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dsio
路路Ash @ 惟Fthere are people who want to be a part of a herd and those who stand apart.
I like to appeal to the latter.
As interesting as the exchange has been, I will leave you to talk amongst yourselves now 馃榾
So what is your definition of a High End Watch?
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STANDY
路路schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collectorTo me, "high end" means haute horologie. If it has wire springs, it fails the test. Screws should be black polished and blued where appropriate - as should any other steel part of the movement be black polished including the tops of pinion leaves. Edges should be beveled, as should be the slots in screws. Plates and bridges/cocks should have a decorative finish (not just plated or simply brushed) Dials should also be appropriately decorated and hands should be hand crafted.
High end, to me, definitely precludes anything that uses a battery - that's just a piece of jewellery that functions as a watch.
Couldn't have said it any better. The last sentence is it in a nutshell.
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STANDY
路路schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collectorthere are people who want to be a part of a herd and those who stand apart.
I like to appeal to the latter.
As interesting as the exchange has been, I will leave you to talk amongst yourselves now 馃榾
So one takes his toys and leaves the sandbox when he doesn't get the answer wanted to an opinion asked.
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Nobel Prize
路路Spell Master!So one takes his toys and leaves the sandbox when he doesn't get the answer wanted to an opinion asked.
Hey, It's a high end exit at least.
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asprecious
路Individual choice , one man Rolex is high end , the other guy Patek the next chap Greubel Forsey .For me Pulsar . ( poor attempt at humor) . But seriously my point if a you like your watch and it's make you smile . That high end enough for.me .
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Tony C.
路路惟f Jury memberIndividual choice , one man Rolex is high end , the other guy Patek the next chap Greubel Forsey .For me Pulsar . ( poor attempt at humor) . But seriously my point if a you like your watch and it's make you smile . That high end enough for.me .
Nonsense. The expression has no meaning at all in that case.
The problem with much of this discussion is the lack of any clear definition of the phrase.
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Flingit1200s
路The title of the thread. "What is your definition of a high end watch?. People post their varied opinions and then some soul disagrees and tries to persuade another that their opinion is indeed incorrect. It's an opinion and is therefore valid. Now my Luminox Quartz and going to take a bottle of Johnny Walker Black to a friends for pasta night...........cuz you don't want to know my "opinion" on what a high end watch is. 馃槤
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Tony C.
路路惟f Jury memberIt's an opinion and is therefore valid.
Self-parody at its finest.
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dennisthemenace
路After reading some of the replies here, my understanding of the definition of the phrase "watch snob" has altered a little.
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Tony C.
路路惟f Jury memberAfter reading some of the replies here, my understanding of the definition of the phrase "watch snob" has altered a little.
I'm not sure that I am reading your comment correctly, but if you consider it 'snobbish' for someone to require a high level of quality and finish on dial, case and movement in order to classify a watch as "high end", I plead guilty.
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Spacefruit
路路Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder....................
Also, I do appreciate the craftsmanship needed on setting a small jewel on a small setting on a delicate environment.... Have you ever looked inside a movement? The precision and craftsmanship needed to set the jewels and parts of a basic movement surpasses by far setting stones alone on any surface.
Have to pull you up on that.
The jewels in a watch are synthetic corrundum in the shape of a disc, or pill. (My Grandfather used to cut them from genuine ruby from Burma - the synthetics were a big blow!) They are enginered in place to fine tollerances, but individually and by machines - even if they are delicate hand operated presses. They are much larger than the gemstones in the OP watch.
To set a jewel in a watch is an engineering process.A gemstone requires an artisan.
The diamonds set in the OP watch were set by a master setter - each stone has to sit at the same height, and in pefect alignment or it looks awful. Each gold bead raised must be the same size, and shape. Each stone must match. It is incredibly difficult and a highly skilled operation. Personally I dont like it, but I can tell you the skill involved is far, far greater than puting in a jewel.
