Bites: WTH?? This tournament has me seriously questioning things. UPDATE: TIMEFACTORS DROP THIS WEEKEND

Hello Crunchers!

***See 'Latest Watch Releases' for Timefactors Info***

I want to talk about how @AllTheWatches microbrand tournament has me seriously questioning my watch buying decisions, but first, your community updates!

This week:

• 3 Things: The TLDR section for those in a hurry

• Community News: Our new members, the hot posts and your watch event calendar.

• WatchCrunch photography club: The winner from last weeks photo theme

• Latest watch releases: The new watch releases from the past week

• The Community Columns: Longer posts from the community

• Editors Thoughts – This tournament has me seriously questioning things.

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Your 3 quick bites from the past week:

@AllTheWatches has opened up this years microbrands tournament! Go check out this years competitors.

@horologybiology bravely shares his story so the rest of us don’t feel so alone in his moving post: I would not shower for weeks because of vintage watch addiction

@kentuckyman30 gives us an insight into his his journy back from luxury to affordable watches , complete with some great pictures.

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New members:

New members who I’ve seen posting this week… @Fernandes, @iAmFish, @moistdef, @Brandonmclark, @Dcdriller, @spacemanspiff, @tajko.ba, @t.zffl, @jmreekes, @greg1208, @Bengaku, @Vinosnob, @Ocelot77, @Nullination, @sooraram, @MarcusWA, @GabrielP, @ARao08 Welcome everyone!

Hot Posts:

This weeks topics that got the community talking… Your next watch? - @Scousewatchlover If you are after some watch eye-candy and a nosey into what’s on other Cruncher’s wish lists.

What is your daily beater?@rolleruhland Folks share the watches they wear for the rough stuff.

Boring Watches - @DRS_CR71 For the love for vanilla watch designs.

Watches after deathRyan_Schwartz The morbid question of watches after death.

Remembering you mom - @hakki501 A beautiful post which is a very timely reminder for UK Mothers Day this weekend, that we should be cherishing the mum’s in our lives.

Meetups and Events:

20th March - Exploring the early years of Rolex: Online meetup - Online

25th March - Omega Her Time House Popup - London, UK

31st March - London WatchCrunch Meetup: Part II – London, UK

27th – April 2nd March - Watches and Wonders 2023 - Geneva, Switzerland

1st April - WatchCrunch Meetup @ Watches and Wonders - Geneva, Switzerland

8th April Watch Crunch x Prosper meetup - Bruxelles, Belgium

28th – 30th April - Windup Watch Fair 2023 - San Francisco, CA

5th May - Cruise ship Meetup - New Jersey to UK

14th – 16th July - Windup Watch Fair 2023 - Chicago

20th – 22nd October - Windup Watch Fair 2023 – New York

Let me know if you hear of any other meetups and I’ll add them to our weekly calendar.

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Big thanks to @Hotwatchchick69 for setting last weeks photography theme of ‘Sentimental Watches’. His very deserving winner this week was @Flatterycamp with this collection of colourful shots….

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And I want to give a super special mention to @IanCognito for the beautiful photograph of his son...

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Come see the chosen theme for this weeks photos here which has been kindly set by this weeks guest judge @Hakki501.

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Timefactors drop this weekend:

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Here are the latest watch releases from the past week.

If I hear about any new watch drops which I think people would like to know about before the next letter I will update this section in the newsletter post on WC.

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Top row left to right: New Seiko Prospex, Reservoir Kanister, Tutima x reolution, Citizan Thin blue line, Benrus Orbit Robot

Second row: Louise Viutton, Starburst, Chronoswiss, Seiko Presage, Mido

Third row: Nivada, Shinola, Bohen, Montblanc, Bamford

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The Beatles and their watches – Part X AND Part XI AND PartXII - @Shakespeare

This week we get another three instalments in The Beatles series of posts.

Watches in the Wild – These are the days of our lives - @Edge168n

More watch spotting goodness from the David Attenborough of the watch world.

