Highend watch brands (initial impressions)

sky21

Thanks for such a detailed write up of your experiences in Vegas. Living here myself, I know that there is more watch porn to look at here than almost anywhere else in the world and it can be quite over whelming sometimes. I am correct in reading that you did not buy a second watch on your most recent trip and still only have the Speedmaster?

cimo

Wow interesting post. I think remaining objective when evaluating a watch (not considering the brand recognition/popularity) is very difficult for most of us who have been exposed to many of these brands for longer.

Controversial they may be, I found myself agreeing with most of your first impressions. Particularly Rolex, AP, Parek and Panerai.

Regardinf IWC, I found myself thinking "huh I guess that is a pretty generic name." Now I'm going to think that any time I see them.

I would be curious what your first impression of some other brands would be like Breitling, Vacheron, and TAG Heuer

Foo2rama

I need to get this as a tattoo

STANDY

Why not get a watch

alam

..."There were also many other versions that looked schizophrenic"..... the line I enjoyed the best! 😜

..."so again buy what u truly like and not what u think u are expected to like"....👍 good advice! or as others have said "not what u think others are expected to like"...

..IWC...A favorite brand of mine and I don't get too worked up by the acronym/name.....

vintage..


modern...

U ulackfocus

Every brand has the capacity to do something right once in a while. 😉

U ulackfocus

Every brand has the capacity to do something right once in a while. 😉

RegF

@OP Wow - you've glossed over much of the stuff that is important to me about collecting watches.

Yes, the aesthetics play a part.

But there's the history of the development of the brand and particular model - just start googling some of the brands the OP dismissed, Mr Breguet is kinda important in the scheme of things!

The type of movement and amount of hand-done work and decorations and how they are done on the movement - take a loupe or ask to borrow one when you next look at the back of the "retro 70's Patek's" or a Lange.

The type of functions and complications that are included and how they have been executed - Is your beloved moon phase accurate over 29 days, 110 days or longer as others have mentioned.

Associations with any particular historical events that resonate with you- It aint called a "moon watch" for no reason - I lived through the Apollo landings

The materials science and technology in volved in achieving the model - Richarde Mille's strong suite - more unobtanium than you can poke a stick at - Omega's magnetic field resistance is the result of this, as are ceramic cases.

Then there's the type of watch, dress, diver, field, pilot etc, etc

I'm frankly gob-smacked that you could think it didn't makke sense for a large conglomerate like Swatch group to have acquired brands to address niches across the vast spread of the luxury market. The other large luxury conglomerates sure do. Then there's a host of small independents that address all sorts of different niches as well across the range from Tourby to Magrette to De Bethune to RGM and all points in between.

Oh, and Made In Germany is a pretty prestigious claim, not just in watchmaking, Made in Japan, China, Britain all still have some meaning, history and interest for some of us into watches as well - don't be so narrow in your focus is my suggestion.

I'm not saying that you "must" appreciate the same things that I do, but to purely assessing a piece on aesthetics , the name and what the logo looks like in a Vegas boutique is missing out on a LOT!

"Sure advertising is everywhere, but the power of the modern world is that you can quickly look beyond the hype.