just discovered you on RU-vid. Love your commentary. It is as all commentaries should be: 1) You talk fast but not too fast 2) you are straight to the point, no fluff, no "woke" over-explaining from a dozen different angles why your opinion is this and not that (a bit THANK YOU) 3) Your analysis and particularly comparisons are simply spot on 4) what you say feels not much scripted, no marketing guru has reviewed your content, really refreshing 5) you dont bore audience with technical details. on top of that, pleasant voice without strong accent, and you obviously have a lot of practical experience. subscribed!
Glad to hear that you appreciate my approach. Just trying to share my thoughts without professing to hold a certain truth - just perspectives and ideas 😀
Rolex will always be #1 for me if just for the brand recognition. Nothing is more impressive to the masses,most people don't know all these other luxury brands & we do like to impress.
Damn, your videos are probably the best that can be found…very honest, detailed and you honor the nuances well. Additionally you’re quite frank when it comes to the shortcomings of a particular brand or watch….Bravo!
Thorough analysis as always. Much appreciated. Now, TAG, Cartier, Omega, JLC, Panerai, Moser, Montblanc, Citizen. That would be a great follow up cadre.
I wait with genuine anticipation for each of your videos…a real compliment. Another excellent episode..your assessment of Longines is interesting, I definitely think a reduction in the range would help the brand..love my Majetek.
For this techie, Sinn has an excellent website - consistent, simple to navigate, with high information density. I despise pointless marketing fluff flash videos constantly popping up on so many other manufacturers' websites that make it harder for me to find what I want.
@@jhlocus You are right, they did. They now redesigned it for mobile phones, low information density, takes forever to find what you want... Terrible. I guess they figured by dumbing it down they will sell more watches. Not sure they think much of their customers.
Really thoughtful video as always. I’m an IWC fanboy, and have both the Portugeuiser chrono and Mark XX, and yet fully agree about the cost at retail. Zenith, I now finally understand why I don’t understand the brand; they’re not just one brand! And one day I will get a Sinn 556, just waiting for the website to become useable😮
Really enjoyed your "fireside chat" and your observations. I've recently came out of my Tudor BB/Pelagos comfort zone by getting a Longines Conquest with the green/khaki dial. Just fallen in love with everything about this watch. I'm afraid my Tudor watches are enviously residing in my watch box. For now of course. 😀
I'm only starting my collection,6 months I have ten pieces but my Tudor Black Bay crono Panda I've fallen in love with. Close to a Daytona as I'm going to get for a minute!
You are the only watch related youtuber I'm suscribed to and I only have an old apple watch lol, but I like your insights, editing and overall vibe. Cheers
I've been getting into watches in the last couple of months and really appreciate your vids, a nice level headed and unbiased (or as unbiased as one can strive to be). These types of vids are very useful for me to get a better understanding of the market. What these brands are known for, their most famous models, some of which will inevitably be discontinued and harder to find etc etc. If you are interested, I bought my first watch a couple weeks ago, a Longines Record L28204 (white dial, blue hands) for £890 never worn, which I think is a pretty good deal seeing as I've barely taken it off since!
I would love to see you do this video again but with Cartier, Omega, ALS, JLC, Mido, Formex, RM, and Girard Perregeaux. I’m new to your channel and loving your content, thanks for doing what you do for the watch enthusiasts!!!
Nice video and analysis. Would you considered to do a part two evaluating brands like Cartier JLC Omega..maybe picking from the watch swiss report in terms of sold watches and profitability?!? Always a pleasure to see your dissection on a very personal subject 😊...best watch for value
I love one or two of the Tudor range. However, I'll never get past the comment that stuck in my head that is shared by many...'Tudor are watches for people who can't afford Rolex'. That perception ruins them for me.
I like this kind of videos because your takes are original and articulated. But what are CW and Bremont doing in this list of illustrious brands? Suggestion : Either mix it up completely or go by theme such as a country 🇬🇧, the execution of a complication, brand heritage by age bracket, pre-owned market value
In my opinion Sinn watches hold their value quite well due to the fact that they don't offer discounts and neither do the ADs, because they don't buy the watches from Sinn but sell them on commission. Got two chronographs that more than doubled their value, but it took 30+ years. 😂 In ny experience they normally drop at around 30% and then keep value quite good. Great video, as usual.
