Meca-Quartz Chrono
Happy Friday Y'all!
As many of you are aware, within the last year I've been more involved with the community piggybacking on the launch of our Strat-o-timer GMT, which has all the bells and whistles an enthusiast would enjoy. However, we've been in business for about 8 years and where we started was a bit different when the majority of our watches were quartz powered. As we lean more into the enthusiast space, however, I have a responsibility to not abandon my customers who have been with us and grew with us.
So right now, we are in a phase of the business where we want to be more inclusive of enthusiasts of all levels, no matter where you are in your watch journey. At our showroom we get customers who have elaborate luxury collections as well as those who are looking to buy their first watch, and I absolutely love that. After all, we started somewhere and grew and I want to be able to provide a product offering that allows a customer to do the same.
Having said all that, we have been clearing out some of our more basic quartz watches and replacing them with either automatics, solar, and meca-quartz. Our newest drop is our Avigator meca-quartz which comes in at 42mm in a wire lug case. I don't like to come on here to push product and that's not what this is about.
Instead, I want to lean on the community to help guide us transition into a go-to brand where we can appeal to a watch enthusiast, period. At the end of the day, if we are able to assist someone in getting into the hobby we all love, then we've done our jobs.
What are your thoughts? What do you think of our new drop? How do you feel about our brand direction? Would love to hear your feedback. Some images from our shoot.
Hello! My name is Peter Cho, and I'm a co-founder and the designer of Jack Mason watches. In 2006 I got a degree in industrial design, got my first job as a watch designer and never looked back. After...
I think it's great that you include the enthusiasts here as your product line/company matures
Case wise looks great but for some reason I’m not a fan of the lugs …
I think it's great that you include the enthusiasts here as your product line/company matures
Thank you for the feedback. How do you assess a company based on the products they offer? The majority of the industry seems to be either all they way enthusiast or all the way mass market. When a brand offers mass market type product, would it affect the overall appeal on the watches that are more enthusiast based? I know many enthusiasts are anti-quartz, so I've been wondering..
Looking good so far. It's great to hear that you're looking out for watch collectors at all levels. For some feedback, a 40mm or smaller case would be great for those of us with smaller wrists or just prefer a smaller watch. Also, love the handsets as they look like they were taken from an airplane instrument cluster. The only one here I have an issue with legibility with the white hands over a white subdial. Otherwise, keep going and push the industry forward.
Thank you for the feedback. How do you assess a company based on the products they offer? The majority of the industry seems to be either all they way enthusiast or all the way mass market. When a brand offers mass market type product, would it affect the overall appeal on the watches that are more enthusiast based? I know many enthusiasts are anti-quartz, so I've been wondering..
Specs certainly matter to the enthusiast crowd and design is definitely what draws everyone in. Looking at some of the companies that have been around longer and are doing it successfully I think they have some entry level pieces (maybe quartz or Seagull movements) to draw new buyers and then the more upscale automatics (the Toyota to Lexus buyer model). I think it's true the majority of the enthusiasts prefer automatics or mechanical but many appreciate the grab and go of quartz offerings as long as the watch meets the mark aesthetically...not sure that is an answer
I love the design of the watch, especially on the mesh bracelet! Beautiful dial colors as well.
Keep going you’re doing a wonderful job and making Dallas Texas proud!!
Regards, Paul Sanchez
I think you all are doing it the right way
Case wise looks great but for some reason I’m not a fan of the lugs …
It takes some getting used to, but when you have it on, it's just so different than your standard watch case on a bracelet or even a strap. Due to the minimal presence of the lugs, it's very refreshing and very comfortable in my opinion! Honestly, you should try it out through our try-before-you-buy program. Totally free to try it on your wrist!
Looking good so far. It's great to hear that you're looking out for watch collectors at all levels. For some feedback, a 40mm or smaller case would be great for those of us with smaller wrists or just prefer a smaller watch. Also, love the handsets as they look like they were taken from an airplane instrument cluster. The only one here I have an issue with legibility with the white hands over a white subdial. Otherwise, keep going and push the industry forward.
Thank you for the feedback. Yea I hear you on the 40mm or smaller. I was considering a 40 for this, but due to the chronograph movement and case design, it was better proportioned for a 42. However, because it's a true 42 without traditional lugs getting in the way, it actually wears smaller. It's quite nice because it's 42 all the way around. I have plans for a clean smaller automatic for this platform in the future!
Specs certainly matter to the enthusiast crowd and design is definitely what draws everyone in. Looking at some of the companies that have been around longer and are doing it successfully I think they have some entry level pieces (maybe quartz or Seagull movements) to draw new buyers and then the more upscale automatics (the Toyota to Lexus buyer model). I think it's true the majority of the enthusiasts prefer automatics or mechanical but many appreciate the grab and go of quartz offerings as long as the watch meets the mark aesthetically...not sure that is an answer
Absolutely is an answer and it's VERY refreshing to hear that design draws you in. It's quite interesting when you hear folks who compare two completely different watches in design language with the movement being the main common denominator. I'm not one to judge in the way people shop, but it's been an interesting journey trying to understand the logic. However, if there is one thing we all know, there is no logic with this hobby! 😂
I love the design of the watch, especially on the mesh bracelet! Beautiful dial colors as well.
Keep going you’re doing a wonderful job and making Dallas Texas proud!!
Regards, Paul Sanchez
Paul! Thanks a lot, my friend. Hope to see you around soon.
I think you all are doing it the right way
Means a lot. Thank you.
It takes some getting used to, but when you have it on, it's just so different than your standard watch case on a bracelet or even a strap. Due to the minimal presence of the lugs, it's very refreshing and very comfortable in my opinion! Honestly, you should try it out through our try-before-you-buy program. Totally free to try it on your wrist!
