Picking up on Isochronism's point, I enjoy watches, and am thoroughly disgusted with much of the new market. I don't understand a $5,000 watch in a stainless steel case using a common ETA movement. I would much rather have a vintage Omega or IWC with a manufacturer's movement. And either can be bought for a small fraction of a new watch from the same manufacturers.
Yet this is the world of the luxury trade where the value is not necessarily to be found more than a millimeter beneath the surface.
And no doubt the same goes for audio equipment- it is remarkable what a savy marketer can do with OTC Belden cable, tech-flex jacketing, costly terminations and funds for a barely pseudo scientific marketing campaign.