Watch brands that speak to you
- Kip
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
I forgot this one on my list. Jaquet Droz, especially the Automata collection.
Kip
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- StrapMeister
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
Yep, I'd go along with thatDickchins wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 5:37 am Zero West is a company that I am confident in saying, does absolutely everything right. From design, innovation, presentation, customer service, fit and finish. These guys are the stand out watches that shout to me, not just speak to me! The story, passion, and often history behind each watch is something to behold.
For me there are 3 brands that I'm always keen and intrigued to see what's coming next and whether their latest offerings speak to me. They are:
Christopher Ward - the introduction of the C63 range was, imo, well thought out and absolutely spot on. The C60 Concept is just stunning. What they are able to achieve horological speaking while keeping the price reasonable is simply amazing. Also there awareness of the global situation and tie in with the Blue Marine Foundation (#tide) is to be commended.
Bremont - I really like a lot of their offerings albeit they are a bit on the pricey side but you do get what you pay for. What they are doing for British Watchmaking can only be applauded. Their Customer Service is quite simply top class.
Zero West - I can't put it any better than what Dickchins stated previously (quoted above).
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- Dickchins
- strapline
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
^^ ^^iain wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 9:28 am So to answer your question, watch brands that speak to me. For a watch brand to speak it needs to be about more than just the watch. Most/all of the big brands to me are just big business and my love for IWC stops with the watches themselves. Whereas Bremont and CW are more than that and that’s what speaks.
This is the appeal of Elliot Brown to me, and it will probably carry over to a couple of other companies that I have in mind for future watches. Smaller brands that are plowing their own furrow appeal. Brands that make it clear they value your custom, and where you may even have access to people high up in the chain of command. I seem to like something that's a little different. I like it when people say, 'Oh that's a nice watch, who makes it? Oh...I've never heard of them, tell me a bit about them." I guess I'm alluding to something that flys under the radar somewhat. Steve McQueen wore a Rolex Sub and a Heuer Monaco among others. Apparently the watch that adorned his wrist more than any other was his Hanhart 417ES. I think he may have been coming from a similar place to me.
Des
Does melancholy count as two of your five daily servings?
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
This discussion is taking quite an interesting turn. The starting point for me has to be the watches themselves. If I like the look of the watches, I’ll be interested in the brand. If I love the watches, I may well be disposed to forgive the odd peccadillo.
But while the ethos, practices, customer relations, VFM and quality of a brand may be admirable, if I don’t like the look of the watches it’s a non starter.
But while the ethos, practices, customer relations, VFM and quality of a brand may be admirable, if I don’t like the look of the watches it’s a non starter.
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
- Peteo
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
This is a good point, and it encapsulates how I feel about H. Moser & Cie, which Kip mentioned earlier. I really like and admire what the brand is doing. They're innovative (love their take on the perpetual calendar), and they seem approachable as a company with good customer experience, but man the actual design of their watches does nothing for me.Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 2:30 pm This discussion is taking quite an interesting turn. The starting point for me has to be the watches themselves. If I like the look of the watches, I’ll be interested in the brand. If I love the watches, I may well be disposed to forgive the odd peccadillo.
But while the ethos, practices, customer relations, VFM and quality of a brand may be admirable, if I don’t like the look of the watches it’s a non starter.
The brands that speak to me the most are A. Lange & Söhne, Grand Seiko, Sinn and Bremont. In my mind, there's a common through line for all four of these brands that marries dedication to quality with a confidence in what they offer, but each brand also is able spread their wings a bit and express what makes them different.
Christopher Ward can do this too. There are watches that they offer that, in my mind, are clear expressions of who they are and what they are trying to do (the C60 Concept is a great recent example), but at the same time, I sometimes feel like it gets lost with the sheer range of watches they offer. Probably part of the tension in wanting to have a brand identity and a design language at the same time as wanting to be something for everyone.
Peteo
4x Christopher Ward, 2x Sinn, 2x Omega, 1x A. Lange & Sohne, 1x H. Moser & Cie, 1x Tudor, 1x Towson Watch Company, 1x Baltimore Watch Company. Always looking for watches from Maryland. What's Next?
4x Christopher Ward, 2x Sinn, 2x Omega, 1x A. Lange & Sohne, 1x H. Moser & Cie, 1x Tudor, 1x Towson Watch Company, 1x Baltimore Watch Company. Always looking for watches from Maryland. What's Next?
Re: Watch brands that speak to you
As regards my two favourite brands:
Thing is I didn’t buy any of them because they are from famous brands. I bought them simply because I like them.
