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The assumption and perception of quality that we as watch collectors have put into the origin of manufacture is one based on a tradition that is not valid anymore.
If it was true that the country of origin indicates the tolerences and expertise in CNC machines and production then I would say Made in USA, Japan or Germany and to a lesser extent Taiwan, would be the preferred choice for watches.
Having in-house manufacturing capabilities is an entirely different scenario and is extremely rare nowadays too. But even this does not guarantee quality and should not be a barometer for higher price.
Ultimately, the only truth is what has been posted about advertising/ marketing dollar. That we pay high dollar for a Rolex/ AP etc because of the image that the brand has paid alot to create. This image is what we either aspire to or want to highlight to the world when we buy/ pay for expensive watches. Also there's the whole commodity that is carried by some higher end watches in the secondhand market.
Consumers will not care if they found out that Rolex made their cases in China, in fact they wouldn't even care if Rolex had a seagull movement inside.... end of the day how many customers who shop for a higher end watch actually want to know what's inside? or where it's made? They will care though if they thought that wearing an Omega did not give someone the impression that they weren't a spy with a license to kill :)
Doxa unfortunately has not built such an image and still lives within the realm of brands that 'are the same' but cost less. I suppose when people find out that the sum of parts is not necessarily what constitutes the sale price, they get a little worked up. But realistically that's the watch industry for you. That's why homages/ replicas are so popular. It's the extremes of the thought process and everything else hovers in between.
Hammerfjord wrote:
movas wrote:
Hello people of 3T,
It's funny that my first post is actually of someone else's brand, but I think this post is a good indication of how the world of watches works and would like to put forth my opinion on the matter. Being the voice of reason, I just want to say that there is always a method to the madness for certain actions of any brand. You have to ask yourselves, if brand A told you the truth about their manufacturing, would you pay the amount that they think their products are worth based on how much they value their own designs?
The fact of the matter is (and I hate to have to say this), is that branding/ marketing/ product placement is a consumer driven decision. If people did not place such a high importance on 'swiss made' watches, then brands will not purport this, even if it was not true. There is very little emphasis on originality and design as watches are becoming more of a commodity. It must have an ETA inside, it must be 316L stainless steel, it must have C3 superluminova, It must be at least 300m WR, AR coating, domed sapphire, etc etc etc.... the list goes on, and when it's stamped 'swiss made' then the price is ratcheted up another notch. I for one do not see what doxa did wrong because they didn't set the rules for 'swiss made' neither did they break those rules.
We need to start to question 'why' we buy our watches and what is really important to us as consumers and base our decisions on that. Ultimately the online community for watches is but a very very small percentage of the consumer market for watches as a whole.
BTW, Love this forum and hope to contribute where I can.
Movas, welcome at first!
I have to disagree on some things. People want "Swiss made" at first because it's a guarantee of quality standard.
With the different life standards over the world, the costs of productions are differents then the buyer expect to be passed-on those differences.
When your watch-cases are made in Hong-Kong, the cost is very reduced. If you justifie your high prices by saying that your cases are made in Switzerland or even inhouse at your own factory and in fact, you have them made at lower cost in China: You are just fooling your clients for making more money.
Helenarou don't fool anybody: They have it made in Hong-Kong, say it and pass-on the low prices.
Kazimon have it all made in Germany(inhouse for the 1500 case) and justify his higher cost with those facts: Real facts...Not lies: I own a custom 1500.
For some different reasons, such as quality standards(one of them can be patriotism), some clients want them watches made in a particular country.
If I want a watch 100% made in Norway, I will assume at once that it will cost me more than a watch made in Switzerland as we have higher life standards here, higher taxes on most of things ect...Yes: Everything is expensive in Norway.
At the end: We just want what we pay for: Nothing else.
We don't like to feel fooled by greedy fabricants: Whoever they can be.