I am curious as to the "strategy" thinking behind the Moonswatch and Swatch Fathoms. Yes, it is to target a specific audience, but very unlikely the purists who can afford the real deal (the Omegas, Blancpains), and may not really be the younger, likely more fashionable, Swatch crowd who may not necessarily gravitate towards the nostalgic designs of watches. Perhaps the colours are to somewhat make up for that and hopefully bring the younger crowd across the line to start enjoying (buying) the established names when their income levels increase with age/success. Does make you wonder what the next collaboration will be.

I wonder if the move to to release such watches/collaborations is also partly to move the attention away from microbrands and, more likely, replicas and fakes. Although fakes are almost always to swindle someone, there are those who consider buying fakes (and replicas) that may now re-consider spending similar money on a swatch collaboration instead, which even with a "throwaway" approach, may be a better value proposition than fakes/replicas, as some are priced quite highly, despite being cheaper than the real thing.

Or are microbrands becoming a threat to established names with their ever-improving quality and designs, and much wider colour spectrum such that most watch enthusiasts have the option to buy multiple colour versions of the same/similar watch from a microbrand that it is starting to eat into the money that flows to the established brands? Watch collarborations at this price point certainly allows for the microbrand market players to reconsider their purchasing decision when they can now afford to have a brand name and multiple colour versions of it without breaking the bank.

Anyway, just my thoughts on the recent developments. An interesting time for the watch market, almost like the quartz vs. mechanical period with a sudden influx of microbrands (due in part to internet funding platforms supporting their development).

Hi all, really interesting comments. I don't know if any of you have watched this Pay Less Shoes prank, which I think pretty much answers why people would pay such prices for certain branded watches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFXmIh4P2dM

I preferred the minute indices on your dial rather than the half-minute ones on mine, but have gotten used to it now. The thinner crown I am ok with, and can be manipulated quite easily because it is larger in diameter than the usual crowns I encounter. The only thing I am wondering is about the bezel markings - Mark 2 has all markings on the bezel luminous, I am not sure if this includes the minutes indices of the first 15 minutes on the bezel, or only the 5-minute markers. On mine, all the 5-minute markers are luminous, which is different from the earlier ones I saw in the reviews. So, my Tempest says hello. 😉

Agree with you re the design. Elegant, symmetrical, and some really neat dial colours on offering. I like how the colour coding goes on to the bezel as well in some models. The Tempest has hardly left my wrist since I received it about 2.5 weeks ago. 😀 So, liking it a heck of a lot!! Such that I asked Henrik if he had any his older models still available, and he did...and I could not resist...!!

Ha ha - my clubbing days are behind me too for the same reason, but the wifey has dragged me back into it recently. My post from observed experienced (not mine, thankfully). Great discussion topic though, so thanks for sharing about your "argument" with your wife. I have had a great laugh to start the week reading through the comments.

Great watch. They have wonderful new colours in the Nordso range now. I have one myself, from the earlier release - the Tempest. Recently, Henry Archer's website refers to the new Mk2 case for the Nordso - is yours with the Mk2 case?

OP has a point about removing watches when going to the toilet, especially when strap is leather. I mean, this has made me think about possibility of removing when peeing too. Imagine, late night at the club, tipsy from one too many, and unfortunately, either you or the person next to you slips up, and pee on the strap. Whatcha gonna do then??!! Wipe it off or wash it off? I have seen some upward streams at late night clubs. So, not a total impossibility. :-) How does it relate to going to the toilet...well, when tipsy, anything can happen...in The Twilight Zone.