30 days in or What I learned in KinderKrunch - @FlatteryCamp

A lovely written piece from one of our newer members sharing his experiences.

Building a Beater Collection – Part 10 - @MrPsionic.

I adore seeing a love story unfold, and that's what I feel I’m getting with @MrPsionic’s collection of posts on beater watches. Well worth a read, but don’t blame me if you fall down the rabbit hole and binge the full series.

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"This tournament has me really questioning some things"

When @AllTheWatches made his post about his microbrand tournament I’m sure a lot of you did the same as me and checked out if your favourite brands were in there, who they were up against and who would get your votes in each round.

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So when I looked at some of the matchups… CIGA vs Boldr for example… given the whole package… customer service, reviews etc. I actually think I’d have to give Boldr the vote, even though there isn’t a watch they make that I would actually buy!

Another example: AnOrdain vs Behrens.

AnOrdain have just beautiful dials, massively sort after, supremely well made, super popular, so they’d have to get my vote over Behrens for the overall package, despite the fact I’m pretty sure I’d take a Behren’s Moonlight over an AnOrdain (I know, sacrilege).

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But am I doing this wrong??

Should I be voting for brands I wouldn’t even buy a watch from if I think it’s a better package? Or should I vote for what I love even if I wouldn’t recommend it to others??

Is this the other side of the coin to the problem we see with so many watch reviews on WC? So often a reviewer will list multiple issues with a watch. Poor lume, cheap movement, too expensive…. Score: 5/5. There is obviously something about some watches, a ‘je ne sais quoi’ that means we are blind to all short comings, and despite knowing its generally a 2/5 watch we still adore it, so… 5/5.

Its the same with this tournament.

CIGA: Poor customer service, poor quality control, questionable movements... would still 100% choose their watches over Boldr.

This does really make me think why on earth I choose the watches I do when I very much agree that on paper there are better options out there. I guess I'm just someone who goes with their heart over their head, but I would never wish to inflict my meagre opinions and poor taste on anyone!

So should I be voting for what I like or what I would recommend over these next few weeks?

What is everyone else going to base their voting on for the tournament?

Purely on the watches you would buy? Or the complete package?

Also, lets place our bets!

Who is your money on for winner?

I predict a Baltic vs AnOrdain final with Baltic taking the crown this year. 100%

Take care folks,

Kaysia.

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Some micro brands are like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio of the watch world. It’s a car that you know will spend more time at the mechanics than operational. Yet, so beautiful that you’re always one photo away from pulling out your credit card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT8LrA21vuo

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Woohoo! Kid Cognito appreciates the nod 🤗

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Of course I post something about microbrands...didn't see this until after...whoops

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Thanks for the nod!

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Mr.Dee.Bater

Some micro brands are like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio of the watch world. It’s a car that you know will spend more time at the mechanics than operational. Yet, so beautiful that you’re always one photo away from pulling out your credit card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT8LrA21vuo

I can definitely see how beauty would blind someone to other short comings... But how do you explain this?

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ditto! 😉

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IanCognito

Woohoo! Kid Cognito appreciates the nod 🤗

Tell him he is now basically internet famous 😎

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rolleruhland

ditto! 😉

You mean the winner?

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DeeperBlue

I can definitely see how beauty would blind someone to other short comings... But how do you explain this?

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It's Grand Seiko's reimagining of a Fossil.

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Aurelian

It's Grand Seiko's reimagining of a Fossil.

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I don't know the brands well enough to vote intelligently, so I'm just going to watch. No sense muddying the waters.

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Aurelian

It's Grand Seiko's reimagining of a Fossil.

No, it's a Casio Oceanus.

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Thanks Kaysia for another newsletter!

The tournament:

My horse isn't in this race. I buy based on specs and what I want to add to my watch box ie dress, diver, chrono ect. Then I hunt for brand. So I will vote that way based on what I just stated. I buy one per year with a budget of 1500.00. So the tournament and it's outcome is based on region and popularity. It will be fun to participate to see the outcome. Good time burner on WC lol

Enjoy that watch!

