Watch Brands you won’t buy from again?
Well after 10+ years of off and on I’ve decided to stop buying Invicta. I’ve probably had spent at least $3-7k on them. Yeah I know I was on the koolaid kick. I have nothing against the brand I’ve even defended them at times. But when they keep making the same oversized watches with questionable designs that’s a dealbreaker. Invicta sometimes surprises me and other times has my head scratching. Like they’re more than capable of making high quality watches look at the brand in the early to mid 2000s. I believe the CEO got greedy, push out as much overpriced/oversized watches and see what sticks.
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...
Swatch
I'm trying very VERY hard not to buy a Citizen or Seiko. I just have so many I need to move to something else. Also I will not buy a homage brands at all. I feel like I would open pandora's box, I'm still trying very hard but I know I might fall one day.
Swatch
I've never had a Swatch. I kind of wanted one when they first came out (fads, amirite?), but didn't feel like a plastic watch was worth what they were asking.
Now, I feel like I can get a microbrand with he same or better specs and support a small business rather than a conglomerate.
For my answer, I'm going to exclude some 'brands' I've bought that no one has ever really heard of.
As far as watch brands I've purchased, Invicta comes closest to never buy again status. It's not because I don't like them, I just want better watches now. But if they made a watch of a type/style I didn't already have & I really liked, I'd probably buy one; as long as the price & specs lined up.
And yes, my two comments on this post seem to be opposed to each other, but my relationship with watches & my budget is complicated. LOL
I'll never buy a Smiths again.
For my answer, I'm going to exclude some 'brands' I've bought that no one has ever really heard of.
As far as watch brands I've purchased, Invicta comes closest to never buy again status. It's not because I don't like them, I just want better watches now. But if they made a watch of a type/style I didn't already have & I really liked, I'd probably buy one; as long as the price & specs lined up.
And yes, my two comments on this post seem to be opposed to each other, but my relationship with watches & my budget is complicated. LOL
I’m in the same boat. Way more better watches in the same price range.
I'll never buy a Smiths again.
Interesting May I ask how come? I’ve never owned one.
I've never had a Swatch. I kind of wanted one when they first came out (fads, amirite?), but didn't feel like a plastic watch was worth what they were asking.
Now, I feel like I can get a microbrand with he same or better specs and support a small business rather than a conglomerate.
Yeah I bought the original Sistem51 over 10 years when I didn’t have much money and I didn’t know anything about watches other than I didn’t want to replace another battery.
For me it’s Citizen. I’ve tried a few of their watches now and I’d still say that if anyone else wants one they should go for it, but they just don’t work for me. I don’t know why, the quality is fine for the price you pay but I just get them out them in my watch box and then never wear them. But I got to ask @Catskinner why not Smiths? Just recently got their Commander and I love it. Is it the way they sell them by limiting production numbers to keep interest up, or is it an issue with the watches themselves? Just curious.
Interesting May I ask how come? I’ve never owned one.
Because of the purchase experience which is simply terrible. You can look at some of my older posts about my Smiths Everest and read the comments to see for yourself that my experience was not unique and that there were even worse cases.
Because of the purchase experience which is simply terrible. You can look at some of my older posts about my Smiths Everest and read the comments to see for yourself that my experience was not unique and that there were even worse cases.
Gotcha
Oh of course, I have a few.
Swiss Legends
Invicta
Borealis
Swatch
Unimatic. I am disappointed in the build quality, especially after the rave reviews. I sent it in 5 weeks ago for repair and have heard nothing other than the usual “we will check with the lab.” Lab?
Merkur
Nice designs and good quality but awful customer service when there's an issue.
Not a brand, but I will never buy another new watch again. Used is way cheaper and everything gets scratched pretty much as soon as I wear it.
For me it's Boldr. I love micro brands, and maybe it's just this particular model (Venture w/white dial). I thought of this as a tool watch. But there is nothing about this watch that feels substantial, like a tool.
No more seiko
I've never had a Swatch. I kind of wanted one when they first came out (fads, amirite?), but didn't feel like a plastic watch was worth what they were asking.
Now, I feel like I can get a microbrand with he same or better specs and support a small business rather than a conglomerate.
