Horological Meandering

I've been thinking about this for a long time. It first came to me when I realized I couldn't buy a Rolex OEM rubber strap (or any strap) for my son's 2020 SS Daytona. Then again when I was contemplating buying an ALS watch in a certain metal but with han... 

I wear my watch on right hand, so I’ll buy if the dial is tilted to left (which was the original configuration apparently)... Best, mahesh.,

...with the crown access at upper left instead of upper right. This one might be pricey but I like your thinking...

so the movement need not be rotated

So it's been out of consideration for me. Make it right wrist wearable, and I'm a buyer, too.

the quote was too expensive...it wasn’t worthwhile to pursue

...but if VC did the research they might find they could sell 20% more watches with a different dial. At that point they are making money and you are happy. Win-win.

He wasn't wearing it, so I didn't get to see it. I didn't ask how much it had cost him, but it seemed clear he'd had to pay more than I'd ever be willing to.

I have a lot of respect for B&R for caring or giving a damn: ...  

...but I appreciate their attention to detail...good for them!

...I love two-tone watches, especially white gold/platinum/steel cases with yellow or rose gold hands and/or markers/numerals. Pretty much any manufacturer could build their watches like this with little effort.

I think the possible loss of economies of scale as more choices are offered, and increased complexity of construction processes, leading to increased manufacturing costs, are the real reason for not having this. The reuse of generic white date wheels poin... 

..and deserve to go under. That's a well-optioned C-class Mercedes on your wrist to put it in perspective. Think about what goes into a car like that.

It's really as simple as that. If B&R can do it and stay in business, everyone else charging 4+ times for a watch should be too.

...I would only buy independent or the big boys if they would customize. Maybe in another life : )

It's not the manufacturing cost, it's the rarity.

Here's an example. My family has a small vineyard in Napa Valley. We sell our grapes to a small winery. The winemaker turns around and resells it to another couple of other winemakers. In the beginning I didn't know who they were but I soon found out. But... 

Kari Voutilainen with the bespoke dial program Armin Strom offers a configurator on their site. Not sure it's always a good idea because brands need to have a consistent image. And taste is a subjective thing. I have seen ugly creations from customization... 

..but if they can do it and survive, why can't the big boys?

The Open Caseback had an interesting article earlier this year discussing the textbook The Luxury Strategy , which is apparently taught at MBA programs (not the one I attended, but to be fair I didn't opt for the types of classes where this would have bee... 

...thank you. It seems like the days of 'The customer is always right' are long gone. Odd in that we are the ones keeping their lights on...

Great info! I‘ve never thought about this. It makes perfect sense for the strongest ones to pursue this road, and the followers imitate them cause they want to copy the leaders of the pack. Thanks, Brandon

Made me think of some watch companies' behavior.