What makes you shy away from a watch brand?

[Oceanklassik]

This thread springs from a current discussion thread in another folder which talks about RSC's policies on their aftersales services. I wonder if there's any watch brand/s that makes you think twice/thrice, or totally 'prevent' you from buying, not because of pricing, but other issues such as short production life, lack of/poor aftersales service, other inconveniences etc.

[Oceanklassik]

Allow me to start.

I have been eyeing for a Stowa watch for the longest time but the inconveniences involved in making a swift purhcase as well as the lack of a physical local service provider have prevented me from getting one till today. Also, I have no easy means to hold one in my hand physically to make a decision which model I will choose.

I have also been wanting to buy a Breitling watch but the short production live of their models tend to put me off. My worry is the availability of parts and accessories since their models are 'discontinued' within just 2-3 years.

[triton]

did you check with C melchers with regards about parts and accessories availability are the models have been discontinued?

for rolex, the parts are available for up to 20 years unless the parts are no longer available.

for some brands, i understand that they will manufacture the parts for discontinued models if the parts have run out. however, the price to pay for the parts maybe premium.

I have also been wanting to buy a Breitling watch but the short production live of their models tend to put me off. My worry is the availability of parts and accessories since their models are 'discontinued' within just 2-3 years.

[triton]

i have been eyeing on a particular independent watch maker brand for the last 7 years. i have not committed 100% to getting a watch from this brand because of its unique way of telling time. if in an event the watch maker decides to call it a day, how will i get to service the watch. this is a major concern as i keep most if not all the watches i buy. will there be a third party watch technician who can service the watch. till i find a third party and is confident of the watch technician ability to service the watch and getting the parts if needed, then i will commit to buying a watch from the brand.

[Watcha]

Servicing cost and servicing support is one of my concern.

For the price of 2 rolex, the servicing is also price of 2 rolex. But as a watch with similar function, there isn't really 2x more work involved.

Small brands with interesting display may close shop. Then you have have a problem to service or selling it.

[Trinidad]

Any brand that has a lot of limited editions ......

Change material issue limited edition.
Change color issue limited edition,
Change endorser, issue limited edition
Change boutique also issue limited edition.
Chey, i change undrwear next time, i also issue limited edition, muayahahahaha

[amitabh]

I would agree with service being one of the major areas. The second one being cost and availibility of spares. Case in the point Melcher, I used to own a vintage navitimer , the one that was the first pilot issue with titanium. The same was bought by my father in 1989, i retained that watch ..absolutely unchanged until one day ..the battery died. This time around I thought why not get the movement cleaned . I approached Melcher...to my shock they said they will not be able to service the movement as it is very old. For them to even touch the watch they would need me to approve the replacement of the movement..of course the entire thing came for a price....i had a agree..and soon i realized the sentimental value is lost..as with the change of movement i had to change the face of the watch as well....i sold of the watch later

[Ed.YEO]

When it comes to this hobby, every collector's will have their ultimate goals. However such goals will often be not easy to reach, by just simply swipe that card, pay for the stuff, and have high hopes on it that it won't have to see the doctors during the warranty period, as well as when warranty expires.

I can afford a Rolex, certainly, even if it consumes 100% or more of my savings... but does it worth?

Hence, it's important to me that am i worthy to that big hat... Do i have a disposable income that gives me no worries like others do? Do i have to be very concern on the later days repair charges, as well as servicing costs? Do i have to be very concern about parts availability, or let it franken when certain parts of the certain calibre had passed it's EOL?

I would like to own a complex movement that not only tells time and day. More complication, more merrier, more complexity that stretches the word HOROLOGY to it's maximum strength.
When it comes to buying watches... i would often go by my priorities...

小弟同师兄就有些唔同。。。睇表就如睇女人。样，虽然会加分，但系心最重要。就算系平凡芯，都唔紧要。睇表 唔需睇“姑娘”出自何门，是否名门望族，或者贫寒之家，一心，二价，三样。。。之后才排到名。

Quote from my post in another non local forum, I would alway goes by...
1. Movement calibre
2. Pricing
3. Looks
4. Lastly, brands comes into the mind.

[TanWL]

For me, it will be Grand Sekio. Understand that servicing have to be done in Japan and cost around $1K-2K.

[badass09]

Wah so fast start thos thread already ah..

[pegasi]

When it comes to this hobby, every collector's will have their ultimate goals. However such goals will often be not easy to reach, by just simply swipe that card, pay for the stuff, and have high hopes on it that it won't have to see the doctors during the warranty period, as well as when warranty expires.

I can afford a Rolex, certainly, even if it consumes 100% or more of my savings... but does it worth?

Hence, it's important to me that am i worthy to that big hat... Do i have a disposable income that gives me no worries like others do? Do i have to be very concern on the later days repair charges, as well as servicing costs? Do i have to be very concern about parts availability, or let it franken when certain parts of the certain calibre had passed it's EOL?

I would like to own a complex movement that not only tells time and day. More complication, more merrier, more complexity that stretches the word HOROLOGY to it's maximum strength.
When it comes to buying watches... i would often go by my priorities...

Quote from my post in another non local forum, I would alway goes by...
1. Movement calibre
2. Pricing
3. Looks
4. Lastly, brands comes into the mind.

Mr. Yeo, I read your post twice yet still cannot figure out what make you shy from a watch brand.

I think you are talking about your priority/criteria for buying watches

[Ed.YEO]

Ooops... heeee~~~
I should make it clear...
Mid-highs, High ends, as well as ultra luxury that demands more than 5 digit price tags... i'll shun... for the moment in reflection to my disposable income.
RIP- Rolex, IWC, Panerai
BBPJ- Blancpain, Breguet, Patek and Jaeger LC not even close...
SEIKO- GS as mentioned, Astron too techie for the price.
Z......- Zenith, recently have some urge, felt the itch, but give up... because on the concern of the future of the movement...

[infinitesadness]

Allow me to start.

I have been eyeing for a Stowa watch for the longest time but the inconveniences involved in making a swift purhcase as well as the lack of a physical local service provider have prevented me from getting one till today. Also, I have no easy means to hold one in my hand physically to make a decision which model I will choose.

Like you i have been eyeing a stowa for the longest time - the antea. but the inability to try one and see one in the flesh turns me off since i read that the watch wears much larger than its size diameter would suggest.

I have also been lusting over a royal oak, but i understand AP charges an arm and a leg for servicing. probably for later in life.

[pegasi]

For me,

1. Difficulty in getting servicing and repair. That includes turn-around time so an "agent" here that can't perform the job but only send the watch out and return after a few months wouldn't do for me.

2. "Fashion brands", such as Armani, CK, Burberry. I can accept jewelry brands like Cartier and Bvlgari (but would only buy them for my wife) but not fashion brands.

3. A brand worn by someone I dislike a lot. This will be over-ruled if it happens to be one of those few brands I love

[pegasi]

I have been eyeing for a Stowa watch for the longest time but the inconveniences involved in making a swift purhcase as well as the lack of a physical local service provider have prevented me from getting one till today. Also, I have no easy means to hold one in my hand physically to make a decision which model I will choose.

Like you i have been eyeing a stowa for the longest time - the antea. but the inability to try one and see one in the flesh turns me off since i read that the watch wears much larger than its size diameter would suggest.

I see a business opportunity...

WFT: Stowa XXX in leather strap
Have the above watch for viewing and trying. $10 for every 10 seconds wrist time, including free advice. Come try before you place order.

*WFT(not WTF) = Watch For Trying