I think Swatch can scratch a fun itch (and the cost is very low risk etc.). But I'm also very into watch history, so I think owning at least one Swatch helps me further appreciate one of the most important and influential Swiss brands in the watch industry (or really in the industry at large). But I also see the perspective of folks not wanting a plastic quartz watch. I have a MoonSwatch (and like it well enough as a fun piece that was part of an unprecedented watch marketing moment) and yet it doesn't go in my core watch box (just don't like the look of plastic next to metal), so I do have some feelings about the matter, I guess.
Bremont. Fell out of love with a really nice ALT1-C-BK and tried selling it in all the popular places. After no demand for many months I almost had to give the thing away to move it. 60% discount. Only watch I took a bath on, and will not do it again.
"I tell a twenty something my Seiko turtle was $500 they look at me like I have a screw loose" 100% that's what every watch enthusiast goes through even if a watch is $150.
"They wont even sell their more affordable lines in the US so they don't tarnish their new "image" I don't even think Seiko knows what their doing but one thing I can say they will never ever leave the affordable/low end image. That's what made Seiko-Seiko.
"The only people buying grand a pop watches in this economy are upper class hobbyists" This actually varies person to person. Many sell and buy watches other probably use credit others probably don't buy Starbucks for a year.
I mentioned this evolution/"screw loose" in another reply elsewhere. It is honestly shocking to me how much my perspectives have changed on what I'm willing to spend on a watch while still having to keep myself grounded and thoughtful of how lucky I am to even participate in the hobby in certain ways (being married certainly helps add a level of reason and restraint).
I think there are a lot of middle class folks (yeah, I know middle class is kind of a meaningless term when EVERYONE thinks they are middle class (at least according to polls in every damn study about class) . . . but let's say definitely depending on that next paycheck and maybe able to save a bit) who buy grand or more a pop watches. Everyone has some sort of hobby and makes decisions on how to spend whatever discretionary funds they have. Any kind of sport or lesson or something like video games or even travel can all add up very fast. Some people choose to buy a watch instead . . . different strokes for different folks. Everybody has a different circumstance, and I don't think we should necessarily make assumptions.
If I see an older man, for instance, wearing a vintage Rolex I don't assume he's automatically wealthy, although many people might. I don't assume someone wearing a Speedmaster is automatically wealthy . . . it might be their only watch (perhaps gifted) and a pride and joy . . .many objectively expensive watches today weren't always so . . . my grandfather was a postal carrier and had a Rolex for crying out loud that he had since the 60s . . .it was an anniversary gift and cost a few hundred bucks back then.
And I agree that Seiko (not even talking about GS since they became their own thing) will never leave affordable models behind. This is what makes them a successful company despite what the snobs say . . . they have watches to cater to every hobbyist, every price point.
(And of course someone has already misinterpreted and twisted this post . . . this isn't WatchuSeek . . . oh my . . .)
I mentioned this evolution/"screw loose" in another reply elsewhere. It is honestly shocking to me how much my perspectives have changed on what I'm willing to spend on a watch while still having to keep myself grounded and thoughtful of how lucky I am to even participate in the hobby in certain ways (being married certainly helps add a level of reason and restraint).
I think there are a lot of middle class folks (yeah, I know middle class is kind of a meaningless term when EVERYONE thinks they are middle class (at least according to polls in every damn study about class) . . . but let's say definitely depending on that next paycheck and maybe able to save a bit) who buy grand or more a pop watches. Everyone has some sort of hobby and makes decisions on how to spend whatever discretionary funds they have. Any kind of sport or lesson or something like video games or even travel can all add up very fast. Some people choose to buy a watch instead . . . different strokes for different folks. Everybody has a different circumstance, and I don't think we should necessarily make assumptions.
If I see an older man, for instance, wearing a vintage Rolex I don't assume he's automatically wealthy, although many people might. I don't assume someone wearing a Speedmaster is automatically wealthy . . . it might be their only watch (perhaps gifted) and a pride and joy . . .many objectively expensive watches today weren't always so . . . my grandfather was a postal carrier and had a Rolex for crying out loud that he had since the 60s . . .it was an anniversary gift and cost a few hundred bucks back then.
