Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

A question came from the floor about shorter strap lengths and discussion ensued.

Chris Ward explained that short straps (XS) had been slow sellers and difficult to stock in a coherent manner. They had been dropped a few years ago now. In the meantime CW have enhanced their Standard strap to allow it to be worn to those with smaller wrists.

Discussion rolled around to the availability of NATO straps, which is currently very limited. The re-introduction of a wider range is being considered.

Mike France mentioned the current Hybrid (rubber/cordura) strap on which, whilst it is broadly accepted to be a great product, they had received a notable amount of feedback relating to it being too stiff.

This is accepted and an improved version, which will be thinner and softer to wear, is scheduled to be introduced in spring 2020.

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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

CBMVic20 wrote: Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:08 pm General questions about SH21.

What are the plans for the movement? What watches are in the pipeline with the 5-day power reserve? It's a modular design so any details they can share about future complications?
There are already five variations of the SH21 movement,as detailed in the CWArchives leaving only two primary complications to be introduced; the GMT and Chronograph.

A GMT SH21 is in the pipeline (no further details disclosed) but to complete the range with a Chronograph will require significant investment; which is not currently envisaged.

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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

Squalus wrote: Sun Aug 18, 2019 4:25 am Is CW considering to have their movement available to other vendors (Brands)?
. . . other than Meistersinger who currently use it.

Straight answer - No.

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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

Jcalder68 wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:56 pm My question:
Are there any plans to fit an automatic, COSC certified, in-house movement to the smaller sized CW watches, ie models at 38mm?
I understand the SH21 is simply too big, but, to me, one of the stand-out positives of the CW lineup is the sub-40mm case size models, as well as the fact that CW can design and make their own in-house movements. It’s just a shame the two concepts don’t go together, yet.

C
Yes and no!

To have an in-house movement, in the guise of the SH21, is a notable achievement that required significant investment. No other in-house movements are planned.

In the meantime an Automatic, COSC certified i.e. Chronometer movement, has been fitted in each of the new Military watches available in 38mm and 41mm.

Guy
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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

H0rati0 wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 6:26 pm Customer service enhancement:

The big boys offer a "restore to new condition service" including many of their old models which supports their long term brand desirability strategy. Will CW offer such a service going forwards?
This has been looked at fairly recently. Difficulty is that it is expensive and time consuming to do, with a perceived limited demand from the CW Customer Base.

It is being found to be hard enough to get CW owners to accept the need to have their watches, specifically those with Mechanical movements, serviced, let alone offer a refurbishment service.

However, it has not escaped CW's notice that Omega earn more from their repair & service operations than they do from sales.

Guy
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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

albionphoto wrote: Mon Aug 19, 2019 12:23 pm 1. Please consider publishing service price guidelines so that we know what to expect. Other brands manage this and as an "internet only" brand it would be a useful way of communicating "future cost" expectations to customers.
albionphoto wrote: Mon Aug 19, 2019 2:38 pm Perhaps the question should be to reconsider including the service costs on the website again? I think it is a useful thing to have published. My memory needed jogging but it was available information in the past as Downer and AVO and it really should be again.
The internet being what it is, it may not stop all the noise but at least CW can claim that the information was available.
Mike France happened to be looking at this subject earlier on Saturday morning.

The difficulty that CW have found is that, whilst there may be common elements to the 'Service' of a watch, the actual servicing needed varies from one watch to the other.

Nevertheless, the point is understood and will be considered.

Guy
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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

what-time-is-it wrote: Mon Aug 19, 2019 4:01 pm As CW are now pushing the envelope with design and price - will they commit to holding a sufficient level of parts for the foreseeable future, eg. spare cases, bezels etc that use unique parts on the higher value watches, such as those costing £2500+. So if something breaks or a watch is damaged something can be done to restore it back to or close to it's original state.
Mike France admitted that, for their early watches, they had been naive in their estimates for the spares required and, where stocks have been exhausted, parts are no longer available.

However, revised, higher stock levels are being built up for their current watch, so there should not be an issue in the future.

Guy
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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

OK, that's all the question covered (quite a few more than for previous Events / GTGs) that I have got answers for . . . . . .
.
.
.
.
.
.
. . . until the next CW Event / GTG due to take place in the M Shed, part of Bristol Museums, on 2nd November 2019.

See you there. :wave:

Guy
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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by TigerChris »

Thanks Guy, a job well done yet again that's took your time up :thumbup:
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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by Kip »

:clap:

Well done Guy!

Thank you for taking the time to make certain that most of the questions were answered and for getting them posted.
Kip

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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by welshlad »

Thanks Guy, that's a top effort, mate. :thumbup:
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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by StrappedUp »

Thanks for providing the write-up of the questions Guy :thumbup:
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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by Mikkei4 »

Yes, thank you for getting these answered.
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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by deebr »

That was really interesting, thanks for writing up all the answers.


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Re: Questions - Chat with Co Founders - London GTG / CW Event - 31st August 2019

Post by DEV.Woulf »

I enjoyed the read. Looking forward to CW's future! :thumbup:
Christopher Ward | LORIER | MONTA | SEIKO

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