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bmpennington
·This new collaboration is interesting!
What’s happening on March 26th then?
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pdxleaf
·Unclear how this is so un-obvious to the point of anger and arriving at the opposite conclusion.
To make it cartoonish, there are three main buckets of buyers of this watch:
(1) Omega heads and other watch collectors that find this collaboration fun if not downright refreshing
(2) people who already know, admire and aspire to own a real Speedmaster, but because of age, socio-economics, or other reasons (A) won’t ever, or (B) won’t yet be able to buy an actual Speedmaster - but will be able to participate in the Omega Zeitgeist, even if in a “reduced” way
(3) largely younger generation that either has never or only vaguely heard of the Speedmaster, Omega, or understand Omega’s history in space exploration - but who are being well introduced to those things now
Those three buckets then interact with one-another in various ways that are net synergistic.
Having been around these sorts of workshopping tables for luxury products before, can guarantee l there was a day (or many days) that someone pointed out the obvious: “I suppose we have to think about bucket (4): those brand folks who will feel that serving buckets (1)-(3) somehow threatens their status-symbol”
And the collective response was: “there won’t be many like that, even fewer of those will actually alter their brand loyalty despite their barking, and if done right the benefits of (1)-(3) far outweigh the costs of (4)”
Signs so far are good that Omega has done this pretty right. Big test will be what happens once the masses start opening the boxes, or when YouTube influences hungry for clicks make mountains out of molehills
I suspect much internet traffic will be generated by hands-on critiques that conveniently ignore the commiserate price point in order to sensationalize the lesser “quality” of the watches.
Bucket (5) those people who simply don't like the Swatch design and find it kindof ....ugly.
Bucket (6) those who are confused that there are so many fans of this collaboration from a community that argues for example, whether the helium escape valve should be on a seamaster 300m, with some saying they don't like it but it's part of the model's DNA and it shouldn't be removed because that would messvup the design (this is not my feeling, however). How can these be the same group?
(I think i am understanding #6 more, which is they see this new collaboration as a distinctly different product with a distinctly different segment. I haven't gotten there yet.)
Bucket (7) people who love the speedmaster and feel this is gimmicky and distasteful.
Please everyone stop saying anyone who ❤️ the speedmaster is only concerned about status. No one is saying a person who likes this collaboration also doesn't appreciate the speedmaster. It's not a contest between true believers. I am flabbergasted that it seems hard to understand why someone might not want the speedmaster name on this new thing and the reasons have nothing to do with status.
- The End.
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bmpennington
·Well, if we are going to do our part to 'save Mother Earth', who can argue with that?
True
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mbp
·I agree--doesn't have to do with status. Given the history of the watch, a lot of people see the Speedmaster as something scared or revered. I have to admit, seeing the Alaska Project-style hands on the MoonSwatch didn't really sit well with me initially. However, a lot of people are going to be able to pay their respects to the Alaska Project and the engineering behind it through ownership of the MoonSwatch.
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adrian scott
·They looked really good. But couldn’t handle them. Particularly the black one which looks closest to an original Speedmaster. Good ruse. I suspect some colours will be really popular according to taste. From a Speedmaster view the blues reds and black look great. From a swatch view the more funky plastic like colours. Lots of youngsters buzzing around. Affordable as their first “Speedmaster”
But then again I’m gullible and easily coerced into buying watch stuff, having to work harder etc etc. Watches don’t fit my ecological self which makes me a hypocrite!!
But then again I’m gullible and easily coerced into buying watch stuff, having to work harder etc etc. Watches don’t fit my ecological self which makes me a hypocrite!!
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerPlease everyone stop saying anyone who ❤️ the speedmaster is only concerned about status. No one is saying a person who likes this collaboration also doesn't appreciate the speedmaster. It's not a contest between true believers. I am flabbergasted that it seems hard to understand why someone might not want the speedmaster name on this new thing and the reasons have nothing to do with status.
- The End.
I agree. But if we are going to do the "live and let live" thing, it has to go both ways...
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Walrus
·What a strange lot watch collectors are. And as I say that not only am I part of the club, I’m in front of the parade carrying the banner. Minus the real expensive watches.
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pdxleaf
·True
The material is pretty interesting. I myself haven't done a deep dive into how environmentally sustainable it actually is; afterall, it takes energy to make all those little beads. Hopefully it is as claimed.
I would like to touch one, as it's described as silky or powdery. It's also supposed to be more resistant to shattering if struck on an edge.
A cursory review of bioceramic found it used in clothing to help athletes recover sooner after exercise, and it being used as bone grafts to get the body to heal itself. Pretty amazing stuff.
Using a new material in a watch is in step with the finest traditions of watch making. Regardless of how I might feel about the look of the thing or branding, Swatch deserves credit for finding and using new materials, whether or not they prove to be environmentally friendly.
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blubarb
··IG: #blubarb19Nobody cares, but I think these show just how good is the design of the iconic Speedster, it can even work with odd colours and plasticky looking finish! Might get one for my kids if ever I come across one. On the other hand (in jest):
The horror...
The horror...
The horror...
Mr Kurtz, he dead.
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kelsey
·I take it many of those lining up for these have never tried to sleep in the same room as a quartz swatch………
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pdxleaf
·I agree. But if we are going to do the "live and let live" thing, it has to go both ways...
Absolutely. I may have come across as saying no one should like this (which they shouldn't.) I was wrong to imply that (how could anyone like it.)
