Author Topic: Thoughts on ARBUTUS (Read 39188 times)

G.MAC · « **on:** January 16, 2011, 06:05:57 AM »

Just want to ask any arbutus owners or forum members about this particular brand. Quite interested in a few models but not too sure about the type of movement and built quality. I am on the fence about purchasing one so I need some arguments to sway me to fall on either side of the fence. Any information is greatly appreciated.

kltime · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2011, 06:37:47 AM »

I m not familiar with the brand tho hv seen them at a few ADs. My impression is that its a fashion brand like Fossil. The pricing wld seem to indicate that movement is probably chinese made caliber.

hanz079 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2011, 07:07:48 AM »

Yeah, based in Hong Kong the AD told me. So china it is.

G.MAC · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2011, 05:58:16 PM »

are the china movements the same as the asian movements in those PAM homages?

duniajam · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2011, 07:48:53 PM »

I'm not very knowledgeable about this. But as far as I understand, Arbutus movement are China made.... some replica I've seen using the same movement as Arbutus is using.

Arbutus & Timex... Timex automatic are made in China...

These are the picture showing Orkina (China brand) & the boutique brand Carlo Cardini... using the same mechanism...

The different is only the skeleton work.

As for PAM homage movement... it is made is China also...

kltime · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2011, 06:31:33 AM »

Quote from: GMAC88 on January 16, 2011, 05:58:16 PM

are the china movements the same as the asian movements in those PAM homages?

I am no movement expert but I presume so.

From what I know China is one of 4 major countries that can produce movements other than the Swiss, Russians and Japanese. China has a few home produced brands including Sea-gull and Fiyta. Sea-gull like Seiko ( or even the Swatch group) is a full fledged manufacture producing in-house movements, parts and cases. There are a few other movement makers as well and I remember reading somewhere than in terms of no. of movements produced China is even bigger than the Swiss. Most of the fashion brands ( Fossil etc ) are powered by chinese movements and hence quality wise chinese made movements has improved by leaps and bounds over the years. Hence to me China made calibers does not necessarily mean low quality.
However, the lower range of chinese movements are regretfully used in Petaling street grade replicas and this is why the reputation is spoiled.
My 2 sens worth on the issue...

David_cheong · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2011, 06:39:40 AM »

"As for PAM homage movement... it is made is China also"

Not all Pam homage movement - are asian movement. / or china movement

Davidsen & Ray Knight Pam homage etc, are sourced from genuine swiss ETA 6497. Hence they demand a higher price.

My 2 cents

dc

takashi78 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2011, 07:07:07 AM »

Germans also make movt.
And Lange rivals anything from Patek.

johnlok1 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2011, 08:01:39 PM »

I have a few Arbutus watches that I bought in Hong Kong. Quality is decent, and design is splendid. Very clever designs, especially the one I bought in the airport duty free shop. Duo time and free changeable leather strap.

I read in a watch magazine that Arbutus used to buy movement parts from Swiss and put them together in their own movement factory. But they are launching a Swiss-made line soon. And I quote from the magazine that Arbutus is "the cheapest Swiss-made mechanical watch ever". Apparently the owner of the brand wanted to make good quality mechanical watches more fashionable and more affordable for younger people who just entered the work field and don't have much savings.

So hopefully this help. I would say go for it, I really think Arbutus has excellent watches (both in design and quality) for the price they are selling at.

pexus · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2011, 09:16:27 PM »

i like several of Arbutus' features such as rose gold, moonphase, power reserve...
Many swiss watches with these features are priced beyond my means..

certainly in my radar....

sshark · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2011, 09:24:14 PM »

not for me. it is like a fashion watch to me. i would rather go for orient or seiko . i'm a typical watch guy

G.MAC · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2011, 10:21:55 PM »

Quote from: sshark on July 25, 2011, 09:24:14 PM

not for me. it is like a fashion watch to me. i would rather go for orient or seiko . i'm a typical watch guy

. Sobered up after a while. This question was asked back in the days where i went for quantity when i buy watches.

pexus · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2011, 08:17:15 AM »

hmm... i always thought that if a watchmaker is serious enough to put in complications like moonphase or pr display, this should be good enough to separate the product from a fashion-brand watch.

to me, a fashion watch relies strongly (or maybe even solely) on a brand name made famous from other line of products (clothings, fashion, etc). And secondly, a fashion watch emphasizes a lot on colour, size, design, bling bling, etc...