Hi Mike, I really like this new format. It’s a good brand overview and highlights which models are best in brand. As someone who has yet to dive into the second-hand market and therefore more comfortable paying retail this format is helpful in exploring that choice for each brand. Some brands I’d like to see next: NOMOS (my likely next purchase, the Club Sport 37), Oris, Omega. Keep up the great work.
Grand Seiko's brand separation from Seiko has helped its image for me personally. The introduction of standalone GS boutiques alongside many high end Swiss brands has also helped. They're also starting to improve weakness areas like their bracelets. Personally I find some of the dressier pieces too conservative and actually prefer the "flashier" models like the Sports GMT with sapphire bezels because when you combine GS's superlative finishing with more avant-garde designs the effect is often spectacular imo.
Still Seiko though. I think they'd do better to remove that name from GS simply because the average Joe (who probably isn't in their target demographic anyway) just sees a Seiko. Nuanced. Great watches, but boring and way too expensive.
@lhuddyness anyone who appreciates GS doesn't care that others see "Seiko". We know we're wearing something that blows Rolex out of the water. It's enough that we know it, we don't need you or some other casual observer knowing it.
I was able to hold my first GS yesterday. I have criticized them in comment sections for years. Partly because I thought they were boring and partly because their advocates are so adamantly (obnoxiously 😅) committed. It was just as well finished as I thought it would be. The bracelet was better than thought it would be. And finally the three hand design was just as boring as I thought it would be. GS has so much unrealized potential. All they have to do is hire a couple of European designers and make a tool watch line, a complicated dress watch line, a complicated sports watch line and they could take over the watch market. They could continue to make watches reminiscent of stuff that their engineers see out of their windows but then the rest of us could all revel in watches that are as well designed as they are built. Deep down no one can argue the engineering or finishing. Just give us a little Parmagiani, Bovet, or even Lange. Is it too much to ask for creativity and engineering excellence? A hand full of Kodas a year are not enough, and yet a perfect example of what they could be if they would put forth the effort.
Thanks Mike for the vid. Perhaps you could do the same approach again in some time for other brands as well. As for Longines: never been a great fan myself but have the impression they do rather well in Asia.. different perception there, I guess
I do agree with your Rolex summary. Plus - I don’t want to pay so much for a watch that ends up paying for exclusive sports/activites…. I love Grand Seiko for exactly the reasons you find against them. Cheers.
Tudors position in the market is absolute genius. Moving upmarket slightly, started using in house movements, and getting METAS certifications. Rolex is clearly using Tudor to compete with Omega to show they’re not worried about other brands.
I would argue the opposite: Rolex is using their sister company to compete with the Omegas and other heritage / sports competitors of the horological world *because* they need someone to retain those aspiring owners that have been frustrated that they can’t acquire their sports models as they continue to move more upmarket.
Just wow Mike, your channel and whole vibe is so refreshing. Nothing about you is pretentious, which is far too common with a lot of the fireside chat style of watch channels. Gives me a lot to think about on how I can better deliver my videos.
I love IWC. But spot on you just can’t pay retail. I get it they overcharge but if you can get one 2nd hand for a good price, it’s a no brainer. Also best bracelet in the business.
I like your smooth intelligent discussion style, I assume english is not your first language, so respect for that, love the content... it's what I look for when deciding on a new watch ! Carry on Sir !
I think this is one of your best videos yet! As a CW fan,I feel you have explained CW perfectly. As for Bremont, they are trying to play the game the big boys are,yet they lack imagination and are charging big boy prices for their watches. Obviously, money is far more important than imagination!
Nice video! Thank you for including Christopher Ward and Longines. I'm relatively new to watches, and am more of a wearer than I am a collector, but I still want something of a decent quality. I'm angling for a Dolcevita, unless some other reasonably sized and priced dress watch comes along, so it was nice to hear your comments on Longines. Keep up the good work!
I subscribed to this channel due to genuine good quality opinions from Mike.. Keep going 👊🏾 Was wondering why Omega Aqua Terra or any other omegas were not mentioned ?
