, watch, pen, keys, etc...

Or maybe the photographer was trying to add a touch of class to his handgun. While not all of us agree on what constitutes a first-class watch, I doubt the photographer could have anticipated this reaction over his photo.

I could see photographing one of my Ruger SAs next to a pocketwatch, a nice leather belt and holster, and an easy-on-the-eyes hunting knife (a classic Marbles' or a nice custom...)

All of this does seem like a terribly silly thing to argue over.

KR

IMNSHO,I think it is pretty clear the OP is making fun of the gun+Rolex in picture as being gauche.

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Oh, I agree 100%. He's clearly poking fun at a photo he's seen somewhere.

Because this is simply photography. As another poster pointed out, many of the older gun ads used props to show the gun in context. It's a subtle way of targeting a particular market by tapping into the guns "intended use." I put that last part in quotes because I don't want anyone flaming me over my assumptions about what particular guns are used for.

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I don't see how firearms and watches coincide?

It's like eating a spicy taco and drinking a glass of warm milk.



Personally,

I just think it's people trying to impress other people for usually expensive watches tend to get pictured in comparison to cheaper equivalents. =/

If so and that is solely the motivation -- then why stop at expensive watches?

Put the jag.
Put the boat.
Put the deed to the summer home.

Also in the pic. =p

I don't see how firearms and watches coincide?

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Again, it's a matter of taste. In defense of this kind of prop photography, consider this vintage Weatherby ad. Notice the then trendy and expensive architectural chair in a long gun ad. I'm just saying I don't find the watch any stranger than this.

As far as how they coincide:

Both are mechanical, both can run to the expensive, both can be seen as investments, both can be considered status symbols, there are folks dedicated to collecting each, etc.

Somehow I'm guessing there are no arguments like this in the watch-collectors' forums. I just don't expect to read:

"It's just sooo pretentious to photograph that 1950s Gruen with a Krieghoff shotgun. No one with any taste shoots those things anyway; they're just status symbols for the newly rich who don't know better. Who is that guy trying to impress anyway?"

KR

Same P6...one without props another with...which catches your eye?

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The first one, I like that "W" in front of Germany on the slide.

The watch...

Look at that TIMEX IRONMAN, the sign of TRUE QUALITY and WEALTHY TASTE. And the unvacuumed carpet, the sign of a RELIGIOUS WORKAHOLIC, DROWNING IN HIS OWN MONEY! Casios are only bought by the new rich, the gaudy who want to show off. A man of TRUE WEALTH AND TASTE buys a Timex Ironman.

The rest...

For the curious, those are all authentic USGI mags... probably an oKay contract. I dunno. They actually have no stampings other than a lot #. When I left the Army, I was required to turn in 7 of them. I had more than 7 of them.

The rest of the rest...

I'm 27. And yes, I wear my Timex everyday. It does things a cell phone can't do, like tell me the time without being rude, setting small alarms to remind me of things, and not needing to be plugged in after using it for 20 minutes.

But if you had to ask... well...

Killchain, I don't find the Timex tasteless, as it suits the gear you've grouped it with.

Another thought has occurred to me regarding this; I own a few watches (I have 3 nice vintage watches that were all received as gifts, my great-grandfather's and Great-uncle's railroad pocketwatches (I spent a chunk of money to have one restored to working condition by a competent watchmaker - the other kept beautiful time when I got it), my grandfather's service watch from WWII, and four other heirloom pieces I inherited.

I've photographed my Ruger SAs with one or the other of the pocketwatches, and I've photographed my classic GI 1911 with Papaw's WWII Hamilton. I wish I had an issue .45 from him, but he was light infantry and support and was issued the M1 Carbine (which I'd give my next 10 minutes of oxygen to own, but he turned in when he mustered out.)

Love them or hate them, watches are a deep part of American culture, and often the only jewelry worn by many men.

In that case, watches are like guns; I don't care what brand it is - I'm just impressed by quality, workmanship, and especially by a little history.

KR

KR, Well said.

Kentucky_Rifleman,

I agree with you completely.

How about finding a M1 Carbine to "represent" the one that your father carried. Sometimes that's the best we can do.

CZGuy, That's beautiful! I remember he carried a Winchester. One of these days I'll slip up on one and it'll follow me home

KR

Anyone that would notice the watch I'm wearing would make me nervous.