Watch Brands

[G.MAC]

How many of us have a mindset before purchasing a watch with regards to the watch brands? Have you ever perceived that certain brand models are more inferior to others? What about how this mindset was changed? Make for a good discussion eh?

As for me, i used to have a mindset that seiko was not worth my time. Only high end watches such as Panerai or IWC was good. Possibly this is due to the fact that the right model has not attracted my attention yet and also from my contacts. Also the thought of it being cheaper means it has no quality comes into mind. That was till i gotten myself an orange monster. It has become one of my favourites now. nowadays i would give the seiko display a glance whenever i am in a watch store just to see whether they are any diver models that are interesting(Looking for a MM300)

P/s: I am sorry if i have offended any seiko fanatics in this forum . I am a changed person now

[dennis.T]

I started this hobby 4 years back and I was not so familiar with the Seiko watches before I get to know the Seiko’s premium line ie, MM 300, GS, & etc. That time,  I own a Seiko 5 which cost me less than RM 200 bucks which is quite cheap if compare to those “plastic” watches like G-shock and Swatch. I don’t even wanna take a peek at the Seiko display shelf after I got my 1st Swiss watches, a TH Carrera. I do saw some writing on Seiko from the watches magazine I bought but I don’t even bother to read more about that as I myself think that the Seiko’s quality and technology can’t really compete to the Swiss watches. 

And the thing changed once I was educated by the members here about the technology & spirit of Seiko and now I think back I am so naïve just like a HK celebrities quotes “??”.
Sorry for the long post and old grandmum story

[peanut]

So the moral of the story is that the Swiss are good at marketing while the Japanese (Seiko, Citizen) are lousy at it - at least in the area of watches.  Japanese history and culture is such that using nature's materials and exceptional attention to details are their hall mark and Seiko is no exception. To me, a similarly priced GS will kick the Swiss' competitors' butts in terms of finishing and attention to details - not to mention in accuracy. 

Brand perception is very personal and dependent on your budget.  Some people think that Rolex is the best thing in life while others think Rolex is just over priced and overhyped but one thing for sure, Rolex is very good at marketing.  The best of the best brands for most products are usually obscure names known to far less people.  How many people heard of Greubel Forsey, Richard Mille, H. Moser and Cie, Vianney Halter, etc? 

Similarly, many people think that Bose, Pioneer and Sony are the top brands in hifi but how many are aware of Krell, Bryston, Naim, Quad, Sonus Faber? 

[Scott C.]

I am so naïve just like a HK celebrities quotes “??”.

hahahhaa.... who's that?

[Gigi]

For me Rolex does do very reliable movement. I just dont like that we sorta paying too much for an watch while we can get an chrono for the same amout of money paid for Lolex. Another fact is that value of rolex in asia does not drop so so you/me gotta pay a little more when we flip one rolex to another rolex.

I am  for air king 

Its sad that most ppl (i mean average joe) only know abt rolex, omega, tag huer, oris. They did not know what is Sinn or Fortis (they does do ad once in a while in newspaper). I wonder if they even know vavheron contantin or patek philipe?

[G.MAC]

Well, watches are not everyone's cup of tea. An acquiantance of mine did not even know about watches. He was contented to buy watches from the display cases at departmental stores. That was till i brought him to a journey through times. He became a changed man thereafter. He is after a Blu watch now. Another only view a watch as a timekeeping tool. One watch is enough. Rolex i guess has always been linked to luxury so that is why it is very well known eventhough the prices pale in comparison to brands like Maitres Du Temp, Franck Vila among others. But then again to watch maniacs, watches are an obsession. i guess it is just a matter of exposure.

[steveting]

?

[Samajaya168]

this is interesting, i like all d modest comments. as for me, i think it all boils down 2 dollar n cent... i mean RM. so if 1 hav more disposable income then they might want to buy into something more branded or widely advsertise brands, however some ppl buy into their history while others buy into the design n so fort..... 

i like saiko cuz i hav 1, i like rolax cuz i hav 1, i like sinner cuz im a sinner u2, i like amega cuz 1 hav husband n wife pair, i like many many other watches but like evry normal earning ppl... i hav my limitation 2 own unless the ATM is my servant 

[Scott C.]

this is interesting, i like all d modest comments. as for me, i think it all boils down 2 dollar n cent... i mean RM. so if 1 hav more disposable income then they might want to buy into something more branded or widely advsertise brands, however some ppl buy into their history while others buy into the design n so fort..... 

i like saiko cuz i hav 1, i like rolax cuz i hav 1, i like sinner cuz im a sinner u2, i like amega cuz 1 hav husband n wife pair, i like many many other watches but like evry normal earning ppl... i hav my limitation 2 own unless the ATM is my servant 

well and honest said

I think it's all about marketing la... some collectors only collect PP, Rolex, VC, etc because most of them said these are the only brand that worth collecting, but then again, who determine it's "worthiness"? It's all about demand and supply really (my opinion la), right?... then again, who create that demand and supply? The collectors (we) or the brand themselves? Or the selling price which determine how collectable they are? who said PP, VC, AP, IWC, ROLEX, Panerai are better collection then vintage SEIKOs? the brand or us? hahaha.. it's very subjective but i know you sort of figure it out right? watch collection are very personal-thingy in my opinion la... Is finding joys or excitement in collecting or appreciating what you have more fun or keep chasing and following the brand's marketing more fun? If my father printing money i don't mind keep chasing la but unfortunately he is not  hahhahahha

Just my 2 cents (david style) la...


