Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

This has been something I felt like discussing for quite a while now.

I see people advertising their watches for sale (sometimes a fairly recent purchase), the reason given being that they need to move it on to fund something similar but slightly more developed.

This is something that has certainly motivated me in the past, even if I haven’t done much about it. For example, a couple of years ago I bought a lovely blue C65 Trident Diver. When the SH21 version came out, I was very tempted to try to move mine on. I didn’t, and in the end I’m happy that I kept it.

We do seem to be living in a society that creates impermanence in consumer goods, and there are many areas where one hesitates to buy the New Must Have, because we know that the next New Must Have is probably only a matter of months away.

I know this happens to some extent with CW and I suspect it may happen with other manufacturers as well. When a new model is introduced, at first you get the basic catch-all version. Then within a matter of months the upgrades and colourful variations start to be introduced. People get itchy credit cards and wallets.

I also get a little concerned about what I call model longevity. The point here is that I can no longer buy (unless second hand) a model that was introduced as new perhaps only two and a half years ago. In the case of some older models this has a knock-on effect in terms of availability of straps and bracelets, especially a relatively eccentric strap set-up like the C2/C20.

I don’t know what the answer is, but I would love to see a model that achieves iconic status and is available in relatively or even absolutely unchanged form for many years to come. Thinking Speedy, Submariner, Tank, Reverso and so on.

That’s probably a bit of a pipe dream from a brand in this sector of the market, I don’t know. I just threw it out there in an idle moment. All thoughts welcome.
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by H0rati0 »

Steve, I share your angst and it definitely makes me think long and hard about almost any "durable" purchase and any further CWs in particular. I do understand it from CW's perspective, they are not well established compared with the classics, so have to be nimble while exploiting perceived niches and if a model endures ie continues to sell well then terrific. My "answer" to this reality is buy used or "clearance" (not just watches) so that hopefully I get to see a longer term picture and if it's something that my fits peculiar tastes that has fallen by the wayside of popular opinion, then I can procure at a fraction of original pricing if I can convince myself on spares/repairs/accessories etc for the future.

FWIW.
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Perhaps I should add that although I placed this in the General Discussion forum, it’s not exclusively about CW, nor is it exclusively about watches. There are, for example, many things in the mobile and wearable tech areas that are pretty much out of date almost as soon as they are released.

Call me an old curmudgeon by all means, but I do like things that are made to last and I do like to make them last. I suppose watches differ a little; most people tend to have one phone or one car at a time, whereas on platforms like this multiple watch ownership is the norm, even a badge of membership or an entry ticket. Similarly with white goods. Mine get replaced when they fail terminally (usually after many years – I’ve been lucky!) And not simply because I fancy a new one. I bought a new fridge/freezer a couple of years ago, and was really disappointed: the other one was only 27 years old. :lol:
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by strapline »

This impermanence that you talk of happens with many material things, as you mention. I think this notion is very prevalent with CW watches because of the way they operate as a company. Firstly, they are forever churning out watches, certainly for such a young company; Imagine how many watches they will have in production in just another twenty years time. Then there are the multiple discounts offered throughout the year, which can even be redeemed against newly launched products; this really drives consumer appetite. And then there is this forum, with its used sales corner, which has generated a very healthy used market whereby fans of the brand can get affordable watches even more affordably, whilst satiating their desire to scratch that new (to them) watch itch whenever it arises.
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by downer »

As a career path, and speaking generally, marketing is more lucrative than engineering. Sad, but true.

I think that could be the root cause of all this madness.
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by Thunder1 »

I've only been collecting CWs for a couple of years now, so my experience with/knowledge of the brand is somewhat limited...but, I was surprised to see the C65 Trident manual wind watches dropped...I enjoy mine and thought for sure that they had a winner on their hands(and on our wrists!!)..
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by jkbarnes »

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found my tastes across the board shifting from shiny, new, latest & greatest to fewer items of higher quality with greater longevity. I think with age comes the wisdom to recognize that new doesn’t mean necessary or better. I don’t cycle through smart phones the way I used to, nor digital cameras. I’ve pared my wardrobe down to key pieces timeless in their style that will never look out of date. I’ll probably never buy a new car ever again. I’m more inclined to buy furniture at antique malls or estate sales where the quality for prices far exceeds big box furniture stores. I’m sure I could come up with more examples.

I think one of the reasons a great many of CW’s current offerings don’t appeal to me is because I wonder how timeless the design will be. What I love most about my C65 Trident Vintage is the timelessness of the design. It may never be “on trend,” but it will also never look dated. I don’t know that the same can be said for the C65 Compressor or the C65 Chronograph.
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by exHowfener »

It's interesting that the older we get, the more we appreciate longevity because, let's be honest, at 60 something lasting 40 years is a lot less useful to me than when I was 20.

