Define fashion watch
Hello fellow watch enthusiast, how are you. yesterday i saw a post about someone at watchcrunch asking about a lv watch. first i think hmm, this must be a fashion watch and then i do a little digging about it. so the lv has a popular model which called tambour (not a fan of the design) which some of them have an in house automatic movement, the older chronograph model have a movement from zenith, but some of them also has a qualcomm snapdragon movement 😂. at the other end we have a jewellery and fashion brand like bvlgari and cartier which most of the watch enthusiast appreciate and respect. my question is what is the borderline between real watch and a fashion watch? is it about the brand, the quality, the effort, the design, or else? is it fair to called every watch with automatic movement a real watch? i hope you guys can enlighten me. cheers🍺
Considering myself as a man of culture and taste
I thought "fashion watch" typically referred to a designer or brand (known for something besides horology) licensing their name out to some utterly unspectacular line of no particular merit beyond the brand association. Commodity grade stuff usually. The style and/or the branding are really the only draws.
The word effort is a good one. Typically there is almost no real involvement with the named brand and the manufacture of the item, and even the design is at best a collaboration.
I'll use those Oakley watches from the 90's as a near pinnacle of fashion watches, as they had a unique, brand-appropriate and identifiable design. They were not cookie-cutter generic stuff with a name slapped on it. But at the same time, they were nothing great in terms of quality or technology or literally anything but looking cool. Pretty sure all manufacturing was contracted out.
I'd say real watch/fashion watch is a false dichotomy. Most Cartier watches are simply both. Don't use "fashion watch" as a stick to beat watches you do not like. There is nothing wrong with brands trying to make their models fashionable. If being fashionable is their only redeeming quality whilst costing quite a bit of money, then we have an issue.
A fashion watch like the depicted is not so much an issue, as it costs a measly $3.59 on Ali. But if something similar gets hyped on social media and the brands want $250 for it, this is where "fashion watches" rightfully draw some disdain.
Got my beloved a Coach ceramic quartz time watch from Macy's Last Act. Nice embossed dial and bezel rhinestones. The retail was $300 yet there is not $300 worth of watch. We paid less than half and that was still a value stretch.
I'd define a fashion watch as one that sells new for much more than its horological value. Or depreciates to less than 20% of its new price. The Tambour models you mention meet that criteria.
Bulgari and Cartier? Just try getting an iconic one in like new condition for less than half retail. Genuine watches, period. Cheers.
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Is it bad to admit I like these? Does that completely ruin any respectability I have (if any)?
I will explain why:
Is it bad to admit I like these? Does that completely ruin any respectability I have (if any)?
I will explain why:
Not wrong but is it that Gucci design really worth US$1000 (iirc)? 💸
I'd say real watch/fashion watch is a false dichotomy. Most Cartier watches are simply both. Don't use "fashion watch" as a stick to beat watches you do not like. There is nothing wrong with brands trying to make their models fashionable. If being fashionable is their only redeeming quality whilst costing quite a bit of money, then we have an issue.
A fashion watch like the depicted is not so much an issue, as it costs a measly $3.59 on Ali. But if something similar gets hyped on social media and the brands want $250 for it, this is where "fashion watches" rightfully draw some disdain.
Fashion watch is an epithet. It is just a put down. Cartier was a fashion watch until they weren't. Louis Vuitton and Montblanc are fashion watches if you don't pay close attention. As a former Gucci owner let me just say that their straps are made for people who do not move their arms.
I thought "fashion watch" typically referred to a designer or brand (known for something besides horology) licensing their name out to some utterly unspectacular line of no particular merit beyond the brand association. Commodity grade stuff usually. The style and/or the branding are really the only draws.
The word effort is a good one. Typically there is almost no real involvement with the named brand and the manufacture of the item, and even the design is at best a collaboration.
I'll use those Oakley watches from the 90's as a near pinnacle of fashion watches, as they had a unique, brand-appropriate and identifiable design. They were not cookie-cutter generic stuff with a name slapped on it. But at the same time, they were nothing great in terms of quality or technology or literally anything but looking cool. Pretty sure all manufacturing was contracted out.
thx for the input my friend, that explain a lot
I'd say real watch/fashion watch is a false dichotomy. Most Cartier watches are simply both. Don't use "fashion watch" as a stick to beat watches you do not like. There is nothing wrong with brands trying to make their models fashionable. If being fashionable is their only redeeming quality whilst costing quite a bit of money, then we have an issue.
