zacharrry wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 2:08 am I don't understand the idea that watch collecting is a linear journey that takes you away from CW. I bought a Zenith El Primero and then turned around and picked up a nearly new C60 Sapphire. Was one an upgrade over the other? I would say both are high quality, serving different niches.

+1

And I find that watches’ price, quality and enjoyment aren’t always closely related.

Dilbert wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 11:27 am

zacharrry wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 2:08 am I don't understand the idea that watch collecting is a linear journey that takes you away from CW. I bought a Zenith El Primero and then turned around and picked up a nearly new C60 Sapphire. Was one an upgrade over the other? I would say both are high quality, serving different niches.

+1

And I find that watches’ price, quality and enjoyment aren’t always closely related.

I’m with you both.

Loving all the responses so far. Keep them coming!

In order to keep this going, I just wanted to clarify a few points about the nature of my question:

1) "It might help if you refined your question so that it's limited to the dimensions you care about: Movements? Cases? Dials? Accuracy?" - zacharrry

Like I mentioned in the OP, I fully understand that this is entirely subjective, so I didn't want to limit any answers based on any criteria. Also, some watch brands have such a broad range, and it would be unfair to provide any limiting factors.

2) "And I don’t think the op meant when you start dabbling in higher price points that you stop buying CW." - ajax87

This is 100% correct. I just think that at some point in our watch journey, we discover new brands where we think, “Oh that’s interesting. I wonder if the craftmanship on the watch is better. I wonder if they use better materials. I wonder if they have tighter tolerances. The designs look better, and the font looks crisper.” Etc… Obviously, there could be a slew of things that you could think about, from the mundane to the complex, that could have you questioning whether the watch you’re investigating is “better”. It could be relative to a price point, but it doesn’t have to be. So, I was just curious about the watch journeys of fellow board members to see what kind of different twists and turns you’ve taken. For example, after discovering CW, I “upgraded” to Tudor, but I’ve also “upgraded” to metal square G-Shocks. I just mentioned Tudor because I thought that was more of an apples to apples comparison. Regardless, this doesn't stop me from checking out CW's website every now and then looking for some great deals.

Sidenote: I'll have to check out other brands like Vario, Kurono Tokyo, and Ming (thanks thomcat00). Maybe one of them can be my next "upgrade".

I got tired of waiting for a decent-sized watch and now that CW has decided to downsize their cases to girlfriend levels, I had to move on...









Relax, it's a joke....

FloridaPhil wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 2:45 pm I got tired of waiting for a decent-sized watch and now that CW has decided to downsize their cases to girlfriend levels, I had to move on...

aejcogcou8q11.jpg







Relax, it's a joke....

I've owned 13 (I think) CW's over the years and I currently own 5. I was totally switched off the brand when the logo went to the 9 o'clock position and the Trident's were redesigned, in the process losing most of the features that I consider had defined them as Tridents. I've not returned to the fold other than to pick up a Trident Pro Chrono, which has the wordmark in an acceptable (to me) position. I have 3 ChrWard watches and one CW.

I bought a Bremont Solo in 2017 and haven't looked back. I now have 5 Bremonts, 1 Grand Seiko, 2 Omegas, a couple of Maurice Lacroixs and a Cartier, along with numerous Seikos and microbrand pieces. I do tend to buy based on the appearance of a watch rather than any perceived 'heritage' or other ethereal criteria so it's definitely the style of watch that dictates my purchases.

I've not ruled another CW purchase out - there is just nothing in the current lineup that excites me and I think I now have all my watch bases covered. In fact, I'll be shrinking my collection since many pieces definitely do not get wrist time.

My first CW was purchased because I was searching for a GMT that I liked and was affordable. Prior to that I’d bought a Seamaster and a little after a Sinn, Oris and a pair of Tudors; so it’s fair to say I have little brand loyalty.

I have a mental price range within which I’m willing to shop, basically £300 - £3000, and will consider anything therein that interests me: style, colour, material, movement or complication.

I’ve ended up ricocheting around within my price range and my last three purchases have been a Damasko, C60 and a Citizen Eco Drive. Respectively for their case finishing, dial colour and movement. I’ve no idea what’ll be next but currently I’m rather interested in Formex in general and their carbon forged cases in particular.

