Seriously why are some companies are so cheap when it comes to this.
I bet if you were to ask any watch enthusiasts if they would rather have hollow or solid end links I bet all would say solid. I get that some companies want to save $ but how much are they really saving a few cents? Take the Invicta pro dive a watch that got a lot ( including myself) into the hobby but they use those cheap hollow end inks than when you replace it with a different bracelet the ones it came on ends up bending. I get it’s not just Invicta I’ve seen it on some Orients, Seiko, Citizen and other watches in that $100-300 price range. But here’s where the problem lies if Aliexpress brands can sell a watch with sapphire crystals, screwed links and solid end link bracelets for around the same price what’s the excuses for those 4 brands I mentioned? Ok rant over.
Hi Everyone Im just your average watch collector I wouldn’t say I own or even have anything “Expensive” I usually collect brands like Citizen, Seiko, Mostly Invicta and other brands. Besides watches I...
I hear what you are saying, but at this price point, to really understand this you would have to dive super deep into their internal costs, and profit margins. You really have to understand how tight the margins are for companies that operate at this price point. Mike over at This Watch That Watch has discussed, not this specific issue, but the super tight margins these companies operate under, even up to the $2k-$3k range, like Monta. So Invicata probably understands this and either needs to keep that extra 3 cents, or would have to sacrifice elsewhere in the quality of the build. Just my opinion.
I hear what you are saying, but at this price point, to really understand this you would have to dive super deep into their internal costs, and profit margins. You really have to understand how tight the margins are for companies that operate at this price point. Mike over at This Watch That Watch has discussed, not this specific issue, but the super tight margins these companies operate under, even up to the $2k-$3k range, like Monta. So Invicata probably understands this and either needs to keep that extra 3 cents, or would have to sacrifice elsewhere in the quality of the build. Just my opinion.
I get what your saying it comes down to cost but here’s where the problem lies let’s take Invicta again for example I’ve seen them sell Diamond watches for around $160 may not be the best or biggest diamonds mostly little chips on the bezel. If Invicta has no problem putting on diamonds in a $160 watch why not use solid end links on a sub $100 watch?
It’s the mbas that cause this! Most consumers would pay 3x of 3C cost savings just to get what really want
Huge difference between Aliexpress watch and a company like Orient, Seiko and Citizen. This is why so many peeps hate homages they just grab a NH35 or Myota movement steal/borrow the design and collect a check. While Orient, Seiko, Citizen need to actually create the movement AKA research and development. The overhead to build the factories for the movements, employees. That's just on the movement part then creating a watch you need to pay designers, marketing, testing etc. There's a huge difference between putting together a Lego vs actually building a factory to create a Lego. At this point every cent count vs Aliexpress watches feed on the hype of the watch they copied. Obviously Aliexpress still needs to manufacture and test but the sauce is already made.
I prefer hollow end links. I like my bracelets to have some flex and not feel too bulky. Also, hollow end links can be reshaped to fit a different watch.
I prefer hollow end links. I like my bracelets to have some flex and not feel too bulky. Also, hollow end links can be reshaped to fit a different watch.
To each his own
They get away with it because most of their customers are just buying it for the looks of the watch. They just don’t see the difference because they are not into watches like this bunch of crunchers who zoom into every detail😀
I'll take folded end-links and a pressed clasp over the alternative at every opportunity - when they're well made they're way more comfortable than all but the very, very best fully milled bracelets (Rolex of course, the current Speedmaster - I really rate Tudor as well).
Bracelets on really well made watches from the 90's are a case in point, you get the precision of (relatively) modern engineering and the weight saving / slinkiness of the pressed links and clasp. They're some of the most comfortable bracelets I've had the pleasure of wearing.
I like changing straps a lot, especially on my dive watches because you can have so much fun with rubber, sailcloth, NATO, etc. I find hollow end links much easier to take on and off.
Solid end links have no play at all, are much harder to push into the case and increase the risks of accidentally scratching the case, which makes me think twice before swapping to a rubber strap.
I recently got an inexpensive bracelet with milled clasp, milled end-links, and screws instead of pins. I discarded it, because the clasp was badly designed. Some screws would not budge under reasonable force. (Okay, I could have heated them if I cared enough.)
At the price point it was clearly inferior to a pin/collar, pressed clasp and hollow endlink solution.
Totally right, for a watch with MSRP of $950 like the Pro Diver it's the least you can ask for
It’s a cost/margin thing.
If there very two versions, I would love to pay 50-100€ extra.
Version one: cheap hollow links and no sapphire crystal
Version two: solid end links and sapphire crystal.
I get what your saying it comes down to cost but here’s where the problem lies let’s take Invicta again for example I’ve seen them sell Diamond watches for around $160 may not be the best or biggest diamonds mostly little chips on the bezel. If Invicta has no problem putting on diamonds in a $160 watch why not use solid end links on a sub $100 watch?
Because of demand, or a lack thereof. For one thing, much of what enthusiasts describe as a "jangly" bracelet is actually quite comfortable to wear. One or two microadjustments are enough for a lot of people. Tissot sells watches with butterfly clasps that offer no adjustments.
I paid $4000 for hollow end links and a stamp clasp. Super comfortable bracelet.
All the logic aside defending what really is just being cheap to me there are solutions. If a motorcycle manufacturer can for decades offload certain costs related to the development, engineering and other costs to make high powered sport bikes cheaper to buy for young people while raising the price of "old guy" bikes then Seiko can add a few points to high end watches and make others better. Imho
Solid end links are, comparatively speaking, a modern trend. Still not sure if I prefer them or not. Hollow end links and pressed clasp keep the weight down too.
It’s the mbas that cause this! Most consumers would pay 3x of 3C cost savings just to get what really want
MBAs be like 👀👀 haha.
Jokes aside, I don’t have strong feelings about solid end links much in the same way I don’t really get the hate for stamped bracelets. I love my Casio Edifice, that thing’s bracelet is the definition of jingly jangly but guess what? Very comfy 🤷🏻.
While not always true, you probably find the seikos, citizen and orient to be a more properly designed watch but with hollow end links than the AliExpress watches.
AliExpress watches to me somewhat feels like someone theorycraft a watch and just executes it with practically no consideration for design language. Part A not available? Oh let's just roll with an alternative (or cheaper one). Do this for a few parts and you get an AliExpress watch. Again, not always true.