MichaelC
[AP Moderator]
18873
Are watch manufacturers really hampered with unavailability of parts?
That is clearly the issue with most automobiles nowadays. I ordered a car over 4 months ago and the order has not even been accepted by the brand (Cadillac). I even ordered a 2nd from an out of state dealer who moves a higher volume, and that one also is not in the build queue (almost 2 months ago I added that 2nd one). There have been weeks where the brand has not been able to produce a single unit due to their parts shortage.
Other future owners are pissed. "Cadillac sucks" "My dealer does not know anything, they will never get my money!" etc. And I tell them: "Don't you think Cadillac wants nothing more than to build and sell every unit on order, and maybe even get a car or two in a showroom that is not pre-sold so other potential customers can see them?" It must be crippling for these brands.
But with watch manufacturing, is it the same condition? I'm not so sure. I think there is a lot done behind the scenes to control distribution and maintain exclusivity. In the case of the car I want, if they don't have necessary parts, they simply cannot produce the vehicle. Sure, some can ship without parking sensors, heated seats, etc. But you can't ship a watch without a set of hands or a crown and retrofit it later.
To your specific example, I see no reason why you should not be able to order a watch, have your order accepted, and be given a ballpark delivery timeframe. But I think many of the popular brands take more of a "wait and see" approach to who is ordering and how many get distributed. It really does not matter where you are in "the list". The days of making pieces to fill dealer's display cabinets are gone, especially on coveted models.
More posts:
Supply chain, allocations, and reality?
One of my biggest pet peeves - is the seemingly rather serendipitous appearance of some fine, limited edition watches with the "wishlists" of collectors. I'm sure some of you have made pre-orders of some fine automobiles, which at most have a two year tim...
Many People, Hand Crafted, So Be Patient.
JIT parts and production doesn't really work with the higher horology Swiss timepieces. Have you considered becoming a watchmaker?
Thanks for the note...
I definitely don't have the hand craftsmanship to ever have the potential to be a watchmaker. That being said, much of the brands already construct and assemble their pieces using modern methods - and having seen the finishing process up front, I can unde...
I don’t think it should be so hard.
Maybe right now with COVID, and difficulty with shipping companies it’s more problematic to promise a watch within a short time frame. But unless you are a one man brand, or brand new to making and selling a watch, or your whole model is to make custom pi...
Thanks - perhaps the pandemic is making a mess of things...
Hopefully as things ease eventually...we will see additional pieces available. Cheers Peter
If it’s quality…you just have to be patient. You’re paying with $$$ and time for a superior experience.
No matter what the product is. Bespoke shoes, a bespoke suit, a car you order from the dealer and not buy from the lot, a pair of shotguns (after a proper gunfit), a Riva and even your large cabin business jet. At a minimum you need to wait 8 months. In s...
Good points and examples...
Perhaps because of the risk of technological obsolescence that the supply chains for goods requiring technology require a quick turnaround. I guess ironically the delay and inconsistency is proof of the human, hand made aspects of some of the bespoke, lux...
Are watch manufacturers really hampered with unavailability of parts?
That is clearly the issue with most automobiles nowadays. I ordered a car over 4 months ago and the order has not even been accepted by the brand (Cadillac). I even ordered a 2nd from an out of state dealer who moves a higher volume, and that one also is ...