I do share the thoughts about the speed that models are removed from the range. Of course I understand that all these companies that exist to sell products need to keep doing so. I was at the Manchester GTG in April 2019 and they had three colourways of the C65 diver on display/sale. 18 months on and I can only buy them off ebay.
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by jimbo »

Interesting subject. We live in a "throw away society" now. Credit is very cheap at this time. On the whole people are far wealthier than they were 10, 20, and certainly 30 + years ago. Technology is changing sometimes in the same week. Companies like Apple (which we all wish we had invested in 10 years ago!) come out with the "latest" product on a regular period. People like to be seen with the latest products, it's status. When I was younger living in Hong Kong as a child I used to press my nose up against the windows of the fashionable shops looking at Rolex, Omega etc..... the prices for a school boy were incredible. (They still are) But, the quality was evident. For me an unhealthy interest in "Watch porn" had started.

I am fortunate now I'm in a position where I can now afford slightly more than base prices for many things. My wife and I enjoy holidays more than "material" things. Our family car is 21 years old, it's my pride and joy, I paid more than I wanted to for it, and tried to convince myself and others that I would still have it in "20" years time, they laughed at me.....well who is laughing now? I'm still very happy with my purchase, and 250k almost on the clock (bloody covid has kept it down these last few months) I've had my monies worth. It has meant we have been able to spend money else where. My watches I tend to keep, however one or two may be sold soon, as I really don't need them, or wear them. They are not worth much, but, somewhere someone will find a use for them.

If it ain't broke, you like it, it serves a purpose, it's reliable....why change it? Humans do, like magpies like shiny things. Companies are very clever at making us part with our hard earned cash. I believe that if you wish to change something because you can and want to....then fine. But because like me you like to keep things going, and not at all fashionable, then don't look down on me with distain because I'm not like you....I'm just different. So much of me is making things last....my push/road bike i bought in 1986....I get nice comments on it when out on my "retro" bike haha. A new one will not make me a faster rider, I would have to lose about 25 ilbs first...haha. Does new always mean better?
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by KevinB »

It's funny, but this is so true for me. When I started to notice the constant tinkering with things and the obsolescence of models so quickly I realized that I'd rather have just one good example of something and buy with the thought that I'll have it forever. I'm not a collector, but more a hoarder. It makes it good in that I don't have to have every single color of something or every model. I don't collect. I just don't get rid of the things I purchase. I have every watch, but one, that I've had in my nearly 50 years. From my first grade tiny Timex to my CW's. And that only makes 13 total watches. I have every bike I've ever raced except one and every bike that I've raced at least twice. But obsolescence is rife in the cycling world. I've got bikes that are 8, 9, 10 and 11 speed which makes swapping wheels a royal pain. I didn't go to 12 and 13 on the latest Campy is definitely not in the cards. The more things change the more I try and buy things that will last.

Maybe finally with the latest Trident Pros they have something that has matured and will stay around for some years now in at least the 3 primary colorways. Despite being pretty happy with my Trident GMT I could see one of the black C60 Trident Pros getting added for a "nice" black dive watch. If they could get to the heart of their offering with some things that have matured in design and stay for years with minimal tweaks I'd be happy. It is sometimes like they are trying to chase the next hit. I think there's room for them to have some fun and mix it up, but there should be a core C65, a core C60, etc that will stay the same, and that we can have some confidence will go the mile for them.
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by nwnjw01 »

Very interested and somewhat comforted to read this thread...
I share almost all of the views so articulately expressed above.

I had thought it was just me. 😎
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by nbg »

As regards CW watches I would tend towards thinking that CWs form in this area so far has been, at least, partly understandable.

I.e. if you take the progression in the quality of certain models over the years, e.g. different more complex cases on the Trident range, combined with other improvements in bezel, lume etc..., then standing still and sticking with something like the Mark 1 Trident would not have been a good call from a commercial perspective.

Albeit that I prefer the Mark 1 versions... :)

However I do think that they are now at the stage of their development as a company that they do need to slow down and have greater longevity in the models.

My own buying habits for “stuff” is that I generally tend not to rush headlong to the newest and shiniest, super duper improved specification items.

For watches most of my regularly worn are designs over 50 years old.

I have zero interest in upgrading my phone, tablet, laptop or TV on a regular basis.

For footwear and clothing I take the view buy well and it lasts and despair at the disposable fashion trend.

I keep cars for far more years than is fashionable to those stuck on the hamster wheel of endless replacement PCP deals.

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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by scooter »

^^^^

I can relate best to Neil's final three paragraphs.

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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by Davy Crockett »

Having read peoples views above I think there is a general agreement on the buy for longevity rather than replacement/upgrade.

I was brought up in working class family in Yorkshire(flat cap & whippet jokes!!) and didn't have a lot, toys were handed down and bikes were repaired to keep running, not get a new one. I still have my Trek ZX7000 mountain bike from 1996! :)

I work hard and earn a very modest salary but there's some left at the end of the month - not having kids might be the reason?? :lol:

I did go through a phase in the 90s of upgrading my mobile each year but nowadays and just dipping my toe into my 50s I tend to buy with thought and keep. There is the odd exception and I do impulse buy at times!!

Unlike some colleagues my car is 17yrs old and I don't change it on PCP every 2 years or have the latest iPhone n+1 each year.

I've waffled a bit sorry! I prefer to buy a 'keeper' but enjoy buying a few to find it :lol:
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Re: Model longevity and watch obsolescence?

Post by Viognier »

I would add that watches, when serviced properly, can be handed down to generations.
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