My worst watch aka the crowd pleaser
A few years ago I bought a braun 7-series shaver. There was a Braun-watch included as some sort of fun bonus. I guess design is a question of taste, but it is safe to say that the other aspects of the watch is as bad as expected. The build quality is terrible. It sits awkwardly on the wrist. Also the hands miss every marker without fail.
I own several watches of high quality, modern and vintage. I adore them all, and not surprisingly prefer them above my Braun watch. Back in 2019 I backpacked in South America, and did not want to attract thieves, so I wore the Braun. On this trip I realised that people absolutely love my Braun watch. I seldom experience anyone commenting on what I where on my wrist, but people would not shut up about my beautiful wrist candy.
Watch enthusiast often make distinctions between brands, trying to make a point out of wearing watches for your own sake and not to impress others. Personally, I think these reflections come off as dishonest. Of course a part of watches is signalling something to our surroundings. The question one should ask oneself is not if you are trying to impress someone else, but rather who. If you are trying to impress watch nerds, sure, wear over priced, high quality, technical, super-machines. If you want to impress everyone else, and start new conversations with people, I can highly recommend buying a Braun 7-series shaver.
In the grand wristwatch paradox, you’re either a snob with a bank-breaking ticker or a hipster hero with a timepiece that doubles as a conversation starter. Spend too much, and you’re trying to buy status; spend too little, and you’re ironically the life of the party. "Watches: because you can’t just tell the time, you have to tell a story."
Couldn't agree more. None watch people dont care about the status/heritage/price of a watch. I was sat next to a guy wearing a wooden watch and everyone talked about it. No one even bat an eyelid at my new Longines Spirit Zulu.
Even Ben Clymer from Hodinkee remarked something along the lines of the hobby being very single mindedly. (Not his exact words obvs)
Most people eventually veer in the direction of buying the "populair" brands and we all end up wearing the same watches Speedmaster, sub, etc. Go Braun
I’d say that this is a consequence of the way “minimalist” timepieces have become quite mainstream in the last years. Non-watch nerds have gotten DW and MVMT ads rammed down their throats in the last years on all kinds of social media, and this minimalist aesthetic has stuck. My fairly minimalistic 1977 quartz Omega Constellation cal. 1330 below gets a level of comments and compliments that my Grand Seiko, with a more conventional profile, would only dream of.
Great post. Check out the story of Dieter Rams and his time at Braun. https://us.braun.com/en-us/design/design-and-innovation
Unimatic and Massena’s recent collaboration was inspired in part by his design philosophy. The dial is similar to yours.
Braun designed products were highly sought after during the 70s and 80s, the company produced a portable travel clock that was on every young and older person’s list of items to own if they worked design. They produced slightly more expensive products that were minimalist in concept but visually attractive including coffee makers and small everyday household appliances. I lost all faith in Braun products when their steam irons not only failed quickly but eventually were hazardess to use potentially starting electrical fires. You confirm my thoughts when you describe the shitty build quality of your watch, sounds consistent with my experience with Braun’s products. I think the company started to manufacture in other countries without insisting on the same quality of the originals which I think were West German.
I used to have a similar reaction to my Skagen. I do think that a lot of people like a minimalist design.
Braun designed products were highly sought after during the 70s and 80s, the company produced a portable travel clock that was on every young and older person’s list of items to own if they worked design. They produced slightly more expensive products that were minimalist in concept but visually attractive including coffee makers and small everyday household appliances. I lost all faith in Braun products when their steam irons not only failed quickly but eventually were hazardess to use potentially starting electrical fires. You confirm my thoughts when you describe the shitty build quality of your watch, sounds consistent with my experience with Braun’s products. I think the company started to manufacture in other countries without insisting on the same quality of the originals which I think were West German.
Even though I was a child during those decades, I remember wanting one also. I also thought it was strange that they were the same company that makes shavers. I have a couple of braun travel clocks now, but they were fairly recent purchases. The design is similar, but I’m not sure if the quality matches with the ones from the 70s.
Even though I was a child during those decades, I remember wanting one also. I also thought it was strange that they were the same company that makes shavers. I have a couple of braun travel clocks now, but they were fairly recent purchases. The design is similar, but I’m not sure if the quality matches with the ones from the 70s.
The company went south when they started to manufacture in other countries to save some dollars. My father in law acted as a middle man for many western companies primarily American that sought savings manufacturing in Asia many years ago. He told me companies could do anything with the best quality as long as the client companies were willing to pay reasonable fees. Braun was a top tier company until they started becoming lazy with their suppliers. The world changed not always for the better. I bought an iron that was manufactured in Mexico that almost caused a fire in my mom in law’s new condo during the 2000s, haha. Have a great day!
My very first analog watch was a daniel wellington ripoff for $15 on amazon from the brand skmei. More compliments on that than anything else Ive ever had since 😂
The minimal fashion watch design really speaks to the masses, for good reason. They look clean asf and you cant deny that
Wow, that may be the best freebie watch ever?I t’s pretty amazing that they went to the trouble of actually designing a giveaway watch, rather than just slap their logo on a ODM piece.
It may not be a good watch (e.g., the build quality you mention), but it’s undoubtedly a great looking watch. That kind of modern design seems sorely lacking today in the current trend.
I can honestly say not a single watch in my collection has been purchased to impress anyone. I have no hype watches, in fact most of my watches probably aren't even popular to most people and most of the popular hype watches I don't even like.
Not sure II complete agree with your premise. Often I am wearing a watch for myself. I have honestly never had a single person mention or comment me on my watch in person. I work from home so I’m home like 95% of my time, meaning there’s little chance anyone would see my watch on most days. Ergo, I’m not wearing it for anyone else but myself.
This is timely. What are the chances that one of these Hodinkee collaboration watches is the one in the original post?
https://le.hodinkee.com/braun-limited-2024
This is timely. What are the chances that one of these Hodinkee collaboration watches is the one in the original post?
https://le.hodinkee.com/braun-limited-2024
Would be insane. Actually excited for this reveal now😅
Wow, that may be the best freebie watch ever?I t’s pretty amazing that they went to the trouble of actually designing a giveaway watch, rather than just slap their logo on a ODM piece.
It may not be a good watch (e.g., the build quality you mention), but it’s undoubtedly a great looking watch. That kind of modern design seems sorely lacking today in the current trend.
Also, mesh bracelets gives some presence.