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Presentation boxes. When did they go on ‘roids?

Evitzee
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Bugbait Bugbait
Proud to say I wouldn't buy a luxury mechanical watch without a display back. The watch is there to look pretty (on both sides) and tell the time, else I may as well have a much more practical, accurate and cheaper quartz watch. Give me the underside bling any day for the extra money thanks. Box wise, I'd much prefer a smaller, better constructed box over anything large.
And you are the reason display backs are almost standard now, even with bog standard movements. And also the reason for the over extravagant packaging, a customer that wants to see what he paid all his money for. Not judging, just stating the obvious, makers aren't adding display backs and fancy packaging if it wasn't needed to help make the sale. Many a watch gets pushed over the sales line when the dealer hauls out the fancy box to show the buyer, I've seen it happen several times.
Edited:
 
RonH
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While I would love the original box for my 2254.50 I am anxiously awaiting delivery tomorrow...I have found that removing or hiding any boxes is the first step in a happy marriage...guns, knives, watches or tools. 😉 When she asks...is that a new (enter item name here) I say no, had it a while now. 😉 So far so good for 37 years. That being said have been looking to buy an original box for my 2254.50 as it comes with paperwork. LOL
 
texasmade
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RonH RonH
While I would love the original box for my 2254.50 I am anxiously awaiting delivery tomorrow...I have found that removing or hiding any boxes is the first step in a happy marriage...guns, knives, watches or tools. 😉 When she asks...is that a new (enter item name here) I say no, had it a while now. 😉 So far so good for 37 years. That being said have been looking to buy an original box for my 2254.50 as it comes with paperwork. LOL
Easier solution is don't get married!
 
Omegafanman
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asrnj77 asrnj77
This was the SLA17 with a giant box and miniature Japanese sub that was sold exclusively to the German market. The rest of the world got the same watch sans the packaging and model sub.

Nice to have that / looks like a detailed model.
 
Omegafanman
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gbesq gbesq
These are the boxes that I use for my modern Omegas. They could certainly be smaller, but the quality is excellent and they are reasonably sized compared to the box that comes with the Speedmaster Professional set.
E39414FB-405D-4DB2-B56C-C08DD3B3BE54.jpeg


My vintage Omegas live more modestly ...
02F9A336-94D2-43D3-8965-A3FC69AFCA26.jpeg

Yes most of my newer watches have come in boxes like that / I don't mind them so much - it was just the new standard Speedy box which is crazy big (I did enjoy having one for a bit but even the journey to sell it was a pain - did not fit a bag easily)
 
WatchTimes
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Not Omega but still something I thought you might appreciate since we are talking presentation boxes.

428B8B65-883E-4D46-9877-40919A066C90_1_105_c.jpeg FA4001C8-C8CD-4AF7-912B-EFEF530B8319_1_105_c.jpeg
 
zoohannover
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I remember how I unpacked my first Apple iPod in 2004.
That was like opening a shrine. Every move was a feast.
But at the same time it was just a simple cardboard packaging.
This is / was packaging design at its best.
And not for storage of course 😉.
 
YY77
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RonH RonH
While I would love the original box for my 2254.50 I am anxiously awaiting delivery tomorrow...I have found that removing or hiding any boxes is the first step in a happy marriage...guns, knives, watches or tools. 😉 When she asks...is that a new (enter item name here) I say no, had it a while now. 😉 So far so good for 37 years. That being said have been looking to buy an original box for my 2254.50 as it comes with paperwork. LOL
Pretty sure she applies the same tactics on her wardrobe/handbags/shoe collection.😗
 
Martin_J_N
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Amg786s Amg786s
I think I’m in the minority, but I do love a nice box! Take something from breguet or Blancpain, these can often be re-used as storage for other items

That makes a minority of two, I like my watches nicely presented, it doesn't help the sale but an expensive timepiece deserves to displayed accordingly.
 
Martin_J_N
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Evitzee Evitzee
And you are the reason display backs are almost standard now, even with bog standard movements. And also the reason for the over extravagant packaging, a customer that wants to see what he paid all his money for. Not judging, just stating the obvious, makers aren't adding display backs and fancy packaging if it wasn't needed to help make the sale. Many a watch gets pushed over the sales line when the dealer hauls out the fancy box to show the buyer, I've seen it happen several times.

