Anyone purchased a Code41 watch before?

MyNameIsNigel · Feb 17, 2021

Bugbait
The problem I have with most niche/micro watch brands is confidence in their long term support and service. When you're spending under £1000 then it's probably less of a concern. When it's over that, or many multiples of it then it's certainly a big factor, for me anyway. I'm not sure how much the movement deviates from the original Valjoux 7750 it's based on but I'm guessing it could be significant. How many watchmakers can service these with access to parts? Do I have to ship it back to them for a service?

Part of any premium I'm willing to pay for a luxury watch factors in the confidence in long term support and service (i.e. replacement parts) from the manufacturer.

I understand that the basis for the NB24 movement is actually the "Caliber 2000" by Concepto Watch Factory, which is based on the Valjoux 7750 architecture. Main deviations on the movement side are the addition of the peripheral oscillating weight and associated components, which are evidently specific to the NB24.

Servicing is likely being outsourced by CODE41 to Concepto Watch Factory.

JetLinks · Feb 17, 2021

vintage hab
I looked at several of their models about a year ago (and continue to get their Google ads 😡). They look cool initially, but I wonder how they will age, i.e. if I would continue to like the look. But ultimately the price is too high and I don't believe, given they're a niche brand, that their value will hold. I don't buy watches as an investment, but I do like to switch things up, so that's a consideration. For the money, you can get an Omega or other luxury brand.

Similar feelings here.... in some ways I like the fresh take on certain design aspects, but when the price is comparable to an awesome Zenith EP I'm considering, I've got to say that my money would head towards the latter for the history, long term support/value, etc.

Archer · Feb 17, 2021

Bugbait
The problem I have with most niche/micro watch brands is confidence in their long term support and service. When you're spending under £1000 then it's probably less of a concern. When it's over that, or many multiples of it then it's certainly a big factor, for me anyway. I'm not sure how much the movement deviates from the original Valjoux 7750 it's based on but I'm guessing it could be significant. How many watchmakers can service these with access to parts? Do I have to ship it back to them for a service?

Part of any premium I'm willing to pay for a luxury watch factors in the confidence in long term support and service (i.e. replacement parts) from the manufacturer.

Yes, it's clearly based on an ETA 7750, and yes on this model there would be a number of proprietary parts. Trust me I try to tell people to ask questions up front about servicing and future support before they spend any significant money on these small brands. I've had customers bring me watches that the brand doesn't exist anymore, or refuse to sell parts, or simply don't have spares very long after the watch is made. It's disheartening for me to have to give the bad news that the watch can't be fixed at all sometimes.

It's not just movement parts, but case parts are often the bigger issue, in particular when the movements are mostly stock.

Cheers, Al

Trev · Feb 17, 2021

Archer
Interesting cost structure...

Design & development: 56$
This is actually the total cost for design and dev, not per watch. It all starts to make more sense. 😉

dsio · Feb 17, 2021

For less money you can get a 2225.80 in steel:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OMEGA-Seam...071055&hash=item1cf300467a:g:FJcAAOSwlJhfXZL9

Or a 2298.80 in titanium:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-Seam...692890&hash=item48f4a86e33:g:RukAAOSwloxf1vtV

Or even more reasonably priced, a Speedmaster Date Chronometer:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-Spee...056370?hash=item1aaf2c2832:g:OKMAAOSwmktf76XV

All of which are 7750 based but with the ability to get them serviced anywhere easily and a bottomless parts supply. And they look better. And they’re made better.

And if you have an itch for a weird looking watch too you can buy one of these Omega models and pair it with an Invicta that looks like the Code41 for when you’re out drinking.

Trev · Feb 17, 2021

M MyNameIsNigel
LOL. I am not in any way connected to CODE41, Concepto Watch Factory or Nigel Bailly 😁

I just happen to be a recent fan of this brand and preordered one NB24.

And, for the sake of total transparency, my nickname is simply a reference to Nigel Mansell who I happened to be a fan as well when I was a kid and still followed F1 back in the 80s/90s. I am too old anyway to race at the 24h of Le Mans 😉

And honestly, you do not need to be connected to CODE41, their partners or ambassadors to love what they are doing 😉

You've been making very enthusiastic posts around the web about the brand, it just seems very suspect when your first post here also reads like a copy/paste from their marketing department.

Any that I've missed?

Dan S · Feb 17, 2021

Never heard of the brand before this thread, and those watches are truly hideous IMO.

