Being new here and a new fan of CW, I have and idea. Given the philosophy of CW, what if a new line could be designed at the same reasonable $ that featured some designs like Steinhausen and Stauer. I fully understand what these watches are but do really love their designs. I can't help but believe that if a company, such as CW of whose Philosophy I agree with, could do something like this with Swiss movements you would have to have a winner or 2. Who else but CW could pull off something like this. You would have everything you have now and open up a whole new area. I believe that many of us would like to see something like this. What do the rest of you think? Am I crazy? Can it be done? What do you think Chris? I am hoping to open up a whole new subject are. Please post your thoughts. Thanks

I agree with you 100%. I like the way some of 'those' watches look, but those companies seem to lack integrity, so I don't want to do business with them.

In fact, I was just looking at a 'replica' watch site...God knows I get enough spam from those guys. When I looked, of course they had counterfeits for all the major brands and popular models. And, I like the looks of some of them. But, I am not trying to fool anyone with the watch I buy. I don't want to make someone think I have a Rolex when I just have a watch that looks like a Rolex. But, if I really like the look of the Rolex, I might want a watch that looks like it.

While at the site, I was thinking, I wonder if these guys offer the ability to buy a Glasshute replica, but that didn't actually say Glasshute? They of course claim they have all the appropriate markings (so someone can take advantage of someone I am sure). I would just like for them to put their name on the watch. I am betting they don't have that option. Even if they told me they did, I have a severe distrust of doing business with a company I perceive as fraudulent. Yes, I know they market themselves as 'replicas', but come on, we know what that is all about.

That's part of what I love about CW watches. There is no pretentiousness, no pretending to be something they aren't. When was the last time you saw a company trying to do that have the word 'cheapest' in their sales slogan? CW is not a phoney company. They try to provide high-quality watches at very reasonable prices. What's not to love about that?

So, I would love to see him create some CW watches that look like some of the classics, but without the phoney labeling. However, I can still hear the critics claiming Chris ripped off the designs. I have heard that said about Invicta.

joerattz wrote:I agree with you 100%. I like the way some of 'those' watches look, but those companies seem to lack integrity, so I don't want to do business with them.

Im a bit confused with that statement Joe. Whats wrong with Steinhausen or Stauer ? Could you maybe explain your reasons for the reply? I cant see that they make " replica " watches but maybe I am just not reading in to your post right. I presumed Yip was simply talking about CW doing a watch with a more " classical " design with Roman Numerals etc.



Virtually every watch manufacturer make " copies " of each others products. Not exact copies of course but they do have similarities in design. For instance lets take an interesting example here. Who made the watch in the following picture? It has to be a Breitling because it certainly looks like a Breitling Navitimer to me. Either that or its a fake.

The Answer Is ????

Its actually a Seiko SNA411.



Now if that is not a Navitimer I dont know what is.

However does that mean that the likes of Seiko are merely " replica " rip off merchants and also lack integrity?

All joking aside the point I am making is that it must be very hard for a watch designer to come up with a " unique " design especially when the watch is in a more traditional style. Its all been done before. We can all find similarities even with major manufacturers.

Terminator wrote:...
Virtually every watch manufacturer make " copies " of each others products. Not exact copies of course but they do have similarities in design.

That is true. And I don't have a problem with it... Think about all the Bauhaus-designed watchmodels from German brands like Nomos and Stowa and others. They all look very similar. I own a Nomos Tangomat, Nomos is a manufacturer that started 10 years ago or so, and the Tangomat desing is maybe 50 years old

And we all now the CW Malvern is also based on a very famous watch-brand!

The answer is.....



This is a good example of what I call "inspiration". There are many similarities that will be noticed immediately:

- indexes and hands
- size and shape of the case

But there are also very important differences:

- The dial, CW has created this great depth effect
- The date, CW made it round like the case with a metal rounding just like the case
- The shape of the lugs: CW's lugs are more rounded
- The crown: IWC's crown is more difficult to use

(please note that the black date on the CW is not original, but is a modification I made, CW malvern has a white date)

Recently at my juweller I had the change of examining the IWC in real life, a beautiful watch, but I like my CW better: the quality feels like the same, and I prefer the changes CW made. And lastly, the CW is a bit less expensive, 10x or so!!!!!

If you do not know of Steinhausen/Stauer, do a little investigation. My opinion is also that they lack integrity. I would never buy their watches. Check the advertising and their websites. You will understand. What they do offer is a line of fantastic looking designs at cheap prices. These for the most part are not long term items. Check the major forums and you will get a real good idea. What I am trying to suggest is If anyone else likes the designs (a la CW), are these something that could be made with CW quality and pricing. Does anyone else think this can be done, or is anyone else interested in seeing it done? Kip

Kip wrote:If you do not know of Steinhausen/Stauer, do a little investigation. My opinion is also that they lack integrity. I would never buy their watches. Check the advertising and their websites. You will understand.

I see now where you and Joe are coming from. I wasnt aware of the make at all so I guess they market extensively stateside. Maybe the " Franklin Mint " of watches. They might be available in the UK but Ive never heard of them. I wasnt sure what Joe was getting at hence I asked for him to expand. I presumed he meant they were purely copying more expensive time pieces.

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As for Hans well you arent kidding. That IWC is a dead ringer for the Malvern Auto. Not being a Malvern style fan I was not aware that there was another out there that was so similar but those pics certainly prove it. I dont mind that though as long as the quality is there which CWL seems to do. Theres is nothing worse than a wannabee piece of cr*p.