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch I purely make decisions of buying watch based on your videos now.I was not expecting you to reply me.But this reply states your commitment and passion. Shoutout to you and looking forward to you next video.I am finalizing purchase between Omega Aqua Terra,Tudor BB58 & Rolex Oyster perpetual! Thanks
Your videos are quite special. They’re a real breath of fresh air in a world of RU-vid creators who are mostly just trying to sell the idea that X watch is fantastic or that Y brand is the best of 2024. I understand that people want to feel validated when they make a big purchase like a nice watch, but the truth is that it is a personal decision and there are a lot of compelling products out there. The watch industry is based so heavily on branding and stories to differentiate various brands that it’s a challenge for consumers to figure out what they’re buying and why.
Great video. It would be interesting to see you do more of these videos, then do deeper dives into one or two of the brands mentioned and speak about their lineups or popular models in a similar format to this.
I love the measured analysis of these unquestionably higher end brands. For those of us wading more into that side of things, it gives a good synopsis of pros and cons. If nothing else, it gets me thinking. Of one thing I'm absolutely sure, though. I have given up on NATO style straps. It's the keeper loop at the top of the wrist. Wear what you like.
The video is constructed with data-based description and personal opinion. It is very helpful to inform people on the most important features of those brands. It is also entertaining to learn your opinions about the watches. Well done and thank you for a nice video!
First time I’ve watched your channel. I’ve seen the thumbnails but I always found them….offputting in some way. Like I was about to be yelled at for whatever watch I like. I was very pleasantly surprised with what I heard. Good content man.
My best watch is Onega hour vision but I rarely wear it. A few years ago got Sinn 856 UTC as a gift and it was my daily watch till last year, when I bought Steinhart pilot dual timer titanium for 1/5 the price of the Sinn. I just love it. My next one will be Nomos Worldtimer but I'm afraid it would be like the Omega, in the safe most of the time.
Great analysis! I’d love to see another one of these on like Tag, omega, breitling, new seikos, ball, Panerai, Oris, fortis, rado, zodiac and some of the other brands that sell watches under 10k. I think all of the brands listed will have to get really ‘creative’ lol if they want to continue to sell watches as the weak economy, internet, and micro brand offerings forge more and more discerning customers.
I own an Chronomaster Revival, the A385. It’s quite a fine watch. Their vintage leaning watches are spot on, clearly their sweet spot. As for paying or not paying retail, regardless of manufacture, I avoid retail. In this regard, Zenith, depending on model can offer great value by going preowned. My biggest wish from Zenith would be to see them revamp their Elite series of dress watches. Those are nice watches, but nothing particularly special. They could certainly be given a boost.
I have a few Rolexes and the quality of Tudor is pretty much equivalent to Rolex. They just don’t look as good. I have a Snowflake and it is probably my favorite watch. I bought it many years ago and got about a 20% discount. I got lucky with the bracelet. It fits me perfectly. Nice job on the video. I like the honesty. It’s nice to have a watch channel not pushing Ali Express watches.
Your insight to the philosophy of watches and the purchase of watches is interesting. The title is overrated, every purchase should be subjected. It doesn’t matter how expensive or inferior the watch is, as long as you’re happy with your purchase. But I do appreciate your guidelines.
I loved this video because you don’t muck around. You back everything up with observation (dial, size, and movement). I disagree on the Grand Seiko but I have a different aesthetic (Northern Californian). But I hope it and others listen to your marketing advice. In the future please do a video on the integrated bracelet. In the 1960s and 1970s that’s all my alcoholic dad wore so I don’t have good associations . All I hear now are complaints (pain, sizing, and scratches). Thanks
Very informative as always..... This video needs to be MUCH longer to include all the other brands..... Looking forward to more episodes on the same theme. Keep up the good work!!
I was convinced to get an IWC or Panerai this year. However, they have outrageously raised their prices. I feel like their pieces are overpriced and they don't care about watch enthusiasts. They are going for the money of people just seeking status. In terms of value for money, I have made my decision to purchase a Tudor Black Bay GMT Coca-Cola. Solid, elegant, versatile, excellent finishing, excellent caliber. For the same price, I could buy an entry-level Panerai Radiomir with a very simple caliber and no seconds function in a sad and blue cardboard box, or an entry-level and simple IWC Portofino without any special feature. If I were a marketing executive of IWC or Panerai, I would be in shame. I have compared the three pieces side by side at a boutique and the Tudor GMT is miles away in terms of respect for the consumer. I felt really happy with my acquisition.
