Brandon Skinner
4043
A Quick Poll regarding Finishing
Nov 16, 2017,09:09 AM
In the last week there has been some posts about Vacheron potentially choosing to go down market with new offerings as well as the news of them partnering with Hodinkee as an online retailer.
In terms of finishing standards, I would like to ask this question of the Purists community... How would you feel if a brand (does not necessarily have to be VC) had decided to finish their watches at Geneva seal level quality, but ONLY the parts visible through the case back?
If this strategy was openly communicated to the collectors as a way to preserve the visible beauty of the calibers while passing on the savings to the consumer, would you be open to this?
Personally, I would be into it. While I love the idea of a movement painstakingly finished throughout, as a man with limited resources (aren't we all) I can accept only what I can see looking mighty Dufourish, and the undersides looking downright Rolexian.
Your thoughts are appreciated.
Comments:
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A Quick Poll regarding Finishing
By: Brandon Skinner : November 16th, 2017-09:09
In the last week there has been some posts about Vacheron potentially choosing to go down market with new offerings as well as the news of them partnering with Hodinkee as an online retailer. In terms of finishing standards, I would like to ask this quest...
I appreciate your comments
By: sham1 : November 16th, 2017-09:26
but personally I would like all parts (even the non visible ones) to be finished to the same quality as the visible ones. Even though they may not be visible, I would know in my mind that not all of the watch is finished in the same way and that would psy...
I expected...
By: Brandon Skinner : November 16th, 2017-10:51
Your sentiments would be the overwhelming opinion of the respondents here, otherwise we couldn't call this place Purists! I fully understand your position however it would stand to reason that Voutilainen and others would stand to benefit from being able ...
Regardless of resale
By: Brandon Skinner : November 16th, 2017-10:52
A lower initial retail price point I believe would be welcome by almost all.
We are Purists...
By: nilomis : November 16th, 2017-11:01
I don't think we could be happy with "half a meal". Cheers, Nilo
Thanks Nilo
By: Brandon Skinner : November 16th, 2017-18:12
I guess you could say this would be analogous to eating through a nice layer of foie gras only to strike Chicken Nuggets underneath. Then again, might be yummy!
The problem is ...
By: nilomis : November 16th, 2017-18:32
That I don't like foie gras and chicken (no matter on what form). Cheers, Nilo
Not at all
By: piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1) : November 16th, 2017-11:16
Open an old watch made in the 40s-50s etc The finishing level is still at the same level, if not better, of those provided today. Laser,CNC, etc, it takes minutes for these machineries to make cote de geneve etc Stop selling emotions (aka bull@@@@) and ge...
Thanks Piccolochimico
By: Brandon Skinner : November 16th, 2017-18:16
I don't know the numbers but I wonder how many watchmakers were available to any given brand in the 50s versus their output of watches in a year. I would be willing to bet the ratios are way out of the brand's favor these days. The old days sound so nice!...
Thanks Nico
By: Brandon Skinner : November 16th, 2017-18:01
Even if there was no question they *could* do it? Would not telling you before hand constitute as "an open relationship"? :P
Interesting question on
By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : November 16th, 2017-16:43
my take is for established haute horology brands with rich heritage such as VC , Lange, PP, it will be hard to start this risky course as having some references well finished for both visible and non visible parts and having other references having well f...
Thanks Robin
By: Brandon Skinner : November 16th, 2017-18:08
I think you're dead on with your assessments.
I would not accept this compromise from Vacheron Constantin
By: Tim_M : November 16th, 2017-17:22
If VC's strategy is to de-content the watches and go down market, then it has no reason to exist as a brand. AP and Patek dealers are selling watches at MSRP because the brands are capably managed by people who understand the relationship between product ...
Second Quality is just that
By: Tick Talk : November 16th, 2017-19:49
If they are going to offer a lower tier, it should be under a different name. If they are upfront about the relationship, I don’t expect either upper or lower tier customers would be upset. Far worse to exploit the accumulated prestige of 260 years by aff...
Interesting
By: nice2guy : December 23rd, 2017-14:01
At first I thought this would be bad for any high end watch companies reputation. But Patek for example makes quartz watches and does a great job with them. It is hard to tell to what degree their reputation is hurt with quartz, but very easy to determine...
Interesting post and conversation
By: 2redbulls : January 13th, 2018-09:38
Just my two cents but to me the value of a watch goes beyond just the movement and finish. If VC wants to introduce a lower grade finish at only a slight discount, I think the market will judge it accordingly. Some collectors will balk and never purchase ...
I would be in the last camp as well, but...
By: Brandon Skinner : January 13th, 2018-09:46
I can't help to agree with everyone else above (as well as your view) that it would be a very slippery slope to escalate. Thanks for contributing.