In the metal vs website images
I recently tried on some IWC watches, including the 40 mm top gun. I also checked out the new Mark XX. I must say, they look so much better in the metal. I mean the Mark XXs were actually stunning, while on the website they are meh. This just reminds me of how important it is, if possible, to not draw final conclusions about a watch until you can see it in real life. I’ve got this Top Gun or maybe a Mark XX on the top of my list. Anyone else feel this way about the importance of seeing a watch in the metal?
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Gabriel
I love watches and especially the history of watches. I’m particularly interested in microbrands like Nodus, Raven and Halios, purpose-built watches like Doxa, Tudor Subs and FXD, and military era fie...
Washington, DC
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The first time I saw one of these in the flesh I thought the same thing. They just ooze quality. Absolutely love them!
For real! I read somewhere saying that the pics on websites are renderings of the watch. Which makes sense because maybe using a easy to manipulate file is way easier and cheaper than getting expensive photos together, or at least that's mine line of thinking.
For real! I read somewhere saying that the pics on websites are renderings of the watch. Which makes sense because maybe using a easy to manipulate file is way easier and cheaper than getting expensive photos together, or at least that's mine line of thinking.
I'd say the biggest difference is beween real photographs and rendering rather than between "in the metal" and real photographs.
Renderings can go either way. They could project an overly perfect image of the ideal version of the watch which reality fails to match, or they could look one-dimensional and soul-less. Sometimes a bit of both.
And I'm not keen on those "expensive photographs" either, they are a little too close to renderings for my liking. Give me the photo of a chrono24 listing instead. On AliExpress, when a watch has been around for a while, you often find customer reviews of the watch, some of which contain the customer's photos. This is the real deal!
What is also a nuisance is when sellers photoshop a rendering onto the watch model's hand. The giveaway is often the depicted time: if it is 10:09:36 (perhaps 37 instead of 36, or 08 instead of 09) then it's probably taken from a rendered image.
Amazon has little 360 views of cheap tchochkes but four figure watches can't be made to look better than a mugshot of a base Timex? This is a problem, but it's not my problem.
Honestly, I think this is on purpose. Higher end companies tend to have this hidebound aesthetic of having their websites look as flat and sterile as a wholesale paper catalogue from decades ago. Which is odd because a short while back, high end product websites assumed the customer had a wall-sized monitor and infinite bandwidth for immersive audio/video at insane resolution. I guess the mobile access issue offed all that.
I had this issue in reverse. I recently held a few Grand Seikos and subconsciously I'd told myself they would blow me away. The reality was I liked them but didn't meet unreal expectations I'd created. Also found the same with Tudor black bay 58. I do love both brands btw.
IWC is one of those brands where the design is so simple and the finishing is subtle, so the pieces online end up looking overpriced. I couldn’t appreciate IWC until I saw them in person. However, I had the opposite experience with that ceramic Top Gun watch. I was really interested but it looked like a toy in person because of the materials.
I had this issue in reverse. I recently held a few Grand Seikos and subconsciously I'd told myself they would blow me away. The reality was I liked them but didn't meet unreal expectations I'd created. Also found the same with Tudor black bay 58. I do love both brands btw.
Interesting that you had that experience with GS. Which ones did you look at?
IWC is one of those brands where the design is so simple and the finishing is subtle, so the pieces online end up looking overpriced. I couldn’t appreciate IWC until I saw them in person. However, I had the opposite experience with that ceramic Top Gun watch. I was really interested but it looked like a toy in person because of the materials.
I understand about the Top Gun and I absolutely that the finishing is subtle. I was really amazed by it.
Interesting that you had that experience with GS. Which ones did you look at?
Elegance GMT. Loved it online but didn't like the size or appearance in person. Also tried a couple of sporty spring drives with bracelets but not exactly sure which
As other have said above, seeing one in person can go both ways. I agree that some of the IWC models are much better in person, like Mark XX and Portugueser. The updated Mark XX is up there with the Aqua Terra in bang for buck.
Elegance GMT. Loved it online but didn't like the size or appearance in person. Also tried a couple of sporty spring drives with bracelets but not exactly sure which
Gotcha. I’m hit or miss with GS. I’ve tried on the Winter and Spring Cherry Blossom 🌸 watches and those blew me away. They were stunning in person.
I never draw conclusions based on websites. It’s just a guide for me to note which ones to check out next time im in the AD.
Definitely need to see, feel and try a possible watch purchase. I found the same when looking at IWC. I live the brand but some of the pictures on the website do not do the actual pieces any justice. Beautiful watches IWC
Yup!
IWC also makes some of the most comfortable bracelets and best clasps. You can only truly understand that if you try them on.