Watchlords

This all brings up a point I never even considered. Watch repairers are bemoaning the fact that Swatch isn't going to sell them parts any longer - but I'd bet most of the lower end guys will just move on to Chinese parts and call it a day.

Not everyone is a WIS-type - I can imagine someone with, say, a crapped out movement on a Tissot, brings it to an indie guy, and he replaces what's needed with Chinese parts. Non-WIS says, "wow, my watch is running fine." That's about, oh, 98 percent of consumers, I'd reckon. Nobody's gonna ask "Did you used Swiss parts?"

For every action, there's a reaction, and upon this realization, it's the first time I'm starting to think that Swatch is gonna shoot itself right in the foot.

Swatch is an octopus, what's another foot?

TemerityB wrote:Non-WIS says, "wow, my watch is running fine." That's about, oh, 98 percent of consumers, I'd reckon. Nobody's gonna ask "Did you use Swiss parts?"

I have to wonder if half of the so-called WIS's (and, yes, I'm including the dead ones) might react in much the same way, TrimesterB.

But, seriously, isn't this just another dodge like the much-bemoaned and highly-feared ETA-will-soon-stop-selling-watch-movements-to-all-but-its-own-brands bowlshite we heard from Jumbloat, et al, back in the halcyon daze of ShopNBZ?

You got to hand it to those cocksuckers, well played.
The fact that the clone out performed the original to me points to the rise in quality Chinese movements. Swiss Made does still stand for something, what that just is becomes even more muddled.

So how does this fit in with new changes to tighten up Swiss Made. Sounds like China can be on par but I know many consumers can't stomach those three words Made in China. Ms Tikker has total aversion to Grand Seiko (label ho) and my Chinese watch proclaiming Made in China she won't even try on.
My understanding is that quality control and finish work are lower in China at present but actual performance is frequently on par.

It seems the Chinese may be following the Japanese model; Japan gained entry to the Western market shortly after WW2 and flooded it with cheap trinkets, then slowly brought the quality of their goods up to par and beyond. Much like the Japanese did in the 1950's, the Chinese built some pretty damned fine watches that were never meant to head west. The Seagull ST5 movement, the "mainstream" horological breakthrough for the Chinese in the 60's, was just such an example for the PRC, who kept a tight control on their export until fairly recently.

(Perhaps Ron -- Albertatime -- might want to comment on this theory...?)

Despite getting flak from a couple of "purists" here, I have owned and written positive reviews for these ST5-eqipped watches, as they really are of high quality and operate quite well. I wear them a lot, and they are tough little buggers.

Does Ms. Tikker wear only Swiss watches? Do you think she would shun something like the Shinola brand, watches that are "built" in Detroit (whatever that means)? Or is it just the Asian brands?

Man, I love my old Grand Seiko, King Seiko's and Citizen Auto-Daters, and just can't imagine turning my goyim-looking nose up at them...Ms. Tikker is turning her lovely back on a whole range of high-quality watches, but she may come around, chaver...or not.

tiktok wrote:So how does this fit in with new changes to tighten up Swiss Made. Sounds like China can be on par but I know many consumers can't stomach those three words Made in China. Ms Tikker has total aversion to Grand Seiko (label ho) and my Chinese watch proclaiming Made in China she won't even try on.
My understanding is that quality control and finish work are lower in China at present but actual performance is frequently on par.

Plenty of non-Chinese choices as more and more non-Swatch Swiss brands develop their own bespoke movements. If the lady in question wishes to snub Sino-chrons, she's not missing a thing by doing so. Even though, with helpful advice from Alberta, I recently bought my first fully Chinese branded watch (Seagull 1963 re-issue), I continue to prefer Swiss brands almost exclusively.

January 1 is actually D-Day for watch repairers, according to this fellow:

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=31886&p=333158#p333158

Falstaff wrote:

tiktok wrote:So how does this fit in with new changes to tighten up Swiss Made. Sounds like China can be on par but I know many consumers can't stomach those three words Made in China. Ms Tikker has total aversion to Grand Seiko (label ho) and my Chinese watch proclaiming Made in China she won't even try on.
My understanding is that quality control and finish work are lower in China at present but actual performance is frequently on par.

Plenty of non-Chinese choices as more and more non-Swatch Swiss brands develop their own bespoke movements. If the lady in question wishes to snub Sino-chrons, she's not missing a thing by doing so. Even though, with helpful advice from Alberta, I recently bought my first fully Chinese branded watch (Seagull 1963 re-issue), I continue to prefer Swiss brands almost exclusively.

Ms Tikker suffers from chronic Lungeyelunditis. She has her eye on a Cartier Santos to go with a Breitling and the Marathon for sailing. No one has mentioned German watches, a case (sic) could be made for their superiority to most Swiss offerings.

I have been incredibly impressed with my Made in China watch, the movement winds hella smoother than any ETA, the hands are beautifully blued and the 3/4 plate movement offers stripes, perlage and has hand engraved gold balance cocks, something that Lange & Sohne has made a trademark of their movements. I would not buy Chinese knowingly in general as of now but the Beijing Watch Factory is trying to raise its game to the world stage.