A fashion watch like the depicted is not so much an issue, as it costs a measly $3.59 on Ali. But if something similar gets hyped on social media and the brands want $250 for it, this is where "fashion watches" rightfully draw some disdain.
thx for the input my friend 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Got my beloved a Coach ceramic quartz time watch from Macy's Last Act. Nice embossed dial and bezel rhinestones. The retail was $300 yet there is not $300 worth of watch. We paid less than half and that was still a value stretch.
I'd define a fashion watch as one that sells new for much more than its horological value. Or depreciates to less than 20% of its new price. The Tambour models you mention meet that criteria.
Bulgari and Cartier? Just try getting an iconic one in like new condition for less than half retail. Genuine watches, period. Cheers.
thank yoh for explaining my friend, cheers 🍺
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i seen it somewhere, its a gucci watch 🧚🏻♀️
Is it bad to admit I like these? Does that completely ruin any respectability I have (if any)?
I will explain why:
thats true and nothing wrong with that if you bought this no problem at all 👍
Not wrong but is it that Gucci design really worth US$1000 (iirc)? 💸
i just checked and too bad this cost almost 1000$ 😭
Not wrong but is it that Gucci design really worth US$1000 (iirc)? 💸
That depends on the buyer. I personally do shudder at the price, which is why it does not adorn my wrist as I wish it would, but I pretend to have some horological knowledge and therefore my expectations for a timepiece would differ from others. That is not to say I am right either, I know many people on here think I’m some hopeless romantic doomed to buy every 50+ year old non-pin-lever watch he can because he cannot let them pass through as forgotten, but if someone wanted to buy it based upon looks or brand I would not judge. I pretty much admitted that I would do that very same thing - I like bees, and it’s pretty... your honour the prosecution rests.
They are popular however - the model has been around for a while now, so people are definitely purchasing them.
Realistically, I am unlikely to purchase one, because I would rather put that money towards other watches, but never say never.
I think this is where I leave my judgement at the door. A watch is what the wearer makes of it. I used to be anti-quartz, and derisive of Casio in my younger years, I now own many because I accept them and love them for what they are. I extend this to what one may call a fashion watch, as it may connect with others on a level I do not possess.
That depends on the buyer. I personally do shudder at the price, which is why it does not adorn my wrist as I wish it would, but I pretend to have some horological knowledge and therefore my expectations for a timepiece would differ from others. That is not to say I am right either, I know many people on here think I’m some hopeless romantic doomed to buy every 50+ year old non-pin-lever watch he can because he cannot let them pass through as forgotten, but if someone wanted to buy it based upon looks or brand I would not judge. I pretty much admitted that I would do that very same thing - I like bees, and it’s pretty... your honour the prosecution rests.
They are popular however - the model has been around for a while now, so people are definitely purchasing them.
Realistically, I am unlikely to purchase one, because I would rather put that money towards other watches, but never say never.
I think this is where I leave my judgement at the door. A watch is what the wearer makes of it. I used to be anti-quartz, and derisive of Casio in my younger years, I now own many because I accept them and love them for what they are. I extend this to what one may call a fashion watch, as it may connect with others on a level I do not possess.
I agree. As I got into watches looking for those that fit my fashion sense (or lack of), I am totally fine with people buying so called "fashion watches." Clothes/accessories make people feel a certain way, and as long as it's not obnoxious, I'm glad if that Gucci makes someone feel more confident.
I guess it's just difficult for many of us on this forum to justify spending that amount of money on the above watch, as we know most of the money we're paying for goes to the branding.
I agree. As I got into watches looking for those that fit my fashion sense (or lack of), I am totally fine with people buying so called "fashion watches." Clothes/accessories make people feel a certain way, and as long as it's not obnoxious, I'm glad if that Gucci makes someone feel more confident.
I guess it's just difficult for many of us on this forum to justify spending that amount of money on the above watch, as we know most of the money we're paying for goes to the branding.
True, and suprising for many I might be the one to actually be in the minority on this watch if it was slightly cheaper. I have nearly bought it twice at Duty Free, so…
I used to think my non-WIS friend’s watch was a “fashion watch” as It was a pretty plain looking and had a famous jewelry store name on the dial. But my tune changed when I saw the movement decoration on an sw-300 movement.
Is it bad to admit I like these? Does that completely ruin any respectability I have (if any)?
I will explain why:
this maybe out of context but you can buy dry insect (bees) at ebay and put them on the frame, makes a beautiful decoration. i collect some of them, mostly beetle.
I used to think my non-WIS friend’s watch was a “fashion watch” as It was a pretty plain looking and had a famous jewelry store name on the dial. But my tune changed when I saw the movement decoration on an sw-300 movement.
what watch is that if i may know?
