Hi folks, first, I agree with Rip that over the last few years there has been an explosion of new brands, and also big increases in retail prices. I think there is now certainly a trend with many brands to see just how much they can get away with in this respect, as it’s not as if they would be making a loss previously is it?
This has meant that some watches I bought in the past, which I considered expensive at the time, now have an equivalent price to many more mundane watch types and manufacturers. If I consider selling one (which I do from time to time) I usually end up agreeing with myself that I wouldn’t get much else for the money, and certainly no improvement in technical quality. As you say, things that were getting obtainable have once again headed out of reach.
One outcome of all this frantic effort on behalf of the manufacturers means there is a huge amount to choose from in new watch stock, and all the iterations on a theme can be useful in seeing exactly the type and style of watch that really appeals to you. Alternatively, after viewing the first couple of hundred, it all becomes a bit of a blur.
Onto Graham. I always love to see scans of all the weird and wonderful stuff out there, I can be as interested in more affordable items (for instance, Cens’ great triple watch shot on his wrist, 2 Azimuth and 1 Campanola watch) as much as the latest quad axis tourbillion for only the price of a (big) house. In fact the more affordable end is usually more useful, as I know, like Graham (lottery not permitting) the most amazing watch art is not going to reside at home any time soon. But hey, at least we get to see some of it this way, and enthuse in our own particular way about all and sundry.
I actually don’t mind the high prices for some of the amazing stuff now coming the watch freaks way. The unfortunate side effect of so much money swilling through the watch world at the moment means that in many cases, certain people who just want something different nobody else has, will buy these pieces with no consideration of the watch itself,
By the way Graham, consider me rightly gobsmacked that you have a Freak. Always adored that watch. Fantastic thing! And if we get a UK meeting at some point I will happily tell you in person.
All the best, and Happy New Year to you all
Tim