Tim_M
1272
If you want a competent machine, Rolex and Omega are hard to beat.
Jun 13, 2020,19:08 PM
If you want something tangibly made by a human being, you'll look elsewhere. If we elevate industrial production prowess and manufacturing consistency to higher esteem than imperfect but clearly handcrafted results, then we reopen the fundamental question about why anyone needs a mechanical watch rather than a phone or any quartz timepiece.
I own Omega watches, and they are wonderful consumer products. They're not going to be mistaken for the work of small shops like Pascal Coyon, Pita, or Habring, and none of these is a mega-buck brand even by Rolex/Omega standards. And with certain Rolex and Omega watches retailing for $50,000-$100,000 -- or beyond -- you could easily go with Lang & Heyne, ALS, Charles Frodsham, RGM, and most bluechip vintage pieces. The latter, almost without exception, rarely are perfect in any way and are wonderful for it.
In other words, I don't believe that the endgame for an emotional hobby is to embrace industrially mass-produced products as the last word, no matter how impressive. Endless refinement is interesting, but most luxury watches are tough enough and accurate enough that we're attracted to their less quantifiable charms. Rolex and Omega are very good, but human involvement is a feature, not a bug that draws many of us to the hobby. You'll never convince a committed equestrian to agree to swap that ride for a Honda -- regardless of the sound reasons offered.
Best,
Tim