Caller wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 5:46 pm

jkbarnes wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 10:49 pm

Thegreyman wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 10:01 pm Interesting that that dodecagonal bezel is a little bit similar to that of my Seamaster Professional 300M, also 12 sided.

I guess, however, this makes it a Seamaster homage too, and gives some another reason to hate on it??

That was picked up elsewhere almost immediately. Its not hate, it's really not, most won't have a clue about that or the other connections to elsewhere. But watch folk will be aware of it and point it out. All watch companies will hype their releases, we all know that, but sometimes the hype is the problem, especially when it so quickly and easily unravels. Perhaps a lesson for CW going forward, is to stop it. They don't need to do it and it doesn't reflect well on them when they do. So it's sort of like two steps forward, one step back.

Yes, but it's not like a SMP at all is it. It wouldn't have occurred to me at all to compare that watch.

I'm scared to call them. I'm currently on the window sill, looking out for a DPD van.

Regards Steven

JAFO wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 5:53 pm

Caller wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 5:46 pm

jkbarnes wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2023 10:49 pm

I guess, however, this makes it a Seamaster homage too, and gives some another reason to hate on it??

That was picked up elsewhere almost immediately. Its not hate, it's really not, most won't have a clue about that or the other connections to elsewhere. But watch folk will be aware of it and point it out. All watch companies will hype their releases, we all know that, but sometimes the hype is the problem, especially when it so quickly and easily unravels. Perhaps a lesson for CW going forward, is to stop it. They don't need to do it and it doesn't reflect well on them when they do. So it's sort of like two steps forward, one step back.

Yes, but it's not like a SMP at all is it. It wouldn't have occurred to me at all to compare that watch.

Well, again, it's the hype, isn't it. First of it's kind blah, blah, blah. Clearly not. Admittedly, I was stumped by this at first until I saw the pic elsewhere, and then I thought ah...

As I see it the only problem with the Twelve is the CW marketing and website spiel that accompanied the launch.

I think that it has taken the focus away from the watch, as it has become a sport to pick holes in the copy and ignore the merits of the watch.

Just judge the product. Like it or not on its merits. All views are fine.

I am also pondering whether the default position of a knowledgeable watch collector with one or more of the iconic “integrated bracelet sports watches” would buy a CW12, or whether they would treat it with disdain? I.e. would they look down on it as an homage, or would they judge it on its merits?

Anyway the 12 certainly looks to be an improvement on a previous CW attempt at an integrated bracelet watch. The C20 Lido excellent on a leather strap, but for most normal wrist sizes perhaps the most unintegrated integrated bracelet watch known to man.

I dusted mine off this morning… Neil

Caller wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 5:46 pm That was picked up elsewhere almost immediately. Its not hate, it's really not, most won't have a clue about that or the other connections to elsewhere. But watch folk will be aware of it and point it out. All watch companies will hype their releases, we all know that, but sometimes the hype is the problem, especially when it so quickly and easily unravels. Perhaps a lesson for CW going forward, is to stop it. They don't need to do it and it doesn't reflect well on them when they do. So it's sort of like two steps forward, one step back.

Sorry, my comment was meant to be tongue-in-cheek (with a dose of snark, truth be told).

Clearly this watch makes reference to other established models, I mean they lay that out in all the copy. And I totally get someone being disappointed and turned off by this. What I don’t understand are the people who take this a step further and just denigrate the watch and/or CW because of this. If one’s feelings about it are that strong, why even hang out on this forum?

If that’s aimed at me then a few comments:

I merely stated it’s unoriginal in terms of design
It’s a homage of several watch designs
The marketing “think differently” also a homage

I hardly mentioned the watch itself which I quite like but it’s a design I don’t think has much of a market.

The price is steep, but I guess it’s a homage to a £25k watch for £1.5k so maybe it is a bargain in those terms.

Hicksmat wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 6:38 pm
I hardly mentioned the watch itself which I quite like but it’s a design I don’t think has much of a market.

Really? By all accounts the PRX has done fantastic in the sales department. The 12 is above it in fit and finish for not a whole lot more money. Based on the speed that the first batch sold out I would say there is demand.

rkovars wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 6:51 pm

Hicksmat wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 6:38 pm
I hardly mentioned the watch itself which I quite like but it’s a design I don’t think has much of a market.

Really? By all accounts the PRX has done fantastic in the sales department. The 12 is above it in fit and finish for not a whole lot more money. Based on the speed that the first batch sold out I would say there is demand.

Any on Ebay yet, I wonder.

Regards Steve

magicman wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 6:58 pm

rkovars wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 6:51 pm

Hicksmat wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 6:38 pm
I hardly mentioned the watch itself which I quite like but it’s a design I don’t think has much of a market.

Really? By all accounts the PRX has done fantastic in the sales department. The 12 is above it in fit and finish for not a whole lot more money. Based on the speed that the first batch sold out I would say there is demand.

Any on Ebay yet, I wonder.

Regards Steve

Don't see any yet. A couple of Bel Cantos.

nbg wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 6:21 pm As I see it the only problem with the Twelve is the CW marketing and website spiel that accompanied the launch.

I think that it has taken the focus away from the watch, as it has become a sport to pick holes in the copy and ignore the merits of the watch.

Just judge the product. Like it or not on its merits. All views are fine.

I agree with this. I've been thinking about the watches I've bought and have realised that, for the CW ones, I buy them based on initial reaction when I see them and don't take any notice of the marketing spiel. For the Twelve, I knew as soon as I saw it that I liked it and once I'd digested the technical specs I knew I wanted to order one. I don't really care about whether it's some sort of homage, as nearly all watches are in some way.

I also thought about the non-CW watches I own, e.g. the Sub, Explorer, Planet Ocean, Aqua Terra, Chronomaster Sport, etc and realised that I haven't got a clue about what the marketing spiel was on these when they were launched. I just know that I liked the watches as soon as I saw them, both their design features and their technical specs.

Hence, I agree with Neil. Just judge the product and make a decision on its merits, not the marketing guff that goes with it (whatever the brand). It leads to a much happier life.

Hicksmat wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 6:38 pm If that’s aimed at me then a few comments:

I merely stated it’s unoriginal in terms of design
It’s a homage of several watch designs
The marketing “think differently” also a homage

I hardly mentioned the watch itself which I quite like but it’s a design I don’t think has much of a market.

The price is steep, but I guess it’s a homage to a £25k watch for £1.5k so maybe it is a bargain in those terms.

It's only unoriginal in that it's borrowing design cues from other watches. On that basis virtually every car is a homage. It seems to me that having decided to create a watch with an integrated bracelet, CW have done a terrific job in most respects, but £1000 plus for a watch is still a considered purchase for most of us, notwithstanding that most of the competition charge considerably more. My prime reservation is the textured dial, which I would like to see in person. I don't particularly like the texture on the Czapek that is also being compared to the twelve. Again, I imagine it' needs to be seen in person.

I imagine the cognoscenti can see much the same value in this, as they do with the BC.

I showed my wife whose immediate reaction was on the lines of "surely you don't need another watch? How many watches are you actually going to buy? "

^^^I think those pictures show quite clearly that CW has done well to avoid making am absolute dog's dinner out of an integrated sports watch.

^^^ Typical Apple. Using an adjective where an adverb is required. No wonder their dictation and predictive text are rubbish.