Fashion watch is an epithet. It is just a put down. Cartier was a fashion watch until they weren't. Louis Vuitton and Montblanc are fashion watches if you don't pay close attention. As a former Gucci owner let me just say that their straps are made for people who do not move their arms.
"Fashion watch" is used as a putdown, but that is just because some of the worst watches in terms of what you get for your money are from this category. Cartier is a jeweller who makes watches too - their watches are primarily about bling, not function, and that makes them fashion watches; fashion watches at the very respectable end of the spectrum, but still.
Years before I started collecting watches I went into my local H.Samuel to get myself a watch (buying a Lorus in the end). I paid no attention whatsoever to the shelves with Tommy Hilfiger or Hugo Boss watches, because I assumed even back then that these would be cheap watches fashion-branded to sell for a lot more.
On reflection, I'd say that attitude is not entirely fair. A fashion brand may very well decide that a poor quality watch under their name would damage the brand and therefore put some effort into making decent watches - but you probably would not want to be the guinea pig, so you may want to wait till the brand (or particular watch) picks up some street cred. I would say Montblanc falls into this category - they make fashion watches at the respectable end.
"Fashion watch" is used as a putdown, but that is just because some of the worst watches in terms of what you get for your money are from this category. Cartier is a jeweller who makes watches too - their watches are primarily about bling, not function, and that makes them fashion watches; fashion watches at the very respectable end of the spectrum, but still.
Years before I started collecting watches I went into my local H.Samuel to get myself a watch (buying a Lorus in the end). I paid no attention whatsoever to the shelves with Tommy Hilfiger or Hugo Boss watches, because I assumed even back then that these would be cheap watches fashion-branded to sell for a lot more.
On reflection, I'd say that attitude is not entirely fair. A fashion brand may very well decide that a poor quality watch under their name would damage the brand and therefore put some effort into making decent watches - but you probably would not want to be the guinea pig, so you may want to wait till the brand (or particular watch) picks up some street cred. I would say Montblanc falls into this category - they make fashion watches at the respectable end.
well said man, thx for enlightening me
what watch is that if i may know?
It was actually a Tiffany and Co. branded watch. I didn’t even know they had their own watches. It wasn’t my style, but it had a quality movement that was decorated very well. As @uhrensohn commented, this would be at the respectable end of “fashion watch” as I think it has some good quality features
It was actually a Tiffany and Co. branded watch. I didn’t even know they had their own watches. It wasn’t my style, but it had a quality movement that was decorated very well. As @uhrensohn commented, this would be at the respectable end of “fashion watch” as I think it has some good quality features
is that so? i never knew tffany and co produced a watch too. i agree with you respectable fashion watch is make sense to define such a model
is that so? i never knew tffany and co produced a watch too. i agree with you respectable fashion watch is make sense to define such a model
I didn’t either - but apparently there are many.
https://www.tiffany.com/watches/shop/mens-watches/
even a Tiffany blue dial one :)
'Fashion Watch' is one of the terms used in watch discussions that I think can be confusing. I assume its meant to describe a watch made by company that is just ripping people off with a poorly made product at a high price. There are some companies that make products other than watches but also sell watches with their brand logo and they are fine watches. Some of those even become collectable. For example the Sears Tradition Skin Diver and a few sold by Abercombie back in the day.
Having said that I'm going to start tell my wife her Honda is just a 'Fashion Car' because they make other things. My Dodge truck is obviously superior lol.
I think most commenters here have given brilliant definitions that I can’t match.
But - For fun I’ll add my $0.02!
I loosely define fashion watch as a watch from a company that doesn’t make watches.
So - quartz timex - is a real watch
A watch from Michael Kors or Tommy Hilfiger is … hilarious 😂
I love Festina watches and so does my wife. We have a total of 6. Someone once said they we re nice fashion watches however they don't make anything but watches pens and sunglasses as of recent. So it's hard to tell what's fashion and what's not. Wouldn't that mean Casio would be a tech company and not a watch company with all the other products they have?
As I get deeper into this hobby my opinions seem to change and I’m more magnanimous of brands that don’t have pedigree in watchmaking. I won’t wear Daniel Wellington or MVMT not because they don’t have pedigree but because they don’t look good to me. Taste is subjective. And as I evolve as a collector so do what I like and what I think I like. I’m now drawn more towards 34 to 38mm watches, not attracted to complications, etc. If DW ever comes out with a classy 36mm automatic, I’ll consider it.