The Brand With The Best Value
Dear Snob,
I am looking for an upgrade to my "every occasion" Submariner and my "special occasion" JLC Reverso Duo, and I do so love annual calendars. I can afford Patek or A. Lange, or even Glash so you can imagine my surprise when I found the Zenith Captain Winsor Annual Calendar in steel with gold digits for a bit more than Being totally confused, I ran out of the shop.
Question: What wrong with it? An annual calendar automatic for less than 10K? Zenith is all in house movements, right? Didn't they provide movements for the mighty Rolex in the past? Does that not mean they are good watches? I read an article that said this watch uses the El Primero 36,000 vph movement. Good news, right? Isn this movement supposed to be great?
Don be mistaken that just because of my past statements about sub watches that I don pay attention to value. Let face it, Swiss watches are extremely overpriced, when you take into consideration their production costs. I spoken with many watchmakers from various prestigious brands (who shall remain nameless) and most cannot afford to wear the very pieces they are making. What this says to me is that labor costs are not exactly commensurate with the highly skilled work these people are doing. And aside from an initial investment in research and development, the raw materials do not add up to the high prices being asked.
Does this upset me? Not really. As long as one approaches a watch purchase with eyes open, and acknowledges that part of the price paid is for exclusivity and prestige and overall brand traditions (not to mention the exchange rate on the Swiss Franc), one can justify his purchase, assuming he not keeping food off his family table.
Having said all this, Zenith may just be the best value in timepieces available today. The brand entire lineup is of high quality, and its prices put manufacture movements within the realm of possibility for mortals like yourself. How can they do it? I would conjecture that it is a recovery effort by the brand to win back a customer base after some years of misguided design and company vision at the hands of its (thankfully) departed former dark lord, Thierry Nataf. And, frankly, the watches are priced where they should be. These are not haute horlogerie watches by and large.
I no idea who Captain Winsor is or why he doesn have a in his name. But an annual calendar is a fine complication and matched to an El Primero chronograph makes it a watch to be taken seriously. Zenith is doing a good job of reinventing itself and its low prices should not be a deterrent.
Patek vs. Audemars Piguet?
Hi Snob,
There are upcoming elections in my country, and the leading candidates have been accused of wearing expensive watches. I believe the candidate with sympathies from the left uses two Patek Philippe Calatravas (one steel or white gold, the other yellow gold), while the candidate of the center right has a more eclectic collection that includes what appears to be a steel Audemars Piguet. Given only their watch selections, for which candidate would you vote?
I am not sure why politicians timepiece choices create such fuss with the media. These are powerful men who have, by and large, attained some level of success and often wealth. There are far worse ways they could be (and possibly are) spending their money. In fact, the world would be a far better place if it was run by men with an appreciation for fine timepieces, with the possible exception of Sarkozy but, then, he French. In America, the presidents have taken watch shame to an extreme level, wearing cheap Chinese made rubbish in an effort to be more like Joe the Plumber. There was a time when the most powerful man in the world wore Rolex, Vulcain and Omega. Is it any wonder the country is in such a state of decline?
Would I base my vote on which timepiece a candidate wears? I am hardly so shallow. But you are fortunate to have as your choices two men with undoubtedly impeccable taste. I sure great things are in your nation future.
Watch Barons
What do you think of watch winders like the Baron from Origin Times? I'm not sure how much it costs, but you have to admit that it's mechanical, clever, very original, beautiful and fun!
No matter how clever a watch winder is, it will never be anything more than a bit player on the horological stage, and to give one a name is akin to naming one furnace or coffee maker.Swiss Watches
The Brand With The Best Value
Dear Snob,
I am looking for an upgrade to my "every occasion" Submariner and my "special occasion" JLC Reverso Duo, and I do so love annual calendars. I can afford Patek or A. Lange, or even Glash so you can imagine my surprise when I found the Zenith Captain Winsor Annual Calendar in steel with gold digits for a bit more than Being totally confused, I ran out of the shop.
Question: What wrong with it? An annual calendar automatic for less than 10K? Zenith is all in house movements, right? Didn't they provide movements for the mighty Rolex in the past? Does that not mean they are good watches? I read an article that said this watch uses the El Primero 36,000 vph movement. Good news, right? Isn this movement supposed to be great?
Don be mistaken that just because of my past statements about sub watches that I don pay attention to value. Let face it, Swiss watches are extremely overpriced, when you take into consideration their production costs. I spoken with many watchmakers from various prestigious brands (who shall remain nameless) and most cannot afford to wear the very pieces they are making. What this says to me is that labor costs are not exactly commensurate with the highly skilled work these people are doing. And aside from an initial investment in research and development, the raw materials do not add up to the high prices being asked.
Does this upset me? Not really. As long as one approaches a watch purchase with eyes open, and acknowledges that part of the price paid is for exclusivity and prestige and overall brand traditions (not to mention the exchange rate on the Swiss Franc), one can justify his purchase, assuming he not keeping food off his family table.
Having said all this, Zenith may just be the best value in timepieces available today. The brand entire lineup is of high quality, and its prices put manufacture movements within the realm of possibility for mortals like yourself. How can they do it? I would conjecture that it is a recovery effort by the brand to win back a customer base after some years of misguided design and company vision at the hands of its (thankfully) departed former dark lord, Thierry Nataf. And, frankly, the watches are priced where they should be. These are not haute horlogerie watches by and large.
