Brandon Skinner
4324
A Quick Poll regarding Finishing
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.
A Quick Poll regarding Finishing
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
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...
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 ...
I'm OK with partial finishing if the brand significantly drops the retail price of the watch
If the price reflects this, then I'm all for it. It would have to be a HUGE drop though. - AT
I don’t know if the time saved would necessarily add up to the big price reduction you’d expect to make it a worthwhile exercise from the consumers’ point of view.
When you consider it’s possible to obtain a Lange at 30-35% off, and a current VC Overseas at 20-25% off, then it only reinforces the simple fact that watches are all overpriced.
Regardless of resale
A lower initial retail price point I believe would be welcome by almost all.
I don’t really like when quality (here finishing) is lowered even if the price is lowered too (I hope so!)
I would prefer to see best finishing as possible and lowered profit margins from brands in order to offer a better price to quality ratio to their customers. Best wishes Alkiro
Thanks Nilo
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 ...
That I don't like foie gras and chicken (no matter on what form). Cheers, Nilo
Not at all
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
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
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
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...
I would not accept this compromise from Vacheron Constantin
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
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
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
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...
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.