HAGWE!!
scott
 

[takashi78]

To me its kinda sad that some so called collectors buy the watch and dont even take it out of the plastic wrap in order to sell it later.
A watch is meant to be worn and build memories with.
As for brand i think for myself is more of a personal taste in style rather than the brand.
Although "value" plays an important part but i think that will differ from person to person.
I always buy the "best" watch that appeals to me with the budget i have at that time, even if some times i like the design but dont think its "worth" the asking price then i look elsewhere.
Either pre used or move on to another piece as well.

But one day i do want to have the courage and $$$ to venture into some independent brands.

[ckcspice]

i hav alwiz liked fine watches but it was oso alwiz a matter of $$ in choosing....but wat i wana highlight in this post is my rather unpleasant experience with a so called russian mechanical watch bought from red army watches...on the 2nd ocassion it was on my wrist, water vapour appeared in the case...swear 2 go i hav not exposed it 2 any sort of water source...not even splashed water on it while washing my hands...pls bear in mind, this is my only 2nd time wearing it..probably, into its 1st hour of wristtime...so 2 cut a long story short, i got a full refund from the retailer n swore off russian mechanical watches forever...the watch cost RM1500 btw...nothing but swiss 4 me from now on...no offence 2 other forummers...just sharing my xperience...cheers

[Scott C.]

i hav alwiz liked fine watches but it was oso alwiz a matter of $$ in choosing....but wat i wana highlight in this post is my rather unpleasant experience with a so called russian mechanical watch bought from red army watches...on the 2nd ocassion it was on my wrist, water vapour appeared in the case...swear 2 go i hav not exposed it 2 any sort of water source...not even splashed water on it while washing my hands...pls bear in mind, this is my only 2nd time wearing it..probably, into its 1st hour of wristtime...so 2 cut a long story short, i got a full refund from the retailer n swore off russian mechanical watches forever...the watch cost RM1500 btw...nothing but swiss 4 me from now on...no offence 2 other forummers...just sharing my xperience...cheers

at least you got full refund Not many company willing to do that as i know they are providing good service and real friendly people there 
good to hear that really

[ckcspice]

yeah...good service but let down by inferior product....so no more soviet stuff...hahaha

i hav alwiz liked fine watches but it was oso alwiz a matter of $$ in choosing....but wat i wana highlight in this post is my rather unpleasant experience with a so called russian mechanical watch bought from red army watches...on the 2nd ocassion it was on my wrist, water vapour appeared in the case...swear 2 go i hav not exposed it 2 any sort of water source...not even splashed water on it while washing my hands...pls bear in mind, this is my only 2nd time wearing it..probably, into its 1st hour of wristtime...so 2 cut a long story short, i got a full refund from the retailer n swore off russian mechanical watches forever...the watch cost RM1500 btw...nothing but swiss 4 me from now on...no offence 2 other forummers...just sharing my xperience...cheers

at least you got full refund Not many company willing to do that as i know they are providing good service and real friendly people there 
good to hear that really

[G.MAC]

i have a love-hate relationship towards russian watches. whilst my vostok is very reliable and well built, the same cant be said for my poljot. the acrylic crystal used on my poljot cracked and the shop(cant remember the name)  couldnt replace it for me. was a bit disappointed with the built quality and after sales service. So i put on an aftermarket sapphire crystal acquired from a friend. since then i am a bit wary with regards to russian mechanical watches. but still if it so happens that another one catches my fancy, i might just take the plunge all over again

[Gigi]

I actually very nearly buy an russian poljot 3133 chrono. The reason cheap price. I think it normally cost around RM 2.5k. I nearly pull it off before I find a good deal on a fortis flieger chrono that cost slighthly more than the 3133 chrono. And i loving it apart from the BIG lug 


I think soviet watch used to be very good before soviet union gone.

[Samajaya168]

russian watch? heck! i like russian chicks 

[Cocas]

My watch collecting hobby started dated way back in 94 after I got my first Swiss made watch- Cyma quartz .

Throughout the years my perception to luxury or premium change a lot at different extents...

Take Rolex for example, at the very beginning it was my ultimate grail watch, i was just blindly following their advertisement and the general public opinion. Then slowly my attention was pulling away to other affordable brands and suddenly I losing the sparks with Rolex for many years. After acquiring few basic range watches with mostly ETA , Seiko, miyota movement, I started getting back to study deeper about Rolex and compare it against IWC, Zenith, and PP, ...My love to Rolex grows back again and finally acquire my first Rolex lately.

In short, my understanding and perception towards Rolex are very different at my different ages, from teenage,20s,30s,and 40s.