Kickstarter watches
Good morning Crunchers.
I am fairly new to collecting and understanding watches. Some of the ones I have I have bought, others I inherited. Some luckily turned out quite well, others... we'll see... all within my budget (and that's what I find interesting about watches, there are for all styles, for all budgets and within their range they are good).
But (there is always a but) my doubt arises on kicstarter. Although I have one that didn't turn out bad at all, more and more proposals appear every day.
My intention is to regularly post some of the kickstarter offers and with your help, know the value that that piece offers is in accordance with the price it demands.
Who knows, maybe we can achieve two things with your help. Preventing some less knowledgeable watch lovers (like me) from getting scammed and hopefully discovering pieces that are truly amazing and worth the money.
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
I have recently received a watch that I bought via a Kickstarter project. The cost of the watch was €1,500 from memory. I am now reluctant to commit to any future projects at this level. It's not that I'm disappointed with the watch, it's of the quality I'd expect but it's made me realise that spending this amount of money upfront without having seen or tried on the watch is more likely to lead to disappointment.
It wouldn't put me off buying another watch via a Kickstarter project at lower price points but only because I feel you have less to lose. I would also say that depending on which brand/microbrand is using Kickstarter, you could argue that it's no different to pre-ordering a watch from Studio Underd0g or Christopher Ward. The risk is always there that when you receive the watch it isn't what you imagine. The risk that Christopher Ward would run off with your money obviously isn't likely, it's purely that you won't like what you've pre-ordered.
Either way, there's risk when purchasing something you haven't seen, touched or felt irrespective of the method of buying it. You do so often enough, you'll have good stories & bad. Don't let FOMO drive your buying habits, sometimes missing out turns out to be a blessing.
I agree, not all Kickstarter watches are worth it, nor can they all be bad.
That is the idea of these posts, to help with the knowledge that the community has to see if what is offered is worth what is asked for. This way we can, at least in part, reduce the risk of having a piece that we regret.
Like you, I don't want to pay extra prices for a watch that isn't worth it, but my knowledge about watchmaking is not that extensive. I think that the community can contribute a lot to those of us who know little to separate the wheat from the chaff and see which ones are really worth taking the risk. Whether we like it or not, there will always be a risk in Kicstarter.
I bought a Yema who were founded in 1948.
My reference to Christopher Ward & Studio Underd0g was to point out that pre-ordering from them can result in the same enjoyment or disappointment in the watch that you receive. Just as it can from a Kickstarter watch, you're buying something in faith.
Yes, Yema has had a number of controlling interests in the last 20 years. They aren't however a new start, hence I didn't have any fears that the project wouldn't deliver.
I participated in a kicstarter for watches (Amir watches, if I'm not mistaken, that brand only existed for that project). In the final balance I did not lose. Although the piece took longer than usual to arrive, I received an extra watch (quartz) as compensation for the delay. The package I subscribed to contained the project watch (Miyota 8n24 movement), a leather watch wallet, a mesh bracelet and As an extra for the delay, a quartz watch with a Japanese movement (I don't have the reference at this time). The total price was US$279 without import charges. Now I see that the price may have been a little high for the total offer, but on balance, with the extra watch let's say it wasn't that bad for me.