Cheers!

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DeeperBlue

You mean the winner?

No, the notification of my Daily Beater post! 🙂 Thanks a lot!

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I’ve muted the competition - wake me up when this is over.

Pretty Spartan round up this week; you have my sympathies @Deeperblue, this must have been tough to write.

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iAmFish

Appreciate the mention! Gave my loving vote to some brands in the microbrand tournament. Was surprised how many names I knew.

You're welcome! 🍻

Happy voting 🎉

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I just vote for the brand I like the best. Or if I now nothing about the particular brand then I vote for the watch in the picture which I prefer.

I find myself not mowing much about any of them tbh do it's usually just about the pictures.

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DeeperBlue

It was an interesting experience going in to enquire.

I asked to try one on and the AD chap (who was very nice) said that if I was interested I could 'register my interest'.

I asked "So what is the waiting list like at the moment" and he says "There is no waiting list."

😳

He said you register your interest and when the deliveries come in they allocate the watch to whoever seems 'most interested'. There was no mention of buying any other watches from either of us.

I agreed to register my interest and we then sat down and he took a load of details. My job. Husbands job. Where we both work. How long for. Children. Ages.

I'm not sure how much of this was just chitchat, but he was writing it all down.

His suggestion was to keep popping in periodically to let him know I was still interested, so I guess that's what I'll do.

He'll be sick of the sight of me and give me a watch just to get me to bugger off 😆

The list is a pool of leads that is treated like a pool of applicants in a very real sense. Interest in a watch is measured in local currency. There is even some logic to it, after all if your are interested in watches you will be buying them (in their shop at full price of course 😉).

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Thanks for the shoutout @Deeperblue! Another thorough summary of the week’s goodies and baddies …

So should I be voting for what I likeor what I would recommend over these next few weeks?

Vote for the brand, not the watch

What is everyone else going to base their voting on for the tournament?

I have to do some research on some of these. Some I have first hand dealings with, and many I do not. I figure an informed voter is a good voter.

Purely on the watches you would buy? Or the complete package?

Complete package. The brand, the customer service, the care, the detail, the design. Yeah, gotta be the package,

Also, let’s place our bets!

I bet you $100 in Monopoly money.

Who is your money on for winner?

As much as I hate to say it. Max Verstappen,

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DeeperBlue

I'm pretty sure @AllTheWatches said we could choose whatever criteria that we wished for voting.

He is the master of chaos 😂

I'm sure he's drowning in comments telling him how to run this show. We take our light-hearted fun veeeeery seriously 🥳

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Sorry for the delay friends, full time job, but I try to pop in. Last year’s tournament was popular, but every time I check in today I have over 100 notifications and no way to see comments with that many without looking. I will add more to the updated post tonight.

The rules I put out into the ecosystem; vote for brand not just watch, but regardless of what we say, folks will vote for their own reasons. IE, I probably could have selected a better picture for De Rijke, but that is such a cool watch, but I imagine people see whimsy and dismiss it even though they have an awesome lineup. Lesson learned.

Last year, many folks voted simply on “Can I go on the site and buy it now? If not, I am not voting for it.” While I respect that, it eliminates many micro brands that need funding to launch, but again, to each their own with reasoning. I still say, to be fair to the brands, spend the time to look at their offering and pick the brand they like the most.

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Love the way you worked the Behrens into the title image and the write-up. Honestly if I had to choose (and I am fortunate in that I do not have to choose), I would pick the AnOrdain because it's just such a magnificent watch all around. The Behrens is really cool and very well made, but its fit and finish just isn't at the level of the AnOrdain.

Here are a couple of shots of the AnOrdain to get a feel for the amazing dial...

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And here is the Behrens...

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Love 'em both, but AnOrdain wins in my book.

Now only to be able to get one each of the blue and pomegranate dials...not even able to get on the list yet 😢

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Shakespeare

Thanks for the shoutout @Deeperblue! Another thorough summary of the week’s goodies and baddies …

So should I be voting for what I likeor what I would recommend over these next few weeks?

