I would put watch nerds and vacuum tube nerds in the same category. Both very detailed and chasing some version of a perfect synergy. Please take "nerd" as a term of endearment.
I do appreciate a unique watch but would never spend good $ on one, and I agree that they are not about the current time. I visualize an independent watchmaker at his/her bench with the same level of skill and enthusiasm for craft as all the images of Nelson Pass at his bench. Both take science and turn it into art.