Good video. I like IWC & Tudor. I must say, I quite like all the brands you mentioned, but those two do it for me. I don’t mind Bremont, but do think I could pay what they’re asking.
I have just found your channel a few days ago. Absolutely love your presentation style and your thoughts. Feels more trustworthy and reasoned than other youtubers. With that said, Sinn and CW are absolutely boring watches. Would've liked Hamilton, Ball, Tag, Nivada and obviously Omega.
Swiming againt the current, saying things the way you see it, and yet not pretending it is anything else but your own (highly educated) opinion. That last coment of buying what you like is the hidden pearl of the video. Thank you sir...
Excellent video as always. Based on what you know, why is that the German (Nomos/GO) and Japanese (GS/Kurono) brands are less popular in US and Europe? Is it purely perception from Swiss marketing as superior products?
This is a superb video, totally agree with most of the points. Tudor have captured the upper midmarket right up to the point just below Rolex and in doing so they will have devalued a lot of other brands . Tudor won’t discount but most others including omega will. Discounts on brands like longine even zenith run up to 20% - I’m expecting IWC to be offering relatively modest discounts as their sales suffer. strong enthusiast brands like sinn won’t have this problem and aspirational watch enthusiasts may look in that direction more.
Tudor is losing sales turnover and share. Thats not a success story. What you have laid out is marketing theory….but in reality less people (not more) are actually buying Tudor offerings (Source: Morgan Stanley Swiss Watch Business Performance Analysis)
That may well be correct for 2023 because at that point the boom is over, but I did say that’s also going to be the case for a lot of other brands in the 2500 upwards section. once you have bought one Tudor watch like myself, you are unlikely to buy another. And if you bought one in the recent boom. Late 2020 to spring 2023 you are very unlikely to buy another unless you are a real enthusiast with the money. so yes you are right but the problem there is those other brands will be seeing the same thing maybe even to a greater extent which in the UK is definitely reflected in the discounts available.
@@Robert-vw3od I think you are correct regarding Tudor with many buyers being one and done (I bought a BB41 and have since sold). However, the reason behind that is their one trick BB pony lineup that has little variation and therefore little incentive to build a Tudor collection. Longines has a broader catalog (agree with Mike maybe too broad) and therefore broader appeal to more buyers…hence the reason they’ve remained a Top 10 sales turnover brand
@@GoTerpsGoBlueagree with you about there being little incentive in being a Tudor collector. I’m considering doing a type of rotation where I’ll sell one Tudor to buy another Tudor, and keep doing that. It’d be all preowned, of course. I would have to sell my Black Bay Heritage to get started, though 😉
@@GoTerpsGoBlue I would totally agree with that. You could build a excellent collection from longines. my comments are mainly about how these things will be handicapped in Price by what Rolex have done. You will see discounts in the UK 20% is the max but is very common.
Good on you for giving time to Sinn. I love my Rolex watches, and I don’t care what anyone thinks about that… I also own Sinn and wouldn’t mind if that’s all I had, they are great watches, and a brand I recommend often.
I've watches your first two ten watch videos. Can you do a third tier video? Like one that would include Oris and Hamilton? Just curious what you think about the lower tierd brands.
I love GS and their cases are quite safe as you stated. However, their dials make up for it as they have some very unique dials. You also didn't mention on of my favorite brands, JLC.
This is a really fun and interesting video. It's like listening to Don Draper talk about watche brands. One question: I thought Tudor had QC issues, and I thought I'd even seen a video from you recently where you talked about them. You didn't mention it here. I would have thought that was an enormous factor to consider?
At the time of this video, the jury was still out on my side as to what impact the QC issues had. Also - Most of their QC issues are clearly visible, so you can avoid them by not buying the one that looks "off". It's for the most part not something the hinders the watch from actually functioning 😊
I recently sat in a meeting room with a bunch of people. Most of them wore Rolexes - mainly Submariners and Datejusts; one Milgauss. Then a couple of guys with Apple watches, myself with a GS and one other with a Speedy. It baffles me that Rolex is perceived to be an exclusive status symbol; but everybody seems to have one.
