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Post by anthrozeit on Sept 10, 2007 7:18:28 GMT -5
don't care for japanese exclusivity. i buy watches that are automatic mechinicals, look good and come at a affordable price. the last one just being a factor of my income. i think chinese mechnicals are becoming better values than "japan-only" watches. i don't find anything special about a country's watches that are known for being quartz than mechanical. its building a reputation on having no souls. heh.
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Post by boscoe on Sept 10, 2007 8:47:00 GMT -5
Hi antrho: I try to avoid Chinese watches and Chinese products in general - for geopolitical reasons, which include intellectual piracy. Which is probably silly on my part. That aside, I'm not convinced Chinese movements are yet up to the quality of Japanese or Swiss products. But that's just an opinion.
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Post by bullosa on Sept 10, 2007 12:15:24 GMT -5
don't care for japanese exclusivity. i buy watches that are automatic mechinicals, look good and come at a affordable price. the last one just being a factor of my income. i think chinese mechnicals are becoming better values than "japan-only" watches. i don't find anything special about a country's watches that are known for being quartz than mechanical. its building a reputation on having no souls. heh. Both Japanese mechanical/auto and quartz are right at the best in quality and performance. In terms of value I dont see a Chinese watch remotely close to a Grand Seiko or Citizen Chronomaster. I think Orient has incredible value and soul being one Japanese watch maker that pitched it's stand to stay mechanical in the quartz revolution. As far as Chinese mechnicals go, it hard for me to see any soul in them other then copy watches. Of course one can argue that I generalize but even limited edition Chinese high complication watches are homages of high end Swiss watches.
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Post by Knight Watchman on Sept 10, 2007 13:27:24 GMT -5
Sadly, I don't see anything of value coming out of China, and I don't mean just watches. If you define value as a price/quality ratio, then my Chinese made house slippers from Walmart which cost me only $6.99 is not of value, because they keep falling apart after 3 months. If you exam what is supposed to be the best tourbillions coming out of China (I have, and a friend who is a watchmaker has), there is nothing to be impressed about. Many are known to have stopped running hours to days after purchase. Tolerances are sloppy, debris everywhere, unaligned indexes, etc. Alpha has not been around that long yet for long term data, but one in three people I know who buy them have problems from the get-go; bezels and indexes falling off, watches that keep great time but then die in a short period of time. Spend a little bit more on an Orient or Seiko 5 (automatic watches still under $100), and you will have a watch that has proven itself to run 20 to 30 years without any service. Now that is value. My friend who is a watchmaker likes to call Chinese movements (based on what he has seen) half oiled and twice dirty. In a great article found by our good friend GJ called "Inside an Alpha," well, a pictures says a thousand words, and verifies my friends opinion- You do get a lot of great features for very little money in an Alpha, but don't expect to pass the watch down through the generations. My prediction is that you will be lucky to get a few good years out of it. Just my 2 Yen of course!
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Post by boscoe on Sept 10, 2007 15:12:56 GMT -5
I confess I DO love Chinese cooking!
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Post by anthrozeit on Sept 10, 2007 16:13:30 GMT -5
i do have a seiko 5, i also have 2 invictas probably made completly in japan. i just don't think they are all that and a bag of chips. but they are great watches and i bought them for the reasons i already posted. its like some people here said before. its why we buy japanese cars. because they are economical. ill never buy a lexus over a benz or a infiniti over a beamer. japanese luxury! it doesnt exist! har har.
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Post by muttenstrudel on Sept 11, 2007 18:51:15 GMT -5
Nice looking, good quality watches for a reasonable price. That's why I buy from Orient, Citizen and Seiko.
Regards, muttenstrudel
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Post by Knight Watchman on Sept 11, 2007 18:59:39 GMT -5
i do have a seiko 5, i also have 2 invictas probably made completly in japan. i just don't think they are all that and a bag of chips. but they are great watches and i bought them for the reasons i already posted. its like some people here said before. its why we buy japanese cars. because they are economical. ill never buy a lexus over a benz or a infiniti over a beamer. japanese luxury! it doesnt exist! har har. I would, and I beg to differ!
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Post by anthrozeit on Sept 14, 2007 6:03:40 GMT -5
i take my words back, im starting to like japanese watches more.
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Post by bullosa on Sept 14, 2007 7:14:53 GMT -5
Cool, nice to hear that you are developing more appreciation for Japanese watches. I used to only like Swiss watches. Since coming into this forum as well as another, I have learn to appreciate Japanese watches and German watches besides just the Swiss. I have even gone over the edge, I like quartz watches too. LOL
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Post by boscoe on Sept 14, 2007 8:48:47 GMT -5
I prefer European watches to Asian offerings. That said, the Grand Seiko line and the Seiko spring drive are marvels of technology and craftsmanship I would be proud and delighted to own.
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Post by scrapmetal on Sept 14, 2007 9:28:31 GMT -5
I voted for value. What I am surprised to hear is "exclusivity" . I have NEVER come across two people wearing the same watch at the same time anywhere. Therefore you can achieve exclusivity by buying any non Rolex watch because it is highly unlikely you will come across someone wearing the same watch as you (assuming this is your definition of exclusivity). Now, I have seen (my friends) all wearing similar Rolex watches (but still not the same, maybe color difference) which is why I am not a fan of Rolex...to mainstream even though the price tries to be exclusive. I prefer Bell & Ross even though Invicta is producing similar style watches.
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Post by anthrozeit on Sept 14, 2007 12:25:40 GMT -5
I like quartz watches too. LOL hah, that you will never find me saying! unless maybe the spring drive.
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Post by Knight Watchman on Sept 14, 2007 13:48:27 GMT -5
I prefer European watches to Asian offerings. That said, the Grand Seiko line and the Seiko spring drive are marvels of technology and craftsmanship I would be proud and delighted to own.Dan, why do you keep forgetting about your Seiko 6R15 diver! You said the fit & finish is equal to some of your best Swiss watches!
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Post by bullosa on Sept 16, 2007 19:51:01 GMT -5
I voted for value. What I am surprised to hear is "exclusivity" . I have NEVER come across two people wearing the same watch at the same time anywhere. Therefore you can achieve exclusivity by buying any non Rolex watch because it is highly unlikely you will come across someone wearing the same watch as you (assuming this is your definition of exclusivity). Now, I have seen (my friends) all wearing similar Rolex watches (but still not the same, maybe color difference) which is why I am not a fan of Rolex...to mainstream even though the price tries to be exclusive. I prefer Bell & Ross even though Invicta is producing similar style watches. Hello Mr Scrapmetal, we were talking about 'Japan Only' watches. They are Japanese watches, made in Japan and sold exclusively in Japan only. Some of these watches are great value watches while the rest can be costly. The top Grand Seikos and Spring Drives are as expensive as some Rolex watches. I guess they are exclusive because it's easier to access a Rolex or a B&R then a Grand Seiko.
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