Neil
Yes for both.
Yes for both. Fair to say they make a few that are regarded as iconic.
Yes. From one, bullet proof basic movements with a suitable power reserve, highly accurate and require minimal servicing. For the other a rather large range of movements, from basic to grand complications, movements that have over the years sometimes been used by other top brands
Yes for both.
Well for one the effective cost of ownership over a period of years is negligible. The other are excellent as a preowned purchase.
Thing is I didn’t buy any of them because they are from famous brands. I bought them simply because I like them.
Neil
Other watch forums of interest:
TZ-UK
TZ-UK
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
This, of course, is where we differ in the details if not in the principle. Moser would be very high on my list of desirable brands, because of the watches, most of which are truly beautiful. Whereas in the case of two of the brands you mention, Bremont and Sinn, they do absolutely nothing for me. Same with Elliot Brown and a few others. It’s a good job there’s something out there for all of us.Peteo wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 3:40 pm This is a good point, and it encapsulates how I feel about H. Moser & Cie, which Kip mentioned earlier. I really like and admire what the brand is doing. They're innovative (love their take on the perpetual calendar), and they seem approachable as a company with good customer experience, but man the actual design of their watches does nothing for me.
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
- strapline
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
Indeed...the starting point and ending point in all probability. Sometimes there's something of an X factor too.Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 2:30 pm The starting point for me has to be the watches themselves.
Indeed it is, there are a lot of watch brands on here that do less than nothing for me. Manners prevent me from divulging.Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 5:06 pm It’s a good job there’s something out there for all of us.
Des
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Does melancholy count as two of your five daily servings?
- Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
I think you should. As long as it’s constructive criticism it should help to promote healthy debate. It’s a forum, after all.
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
- strapline
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
A forum can quickly turn against you. Look what happened to Julius Caesar.Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 7:10 pmI think you should. As long as it’s constructive criticism it should help to promote healthy debate. It’s a forum, after all.
Des
Does melancholy count as two of your five daily servings?
- Peteo
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
Peteo
4x Christopher Ward, 2x Sinn, 2x Omega, 1x A. Lange & Sohne, 1x H. Moser & Cie, 1x Tudor, 1x Towson Watch Company, 1x Baltimore Watch Company. Always looking for watches from Maryland. What's Next?
4x Christopher Ward, 2x Sinn, 2x Omega, 1x A. Lange & Sohne, 1x H. Moser & Cie, 1x Tudor, 1x Towson Watch Company, 1x Baltimore Watch Company. Always looking for watches from Maryland. What's Next?
- strapline
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
I have no issue with Rolex, Neil. They make some fine watches, classics in fact. Not sure I’ll ever own one; think I’d take your recently acquired Seamaster over most models.
Des
Does melancholy count as two of your five daily servings?
- Noush
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
I'm looking forward in the next few weeks to finally picking up my Grand Seiko Spring Drive. In my terms it's my first Big Dog watch and the discipline of waiting for this year's Xmas watch is killing me (20 days and yes, I'm counting). There's a brand that is all about what matters to me in watchmaking.
That said: Christopher Ward. The only brand I have more than one of, and if they produce something that fits me with an SH21 in it, there will be 3.
My C65 Trident Diver and C63 GMT are fantastic watches.
They are on a real roll I think. The design, innovation, quality and value does speak to me and is undeniable in the marketplace - on a different plane now.
That said: Christopher Ward. The only brand I have more than one of, and if they produce something that fits me with an SH21 in it, there will be 3.
My C65 Trident Diver and C63 GMT are fantastic watches.
They are on a real roll I think. The design, innovation, quality and value does speak to me and is undeniable in the marketplace - on a different plane now.
Chris
"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans" : John Lennon.
"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans" : John Lennon.
- TigerChris
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Re: Watch brands that speak to you
No surprise from me I’m afraid - Bremont is my weakness! The design of the case and watches, the commitment/investment in British manufacturing, how they fit my wrist - they feel more than just a watch to me. I bought a Zenith El Primero at the beginning of the year - it is, without a doubt, the best watch I’ve ever owned. However, when I put it on its ‘just another nice watch’ - when I put one of my Bremonts on it feels ‘special’, I feel a ‘connection’. I thought the Zenith would be the one to push me into selling everything else and keeping just that and my Black Bay (40th Birthday present from my parents so is the most special watch I own). How it’s worked out is that buying the Zenith has made me realise how much I appreciate my Bremonts. No prizes for guessing what will probably be appearing in sales corner shortly!
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