holdemchamp1225
22901
When I first read this I didn't know what to think. I would imagine most of the allure of Independents is their freedom to create and innovate without the need to answer to shareholder, owners, etc...
Sep 02, 2021,12:03 PM
I understand that having financial backing stabilizes their future survival but at what cost?
I don't want to sound pessimistic but just look what happened to Daniel Roth, Roger Dubuis, etc...once they were acquired. I know it was a different time but business is business.
I really love and have tremendous respect for Denis Flageollet and DeBethune. I hope they continue to innovate and not ramp up production to satisfy their new ownership group. This already happened, going from around 120 - 125 watches produced a year to 200 this year. That might not seem like a lot BUT it IS percentage wise š¤·āāļø
I do give Tim a lot of credit as well as he was touting the brilliance of Denis and DeBethune for the past few years, long before WB was in the picture and before DB picked up steam with the auction houses and secondary market.
Let's just hope DB stays on track as they produce some incredible piece with truly artistic and artisanal flair šš„
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By: PalmSprings : August 31st, 2021-10:00
Good for everyone involved reaping the rewards from their hard work but I get the feeling this isn't good for actual watch lovers/collectors/... and the likes. Watches are already being used as investment pieces and now with companies like Chanel getting ...
I saw this in IG.
By: Lankysudanese : August 31st, 2021-10:55
My comments are as such 1. Watchboxes main watch expert (Tim Mosso) is a huge DeBethune fan. Now, whether that is serendipitous or a result of him betting more exposure to the brand as watchbox had more DeBethunes on hand (as they were eyeing purchasing a...
Tangents is always on the menu:)
By: jp884 : August 31st, 2021-18:30
I do still own it, I bought it new for $50k over list when the hysteria was in full bloom. It was $150-$100k over list initially so I thought I was getting a good deal., There was a lot of speculation that it was going to be the last of the ICE engines. A...
Breathtaking photos.
By: Lankysudanese : August 31st, 2021-18:50
Iāve learned a lot from you through this virtual forum as we seem to have similar tastes and life challenges. I have several personal experiences of how buying for speculation eventually fails, and how buying with emotion always leads to satisfaction. So ...
Thanks for the kind words Hussam..
By: jp884 : August 31st, 2021-19:00
I always joke with my friends if you want investment advice ask me what I'm doing and do the opposite But in all honesty the best advice I could give is A) buy what you like B) buy what you can afford, these are luxury items that are meant to be enjoyed I...
Hi Tim,
By: jp884 : August 31st, 2021-21:29
The UV was limited to the 991.1 RS line and discontinued afterwards. It was really difficult to get a coherent sample from what I've been told. I let my daughter pick the color at the time and I concurred after watching Chris Harris's video on the 991.1 a...
Chris Harris.
By: Lankysudanese : August 31st, 2021-22:40
Another legend of his own industry. Loved his content when he was doing his own YouTube channel (before top gear).
Hey Iiving-legend. Didnāt know that you frequented our humble forum.
By: Lankysudanese : August 31st, 2021-22:38
I donāt hold you accountable for WBās decisions, big or small, but I do hope that the owners listen to you when it comes to untapped brands. Your reviews are all-encompassing and āthe referenceā on YouTube. Love your work. What WBās marketing strategy wit...
Thanks so much, Hussam
By: Tim_M : September 1st, 2021-15:56
Indeed, I'm on this site almost every day even though I keep a low profile as a participant. I do my best within the scope of my job description to steer collectors towards "best value" options rather than stuff that might be closer to its ultimate market...
Donāt forget me Tim
By: Cookies : September 26th, 2021-15:58
I hope to purchase a De Bethune one day. I almost bought the Titan Hawk, but wanted a hacking seconds to cement the āperfectā watch for my needs. DB is stunning. By the way, I watch 2-3 of your reviews daily. Pls keep up the great work. Arnold Schwarzenne...
I've never claimed a watch was something it wasn't
By: Tim_M : August 31st, 2021-20:59
My pitches are positive but factual. I've never claimed an Hublot is discreet or that a Greubel Forsey fits tiny wrists or that a complete calendar is actually a perpetual. You get the facts about the size of the watch, what it does, and -- to the best of...
Thanks for the support, Nico
By: Tim_M : August 31st, 2021-21:09
I'd like to think that I keep my reviews and web shows pretty factual. Most people who follow me are aware that I like some brands more and others less, but I don't slam or disparage the ones I don't favor. As for hyped watches and brands, I've always bee...
Don't give them ideas
By: TRF Speedmaster : August 31st, 2021-12:45
I still want to buy one at a discount.
:))))
By: amanico : August 31st, 2021-12:56
If only it worked like that!
By: Tim_M : August 31st, 2021-21:12
But I do have to admit this worked out pretty well. A few years ago, I picked an obscure favorite brand, and now... wow. I should start talking up Pagani and Koenigsegg cars. Best, Tim
Well...
By: systematic.entropy : August 31st, 2021-12:55
I almost wonder if DB suffered more than most during the Covid shutdown... Watchbox has a vested interest in the brand and would want it to thrive. As much as I like what Watchbox brings in terms of education, and exposure to the market, I can't help but ...
Great
By: m2 : August 31st, 2021-14:54
I think investment in the brand is a good thing. Makes it a much safer buy. When I was picking between a DB and a Lange Zeitwerk a year or so ago...I didn't pick DB because i had heard their brand was struggling. I know they've done well since though. Jus...
Any movement is serviceable
By: Mohannad (aka Riddler) : August 31st, 2021-17:05
Donāt forget there are a lot of third party service and restoration companies existing Hell parmigiani is one
I do worry
By: Cozmopak : August 31st, 2021-18:22
that the mystique of the brand will wane as a result of this partnership. Some of the romance of De Bethune has been lost. And thatās a big part of why I bought one of their watches
Wearing mine as I read thisā¦
By: mrds : August 31st, 2021-18:52
and I think all is true that was said before in this thread. I definitely think this will be great news for DB short term but a question mark long term. WB as a marketplace has objectives that are not aligned with DBās. What I find harder to imagine is wh...
Good for both parties IMO, hopefully for the true collectors as wellā¦
By: nacelle : August 31st, 2021-19:17
The issue for those wishing to acquire a piece will be accessibility, likely even more difficult with the marriage. WatchBox will hold watches in their inventory to tighten supply with the inevitable price rise to follow suit. Weāve seen that play beforeā¦...
Market Maker
By: JohnJohn : August 31st, 2021-23:16
Watchbox is trying to duplicate the market maker role of Journe with the De Bethune. Especially, Journe is going to discontinue the US dealer network in 2022, which Govberg Jewelers is part of it.
General rule: market consolidation leads to market capture
By: Rosneathian : September 1st, 2021-00:37
We have international processes to guard against excessive vertical integration across industries. These are unevenly supported so usually ineffective. Even the most powerful countries have seen their competition / monopolies & mergers / anti-trust le...
+1
By: Concord : September 1st, 2021-03:04