I no idea who Captain Winsor is or why he doesn have a in his name. But an annual calendar is a fine complication and matched to an El Primero chronograph makes it a watch to be taken seriously. Zenith is doing a good job of reinventing itself and its low prices should not be a deterrent.
Patek vs. Audemars Piguet?
Hi Snob,
There are upcoming elections in my country, and the leading candidates have been accused of wearing expensive watches. I believe the candidate with sympathies from the left uses two Patek Philippe Calatravas (one steel or white gold, the other yellow gold), while the candidate of the center right has a more eclectic collection that includes what appears to be a steel Audemars Piguet. Given only their watch selections, for which candidate would you vote?
I am not sure why politicians timepiece choices create such fuss with the media. These are powerful men who have, by and large, attained some level of success and often wealth. There are far worse ways they could be (and possibly are) spending their money. In fact, the world would be a far better place if it was run by men with an appreciation for fine timepieces, with the possible exception of Sarkozy but, then, he French. In America, the presidents have taken watch shame to an extreme level, wearing cheap Chinese made rubbish in an effort to be more like Joe the Plumber. There was a time when the most powerful man in the world wore Rolex, Vulcain and Omega. Is it any wonder the country is in such a state of decline?
Would I base my vote on which timepiece a candidate wears? I am hardly so shallow. But you are fortunate to have as your choices two men with undoubtedly impeccable taste. I sure great things are in your nation future.
Watch Barons
What do you think of watch winders like the Baron from Origin Times? I'm not sure how much it costs, but you have to admit that it's mechanical, clever, very original, beautiful and fun!
No matter how clever a watch winder is, it will never be anything more than a bit player on the horological stage, and to give one a name is akin to naming one furnace or coffee maker.Swiss Watches
The Brand With The Best Value
Dear Snob,
I am looking for an upgrade to my "every occasion" Submariner and my "special occasion" JLC Reverso Duo, and I do so love annual calendars. I can afford Patek or A. Lange, or even Glash so you can imagine my surprise when I found the Zenith Captain Winsor Annual Calendar in steel with gold digits for a bit more than Being totally confused, I ran out of the shop.
Question: What wrong with it? An annual calendar automatic for less than 10K? Zenith is all in house movements, right? Didn't they provide movements for the mighty Rolex in the past? Does that not mean they are good watches? I read an article that said this watch uses the El Primero 36,000 vph movement. Good news, right? Isn this movement supposed to be great?
Don be mistaken that just because of my past statements about sub watches that I don pay attention to value. Let face it, Swiss watches are extremely overpriced, when you take into consideration their production costs. I spoken with many watchmakers from various prestigious brands (who shall remain nameless) and most cannot afford to wear the very pieces they are making. What this says to me is that labor costs are not exactly commensurate with the highly skilled work these people are doing. And aside from an initial investment in research and development, the raw materials do not add up to the high prices being asked.
Does this upset me? Not really. As long as one approaches a watch purchase with eyes open, and acknowledges that part of the price paid is for exclusivity and prestige and overall brand traditions (not to mention the exchange rate on the Swiss Franc), one can justify his purchase, assuming he not keeping food off his family table.
Having said all this, Zenith may just be the best value in timepieces available today. The brand entire lineup is of high quality, and its prices put manufacture movements within the realm of possibility for mortals like yourself. How can they do it? I would conjecture that it is a recovery effort by the brand to win back a customer base after some years of misguided design and company vision at the hands of its (thankfully) departed former dark lord, Thierry Nataf. And, frankly, the watches are priced where they should be. These are not haute horlogerie watches by and large.
I no idea who Captain Winsor is or why he doesn have a in his name. But an annual calendar is a fine complication and matched to an El Primero chronograph makes it a watch to be taken seriously. Zenith is doing a good job of reinventing itself and its low prices should not be a deterrent.
Patek vs. Audemars Piguet?
Hi Snob,
There are upcoming elections in my country, and the leading candidates have been accused of wearing expensive watches. I believe the candidate with sympathies from the left uses two Patek Philippe Calatravas (one steel or white gold, the other yellow gold), while the candidate of the center right has a more eclectic collection that includes what appears to be a steel Audemars Piguet. Given only their watch selections, for which candidate would you vote?
I am not sure why politicians timepiece choices create such fuss with the media. These are powerful men who have, by and large, attained some level of success and often wealth. There are far worse ways they could be (and possibly are) spending their money. In fact, the world would be a far better place if it was run by men with an appreciation for fine timepieces, with the possible exception of Sarkozy but, then, he French. In America, the presidents have taken watch shame to an extreme level, wearing cheap Chinese made rubbish in an effort to be more like Joe the Plumber. There was a time when the most powerful man in the world wore Rolex, Vulcain and Omega. Is it any wonder the country is in such a state of decline?
Would I base my vote on which timepiece a candidate wears? I am hardly so shallow. But you are fortunate to have as your choices two men with undoubtedly impeccable taste. I sure great things are in your nation
Panerai Ferrari Scuderia future.
Watch Barons
What do you think of watch winders like the Baron from Origin Times? I'm not sure how much it costs, but you have to admit that it's mechanical, clever, very original, beautiful and fun!
No matter how clever a watch winder is, it will never be anything more than a bit player on the horological stage, and to give one a name is akin to naming one furnace or coffee maker.