Thats why when I initially started the threads about " blinging " up the C4's some compared them to Breitling. Well in a private message to Chris I actually said I see nothing wrong with that if it was subtle. The reason being is that I know many who are prepared to pay £150-£200 on a fake Breitling ( I am not saying I agree but it is happening all the same ) or something similar so there has to be a huge market for a good quality " legitimate " watch at a similar pricing point. At least with a CWL you know what you are getting and its legal.

Of course Chris is not in to bringing us " legitimate replica's ". I presume he is trying to build up a brand of his own. However I see no problem in manufacturers doing something slightly similar to much more expensive brands as long as no patents are infringed upon. After all the pic above shows that if its okay for the big boys ie Seiko to do it then I see no reason why CWL cannot do so either.

I campaigned for more bling in the C4 because in my view it was a superb watch that was far too understated. It has loads of potential that needs to be released. " Bling " is fashionable right now wether some disagree or not. Chris however has a business to run and if " Bling " is in I see no reason why he should not follow the trend. Yes he can provide subtle watches but if he wants to make his mark then I think the C4 is the watch in the current range that has the potential to provide this.

The orginal release models were great but way undersated in my view. Now I could be totally wrong but I reckon initial uptake on the C4 was not as good as it could have been but if he continues with models like " Big Red " I suspect they will now fly out of the door. In my own view the current range of C4's need a total overhaul as far as the dials are concerned. Contrasting Tachymeter Rings and Dials with much more vibrant colours. The current C4 blue for instance if the CWL web pics are correctly displaying the watch is just ugly at least to me. Bland in the xtreme & the black dials are not much better. I also think the CW logo should be raised metal finish instead of just being printed on. The printed logo cheapens the dial in my view. Even my own silver dial looks plain because the Tachymeter Ring is the same colour. Every day I look at it I picture what it could have been with just a little tweak here and there for not much more additional cost.

Yup lets " blingify " those C4,s and if Chris doesnt shift far more as a result then I will eat one. Thats a promise.

LOL

I ordered my C4 bacause it IS understated

I normally hate chronographs, and my last few watches have all been as plain as possible. But you are right, it is the kind of watch that you can "bling" easily which will make it more attractive to more people.

By the way I liked the mock up of the green one you did personally but it would be an everyday watch for me, and I want the kingfisher for that.

jamestux wrote:But you are right, it is the kind of watch that you can "bling" easily which will make it more attractive to more people.

By the way I liked the mock up of the green one you did personally but it would be an everyday watch for me, and I want the kingfisher for that.

I already know it will be more attractive to more people. However it is Chris I need to convince lmao. The red C4 was a start but I am going to keep banging that drum until he gets the message lol.

I liked the green too. In fact I like any attractive colour that will draw the eye to the watch which the current selection does not do. The possibilities are endless and I cant see it being hard to do both from cost or a production point of view. As I say the possibilities are endless and they all look good or at least they do to me hehe. By all means keep the Malvern understated but gimme a really sweet C4 and ditch the printed CW logo for a raised metal finish one. Nice watch but real success is all in the detailing. Get it right and that luxury yacht will follow.

Terminator wrote:Im a bit confused with that statement Joe. Whats wrong with Steinhausen or Stauer ?

It looks like I am too late to explain. It doesn't bother ME that the watches look similar to other brands and models. It is the phoney advertising. I just don't trust them. I quickly tried to google for one of their print ads, but didn't find one. But once you do, you will understand what I mean. As another example of what I perceive as their dishonesty, at the bottom of their site (I went there hoping to find their same BS sales pitch), they say "As seen in ..." then they list several respectable magazines. Maybe I am being too hard on them because I already distrust them, but I feel like that is intentionally designed to deceive. I feel like they are trying to imply that those magazines have written about their watches thereby legitimizing them. In reality, those are just the magazines they have advertized in. They could have simply said "As advertized in ..." and I would have no issue with it. Instead, it appears to me to be intentionally deceptive. When was the last time you saw a company list the places they advertize? I am not sure I ever have. But they often list places they have been positively reviewed or endorsed. I belive that is supposed to make us think those magazines are vouching for their product.

I learned long ago that most people that get conned are looking for something for nothing. Almost every single story you hear of someone getting conned out of their money, they thought they were going to get something they really have no entitlement to. I have no entitlement to be able to buy a $100,000 watch (that may not be the actual number Steinhausen uses) for $300. To think you are actually going to get that is naive and stupid. It's just like the Nigerian fee scam. Why on earth would someone I don't know trust me to give me a lot of money? Yet (greedy) people apparently fall for this all the time. Or, how about the lotteries I seem to win several times a week, yet I never even entered them. Damn!!! I must be one lucky dude!

Terminator, I agree with you about a raised metal logo and approached Chris about this very same thing several months ago. In fact, I even sent him a graphic of my idea.

joerattz wrote: Terminator, I agree with you about a raised metal logo and approached Chris about this very same thing several months ago. In fact, I even sent him a graphic of my idea.

Here is the raised logo image I sent Chris...just as an idea. That kind of artwork is not really my thing. Plus I could never really find a font I liked that much,



I am ok with the 'W', but not too fond of that font's 'C' character. But, I like that the two letters bleed into each other. So, it could be a single piece.

Hmm, I think I like this logo, nice job!

joerattz wrote: Terminator, I agree with you about a raised metal logo and approached Chris about this very same thing several months ago. In fact, I even sent him a graphic of my idea.

Thats quite smart Joe. Like you I agree that a raised metal logo would enhance the quality look of the product. A printed logo might be common with even expensive brands but it loooks cheap & nasty to me even on a Rolex.

It's one of the reasons why many prefer the old Omega Speedmaster over the new model Speedmaster. The old ones had the nice raised Omage-sign, the new ones have a printed logo...