And I agree that Seiko (not even talking about GS since they became their own thing) will never leave affordable models behind. This is what makes them a successful company despite what the snobs say . . . they have watches to cater to every hobbyist, every price point.
(And of course someone has already misinterpreted and twisted this post . . . this isn't WatchuSeek . . . oh my . . .)
Everyone thinks they are middle class? Wow, you lead a sheltered life. And if you think Seiko still sells inexpensive watches, your idea of inexpensive does not fit a world where 60% of Americans are three paychecks away from being homeless. (I can only speak of the US not anyplace civilized)
Seiko HAD those watches, but they have been slowly getting rid of them. The aforementioned SNK 805 was never something you could buy off the shelf in the US, it was pretty much grey market, or Amazon. Now you can't get it at all. Walk into a store and try to find a sub $300 Seiko here. Good luck.
And if you are wearing a $15-$25,000 watch you are doing astoundingly well. You are not driving a car that dates back to the Clinton administration, you are not missing meals, and you never had to sit home in pain because you can go to the dentist or pay rent but not both.
"I tell a twenty something my Seiko turtle was $500 they look at me like I have a screw loose" 100% that's what every watch enthusiast goes through even if a watch is $150.
"They wont even sell their more affordable lines in the US so they don't tarnish their new "image" I don't even think Seiko knows what their doing but one thing I can say they will never ever leave the affordable/low end image. That's what made Seiko-Seiko.
"The only people buying grand a pop watches in this economy are upper class hobbyists" This actually varies person to person. Many sell and buy watches other probably use credit others probably don't buy Starbucks for a year.
That's as may be, the hobby is not going to survive without new blood, and you are not going to get young people into it if you tell them a watch that can't even keep running or keep time by itself without you winding or setting it regularly costs more than a PS5. Most don't see the point in buying an obsolete piece of technology for extravagant amounts of money. (Or a watch at all for that matter) And "horology" means nothing to people who don't know that mechanical watches are a thing. I've literally had to explain this to people. I've had people ask what battery my 100 plus year old pocket watch takes. I tell them no battery. I get back "So its solar?"
If they even see a need for a watch, (Increasingly rare) they can get a watch that keeps perfect or near perfect time for half a decade, shock proof and waterproof without battery changes or servicing for well under $100.
In the US anyway Seiko left "affordable" behind a LONG time ago, and perhaps to someone who can afford to wear a Speedmaster a $500 turtle is an "affordable" watch, to a kid with 20 years of student loans busting ass to keep food in his mouth and a roof over his head, a G-Shock for $80 is a way better deal than a "dig me" automatic. And thinking they are going to give up coffee "not sure Starbucks counts as coffee" for a year or go into even MORE debt for something that's clearly a luxury is laughable. This just shows how out of touch so many people on watch forums are with so many people not in the top of society.
Zenith - Because their after sales service in the USA sucks.
Honestly a lot of U.S. centered service (and ADs) kind of suck (and what good are service centers here when they just mail it off to another country??? . . . TRAIN PEOPLE) . . . I was commenting to my wife when we were in a watch shop in Italy that we would NEVER be treated this well in a boutique in the States. And I think some of that comes down to how some ADs train their staff . . . I think I read somewhere that if you treat people like shit (as if they don't belong in the store) that it surprisingly results in higher commissions b/c the customers want to prove the staff wrong. I hate that this is a thing . . . fortunately I've only encountered it 2 or 3 times. I'd rather just be ignored than scoffed at.
Honestly a lot of U.S. centered service (and ADs) kind of suck (and what good are service centers here when they just mail it off to another country??? . . . TRAIN PEOPLE) . . . I was commenting to my wife when we were in a watch shop in Italy that we would NEVER be treated this well in a boutique in the States. And I think some of that comes down to how some ADs train their staff . . . I think I read somewhere that if you treat people like shit (as if they don't belong in the store) that it surprisingly results in higher commissions b/c the customers want to prove the staff wrong. I hate that this is a thing . . . fortunately I've only encountered it 2 or 3 times. I'd rather just be ignored than scoffed at.
This is not new, 20+yrs ago I visited a few boutique in search of a watch and not sure where to start. I walked out of 3 different places very disappointed by the way I was treated. I bought a watch sight unseen over the phone. Ever since I have always bought all of my watches sight unseen, on the phone and these days online boutiques. I walk into an AD or boutique now and then these days and nothing has changed.
