Horological Meandering

A lot of people have opinions. And a lot of people think their opinion is right. But these people often don't consider other perspectives and the valid opinions of those perspectives. Thus, this post is designed to help build some empathy for the industry...  

That's just the example of the Gaussian edge, which reflects the trends for few brands only. The mono brand store is the way to maximize the profit, no more discounts for anyone. Everything has been erased, as well as many ADs. The new policy for many bra... 

Well put, I completely agree with you.

You've indicated that you agree with piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1). Would you agree that both Mono-brand stores AND multi-brand stores force you to buy things you don't want in order to get the hard-to-get models? Because they certainly do, that's a cold... 

Working with he big groups they’ve moved on to the independents, including FP Journe, where they enjoy well deserved recognition.

My expectations are simple. When I go into an establishment, I expect the people who work there be to be true professionals. Meaning they should know more about the product than a well informed consumer. Now, I realize I'm not the average well-informed co... 

RO, Nautilus, GMT and other models are just like stock options, gold, bitcoin, etc. Ever since did the brands start to underline or mention the street price? It means that the values (not the commercial one), the history, the finishing, the bla bla bull##... 

What is your basis for saying that I have this theory you speak of? How did I say a Nautilus watch is like a stock option? Where is this coming from?

Those sought after. The more you buy from the boutique, the higher the chance to get what you want, but that's the normal relationship between a buyer and a seller. Some brands have waiting lists, others just care of your past and decide accordingly.

Also, imho they MUST have at least one watchmaker on-premise plus a good inventory of various (common) parts.

since she definitely has more retail experience than me. "If I am spending the Birkin money, I want that unique Hermes biutique atmosphere". The shallow me just want to be pampered and treated like Royalty for a few minutes while I purchase that AP. That'... 

You indicated you COMPLETELY AGREE with his comment. But I don't think you fully appreciated every aspect. I'll just raise one aspect... Piccolo implies that Mono-brand stores force you to buy things you don't want to get the watch you do want. Okay, I ag... 

Jim_94104, you're coming at this from your perspective. Which is a valid one. But you also need to come at it from a watch-company perspective; and that company wants to provide you with not just a pampering experience, but also one with a lot of product ... 

thank you for the lecture

I didn't mean it to come as a lecture, just trying to show you there are multiple ways to look at it. It's just about different perspectives. We always come from a consumer perspective based on OUR UNIQUE CONSUMER NEEDS and WANTS. But we often forget that... 

Having spoken with multiple CEOs and collectors, I've assembled a few perspectives, most consumers often don't see things from the perspective . 1a. Majority Collectors' Perspective: we like multi-branded stores as the store; for instance a store that sel... 

I'm sure you talk to many CEOs and collectors at every level. I talk to collectors at every level too and at all different levels of income. But when you talk to CEOs, you're not asking the same kinds of questions that we journalists are asking. And also,... 

Today in the Wall Street Journal an article made the point that their franchise stores should be upgrading their dining rooms - new tables and benches, better wall surfaces, nicer floors. The store operators are pushing back - pointing out that only 14% o... 

And I'd say Feldmar does a reasonable job. Although I feel that with the GP Casquette launch, their communication to me about the watch I ordered was really poor - or nonexistent. Then again, there was an influx of dozens of requests that day. So they pro... 

I do my own research before making a purchase. With the wealth of information available online, in journals and from friends, I generally do not need an expert level advisor when considering a purchase. I do enjoy chatting with a knowledgable sales repres... 

... But at the same time, corporations don't always see it from this one sole perspective. You and I might always know more than the sales person knows about watches. But let's say a more normal consumer. A wealthy individual who doesn't own a nice watch,... 

Thanks for this good insight, I agree with to a large extent. The only question is whether the Internet with its vast options of information and online purchase does not change the equation and trigger some changes over time. The in-demand brands facing a... 

The internet does change a lot of the equation. But on average, big ticket items are not purchased online in large quantities. HOWEVER, let's say you live in Arkansas, let's say you're moderately wealthy, a doctor in Arkansas (a province in USA). You stil... 

On the US West Coast, I have noticed that individual boutiques managed by a brand are sometimes being replaced by ones managed by an AD. They are still presented as brand boutiques and occupy separate areas within a larger AD space. In Las Vegas, for inst... 

Two types of boutiques; they can be completely corporate owned and operated, and they can be co-managed with a local partner. For instance, the one that you're probably referring to, is probably operated by LV Luxury, a company that operates multiple watc... 

Rolex Is Opening Two Massive Showrooms in Los Angeles Next Year

15,000 square feet! Massive! A temple to Rolex!

Boutiques: Omega boutique - lots of stock from the latest releases, and amazing staff - the store manager who was a watch enthusiast and ended up talking about about her partner's new Christopher Ward - which is a nice demonstration for empathetic selling... 

You bring up a good point, the salespeople are biased towards whatever they have in stock! Right! That's totally true! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. There are definitely strengths with each method. But overall, I would say the strongest method is t... 

thread. I appreciate the business aspects; because in the end most larger Watch brands that are owned by conglomerates seemed to focus on profit more. I am not saying they that the mono store is solely profit based, your points about risk and controlling ... 

15 years ago? I'd say SS ND Submariner Rolexes were still mostly readily available as early as 5 years ago. But don't worry too much! If you're not dying to own one, then you can forgo it! 15 years ago, that would mean the Baron and Leeds Rolex boutique a... 

curriculum 😀. I think the timing is about right; not saying I have been trying for 15 years to get an ND sub; that would be sad 😀; just saying at that particular time of my life, when I was offered I didn’t take advantage of it and wasn’t “ready”. Thank g... 

I mean, even a nice Omega Moonwatch is interesting. Yes, Omega might be interpreted as lower in hierarchy than Rolex, and the Omega Speedmaster might be second to the Rolex Daytona... But when you're from the top looking down, they're both about the same.... 

Was the rite of passage watch to many. 😀

I started at the high end and I'm now exploring the lower end. So I went in the reverse direction!

I think there are no “right” and “wrong” answers here. I personally can hardly imagine that a brand would have its own store and not focus on (more) profit. Personally, I prefer multi-brand stores. Because I love comparing watches from different manufactu... 

There are a plethora of different answers to this, and generally as long as the reasoning behind them is sound, it's a valid answer/opinion. But let's say certain brands that aren't to be compared with other brands... Maybe they deserve their own boutique... 

But once I was searching for a very „special“ unique PC. In the shortlist there was an amazing Blancpain with enamel dial, a very nice Patek with a stunning blue dial and a breathtaking Moser Purity. I tried and compared them in every aspect. And finally ... 

They're all very nice PCs. That PURITY is super discreet. One wouldn't know it's a perpetual unless they looked very closely at the dial and figured out that there were hidden indicators on the back side.

The PC Purity Line of Moser was limited to 50 pieces, in a bigger case (42mm) and with a very reduced design. Most of the indicators are on the front side. Best Thomas ...  

Vienna also has one of the best fountain pen stores in the world too. Not to mention some amazing performing arts too! What a place! Glad the Bucherer is taking good care of you!