Looks like i still got lots more to learn though..

shamtv2555 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2011, 04:44:30 PM »

own one before but sell to our mwf member already johtk .....everything fine ...nice colour....movement not so sure.....but price are reasonable....

kltime · « **Reply #14 on:** July 27, 2011, 11:57:23 AM »

Quote from: pexus on July 26, 2011, 08:17:15 AM

to me, a fashion watch relies strongly (or maybe even solely) on a brand name made famous from other line of products (clothings, fashion, etc). And secondly, a fashion watch emphasizes a lot on colour, size, design, bling bling, etc...

IMHO, the line between a legitimate and fashion brand is sometimes not too clear also, so its up 2 the wearer/consumer to decide. Clearly Fossil or DKNY are fashion brands while Seiko and Orient ,despite having an affordable range for the masses,are not.
But what about Chanel or Mont Blanc ? Legitimate and iconic names who are more famous for other products but do produce watches?

fistball · « **Reply #15 on:** July 27, 2011, 03:32:47 PM »

Arbutus brand, hmm, if i know it is something like the ellese brand or the other hongkong brand, i wun even want to buy it..really....i think design wise is ok, but for long lasting. NO~!

SOmehow, i will see the movement first then the design when i pick up a watch. So to speak, JORG GRAY,actually just a gift company who uses japanese engine. THeir watches are overpriced. JUst that, Barrack OBama, was given a JG, dun mean, it will make the brand a good 1...hmm..

JUst my thoughts.

Laktos Kid · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2012, 07:18:03 PM »

some of the watch is nice but for me the price is just a little tiny bit high for the kind of movement it's using.... but i've seen a number of people wearing it so i think people likes it too

timenut · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2012, 08:40:05 PM »

Some of the designs are nice but I think the quality is lacking. I remembered I was window shopping once and was looking at the Arbutus watches. As usual, the watches were placed under a rather hot halogen display light. I was surprised to find that almost all the crystals of the watches were fogged up. When I asked the sales person why like that... he shyly replied that perhaps I should take a look at Seiko / Citizen instead.

Laktos Kid · « **Reply #18 on:** April 14, 2012, 02:27:25 AM »

yea, the quality of the watch is not even on par with most of the seiko 5 watches. I would't even go near the water if i'm wearing one of those watches

ex660 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 14, 2012, 08:58:12 PM »

i actually hav 1 of this Arbutus watch..
think it is arnd 3 yrs old.. and it seems like it is quite reliable.. can't complaint much for the price paid.. rm600+
it may not be as solid as a Seiko.. but its auto and the design its quite nice tho..

look properly the below.. at 1st glance it may seem like a chronograph.. but its no..

year and month calendar.. hahaha so unique.. ..
and i also have to say that the coating seems to be quite robust...

not sure what coating is dis.. feel rough .. like ICI paint on outer wall.. lolll

gapnap · « **Reply #20 on:** April 14, 2012, 09:54:32 PM »

Seriously , How reliable/fragile are the chinese movements?

I saw some Ingersoll watch that looks fantastic , costing below RM1000 . Didn't pull the trigger because i was very skeptical about its movement .

Laktos Kid · « **Reply #21 on:** April 15, 2012, 12:12:30 AM »

i think Arbutus and ingersoll are using the same movements... no comment about the reliability as i don't know any of my friends wearing one except for fossil auto movement, which IMHO is a bit overprice

myric · « **Reply #22 on:** April 25, 2012, 03:27:29 PM »

Better don't. According to one of my friend's experience, the quality was not good.

I recommend to buy watches like Citizen, Seiko or Orient. They're improving on the design/ outlooks of their watches now, some designs are cool! and importantly reasonable pricing & good quality!

meoramri · « **Reply #23 on:** April 26, 2012, 07:38:12 AM »

I got the Arbutus Propeller AR0055BB. Loads of complications.

Quality, so-so but it does work diligently. No complaints as yet.

Anyway, I've written a short review on it in my blog:
http://watchcollectionhobby.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-of-arbutus-propeller-mens.html
http://watchcollectionhobby.blogspot.com/2012/02/pictorial-review-of-arbutus-propeller.html

G.MAC · « **Reply #24 on:** April 26, 2012, 07:57:32 AM »

I cant say much on arbutus as I do not have one. However for Ingersoll, I was quite smitten by it once. Went to the shop and ask to try it on. My only peeve with it was when I tried to wind it, the winding mechanism is not so good. As you wind, you can feel the sensation as if the gears slip or in other words "tidak makan". Safe to say, I didnt buy it after that.

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Author Topic: Thoughts on ARBUTUS (Read 39188 times)