Watch Industry Shady Practices Discussion

watching00000 · 2021-08-13T11:38:25Z

Explore the debate around Akrivia's 'handmade' claims and deleted posts. WatchProSite collectors discuss transparency in independent watchmaking.

watching00000

WPS member · Independents forum

40 replies17186 views3 photos

Watching00000's post delves into the contentious topic of transparency in luxury watch manufacturing, specifically calling into question Akrivia's past marketing practices. This discussion is crucial for collectors navigating the often-ambiguous claims of 'handmade' and 'in-house' production within the independent watchmaking sector. The author's observations highlight the importance of documented brand journeys and the potential implications of their deletion for consumer trust.

Akrivia deleted all their posts. Reminds me of the time they deleted all their posts stating "handmade" or "100% in-house" when in fact their movements came from the leftovers of BNB Concept. Now they seem to move on to actual in-house production and once again need a "clean" start. It baffles me why a brand would do that, delete their documented journey, if everything checks out. I mean even their profile picture is of a outsourced (customized to their specs) ebauche movement that was CNC produced and their description says "Handcrafted mechanical masterpieces"...beyond words. And that collectors still seem to see nothing "wrong" with that. I guess people indeed want to be lied to.

This message has been edited by cazalea on 2021-08-14 01:17:24 This message has been edited by cazalea on 2021-08-14 16:35:38

Key Points from the Discussion

The definition and standardization of 'handmade' in Swiss watchmaking are unclear, leading to ambiguity in brand claims.
Many brands, both large and small, are guilty of using terms like 'handmade,' 'in-house,' and 'Swiss made' too liberally, with only a few like Bremont facing significant scrutiny.
There is a strong desire among collectors for greater clarity on the extent and methods of 'handmade' processes in watch manufacturing, including specific tools and techniques used.
The author asserts that Akrivia previously deleted content claiming 'handmade' and 'in-house' production while using external movements, providing screenshots as evidence and citing Rexhep's past statements about near 100% in-house production that were not observed to be true.
A contributor shares an anecdote of receiving an allocation for an Akrivia CC2 in 2019, with communication ceasing by mid-2020, suggesting a larger, undisclosed strategy by the brand.
A moderator questions the author's motivation, suggesting a pattern of 'agitator' behavior rather than community participation, and advises direct communication with Rexhep instead of public criticism.

The Discussion

Mohannad (aka Riddler)

Aug 13, 2021

It’s well known that they used BNB movements they never denied it Shady is really not in context here

cazalea

Aug 13, 2021

I prefer to think that it's a company's business to decide how it wants to engage with the market, and who it wants to serve, and how it wants to make products and then promote them to the world. Of course, that's because I spent 40+ years working in small to large companies who catered to specific markets like this... What is the angle you are coming from? I see you are in Switzerland, do you have a personal grudge against Akriva? Cazalea

watching00000

Aug 13, 2021

First of all, it’s a VPN and i don’t have anything personal against them. Why spinning it that way? But I witnessed how they deleted content they labeled handmade and in-house while using external movements, just to justify their story. I still have these screenshots of deleted posts. You can even go to YouTube and watch Rexhep confirm when asked about handmade and the level of in-house production, that it’s almost a 100% in house next month. That was two years ago and when visiting them, it was

watching00000

Aug 13, 2021

They started selling their BNB movements as handmade and in house, I still have the screenshots of it somewhere. That is shady and they started deleting those descriptions on Instagram and their website when the first blogs started writing that it’s a BNB movement.

PalmSprings

Aug 13, 2021

So what needs to happen to resolve 'this issue'? Put everything back and then what?

watch-guy.com

Aug 13, 2021

Moment in terms of security Julian

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