Watches are expensive, but why?
The reasons why watches are expensive are listed by many sources. Craftsmanship, materials, long-lasting durability, brand recognition and many other factors can determine the price of a watch. But there is also one detail we should consider. Their rarity. Models like the Nautilus, for example, can fetch unbelievable prices, especially in the secondary market, due to their limited availability.
The question I have is, are these models at their price point because of their incredibly rare materials and irreplaceable craftsmanship, or is this a deliberate tactic by the brand to increase the price and the sense of exclusivity attached to it?
Let's spark off a new debate
27 years old. Living in Istanbul. Entrepreneur and watch enthusiast.
Watches might seem overpriced until they are not . . . b/c guess what? Some dope in the watch community is willing to pay the new price. And then another dope and then another and then the new price landscape becomes normalized until we all look back ten, twenty years ago at what the landscape used to be like. As with the art world, a work of art might be priced in terms of materials and labor and craftsmanship and rarity . . . but the other big part of the puzzle is hype, association, and how much people are willing to pay.
I see a lot of people crap on brands like Kurono which uses Miyota movements. There are a lot of people in the community that don't seem to collect watches but collect movements . . . seriously, these people are so obsessed with ONE part of a watch that they ignore the labor and skill and time for everything else. But they are also ignoring association. If you can't spend 20 to 50K or more on a Hajime Asaoka watch then Kurono is your only option for experiencing part of that man's work and design philosophy . . . and that is worthy of a certain price.
For actual high horology brands? Yeah, you're looking at scarcity (often real but sometimes overblown), rare metals, the time it takes artisans to craft these watches . . . but you're also paying for history.
People engage in this behavior for so many things, which seems lost whenever people engage in a hobby like this. Why charge this or why charge that? Well, look in your house, your kitchen cabinets, your garage. . . you've probably spent stupid money on stupid things b/c you believed it was worth the money (and maybe it was and maybe it wasnt . . . but the story . . . the narrative is that x product cost this much and you didn't question it).
it is all about marketing..build the demand and you can charge anything you want to...JMO Enjoy the hobby
All because of their very rare materials. Crystals made out of princess tears, and the case out of spacecraft remnants.😁
Well, outside of F.P.Journe, ALS, an select others the price of a watch cannot be justified by the amount of labor or the materials that went into it.
It's a luxury product where demand exceeds supply.
Marketing, demand. That's it. Perceived rarety can lead to demand but not always.
For example, I've a friend who is into metal detecting. Some of his finds are exquisite, millennia years old and extremely rare - and virtually worthless. A similar modern ring mass produced by any major brand sells for thousands. It's ridiculous.
Just my opinion, but if you’re paying full retail for any watch you aren’t trying hard enough, and if you are paying over retail for something that doesn’t have an exceptional provenance, you have more money than sense.
Hmm, you raise an interesting take. From my perspective, I would say it's a combination of both. Yes, materials and impeccable craftsmanship are big reasons as to why watches are expensive but the market's desire for watches also adds to the watches value. Just like with whatever item/product it may be, I would say the law of supply & demand plays a big role as well.