Just look at the rubbish aftermarket diamond bezels sold in the USA. They are set with bigger stones and are often crooked, the settings are lopsided and the stone hights are all over the place. Its very, very hard to set a group of gemstones properly - quite different from mounting a jewel in a movement.
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dennisthemenace
路I'm not sure that I am reading your comment correctly, but if you consider it 'snobbish' for someone to require a high level of quality and finish on dial, case and movement in order to classify a watch as "high end", I plead guilty.
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Tony C.
路路惟f Jury memberI consider it snobbish when someone states that a watch can't be high end because it has a battery.
Ah, well, then you are using a very broad definition of "high-end". After all, the vast majority of watch collectors value mechanical watches above those powered by batteries, and for obvious reasons.
If a watch is powered by a battery, it is essentially an electronic fashion accessory (though the case and/or dial may be of high quality), as opposed to a finely engineered, precision machine that requires no power source outside of that provided by the user.
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dennisthemenace
路Ah, well, then you are using a very broad definition of "high-end". After all, the vast majority of watch collectors value mechanical watches above those powered by batteries, and for obvious reasons.
If a watch is powered by a battery, it is essentially an electronic fashion accessory (though the case and/or dial may be of high quality), as opposed to a finely engineered, precision machine that requires no power source outside of that provided by the user.
Is a GSOM not just a mechanical fashion accessory?
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Stewart H
路I have never denied being a snob in any context, especially when it comes to watches.
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Nobel Prize
路路Spell Master!Have to pull you up on that.
The jewels in a watch are synthetic corrundum in the shape of a disc, or pill. (My Grandfather used to cut them from genuine ruby from Burma - the synthetics were a big blow!) They are enginered in place to fine tollerances, but individually and by machines - even if they are delicate hand operated presses. They are much larger than the gemstones in the OP watch.
To set a jewel in a watch is an engineering process.A gemstone requires an artisan.
The diamonds set in the OP watch were set by a master setter - each stone has to sit at the same height, and in pefect alignment or it looks awful. Each gold bead raised must be the same size, and shape. Each stone must match. It is incredibly difficult and a highly skilled operation. Personally I dont like it, but I can tell you the skill involved is far, far greater than puting in a jewel.
Just look at the rubbish aftermarket diamond bezels sold in the USA. They are set with bigger stones and are often crooked, the settings are lopsided and the stone hights are all over the place. Its very, very hard to set a group of gemstones properly - quite different from mounting a jewel in a movement.
I stand corrected. Good points. I wasn't referring only to the setting of stones on the movement, but at the setting and synchronizing of all parts, moving and non moving. But your point is well made and taken.
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Tony C.
路路惟f Jury memberYou sir are surely the definitive example of a watch snob.
Is a GSOM not just a mechanical fashion accessory?
No, mechanical watches are more than just fashion accessories, and for what should be obvious reasons. I'll lay one of them out for you.
Can you think of a another mechanical device that was manufactured 50-70 years ago that is still capable of competing with those manufactured today? That is an absolutely extraordinary accomplishment, and underscores that the best mechanical vintage watches are far, far more than mere fashion accessories.
Edited:
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Nobel Prize
路路Spell Master!You sir are surely the definitive example of a watch snob.
Is a GSOM not just a mechanical fashion accessory?
I'm a little with Dennis on this one. But it is that equation of Horological high end versus jewelry high end that is at the heart of it, not so much snobbery. I had a Louis Cartier 18c tank running quartz...definitely still a high end watch. a Swatch automatic....not a high end. although you can argue the movement alone is more valuable on one or the other...which beings into memory the post by Al (Archer) on higher end quartz movements and their merit.
Some of the watches posted but the OP are high end watches, as ugly as they may be (to me, but taste is always subjective) but they are higher end jewelry with time keeping capability. Then again that was the start and function of a lot of the early ladies wrist watches and pendants, even if it took the sad practicality of men at war to establish the wearable wrist watch as we know it.
