Bites: How To Hate On A Watch?

I’ll tell you how to make a better review section: just ask me what the score is for any watch - I’m known to be the most objective judge on any and all matters, watch-related or not!

I think if it wasn’t so easy to get someone banned then people would be more honest. If you want “woke” then this is what you get. Even the most polite criticism will get you tossed. At the risk of angering someone including people who’ve never heard of watch crunch might I say watch collectors are the most sensitive group of individuals I’ve come across. I’ve collected watches for years but I never chatted with “watch guys” until the pandemic and I have to say it’s rough to bring a war veterans perspective to a watch forum. Now I’ll get a bunch of other veterans telling me it’s the easiest thing to do. Well, maybe for you but not me. I like the forum though. It’s not a “love it or leave it” proposition is it?

The one thing I've taken from being on WC for a week is, Say what you love and say nothing when you don't.

Nothing but love on WC 🙏 ❤️

reviews expose the personal opinion of a reviewer. Personally I don't think that any watch is worth a 5/5 score but if someone think that his Amphibia is worthy then who am I to say that he is wrong just because I have a different opinion?

I like the current system here on WC because it's free of sponsorship and payola and does not allow for the scores to be artificially inflated with fake comments. So it's not a perfect system but the alternatives are not appealing enough to justify a reform.

I like seeing lower scores in watch reviews, there's a level of honesty there.

Maybe a yes/no question should be added to the review section: Is this your favourite watch? Could help identify biases for the reader and reviewer.

Thank you as always for the shout out my dear.

Reviews are a difficult thing. Something may have a 5/5 rating from dozens of well informed individuals of high repute but when one's defining characteristics include "a contrary opinion" they don't really count for anything.

Lots of people thought "Absolutely Fabulous" was indeed absolutely fabulous. Whereas yours truly sat firmly in the "It's absolutely sh!te" camp. I do that a lot.

I maintain the view that reviews are pointless. Food critics are a prime example... how can anyone tell me I should like something I don't like.

By all means explain what you like about something, but giving it a score is as much use as Douglas Bader's slippers.

A pleasure to read your Bites, and thank you for the mentioning.

I only made one review (Seiko SPB313) and that was over a year ago. I believe it came out with a 4,4. I’m shure the criterias could be developed but I think the main ”problem” is that it is our own watches we are reviewing. Watches we have spent tons of time researching, comparing and finally spent money on. Not a random watch sent to us for review. So I’m pretty shure my next review (if I make one) will get 5/5 on design and dial. Because those was my reasons to buy it in the first place.

Lol... Would you like a weekly section in Bites?

People can send in a picture of their watch for rankings. We can call it "The Master Dee.Bater Score".

Oh, you are late to the party. I have written about grade inflation in reviews here, here, here, here, and here. I have also lamented this phenomena in many comments, some nice, some not so nice.

And it never changes. Perhaps, it can't.

We need an update on the mini-watchovski build you and your lady are working on! 🥰

Just to EFF with @Aurelian, I would give every single watch a 5.0-star rating!

I think it's really weird psychology how much people link themselves to their watch collections. It feels like for some, criticising their watch is kin to a direct insult on their mother. It's bizarre, but as I result I tend to tread cautiously. I haven't collected many other things, so I don't know if it's the same in other communities 🤷‍♀

Woohooo!! I’ll read it later … my Tuesday is now complete!!! 🥳

I do love this community and the positive vibes, but I also enjoy healthy debate and conversation to bring variety and prevent group-think. ,🍻

Because you know we need a fully lumed version in this style...

To warrant the full 5 stars.

I think a lot of reviewers (at least the ones on YouTube that I've watched) mention some of the negatives. Like the Oris Red Dial that I was thinking of getting people mention the accuracy is way off. People who review Nomos do talk about long lugs and fit. I've seen criticism of bracelets or lack of adjustable claps.

For the most part in modern times, most watches that make it into production are nice. You might like the design language, but the watch itself will be decently made even coming from micro-brands and independents.

Everything in this world is subjective and based on our personal experiences and biases. That's ok and that doesn't make the review any less valid. The folks reading the review can choose to take the review at face value or think critically about the review and the reviewer's point of view.

I'm currently drinking a cup of black coffee with double shot of espresso. Is it bitter for me? Yes. Others may find notes of chocolate, cherry, or any other made up fruit flavor. It's all ok and good. Conflict is natural and healthy as long as it's done in a respectful manner.👍

Just wait until I actually have the time for a review of these two beauts....