I have liked lots of watches that others find distasteful (people who don't like fun, for example.)
This is just another viewpoint, which is about personal preference, so everyone's opinion is equally valid (even if they are crazy.)
😁
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ConElPueblo
·I take it many of those lining up for these have never tried to sleep in the same room as a quartz swatch………
Or a tuning fork watch 😵💫
Btw, mods... Could we get this thread moved to the "Other Brands" subforum? 😁
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raclaims
·Funny how things have changed in a few days
This is exactly why I'm so irritated...I was really into the brand, I even did a corporate deal with omega...not every move a corporation makes will please everyone in their massive drive to move the needle yearly...clearly the Omega faithful agree with this move and they know their fanbase...I'm just not in that fan base any longer. I'm sure selling a million $250 fake Speedys a year will more than offset my annual spend.
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gostang9
·Unlike some, my opinion can be changed by comments from others. I couldn't originally understand the potential benefit (to Omega) of this co-branding. To consumers, sure, but corps don't always do things maximize consumer benefit (as it sometimes contradicts profit-maximizing)
Here are 2 good comments that moved my mental needle...
Here are 2 good comments that moved my mental needle...
The longer this thread goes on, the more I’m glad Omega’s “alienating” the purist luxury gate-keeping sorts that - when it comes down to it - seem to really just aspire to be Rolex. There’s a brand for that - Rolex!
...The main function of any luxury good is to convey wealth, taste, etc while it's secondary function is to act as whatever it is shaped as, be it a purse, watch or shoe. If not, it wouldn't be luxury product. This is the reason you won't see a heavily marketed collaboration between two non-luxury companies - they are competing products. I will argue that using terms as "overall market" or "function" are misguided as they are in two different markets and are purchased with different motives.
...What is probably not understood, I feel, is the fact that by doing a collaboration with another, much lower positioned brand, Omega is effectively underlining that it is a high-end brand. That is part of the dynamic! It also ensures that there isn't a cannibalisation between the brands as no-one looks at a MoonSwatch and thinks "great, now I don't have to spend 7K on a mechanic Omega Speedmaster", which may have been the case if Omega had worked with Tissot, to name one brand they have historically shared a lot of designs and technology with. While some brands from time to time work with competitors for (extremely limited) releases, these are meant for collectors and won't cannibalise sales, but instead garner extra sales.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerAbsolutely. I may have come across as saying no one should like this (which they shouldn't.) I was wrong to imply that (how could anyone like it.)
I have liked lots of watches that others find distasteful (people who don't like fun, for example.)
This is just another viewpoint, which is about personal preference, so everyone's opinion is equally valid (even if they are crazy.)
😁
I guess the take away for me is this...
Many/most of us are happy or okay with this, and are surprised at the rather severe reactions that a small group has shown - to the point of wanting to sell their watches, cut any ties with the Omega brand - extreme.
There are also the smaller group that can't understand why the rest of us are not all as outraged as they are about this very obvious travesty.
There are a few in the middle.
My view is, these are just watches. There's no one's lives at stake here, and as much as this might a figurative bomb for some, it's not literal bombs dropping on your head. I know, I know...this is a watch forum and dedicated to first world things, but for me after a couple of years dealing with a pandemic, and the threat of WW3 around the corner, I have a difficult time getting upset because of some plastic watches.
I'm guessing the people who can't stand these would also not be fans of other playful watches - Alain Silberstein for example. To me they are again some fun in an industry that many take too seriously (guilty of that myself, as we pretty much all are), and often takes itself too seriously.
But of course I'm apparently a contrarian, so I'm sure someone will jump all over this post...feel free...
Cheers, Al
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Thrasher36
·This thread is why I rarely post here anymore.
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cvalue13
·Bucket (5)
“To make it cartoonish, there are three main buckets of buyers of this watch”
Understanding my later use of “bucket 4” non-buyers confused that framing, your additional buckets 5-7 are really just an expanded and long-winded parsing of what I intended bucket 4 to capture briefly
and despite all appearances, I really do make efforts to be less long-winded - live view:
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cicindela
··Steve @ ΩFI would get just 1. The best one for sending to Dennis (ulackfocus) for he’s next Birthday 😉
He has always wanted a Quartz Uranus Speedmaster
He is doing fine, still likes watches, still the Mattress King. He is a little surprised at the price jumps of some brands, especially Rolex.
He sends his best to all here.
Oh I forgot to ask him what he thought of the SwatchOmega models.
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Walrus
·I just called Swatch Group in the US and I was told the watches were only going to be available through the stores and never through their Swatch website.
If I cannot go to one of their stores I cannot buy the watches.
The young lady suggested that I look on the internet (the auction site), but I assured her I wasn’t going to pay $5,000 for a $250 Swatch.
She said she was sorry and that she felt my frustration, but in essence I apparently can either drive 1,000 miles round trip with no guarantee of buying a watch, or I can go screw myself.
If this turns out to be fact, I’m going to dump every Omega, Tissot, Longines or Hamilton I have and I’ll go buy a nice Patek Philippe.
I’m too old to be penalized by a watch company because of my zip code.
The reason I bring this up, I was reading about Russias intentional attack on electricity and water upon the civilian population. Damn Ukraine much colder than 48f.
I guess however one feels is fine and can be justified in one way or another I am going to throw out my cats so I don’t need to worry about the cat food shortage.
