jim vancouver
409
The game is changing
Biver once again challenges the establishment with the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T. A tourbillon and chronograph at just $16k.
The-TAG-Heuer-Carrera-Heuer-02T
This
does not make the high priced watches obsolete. There will always be
buyers who are willing to pay for the exclusivity of expensive hand
finished watches with high artistry. However, Biver has changed the
game. You can have the complication without the exclusivity, merely by
foregoing precious metals and expensive hand finishing.
Just as the Swatch Group (Longines etc) are offering column-wheel chronographs at under $4k. And, Frederique Constantin is offering a SS PC at under $10k. And, Vacheron is offering a SS triple calendar at under $20k.
This 'rebellion' is a blessing for those interested primarily in the mechanical aspects of horology. Not so welcome for those brands unwilling to be flexible and consumer friendly.
It remains to be seen if any complication is immune to the trend towards democratization. Perhaps, astronomical and repeater/sonnerie watches don't make sense (for a manufacturer) without the touches of luxury?
Certainly, something like a JLC Hybris Mechanica is the ultimate statement about sumptuous desirability. A pinnacle of conspicuous consumption.
What do you pay for in a hand finished movement?
Jack Forster provides some insights about the Vaucher 5401 applied at
three different price points (Hermes, Parmigiani Fleurier, Richard
Mille).
This message has been edited by Ares501 Mr Green on 2017-11-26 01:27:02
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Explore the winners of the 10th Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (2010), featuring Greubel Forsey, Laurent Ferrier, F.P. Journe, and more. Discover key insights from collectors.
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The game is changing
Biver once again challenges the establishment with the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T. A tourbillon and chronograph at just $16k. The-TAG-Heuer-Carrera-Heuer-02T This does not make the high priced watches obsolete. There will always be buyers who are willing...
Just like some car manufacturers
Porsche Bentley Audi VW Skoda They all share mechanical parts. Finishing is different.
Car comparison is fine for those who share the same mechatronic
It's the same for lemania chronos used by Breguet, VC and PP. Same movement and almost same finishing, but huge difference in the pricing. Sheeps buy brands. Purists buy watches.
IMHO, the V8 and V12 engines ...
... in Bentleys and Mercedes are very different from the engines in Porsches and VW. Just saying.
The W12 in Bentley is actually a glued together Volkswagen VR6.
😉 And the Volkswagen V6 engine in my wife’s Touareg is from an Audi S4... ...
The question is how much difference these democratic watch game changers make in the real world
you mentioned your self about cheaper chronograph but look at the waiting list for the Daytona We are a small minority here, people buy the brand Also resale is a major factor Frederique constant PC can be had for less than 50% of RRP On the Tag Heuer alr...
same in many industries, Imran.
I remember an economist I used to work with. He had called 15 of the last 4 recessions.
Here are the links
After all that editing, these are the missing links. #&gid=1&pid=1
This is a juicy topic I like
It’s safe to say we all want the best mechanical quality watch for the dollar that we spend. I think here on PPro we recognize how MSRP has exploded since the late 1990s well beyond inflation, cost of labor & metals and equipment. Can we respectfully say ...
On the other hand, the Swiss manufacturers have economised on manual labour...
If you look at almost any new movement form any of the traditional brands you will see less edges to bevel and polish, lines which are easy to prepare by machines, with only a last human touch needed. The rest is done by computerised machines, and those d...
Rolex is a bellwether
No better bellwether than venerable Vacheron, or Rolex with a $16k SS Sky Dweller. These initiatives are tests of the market. In the short term, does the new watch add to the bottom line? In the longer run, does it strengthen the brand? Each brand has its...