Obligatory Wristwatch Thread

[JodyH]

when you put on a $100k Patek, you just FEEL different. A patek just oozes craftsmanship

It's one of the only products made with "no compromise" and to "perfection" (just slogans for other companies, Patek embodies it).

[Trigger]

I think the saving grace of those expensive watches, is they often retain their value. Rolexes hold their value pretty well. I assume a boutique watch like the Patek Phillipe does even better.

Sorta like firearms; a quality firearm will hold its value. That Cabot pistol, Holland rifle or Purdy shotgun will always be valuable. Sometimes more affordable ones do too. Pythons and some Smiths come to mind.

[theJanitor]

GS looks to be a great Rolex competitor for 30% less
Take a GS SBGR099 at $4100 and it compares favorably with a Rolex Oyster Perpetual at $5700 ($5250 on the gray market). With a little haggling you can probably get the GS for $3500.
That's a 30% difference for very similar watches.
But later on down the road if you want to flip, the Rolex will not only retain its value far better, it'll also sell much faster. GS are a bitch to sell used.
I really like GS.
I think Grand Seiko makes the best dial in the mid-tier luxury range (Omega, Rolex, JLC, etc.).
But the Rolex movement is the superior movement and you'll be cursing GS when it comes to servicing one (which is why used GS don't sell).

There's a reason Rolex is the 500# gorilla of the luxury watch world, they have a well deserved reputation for quality and of course their marketing machine takes a back seat to no other company on the planet.

100% at a recent watch even here, a guy was trying to get a "trade-in" value for his GS, which is a superb watch. The dealer didn't even want to quote a price, but later declared $1200 was the number, and there was no offer to actually take the trade-in. the GS owner was taken aback at the low number. Of course, vintage subs are $20k.

Technically speaking, many GS's are incredible. Sad to see the resale value take such a huge hit.

[JodyH]

Technically speaking, many GS's are incredible. Sad to see the resale value take such a huge hit.

In my opinion having "Seiko" on the dial kills their panache.
If all the GS models were rebranded as Credor, they'd sell faster for more and they'd have better value retention.
Grand Seiko are awesome watches killed by poor Japanese marketing.

[theJanitor]

They seem to think that exceptional design, detail, and craftsmanship will sell itself. Rolex could sell a freaking sundial

[FNFAN]

They seem to think that exceptional design, detail, and craftsmanship will sell itself. Rolex could sell a freaking sundial

Well, yeah, but it's hell on the pockets of your Desmond Merrion's and the last guy qualified to do the 3 year service retired awhile back!

[Stephanie B]

In my opinion having "Seiko" on the dial kills their panache.
If all the GS models were rebranded as Credor, they'd sell faster for more and they'd have better value retention.
Grand Seiko are awesome watches killed by poor Japanese marketing.

Honda and Toyota figured that out, which is why their luxury cars have different brand names.

[okie john]

There's a reason Rolex is the 500# gorilla of the luxury watch world, they have a well deserved reputation for quality and of course their marketing machine takes a back seat to no other company on the planet.

Their marketing department got out in front of the whole "elite units use our products" with their dive watches just after WWII and parlayed that into an empire. Edmund Hillary wearing one on Mt. Everest didn't hurt, either.


Okie John

[willie]

The last Rolex I bought had two "L's" in the name.

[Stephanie B]

Their marketing department got out in front of the whole "elite units use our products" with their dive watches just after WWII and parlayed that into an empire. Edmund Hillary wearing one on Mt. Everest didn't hurt, either.

There's a joke in the aviation community that the size (and expense) of a pilot's watch has in inverse correlation to the size of his slauson.