Watch reviewers/watch dealers- should they? Is it any of our business? Or as fans we ought to seek the more “ethical” reviews?

There’s so much choice out there that it is possible to avoid them or any that irritate you.

It was funny during 2023 as there was a dud watch (poor design, overpriced) that they were all paid to review.

And eventually there was a review that called it as it was - a turkey.

I then went back and really enjoyed watched them all struggling to be upbeat and positive about the turkey and their discomfort was easier to see knowing it was a dud.

Obviously having been paid handsomely they were somewhat obliged (?) but at least they felt mildly uncomfortable compromising their integrity and talking it up to you and I way beyond its merits.

I enjoy their content but the commercial realities are more important to them than you or I. Use you own judgement in filtering what they say and keep your antenna well tuned for the b/s - it’s there.

Doesn’t bother me at all, and often there’s not too much wrong with the watches that’s being advertised. The Erebus I feel is a good example of this, as are TGV’s collabs with Ling Island. I haven’t got hands on with them myself but feedback so far has been pretty positive. It’s different as well from those influencers that MVMT used to pay to advertise their watches and then said people stopped them in the street to ask them about the watch, that’s just an out and out lie. But a decent YouTuber such as someone like Teddy B. for example who sales most of what he talks about is fine. And yes everyone has to make a living.

I do not think I can say that I trust any of the YouTube reviewers. I enjoy watching their videos and I follow them, but I cannot say I trust them.

What they do for me is introduce me to the new watches that I would normally not find out about. And this is what I expect from them. If I like a watch they are showing, even if they have a negative review, I go do my own research on it before deciding if I wanted enough to buy it. I do not rush out and buy a watch because TGV or Jordy positively reviewed it. And, although Jody loves his Erebus, I find that it is not for me.

I understand that they need to make a living, and this is how they decided to do it. I'm grateful to them for doing it because they help me eliminate a lot of paths I would have to take to research so many watches.

So, to answer my questions, their pushing a particular brand or watch does not bother me.

Reviewing would be a pretty amateurish job if nobody ever got paid for reviewing. If you want professional reviews from someone that knows the subject, someone has to pay them. Since everybody wants their content for free, the money has to come from somewhere.

Just to add to this comment, the only real way to defend yourself from what you deem an "ethical dilemma" is to be an educated savvy consumer. For example, notice what Jody sells every year. That is a passive and subtle indication of his true thoughts about a watch. Also, I am somewhat resistant to their influence because my tastes are somewhat at odds with theirs (Jody with dive watches, @MWC2020 with Casio and Tudor, Jordy with anything). I seem more aligned with Tim at Caseback Watches, although I could never sport a cravat.

I never review a Turkey

The only reviews I care about are owner reviews. If an individual or company takes money from any brand, they naturally have to be careful what they say and don't say as they don't want to damage any current or future relationships. Owner reviews can be 100% honest without any potential backlash. The only thing I find YouTube useful for is high quality videos of the watches to get a good idea of the look.

Well, true but that was not my point..

I was not talking about “payed content”, where the reviewers get a piece from a brand for review.

The point is about watch reviewers that are also dealing watches- at any capacity. Not all reviewers that make money from their channels are also actively watch dealers🤷🏼‍♂️.

I’m not counting in it any sells we all make on eBay and such.

Just clarifying.

Trust your eyes, not the reviewer. What I'm looking for primarily from a video review is a sense of the watch as a 3d object, and a look at it outside of studio lighting. What the reviewer is saying is very, very secondary (I sometimes watch them on mute if the presenter is particularly annoying or if I'm listening to music or something)

Owner reviews are biased also. Notice all the 5/5 marks?

Most things in life are biased to a certain degree. Owner reviews are under no obligation to say or not say certain things though. That’s all I meant.

This is an interesting take my friend. For me having watched the likes of TGV, Jody and Jory for some time, I think I’ve got a fair grasp on the type of watches they are attracted to. If one of them gave a gleaming review on the absolute opposite of what I’ve watched for the past 4/5 years , I’d definitely question it!

I personally only tend to review watches I love or want in the first place, so as I can hopefully confirm my love even further !

I don’t hide that fact I review mostly watches I like and would always say to not make a decision on a watch based on one reviewers opinion !

For some reviewers it’s their full time job and maybe you do have to factor that in at times to!

This whole phenomenon of paid reviews is why I typically ask Crunchers that own a target model what they think and specifically about what they wish was different.

I always base my choices on what @MWC2020 wife thinks….😁🤔

Russell

I know you’re being mad and literal here but … I did go back and check and you did dodge that particular bullet as either you declined or it never came your way (don’t worry you didn’t miss anything).

Hope all goes well with your own watch - I was so close as lots to like and even closer after the reworked dial but sorry I couldn’t get over the screw down manual wind. I will watch for future recipients with envy.

Very best

And adding to this: It might not take long for businesses to post here on WC as individuals to hype certain watches just as everywhere else, sadly.

First sign of trouble is if a reviewer avoids saying anything negative.

There is no perfect watch. I can tell you something I'd change about every watch in my collection.

Hahahaha no probs matey! Those that get will get it if you know what I mean! I made it for me first! It’s a bonus that others want it;)

Paid reviewers do provide a service. With that said I'm not interested in talking to a mouthpiece. It's like getting invited to a restaurant you don't want to go to just because your "friend" has a coupon for himself.

Ultimately we can't really fault the channel; no one is forcing us to watch... with the exception of the algorithm forcing these terrible "O" face thumbnails on our screens.

Use all reviews as a guide only and do your own research, everyone has alterior motives. The reviewers that say they haven't been paid for a review, but have received a free watch, have been paid for a review. I have no problem with any of it as everyone deserves to be paid for services provided. If they have a shop obviously they will tell you that what they are selling is good or it would not sell.

That's a very sensible approach. In fact, before buying my Wise Adamascus made in Thailand I researched the brand to death on YouTube ... duh! But the most interesting and simultaneously relaxing videos were 20min+ reviews in Thai, of which I don't understand a single spoken or written word.

No independent reviewers are ever likely to avoid succumbing to the draw of compromising honesty "just a little" in order to make money. Once the spare time hobby begins to look like it can be a career making good income then being impartial becomes less lucrative and it's necessary to just say mostly good things. Sadly, while I enjoy many reviewers online I don't actually trust any of them enough to base a purchase on what they say and watch mostly to be introduced to new pieces. Like so many online depictions of people's existence all over the internet much of what is projected and stated is for show. It's more acting a part than reviewing a product.

I don't trust YouTubers I was just offered $1,200 to review a watch i said no. However, if that had been 12,000, I'd have said yes. I would not outright have lied even for that sort of money, I don't think, but I'll be honest and say that sort of money would have some influence on me, and anyone who says otherwise is either a liar or they simply don't need money, in which case I'd wonder why they took it in the first place.

Most of the mainstream watch-press are paid to go to events; make of that what you will.

The only time i'd trust a YouTube review is if they have no horse in the race. I just did a Prim Cal 66. I think you should all go get one. The watch has been out of production for over 30 years, so you can trust that I think it's good and I like it. That's about it.

I'd never review something I sell, like leather goods; that one hits a bit close to home for me.