I have mixed feelings about display backs, the thought of having a top quality movement visible to enable me to see how those wheels, cogs, levers and springs all combine to make time go by is appealing. But, some watches have a display back where the movement is mostly hidden or is not overly well finished so why add a display back? At the moment my collection is display back free, that may change in the future but it's not important and won't influence my choice of watch purchases.

Equally I am not going to be swayed to buy on the basis that the display box is big or is full of unwanted extras, but I do expect the maker to have a display box commensurate with the standard of the watch being sold. The current Omega box is a good example of what I would expect to receive when buying a luxury watch, certainly an improvement on the old red box I received with my 2010 Seamaster.
 
Evitzee
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texasmade texasmade
Easier solution is don't get married!
But if you pick the right woman there are definite advantages.
 
ReturnOfUltraman
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I may be in the minority, but I’m a fan of larger, well-executed, and creative packaging. Look at Speedy Tuesday #2. You can’t tell me that isn’t impressive. Sure, it’s heavy and takes up a little closet space, but I appreciate the thought and effort to make it special to the watch. The standard Speedy box with all the goodies is pretty neat too, in my opinion; it celebrates the most iconic watch OMEGA has ever made: the Moonwatch. The A11 50th Anniversary box is a little bland, but dat lunar module though. Trilogy boxes. The list goes on.

Do I look revisit the boxes often? No, because they’re a hassle to take out, unbox, re-box, and then store away again. Bonus points if they’re at the bottom of my other watch boxes, and I have to Jenga them out carefully. Do I love that they came with the watch? 100% abso-freakin’-lutely. I put all my watches in watch rolls and pouches anyways, but I love that companies will put the effort into creating something special and unique to their watches. After all, we all need some extra validation or kick-in-the-ass to push us to spend absurd amounts of money on something our iPhone can tell us. Not saying that’s the biggest reason, but it does help a tad.
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P
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Omegafanman Omegafanman
Would like to know what this is …. honey I shrunk the watch Box?

if you add distilled water, it grows to real life size. so you can then travel to the depths of the ocean with your 62mas reissue. 😀

the extra goodies for the others much more practical. a knife and a flashlight.
 
P
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My trilogy boxes. Bought them together but separately. 😀

Each has a handy pouch.
 
A7729849-27F3-4727-96EE-056D3577D76F.jpeg
buramu
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AnPucaGlas AnPucaGlas
I am sure there are plenty of non "newbie" owners out there who appreciate a display case back and a large ornate box, and why not? Aesthetics are a considerable component of luxury watches, and many movements are beautifully designed and engaging to observe.

Indeed. I'm very much a newbie (not a collector, admittedly, but an enjoyer of pretty watches for about 5 years), but my appreciation for a nice exhibition caseback is not a justification for money spent. For me a display caseback with a nice movement represents one of the last meaningful technologies on a human scale and I just love to watch it work for me.

When I look at a microprocessor I know it does lots of clever things, but it's just a black stampsized slab of silicon that will be obsolete in 5 years time.

When I look at an intricately designed movement I am looking at a technology I can understand and connect with, and which represents ~500 years of ingenuity and craftsmanship I don't personally posess and it makes me appreciate the watch that much more.

I can understand that if you've owned 20+ watches like that, the sense of wonder fades away. But for my "special precious" watch it adds to the pleasure of ownership for sure.

Also, it could be subjective. 😉
 
Bugbait
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Evitzee Evitzee
And you are the reason display backs are almost standard now, even with bog standard movements. And also the reason for the over extravagant packaging, a customer that wants to see what he paid all his money for. Not judging, just stating the obvious, makers aren't adding display backs and fancy packaging if it wasn't needed to help make the sale. Many a watch gets pushed over the sales line when the dealer hauls out the fancy box to show the buyer, I've seen it happen several times.

Didn't realise I was so influential but you're welcome 👍. As a customer I will never complain when a company produces something I like. Win-Win? 😉

Got to have a big window on my PC as well. With all the money and effort I put into water cooling that sucker, I want to see it given how much time I spend on it for work and leisure.

I appreciate a nice box (this does not necessarily mean large) but it doesn't factor into my purchasing of a watch. While I like a display back, I also expect a decent looking movement to view at the same time. Display backs on ugly, non-decorated movements detract from the appeal of a watch for me.
 
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