Read this on SJX: Watchmaker hours spent per watch, for each brand
There is of course many objections that can be raised about an article like this. But reading it as a very generalised and in many ways simplified way of looking at different brands, I found it quite interesting. This message has been edited by India Whis...
thanks for pointing this out
with the exception of JLC, that actually maps very well on my view of the watch world. Best Andreas
I'd say one more exception:
GO! Don't want to ruffle any feathers here but their stuff looks and feels to me a lot more like stuff in the "Industrial Fine Watchmaking" group than the "Industrial Haute Horlogerie" group.
Based on my observations GO is somewhere in between.
Their entry level pieces compare to say JLC, but the higher end stuff is surprisingly close to Lange (at a significantly lower price point).
I used to own a GO
I used to own a panomatic lunar. While the finishing is exceptional in its market price range, it is no where near ALS level or most of the brands in "Industrial Haute Horlogerie" group. They tried to do a lot of decoration stuff, but most of them are jus...
What a fun article, and it's by a purist as well.
Lm6, could you put a picture in your post, say of a stock photo of an Akrivia or GF, to draw in a few more commenters?
Indeed he is a Purist!
Both SJX and the author of this article are Purists. I believe you met the author last year in NYC if I recall correctly.
thanks for sharing.
Always appreciated these SJX articles on finishing, engineering etc. interesting to see Journe and Lange as major outliers, leaving patek and AP in the dust (so to speak)
I'd say this is in line with my observations and collection
Funny I love high finishing as a visual spectacle and to respect the hand made/luxurious nature of these pieces, but my best piece by far is my rolex ND or omega speedy auto. This is in regards to construction feel, chronicity, and taking whatever I throw...
Interesting article and perspective. I wonder how this sort of evaluation influences desire…
and buying decisions. In the main, I’m guessing very little.
I agree on that it propably not will have any measurable impact on the market.
But it is interesting to see how the companies/brands works with their production.
SJX once again showing that they are the best in the business
Whether or not you appreciate the premise of the article, I don't see the other mainstream publications putting out content this interesting. Fabulous read, props to Brandon. My two favorite articles (both co-authored by Moore): watchesbysjx.com watch...
I find that SJX often post articles that present a different perspective.
Not just the mainstream articles about watches or the market. I have previously read both the articles you refer to, and they are very good examples.
I posted about the chronergy article here a bit ago
Absolutely brilliant work. Their pieces on the GS Kodo tourbillon were also amazing: watchesbysjx.com watchesbysjx.com
Another thoughtful and well written piece by SJX. I'm sure it was quite an endeavor to gather and parse the necessary data to attempt such an analysis and to assemble a quantifiable list.
Well done. I'm interested in reading others' comments.
Surprising FPJ is that high
I've always associated them with horological innovation and design aesthetics, and would have placed their finishing more at the level of patek than Lange and Laurent Ferrier.
Is it better to use cost or production rather than average selling price?
Only if such data is available…..
For Montblanc Villeret this is based on older figures when they were doing up to 300 pieces per year with a workforce of about 30 (there was a SJX report some years ago quoting that)
meaning 10 watches per watchmaker in his calculus. that leading to about 5 weeks spent per watch leading to roughly 200 watchmaker hours. This year it is well less than 200 watches but at higher efforts as you know and have heard of; I would guess 180 wat...
well, that was always from 2007 onwards the ratio before Jerome took charge in 2014
then output doubled and quality dropped. After many outcries from people like me they are hopefully back to "Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie"
This is perhaps the most accurate article that echos my thoughts.
Sure we could nitpick here or there, but overall well written, nicely organized data, and it shows a metric that a basic to the more experienced enthusiasts can understand. Imho this is especially true as modern horology is really bringing forward amazing...
Is “RD” on this graph Roger Dubuis? I didn’t see that brand listed or mentioned in the article.
Also, I would have been curious to see what category SJX would place Jaquet-Droz and Chanel’s Monsieur line. ...
It’s good to read *any* attempt at dispassionate analysis based on data and evidence. It’s an ingenious metric for sure and quite illuminating.
As with any method there are caveats, which the author spells out. The rationale is clear and the categorizations make sense. I also agree that SJX is at the forefront of fine watch writing. I should also mention Europa Star. It’s seldom mentioned on WPS ...