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Good Quality = Good Brand

4K views 15 replies 13 participants last post by  andrema 
#1 ·
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Do you buy watches with a good reputable brand name?
When I look at buying good quality watches, I look for well known brands.For example, Tag Heuer Aquaracer with a ETA 7750 mov't and Invicta with a ETA 7750 mov't. Can you say tag is a better quality watch here?
Since I learn to know more about watches, the brand is not really important. I look for good quality mov't first.:)
 
#2 ·
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i agree better brand eguals better watch and although some brands may share the same movement that is only part of the picture , there is service,straps etc and to be fair tag v invicta , no contest :)
 
#3 ·
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It all comes down to fit and finish IMO. There are plenty of lesser known brands that are better quality than those known by the masses.

Good examples are Sinn ans Stowa - both better than the two mentioned

The key is to do your research and read up on brands and other horological information prior to leaping in. Otherwise, you are throwing your money out of the window.
 
#4 ·
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For me - I buy if I like the look of the watch before ANYTHING ELSE.

If I like it, and can afford it, I might buy it.

Many companies I like a lot and know they make very good quality watches ALSO have models that I think are awful looking and straight fugly. I would not buy/consider those certain models
 
#5 ·
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I think we would expect reputable brands such as Tag, Breitling or Omega for exampleto have movements that are equally as good as those inlesser known brandsunless you're comparing COSC to non-COSC. Then the case, dial, bracelet, bezel what have you, can be the determining factor as to which is actually a better buy.Resale value is probably better with well known brands (especially Rolex). CS andwarranty is of least concern to me since most watches don't require any for the period in which they are covered and can be fixed by any number of watch repair facilities...:whatever:
 
#6 ·
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I wouldn't really compare a Tag to a Invicta by a large margin. (or high end vs low end brands).

Of course, with 'brand' names, u pay for the brand name as well (part of your $$$ goes into the advertising/marketing for that brand :)).

I was like you when I started my early collection. What makes a $3k watch so much better than a $1000 watch potentially using the same movement?

Here's my observation (and yes, I've owned at least 2 v7750 based Invictas in the past). I don't own any high-end unlike some others here but I've handled $10k Rolexes (credit to Rob of Toppers Jewellery who lets me play/try the high end watches in his store).

Invicta (and many others in this price range) use base v7750 movements (these movements are NOT modified nor decorated). Nor are these movements tested for accuracy. The v7750 movement also comes in different grades. The COSC easily the most expensive.

Secondly, if you inspect the dial/markers on high end brands, you'll find such details are highly polished and detailed and applied (not just painted on the dial). Pick up a Invicta and you'll find the dial is mainly made of plastic. The tiny finishing is what makes the high end watches more 'refined'. Then the amount of work the high end brands put into the movement also is another factor. Invicta doesn't even have a factory (but they've claimed in the past..lol).

Same goes for bracelet. Omega (imo) has one of the most made bracelets (I totally dislike the Rolex ones, considering the cost..my opinion).

Then you remove the strap from the case. Most low end brands don't finish the back case at all (I saw that on my Hamilton Jazzmaster where inside lugs were roughly brushed, but then it also didn't cost $2k).

Then you get real croc/gator straps on high end watches VS croc-GRAIN leather straps on low end.

Then lastly, you get prestige and heritage (which increases the perceived value of the watch). Some care for this and some don't. I know people that wear a $100 Seiko watch half their lives and they are totally okay with it.

In the end, it's up to you :). If you care for such things and brand names, save up. If you are okay with settling with a quality but low end brand, so be it !

My own grail is a Tag Carrera but after getting my SWI recently, I've pushed the grail hunt further out to next 2 years. SWI is barely a brand name outside WIS'ers but for me, the built quality/finishing/movement is right up there with my grail so I'm totally content with it...considering I paid $899 for the watch VS $2.5k for the Tag.

My opinion/experience from this hobby :). Your mileage may vary.
 
#7 ·
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I discovered paying more and buying big brand names does not always mean your getting the best, especially after I owned some very expensive big brand name watches and was very dissapointed. I had more trouble and headaches with some of my well known brands than all my other less expensive watches. I won't name manes but I will never buy those brands again. I find a lot of brand name loyalty clouds people judgment and of course I see a lot of people putting down watch brands because they are less expensive and more popular.

Now my thoughts are "it doesn't matter if you 10 grand or a 100 bucks your not gauranteed the watch will not be a problem". I have watches that cost less than $100.00 that perform just as good or better than my big brand name watches. I keep watches forever I rarely sell a watch unless it's a huge problem or it has to go in for service too often. All the watches I sold were in that catagory and the depreciation is HUGE. Now when I buy watches I go by how much I like the style then I'll do a little research before I buy. If I have several of one brand and they perform well I don't bother with the research.
 
#9 ·
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^ I believe 'off the shelf' ebauché is commonly referred to as "standard" even though ETA doesn't specify that.

Don't have a link but I've confirmed that a while back on some other forum (along with other members). I could be totally wrong but

So technically, it goes something like this:

Ebauché v7750 (base model), Elabore, Top and Chronometre.

I do recall reading something about the higher quality of materials used in Top/Chronom versions VS elabore. Which reflects in better accuracy on the higher grades.
 
#11 ·
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TYPICALLY you do get what you pay for...

The two Breitlings and Panerai I had were PERFECT...

Hamilton is a great brand too but I had to send a Below Zero in twice. Once for lume missing from one of the numbers and the second time for for date wheel messing up.

I think ONE of the advantages of buying a higher end brand is Customer service. Although the Hamilton went back twice, they did a GREAT job in the repairs...

99% of my buying decisions are made on LOOKS alone now. The $20 Sterile dial watch I got from Target is UBER cool!

 
#13 ·
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It is a trusim in my opinion that known-gold-standard brands deliver better. You example is a great one. I have a 9 year old Tag and I would up its fit and finish against the invictas I've seen any day. They go the extra mile. I think, for the most part, the brands that deliver quality are already known as delivering quality. I have seen so many people talk of Glycine as quality, and it prompted me to buy one. Guess what? It it easily among the best quality watches I have, and priced much lower than many of them. I also purchased a Tx (timex luxury brand), and guess what? No quality whatsoever. There are others, who I will not mention, that get by on looks, and deliver little quality, but in the end, many of us just want the look, and arent too worried about the fit and finsih.

So, Even with a known brand, your fit and finish can vary at any price range. I say it pays a LOT if you review other's posts and see what they think before your buy, if you cannot check it out in person yourself.
 
#14 ·
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Established brands get the money they are asking because of quality and resale value.If I spend over a $1k on a watch I need to know if I get tired of the watch I can resell it.Just because a brand has a ETA 7750 does not make it a quality watch.I put brands like Invicta in that category.
 
#15 ·
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Brand name does and doesnt mean something.
Obviously certain name brands for the most part mean quality.
Oris, Omega, Breitling, Rolex, and many more.

But there are micro brands that are not necessarily well known name brands,( not to non WIS anyways) like Sinn, UTS, Damasko, SAS, Boschett, Stowa, NFW, and many others. Those listed above all offer extremely great quality for each of their different price points.
Research is really the key when it comes to watches.
Set out with your criteria of what you want(size, price range, movement, etc) and then do your research to find the best one.
Name to me honestly means nothing. I know what good quality is, and if its found in a micro brand, forum brand, high end brand etc, if I like the watch, I buy it.
 
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