I used to see steampunk as just a harmless hobby for maladjusted nerds until I saw a magazine article about making steampunk costumes and accessories.  The author was showing readers how to buy old watches, take them apart and use the little pieces to accentuate your toy laser guns or John Lennon glasses or whatever.

Like buying a classic old Cadillac and tearing the engine out to use for an eight hole flowerpot for your front yard.

Hey, I never wrote that. Despite purchasing a fez.

Credit to chatsworth osborne jr. please.