Ohh that’s right!! Your try before you buy program always intrigued me, that I might just try it out!!
Peter, I think these are very attractive pieces. I had a similar thought size wise, but as you said, you can only do so much based on movement, similar to cars hard points. For those at the sub $500 price point, I would be curious to see your take using VK64. Seems a lot of brands are leveraging that to stay 40 an under, but honestly, most look identical. Apologies if you have sold watches with that already and I happened to miss it.
Thank you for the feedback. Yea I hear you on the 40mm or smaller. I was considering a 40 for this, but due to the chronograph movement and case design, it was better proportioned for a 42. However, because it's a true 42 without traditional lugs getting in the way, it actually wears smaller. It's quite nice because it's 42 all the way around. I have plans for a clean smaller automatic for this platform in the future!
Ok that’s cool and a 42 makes perfect sense for an aviator watch since pilots need info at a glance. Good luck and we’re rooting for you!
Thanks for sharing...design is alright...
What's up with the date not being centered in the date window? In several of the photos it's not centered...major no-no for appealing to watch enthusiasts.
Like the wire lugs...and 42mm is definitely the right size for an aviation chronograph.
There are so many meca-quartz options out there. I posted this 9 months ago...
https://www.watchcrunch.com/ChronoGuy/posts/how-many-variations-are-there-for-the-seiko-vk64-show-us-yours-15047
Hard to stand out from the pack...with these selling so inexpensively on Aliexpress it's tough to get a decent price to sell them at...
It's a nice looking piece for sure but now I can't unsee the off centered date on the date window 😆
Full disclosure: I own a strat-o-timer Pepsi and love it.
With that being said, I find that a lot of your catalogue appears to wear on the larger end. Granted I have 6.5” wrists.
With that being said, for me personally, I would like to see smaller diameter watches. I know I am just one person and my tiny wrists don’t speak for an entire customer base, but that’s just my input.
What I think would sell like hotcakes is a 40mm mecaquartz moonwatch inspired design. With Mission Control being located in Texas, this is a no-brainer to me.
Peter, I think these are very attractive pieces. I had a similar thought size wise, but as you said, you can only do so much based on movement, similar to cars hard points. For those at the sub $500 price point, I would be curious to see your take using VK64. Seems a lot of brands are leveraging that to stay 40 an under, but honestly, most look identical. Apologies if you have sold watches with that already and I happened to miss it.
@AllTheWatches Thanks for your input! This actually has the VK63 movement which is a 3 eye chrono vs the VK64 2 eye chrono. I went with the 63 for a classic 3, 6, 9, eye placement - but also to have a running small second hand. Our current Moto racing watch also has the VK63 as well.
Chronos have always been our best selling watches for most which is why we have been discontinuing the regular quartz chronos slowly, and reintroducing them with the VK series!
Is there a such thing as a three-hander (not Chrono) solar mecha-quartz? This would solve quartz's two "problems" - battery changes and the ticking second hand. Are there rules of physics why this wouldn't work?
We'll have to put in the request! Great idea.
Love my Seiko V64 mecaquartz watches. The Onion crown and lugs on yours are Smokin' Hot!
Thanks! Great shot!
I believe the Hydrotimer will be a huge success. Love that it has its own unique design language with nods to the past (with modern materials).
Also, bravo on the logo. Simple and effective...I'm not a logo snob by any means but appreciate the logo.
Thank you for the kind words. I'm personally a big fan of the Hydrotimer and wish for it to stick around for a long time!
Ooooh icy blue 👍🏾
Thanks for sharing...design is alright...
What's up with the date not being centered in the date window? In several of the photos it's not centered...major no-no for appealing to watch enthusiasts.
Like the wire lugs...and 42mm is definitely the right size for an aviation chronograph.
There are so many meca-quartz options out there. I posted this 9 months ago...
https://www.watchcrunch.com/ChronoGuy/posts/how-many-variations-are-there-for-the-seiko-vk64-show-us-yours-15047
Hard to stand out from the pack...with these selling so inexpensively on Aliexpress it's tough to get a decent price to sell them at...
Thanks for the feedback. The date window is actually centered. It just appears like it's not due to the harsh shadow it creates!
Ah I must have missed this thread! Respectfully I don't even attempt to try and compete with Aliexpress as we will never even come close to their prices and it's a completely different type of business.
It's a nice looking piece for sure but now I can't unsee the off centered date on the date window 😆
Haha it's not off centered! Just appears that way due to the harsh shadow the photo creates! It does look off centered though!
Full disclosure: I own a strat-o-timer Pepsi and love it.
With that being said, I find that a lot of your catalogue appears to wear on the larger end. Granted I have 6.5” wrists.
With that being said, for me personally, I would like to see smaller diameter watches. I know I am just one person and my tiny wrists don’t speak for an entire customer base, but that’s just my input.
What I think would sell like hotcakes is a 40mm mecaquartz moonwatch inspired design. With Mission Control being located in Texas, this is a no-brainer to me.
I hear you! Thank you for repping the Strat! Yes we do have smaller diameters in the works. Later this year we will have a 38mm slim dress watch that will be a nice refreshing offering. We are transitioning to more 40mm offerings and under so stay tuned!
In regards to Mission Control, you are hitting on something that we have had conversations about to add to our Texas collaborations. Stay tuned.
We'll have to put in the request! Great idea.
Thank you so much. Maybe someone already makes such a thing but I've never seen it. If it could be done and at a reasonable price, I would be the first customer, though I'll bet lots of quartz lovers and mechanical too, would line up to buy it.
Really nice looking watch
Great looking watch, just wish it was an automatic
I think the best look for this model in any color way looks best on the mesh bracelet. I’m also wondering if you combined this watch with a bracelet that fills into the lugs for a look more like an integrated bracelet.