Transitus · Feb 18, 2021

Archer
Well, that is a thing, but that really wasn't my point.

Bulk of the cost is the outsourced movement. But I am somewhat surprised at the remainder of the costs...in particular the Swiss costs being as low as they are, given the wages in Switzerland.

Assembly costs of $43 per watch? I am assuming this would include mounting of the dial, hands, casing, and final regulation. That is extremely cheap for that work...

Now that it's been pointed out, difficult to imagine how this is remotely possible. Any ideas?

MyNameIsNigel · Feb 18, 2021

I am indeed very enthusiastic about the brand and this particular watch and I am not refraining from sharing such enthusiasm as you have noted. Is that a crime ?

The NB24 sells well. CODE41 have now raised in excess of 4.7 mioCHF in preorders. In the current environment, this can be rated as a huge success, especially for a microbrand like CODE41, and I am sincerely looking forward to receiving the watch in October this year.

I will be happy to share my impressions on this forum 😁

MyNameIsNigel · Feb 18, 2021

Trev
Any that I've missed?

Most certainly 😀 I have shared my enthusiasm on LinkedIn as well, amongst other platforms.

kov · Feb 18, 2021

3..2..1.. Au revoir 🍿

Archer · Feb 18, 2021

Transitus
Now that it's been pointed out, difficult to imagine how this is remotely possible. Any ideas?

Nope - not going to speculate, other than to say I would take those numbers with a grain of salt.

Archer · Feb 18, 2021

So, on the subject of spare parts, I contacted Code41 and asked if they sold spare parts to independent watchmakers for servicing of their watches. The answer came back as: "Unfortunately we do not."

The logical follow-up would be to tell me how to get the watch serviced if I had one, but that wasn't provided, so I sent another email and asked that very questions. What is the service network? Do they have to be sent back to your location?

The answer came back:

"This is the Customer Service. Please read our History Section if you are interested in how we work and with whom."

Okay, so not terribly anxious to answer questions it appears. So I went to their web site, and there is no section that I can see with History in it. There is a "Story" section, that is divided into many chapters - close to 30. I looked at several chapters, and also the FAQ, and can find no information on the process of getting the watch serviced, let alone any details of a service network of any kind. This does not inspire confidence, to put it mildly.

I also have an email into Concepto asking about access to spare parts, and so far it's not a flat out no, just asking me to clarify what movements I would like parts for. But my guess is that now that I've told them it's for the Code41 watches, the answer will come back as a no...

I will update this thread as I get more answers.

Cheers, Al

Archer · Feb 18, 2021

Update - heard back from Concepto and my prediction was right - for Code41 watches you must contact the brand directly for parts. Since we know that as a matter of policy, they don't sell parts, this means you will be captive to them for whatever needs doing (provided they will actually tell you how to get something serviced).

If that affects your purchase decision or not, that's up to you, but at least now you know...

MyNameIsNigel · Feb 18, 2021

Warranty issues are in effect handled directly via the CODE41 on-line platform, through each customer's on-line account. Usual warranty period is 24 months (which complies with the minimum requirements under Swiss law). It is increased to 36 months for all "CREATOR EDITION" watches, including e.g. the NB24 chronograph currently being offered for sale. In theory, for every issue covered by the warranty, CODE41 will in effect arrange for pick-up of the watch and the customer is not supposed to have to go to any particular servicing location. That's the theory and I have not obviously experienced this in practice. I cannot therefore judge the quality of CODE41 aftersales services.

It is also worth noting that CODE41 have a 30-day return policy. If the delivered watch is not to your liking, you can return it and get a full refund.

Yes, CODE41 is a microbrand, and, yes, the quality and efficiency of their aftersales services is probably not on par with that of well-established brands, like Omega. That shouldn't come as a surprise.

With respect to the guarantee to obtain spare parts, especially those "proprietary" parts that are specific to e.g. the NB24 (e.g. peripheral oscillating weight and associated components), that remains a relevant and valid question for servicing on the long term. I am not fundamentally worried about that. Rightly so or not, you will judge.

As far as I am concerned, this has not and does not affect my decision to purchase the NB24.

Time will tell if that was a sensible decision to make, I guess 😉

cvalue13 · Feb 18, 2021

Archer
If that affects your purchase decision or not, that's up to you, but at least now you know...