Pagani because they rip off actual watches
Hate to burst your bubble but the same can be said about 95% of other brands.
I own two Pagani Design watches that look like Rolex copies I bought them because I cant drop $30k for the real ones.
That's as may be, the hobby is not going to survive without new blood, and you are not going to get young people into it if you tell them a watch that can't even keep running or keep time by itself without you winding or setting it regularly costs more than a PS5. Most don't see the point in buying an obsolete piece of technology for extravagant amounts of money. (Or a watch at all for that matter) And "horology" means nothing to people who don't know that mechanical watches are a thing. I've literally had to explain this to people. I've had people ask what battery my 100 plus year old pocket watch takes. I tell them no battery. I get back "So its solar?"
If they even see a need for a watch, (Increasingly rare) they can get a watch that keeps perfect or near perfect time for half a decade, shock proof and waterproof without battery changes or servicing for well under $100.
In the US anyway Seiko left "affordable" behind a LONG time ago, and perhaps to someone who can afford to wear a Speedmaster a $500 turtle is an "affordable" watch, to a kid with 20 years of student loans busting ass to keep food in his mouth and a roof over his head, a G-Shock for $80 is a way better deal than a "dig me" automatic. And thinking they are going to give up coffee "not sure Starbucks counts as coffee" for a year or go into even MORE debt for something that's clearly a luxury is laughable. This just shows how out of touch so many people on watch forums are with so many people not in the top of society.
"not sure Starbucks counts as coffee"
I agree but why you gotta do Starbucks drinkers like that LOL!
This just shows how out of touch so many people on watch forums are with so many people not in the top of society.
To be completely honest people with hobbies many just want a neutral place to meet regardless of income. Like you can have a guy with a Patek talk to the guy with a Casio without shitting on each others collection and have some mutual respect. I wouldn't take internet as reality people will always show the beautiful vs their personal struggles is just a gateway bubble we all log in to just to unplug for a bit.
PS. You had me cracking up with this one: you never had to sit home in pain because you can go to the dentist or pay rent but not both. because I tried but my kidney stones got the best of me and fainted they dragged me to ER. The worst I had my gallbladder removed 3 years later because of a 3 inch stone. Even with insurance it cost me a cool Rolex Daytona MSRP payment plans for years. I f****g hate the healthcare system. Again we are here to talk watches LOL.
"not sure Starbucks counts as coffee"
I agree but why you gotta do Starbucks drinkers like that LOL!
This just shows how out of touch so many people on watch forums are with so many people not in the top of society.
To be completely honest people with hobbies many just want a neutral place to meet regardless of income. Like you can have a guy with a Patek talk to the guy with a Casio without shitting on each others collection and have some mutual respect. I wouldn't take internet as reality people will always show the beautiful vs their personal struggles is just a gateway bubble we all log in to just to unplug for a bit.
PS. You had me cracking up with this one: you never had to sit home in pain because you can go to the dentist or pay rent but not both. because I tried but my kidney stones got the best of me and fainted they dragged me to ER. The worst I had my gallbladder removed 3 years later because of a 3 inch stone. Even with insurance it cost me a cool Rolex Daytona MSRP payment plans for years. I f****g hate the healthcare system. Again we are here to talk watches LOL.
I was, but the topic was "Why Seiko can't make affordable watches" and people who think a $500 turtle is an "affordable watch"
Probably Seiko. They made their entry level watches so expensive, you could buy 2 Orients for it. And then you'd have 2 Watches with sapphire crystals, instead of one with mineral glas.
Although I am very fond of my 30 year old Submariner, I would not get another (new) Rolex: from a marketing point of view I understand why they are doing it, but that arbitrary waiting list at the shops is a bit too snobbish for me.
Christopher Ward, the watches are decent enough but they're always doing discounts so you find the one you bought is half price a few months later. Not so much of an issue if you're keeping it but if you if you decide to sell it on (which a lot of us collectors to eventually) it's unlikely to hold its value as much as other brands.
I was looking at some ecodrives close hand and realized the quality/materials werent that good, sub par, even, and wonder what happened to citizen? I guess that puts it off my radar anytime soon and in the future..