Vote for the brand, not the watch

What is everyone else going to base their voting on for the tournament?

I have to do some research on some of these. Some I have first hand dealings with, and many I do not. I figure an informed voter is a good voter.

Purely on the watches you would buy? Or the complete package?

Complete package. The brand, the customer service, the care, the detail, the design. Yeah, gotta be the package,

Also, let’s place our bets!

I bet you $100 in Monopoly money.

Who is your money on for winner?

As much as I hate to say it. Max Verstappen,

So you're in the camp of voting with your head I see.

I definitely think that is the way that will give the most useful outcome at the end for anyone who may use this battle as advice on which watch to buy.

So folks should definitely buy a Boldr, even though I wouldn't.

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I think Monta have got this. Probably.

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ChronoGuy

Love the way you worked the Behrens into the title image and the write-up. Honestly if I had to choose (and I am fortunate in that I do not have to choose), I would pick the AnOrdain because it's just such a magnificent watch all around. The Behrens is really cool and very well made, but its fit and finish just isn't at the level of the AnOrdain.

Here are a couple of shots of the AnOrdain to get a feel for the amazing dial...

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And here is the Behrens...

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Love 'em both, but AnOrdain wins in my book.

Now only to be able to get one each of the blue and pomegranate dials...not even able to get on the list yet 😢

Exactly my point.

Anordain is by far the most popular, and I understand why. Which is why I'd end up voting for them over Behrens even though it wouldn't be my own choice.

I think in the end the contest will do what it set out to do and give us a winner that most people will be able to say 'Yes, they are definitely a great brand', but it will undoubtedly be a middle of the road, inoffensive vanilla brand that stays in the safe design language that appeals to most.

But that is always going to be the fate with a majority decision and it's not necessarily a bad thing.

I think another fun way to do it to bring out a meaningful outcome would be a debate style.

One arguement for one, one for another, head to head as to why we should vote for each. That would certainly teach us a huge amount about each brand and people would have more to make a choice on than a picture (you know that most people are just voting based on picture), but I can hear @AllTheWatches now...

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😂

And I agree, it would be a collosal amount of work for one person. You'd need a 'champion' for each brand.

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Great bites!

Thanks Kaysia.

For micro brands - I’ll buy the company over the watch. If a company is iffy or shady, I’ve got no ‘time’ for their watches!

Travelling with family in Japan right now and almost no free time for my Crunch friends this week. Next week I’m back at boring work and can once again be a prolific contributor. For now life is …

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For new releases: I Found a GS release from the end of January that, to my knowledge, was never announced outside of Japan. So it’s new for me, and I think everyone else.

So without further ado I give you the SLGA017 😜!

https://www.hodinkee.jp/articles/the-grand-seiko-evoluttion-9-collection-ajhh-limited-edititon-slga017-introducing

(You will need to hit the translate function on your browser to read it!)

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Fieldwalker

Great bites!

Thanks Kaysia.

For micro brands - I’ll buy the company over the watch. If a company is iffy or shady, I’ve got no ‘time’ for their watches!

Travelling with family in Japan right now and almost no free time for my Crunch friends this week. Next week I’m back at boring work and can once again be a prolific contributor. For now life is …

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For new releases: I Found a GS release from the end of January that, to my knowledge, was never announced outside of Japan. So it’s new for me, and I think everyone else.

So without further ado I give you the SLGA017 😜!

https://www.hodinkee.jp/articles/the-grand-seiko-evoluttion-9-collection-ajhh-limited-edititon-slga017-introducing

(You will need to hit the translate function on your browser to read it!)

Looks like you're having an awesome time, and good find with the GS! 👌

See you when you get back 🍻

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Thank you for the mention! I'm glad my post was well-received by the community. Cheers 🍻

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Citizen announced some new watches.

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Fiatjeepdriver

Citizen announced some new watches.

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Would love to see those dials in the metal. They remind me of the northern lights.