Reminds me of the cringe induced when people say “but it has a lifetime guarantee!” - which really only means “lifetime” of the company existing

M MyNameIsNigel
As far as I am concerned, this has not and does not affect my decision to purchase the NB24.

I would love to own a Ressence Type 3, but can’t justify a $50K watch that is prone to becoming a paperweight upon the company folding. That seemingly takes a mini-garch level of wealth

SpikiSpikester · Feb 18, 2021

Archer · Feb 18, 2021

M MyNameIsNigel
Warranty issues are in effect handled directly via the CODE41 on-line platform, through each customer's on-line account. Usual warranty period is 24 months (which complies with the minimum requirements under Swiss law). It is increased to 36 months for all "CREATOR EDITION" watches, including e.g. the NB24 chronograph currently being offered for sale. In theory, for every issue covered by the warranty, CODE41 will in effect arrange for pick-up of the watch and the customer is not supposed to have to go to any particular servicing location. That's the theory and I have not obviously experienced this in practice. I cannot therefore judge the quality of CODE41 aftersales services.

It is also worth noting that CODE41 have a 30-day return policy. If the delivered watch is not to your liking, you can return it and get a full refund.

I'm not concerned with repairs under warranty. Even the cheap micros that have all their production made in China, and drop shipped right the customer's door offer this same sort of warranty coverage. Usually if there's an issue with those, they just send you a new watch.

M MyNameIsNigel
Yes, CODE41 is a microbrand, and, yes, the quality and efficiency of their aftersales services is probably not on par with that of well-established brands, like Omega. That shouldn't come as a surprise.

It doesn't. But if I compare this even to a small brand like Nomos, their customer service is very different. In fact I just ordered a large batch of spare parts from them that should be here tomorrow - few days after first contacting them to place my order. Note that some of their watches are far less pricey than this current offering from Code41 is.

M MyNameIsNigel
With respect to the guarantee to obtain spare parts, especially those "proprietary" parts that are specific to e.g. the NB24 (e.g. peripheral oscillating weight and associated components), that remains a relevant and valid question for servicing on the long term. I am not fundamentally worried about that. Rightly so or not, you will judge.

As far as I am concerned, this has not and does not affect my decision to purchase the NB24.

Time will tell if that was a sensible decision to make, I guess 😉

Certainly - your money so you can do with it as you wish. But as you correctly point out, this is not your average micro-brand watch. Something cheap and inexpensive can be seen as essentially a throw away if it dies 5 or 6 years from now. For watches like these costing up to $4,000, these fall into the category of "you had better be able to maintain it" as least as far as I'm concerned.

Right now that ability seems very sketchy based on what I've seen from Code41.

Cheers, Al

S.H. · Feb 18, 2021

M MyNameIsNigel
Warranty issues are in effect handled directly via the CODE41 on-line platform, through each customer's on-line account. Usual warranty period is 24 months (which complies with the minimum requirements under Swiss law). It is increased to 36 months for all "CREATOR EDITION" watches, including e.g. the NB24 chronograph currently being offered for sale. In theory, for every issue covered by the warranty, CODE41 will in effect arrange for pick-up of the watch and the customer is not supposed to have to go to any particular servicing location. That's the theory and I have not obviously experienced this in practice. I cannot therefore judge the quality of CODE41 aftersales services.

It is also worth noting that CODE41 have a 30-day return policy. If the delivered watch is not to your liking, you can return it and get a full refund.

Yes, CODE41 is a microbrand, and, yes, the quality and efficiency of their aftersales services is probably not on par with that of well-established brands, like Omega. That shouldn't come as a surprise.

With respect to the guarantee to obtain spare parts, especially those "proprietary" parts that are specific to e.g. the NB24 (e.g. peripheral oscillating weight and associated components), that remains a relevant and valid question for servicing on the long term. I am not fundamentally worried about that. Rightly so or not, you will judge.

As far as I am concerned, this has not and does not affect my decision to purchase the NB24.

Time will tell if that was a sensible decision to make, I guess 😉

With this kind of post and wording, I have trouble believing you are a joe regular buying a watch that caught his eye on the Net. Call me paranoid...

Transitus · Feb 18, 2021

I saw a site where an 'independent' online reviewer of their watches was asked if they were financially connected with the company in the comments. They stated 'not directly' so I asked them, in the interest of disclosure, to simply state in what way they were connected.
My question was deleted.
I drew my own conclusions about their marketing strategy.