So whilst I don’t regard CW as a stepping stone brand to upgrade from, I have now owned quite a few but for some reason they don’t seem to stick around. I feel like I’m constantly struggling to keep my collection size in check and it tends to be a CW that is moved on when something else becomes irresistible.

timor54 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 5:59 pm My first CW was purchased because I was searching for a GMT that I liked and was affordable. Prior to that I’d bought a Seamaster and a little after a Sinn, Oris and a pair of Tudors; so it’s fair to say I have little brand loyalty.

I have a mental price range within which I’m willing to shop, basically £300 - £3000, and will consider anything therein that interests me: style, colour, material, movement or complication.

I’ve ended up ricocheting around within my price range and my last three purchases have been a Damasko, C60 and a Citizen Eco Drive. Respectively for their case finishing, dial colour and movement. I’ve no idea what’ll be next but currently I’m rather interested in Formex in general and their carbon forged cases in particular.

So whilst I don’t regard CW as a stepping stone brand to upgrade from, I have now owned quite a few but for some reason they don’t seem to stick around. I feel like I’m constantly struggling to keep my collection size in check and it tends to be a CW that is moved on when something else becomes irresistible.

Sounds a bit like the way I shop. Just out of curiosity, how long do you stay interested in your purchases? My interest wanes after around 8 months...

timor54 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 5:59 pm So whilst I don’t regard CW as a stepping stone brand to upgrade from, I have now owned quite a few but for some reason they don’t seem to stick around.

This was my experience for a long time. I always said they were keepers but it wasn't the case. The three I have now:

The Sealander GMT is a definite keeper - one of the most versatile watches I've ever owned.
I think the C9SS is here to stay. So beautiful.
The C5 Mark 1 is my second time around, doesn't get worn a lot, but doesn't take up a lot of funds that could be used elsewhere.

I've a feeling the next one might be a keeper as well.

timor54 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 5:59 pm I’ve ended up ricocheting around within my price range and my last three purchases have been a Damasko, C60 and a Citizen Eco Drive. Respectively for their case finishing, dial colour and movement.

I too bought a Damasko for its (outstanding!) case finishing. Superb.

If you plump for a forged carbon Formex, please review it. I’m curious what carbon cases are like.

Ducs4rs wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 6:33 pm Sounds a bit like the way I shop. Just out of curiosity, how long do you stay interested in your purchases? My interest wanes after around 8 months...

The majority of my watches are fairly certain ‘keepers’ and have been in my collection for a number of years. It’s the Seiko’s and CW’s that see the fastest churn. I’d guess that they typically stay at least a year, but with both brands there’s a never-ending stream of new releases; so it’s a matter of ‘easy come, easy go’.

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 6:52 pm This was my experience for a long time. I always said they were keepers but it wasn't the case. The three I have now:

The Sealander GMT is a definite keeper - one of the most versatile watches I've ever owned.
I think the C9SS is here to stay. So beautiful.
The C5 Mark 1 is my second time around, doesn't get worn a lot, but doesn't take up a lot of funds that could be used elsewhere.

I've a feeling the next one might be a keeper as well.

I agree on the Sealander. I’ve the same OG black GMT and in my opinion one of the best watch CW have released to date.

My issue is not so much with funds but rather having too many watches to wear. If it’s not being worn then it’s occupying a valuable slot in the watch box and that’s a reason to move it on. I’m not sentimental about possessions.

My North Flag is the benchmark for integrated bracelet watches, so only time will tell if it deserves company in the box.

Dilbert wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 7:32 pm
If you plump for a forged carbon Formex, please review it. I’m curious what carbon cases are like.

So am I!

Over the last 15 years, I've both upgraded to watches costing 5x more than the average Trident and downgraded to beaters cost 5x less but always end up returning to CW. With the move to push the brand more upmarket, and pricing to reflect this, I still think it offers a whole lot more bang per buck than more expensive watches, whilst the increased quality makes the extra expense worthwhile over cheaper offerings.

FloridaPhil wrote: ↑Sun Apr 23, 2023 2:45 pm I got tired of waiting for a decent-sized watch and now that CW has decided to downsize their cases to girlfriend levels, I had to move on...




aejcogcou8q11.jpg







Relax, it's a joke....

If you're going to upgrade to Invicta, you need to go all the way Phil