Perceptions
This will never happen. But I'd be intrigued how a person's perception of a watch would change, if the manufacturers name was removed from the dial. How easy is it to tell the quality ( a word bandied about too often, without understanding the definition. Quality means meeting or exceeding a customers expections. So it's ALWAYS subjective) of a watch? Depends on the benchmark.
Look at a mechanical movement, the finish can be exquisite. Although how many actually look, at their movements (stop smirking at the back!)
I am a big fan of Chronoglide on you tube. When a bridge is removed from a very expensive watch, and the underside of the bridge has a lovely finish, I am both shocked and in awe. 99.9999% of the time it's only the watchmaker, servicing guy who'll ever see this detail. That is the unseen area of quality. Pointless? Maybe, but.....
I've read that an expensive watch will outlast a cheap one. Definition of outlasting is a bit vague, and is it relevant? I have a fondness for vintage Soviet /Russian watches. One at least is older than me, 1953, it is within 10 seconds a day. Unknown history, nothing ornate about the movement. can't even imagine that it was serviced.
I'm rambling now. I wonder how long, or if, I get sucked into buying a watch of several thousand pounds. My most expensive watch, if it was new, would be my Elliot Brown at about £450. My cheapest mechanical Soviet vintage was bought from Ebay for $14 from Ukraine. Both have their charms.
Put a copy of Rolex / GS dial on a good clone, fool most of the people.
Slightly eccentric, wicked sense of humour. Self confessed watch cheapskate, who tinkers with watches. Love motorbikes, to date, I've ridden about 250,000 miles, 113,000 of which are on my BMW 1150GS....
The finishing on the movement was originally to trap particles of dirt or metal to stop them buggering up the movement,so not entirely pointless - I guess it's a tradition that's carried on.
Expensive watches last longer because imho they're better looked after, eg my Omega is the most expensive purchase I'll ever make (outside of vehicles and homes) so I'll damn we'll make sure it's serviced - my much cheaper Seiko's cost nearly as much to service as they did to purchase so it's highly unlikely I'll bother.
So initial build quality aside I think that's a big reason more prestigious watches last longer.🤔
You can get a Laco or Stowa without the logo on the dial.
Quality is a recognizable and objective trait that goes beyond branding. If one recognizes this trait, they will seek out the manufacturer. What I’m saying is that long reputable brands are associated with quality, not because of the logo, but because of continued focus on that attribute.
You can take the GS off my Spring Drive dial. It'll still be gliiiiding. And that's what matters to me. No clones for that.
I think perception would change massively. I don't think anyone would spend $9k on a sterile Submariner or Speedmaster because the watch without the name and the flex is reduced to the sum of its parts, which are maybe 10-15% of the actual cost.
If respected experts can't tell a genuine model from a $600 clone side by side without inspecting the insides with a magnifying glass, what does it say about the real cost of the outside build quality and finishing?
Is the average watch enthusiast even able to appreciate and see the differences in finishing between a $1.000 watch and a $10.000 watch? Or is it all just a placebo effect and self-convincing to rationalize the price? Interesting topics. The psychology of the mind is amazing.🤯
You've put it better than I did. Thank you
I recently picked up a ceramic Longines Hydro Conquest watch first became interested when I was looking at the ad’s site noticed the rubber strap and ceramic buckle appeared to be excellent quality. I have not taken the nifty watch off since it arrived from an American distribution office, last thing most of my horology friends notice is the brand. They are surprised, stunned some of these fellas have never worn a watch that retailed for less than 10k cad. The Longines retails for around 5k at least equal in finish to my almost 18k Omega ceramic DSOM. The quality is pretty obvious. The movements are different but we are talking external features.
Wonder no longer. Moser has been doing it for years. The quality is pretty obvious.
The higher end stuff is usually made better; you can feel the difference when setting and winding. I think more important is the higher end stuff receives better after support for a longer period of time with parts and expertise. I recently had my 1960 Memovox serviced by JLC, the would not happen with most lower end brands. My local watchmaker, nobody else would touch that Memovox for serivce, but JLC did.