Your favorite non-watch brand watch
From Hermes to Ridge, Mont Blanc to - yes - Apple, there are lots of non-watch brands making watches these days, and some of them are quite good!
For me, I've been especially interested in the Hermes H08, with it's distinct design, slim profile and high quality. On the opposite end, the Ridge Titanium Field at a little under $250 (with 10% off code for your first purchase) is unbelievable value for the money, and I'm desperately trying not to hit the "purchase button" on that one.
So, what are your favorite "non-watch" watches? Have you ever purchased a watch from brands that don't specialize in watches, and what did you think of your purchase?
I like watches, wine and whisky, photography and travel, beer and coffee, and definitely cinema and cooking. But I love my family most of all.
“Non-watch” brands - so here is a question, where is the cutoff? Does branding really matter? Are these watches ironic? A watch is a watch isn’t it? A new microbrand is also, technically, a “non-watch” brand because it’s new.
You mention Montblanc, who Richemont effectively aquired Minerva for them to play together, so are Montblanc fucking about or something?
Hermes have made “watches” for a long while, so when would you consider their “watches” to be watches?
Aren’t watches essentially just fashion now anyway, considering how many brands are owned by Swatch Group, or LVMH, or flogged as glorified accessories on and off the wrists of “the beautiful people”?
Would you smash Cartier and Bvlgari into this category, despite horological importance from a jeweller and a luxury brand?
“Non-watch” brands - so here is a question, where is the cutoff? Does branding really matter? Are these watches ironic? A watch is a watch isn’t it? A new microbrand is also, technically, a “non-watch” brand because it’s new.
You mention Montblanc, who Richemont effectively aquired Minerva for them to play together, so are Montblanc fucking about or something?
Hermes have made “watches” for a long while, so when would you consider their “watches” to be watches?
Aren’t watches essentially just fashion now anyway, considering how many brands are owned by Swatch Group, or LVMH, or flogged as glorified accessories on and off the wrists of “the beautiful people”?
Would you smash Cartier and Bvlgari into this category, despite horological importance from a jeweller and a luxury brand?
Well, that's actually my point: personally, I'm not really too hung-up on the concept of "watch brands." Technically, all brands are more than "watch brands" if they sell merch, etc.
I see these ideas thrown about often in comments sections (especially with Montblanc, which I think is a bit crazy, especially given the Minerva affiliation), and I disagree with them. A good watch is a good watch, which is why I was hoping to highlight such things on this thread.
Hermes, Montblanc, Apple are legitimate watch brands. They have their own manufacturing and distribution. Ridge on the otherhand, I imagine they are using an inexpensive private label company to kick out their watches. No better than say Gucci or other fashion brands that more or less slap their label on a cheap watch.
Hermes had a long history of watchmaking, might want to rethink how you think about them as a brand
https://www.jewellerystalker.com/hermes-watchmaking-part1
Based on what I think your criteria is…Cartier.
From there Hermes and apple.
I own the H08. Got it a few months after it was first released. Amazing watch.
Had no idea about the Ridge. Seems like a pretty compelling option for a first watch.
- $275.00
- Mechanical / Automatic
- Utilitarian dial; functional and inoffensive
- Contemporary dimensions (not my cup of tea, but strong mass-appeal)
Hopefully their decision to dabble in this market draws in a few new watch enthusiasts!