Just awaiting my coming Instax mini film....🤣🤏🏻👌🏻

I have enough watches and get hands on with more to do my own version of a Doug Score, which I’d love to do, but I’ve stopped myself, largely for one reason; The brands interact here and take it personal when their hard work is critiqued. I’m not talking the childish “it sucks” type of review, but a clear objective review with defined criteria. IE, an NH35 will never score more than a 1 in the movement category. A kickstarter will never score more than a 1 on heritage. Etc.

Also, I once said a specific Longines was “fine” in comparison to a GS, and some dude lost his mind that I “slighted” a perfect watch he owned and loves.

<unnamed brand>

MSRP: $1995

Movement Soprod 2824 clone. Encased in a plastic movement holder because the manufacturer couldn’t be bothered to make the right case. Not well regulated.

Case: Nicely finished, but to the earlier point one can tell it is a generic parent company brand case made for another watch but repurposed for this one.

Bracelet: Rattles, feels like it is made of aluminum foil with a combo of pin and collars and screws that will break no matter what you do. If you count taking out the links due to sheered heads, I guess it has micro adjust.

Dial: very nicely done with the right amount of text and it hides the date window well.

Bezel: Looks nice, but the mechanism is on par with an Orient Mako.

Measurements: insert generic specs and subjective wearability

I omitted a few categories above not to give the watch or brand away, but one can get the gist.

Styling: 3/5

Heritage: 4/5

Cool Factor: 2/5

Originality: 2/5

Movement: 2/5

Accuracy: 2/5

Materials: 2/5

Build Quality: 1/5

Wearability: 3/5

Value: 1/5

Total CB Score of 22 out of 50.

If I do it right, detailing why under each, I personally think it’d be fair, but again, there will always be people and brands (most I love) that may get offended.

I understand the volume thing but I'm also with George Carlin in never underestimating the stupidity of people in large groups. 🤣

Democracy works until you get the public involved.

I still need to tweak mine, likely swap out one for hardware (bracelet & clasp).

Damn good points,maybe I should be more objective in writing about a watch I've drooled about, dreamt about and spent the hard earned cash on, oh and made the conscious ir/rational decision to pick that piece over the thousands of other watches out there. But we are not the 'professionals' we're biased,right, from the outset. We love (or should do) what we've purchased, after all we've researched, done due diligence and above all are excited about our newbie. Of course the obvious should be told, bad finishing, QC problems,unreliable movements,bad timekeeping etc, but all the rest is emotional. My orange is your lemon and visa versa (probably a good thing to keep in mind when using all reveiws professional or not, use them for the nuts n bolts and visuals, you don't need this watch no matter how popular) and then make the informed choice. Thankyou for another great post.

I feel so proud my perfect 5/5 “Arctic Ichi GMT” AKA “Chilly Bunz” and my totally biased review got a shout out in the internationally acclaimed watch publication “Bites” 🙏 @DeeperBlue

I’m pretty sure that makes my custom @Ichibunz the “Arctic Ichi GMT”collectible and super valuable!

Pack your watch pillow Chilly Bunz! We’re going on tour. Next stop Worn & Wound😂🤣

The fish bones my dude. Still amazing.

I'm convinced that half of the reason most reviews are so glowing is that many people buy watches to be part of the "in" group. Every time you see someone say "GOD TIER!*", you know they aren't actually speaking about the watch, they are signalling that they are "in".

It's hard to be part of the "in" group, and be honest about a cheap disposable Casio, or a cheaply made overpriced Seiko. Not that all Casio or Seiko watches are bad, but neither are they all good, particularly some of the ones people rave about the most.

That said, it's also perfectly fine to love an objectively "bad" watch. I have a MoonSwatch that I love, but I also know that it isn't a "value for money" or "GADA" watch.

* As much as I can't stand the guy, I need to give him credit. He pulled a smart move by heaping praise on a brand anyone can buy, making people feel like he's one of them.

I give up in general now.

Facts mean nothing, and people don’t do the research before they post absolute garbage.

I don’t care what people say about their watches anymore, they cannot be objective, so let them just have their fun and let the content just dissolve into pudding.

Sweet, syrupy, fattening, sloppy, beige pudding.

Now I want bread pudding...

I think that because most people buy watches emotionally, they feel like they are under attack when someone points out flaws. Even if the other person also spent their money to buy the same model.

I get pushback pretty much every time that I point out that the Seiko SNK809 is a cheaply made watch that is not good. Usually it's "My first watch was a SNK809, it's a great starter", or 'How can anyone dislike Seiko, they have so much heritage"... Neither of those arguments counters that fact that it's a cheaply made watch that is objectively worse than many others.

Watch people deserve the content they get.

I’m off to brag about “true” microbrands, and why Longines need to compete with Tissot for Omegas place in the pyramid. Then I can make some sh*t up about another brand I’ve never seen in my life. Watch content baby!

Thank you Kaysia! Always enjoy your publication and your articles.