@@jhgaming4818 u can just tell by the look/decoration of the movement. As a CNC-Operator i know how much work and effort goes into finishig, details and tight tolerances. That makes it a lot more expensive, espicaly when it's made by hand.
-Think of a number Me: ok, 6. -Put a pound sign to it and you can buy a watch for that price. Me: True. £6 for a watch, for sure. -Let's start with the cheap watch of £2000. Me: Excuse me WTF?
In 2013 I discovered VC, fell in love with a Patrimony, couldn’t afford it so bought a “similar” looking FC. 3 years of saving & searching I found & purchased a pre owned VC. The VC is so special to me & it made me appreciate the FC more, at a glance.they look the same & I enjoy wearing it stress free everyday. Cheers!
I just got into watches 6 months ago. Before that I wore a smart watch for 2 years. Growing up I wore Seikos. Recently I started to really appreciate watches. I bought the FC slimline dress watch which is at 37mm case and 5mm thick. I feel like I'm in heaven I'm so happy with this stunner. Not sure even with the resources, would I ever buy a $20K watch. Perhaps I am missing something, but I am perfectly happy.
Just think about a cheap car starting around 10.000 pounds. It's all relative. And just like nice cars, an expensive watch could be better desired than owned.
Above. That’s what I thought when I first got into watches. But the more I got into it and the more luxury watches and brands I learned about ... $1,000 is cheap. Hell, for a good watch that’s a god damn bargain. I only make about $6k a year (Still a teenager), but when it comes to watches, I consider that ‘affordable’.
@@aconite72 You both Thomas and Matthew have to learn watches start from under USD100 even under USD10, so USD 1000 as cheap is totally off base and smacks of snobbery.
Honestly, it is getting so boring that every time I see the comments here is all about people crying about £1000 being too expensive. This channel is not for then. Haute Horology is not your thing at all. If you are a Casio man, then go and watch videos of which Casio is the best. What is expensive it relative.
@@papirzsepi Sorry, you are missing the point. I am not a kool-aider nor a Casio man. Anyway, as for the video he should have chosen USD100 -500 watch to represent cheap.
The above mentioned reply, but also thats just true of excellence in general. When you get close to the top, you're paying for minimal improvements. Its like the difference between Olympic athletes compared to high school is insane, but the difference beteeen gold medal and finishing 10th is so small. But the gold medalist wins 10X the endorsement cash as 10th place. You're paying tenfold for actualy very little difference (even though in this case the VC and JLC arent too far off in price)
I was in the VC boutique in Geneva few weeks ago and I must say that whatever you put your hands on there is an absolute masterpiece in finishing, attention, execution... I appreciate my visit even more when this video puts these watches next to each other... In fact, this could serve really good as a basic explanation guide for people who can't believe that a watch can cost more than a couple of grand...
to give a understanding. I'm a fresh graduate looking forward to get a automatic watch. I'm just got a love for automatic watches so to buy the most basic entry level automatic watch seiko 5 snk 803 which costs like 70$ right now I'm saving to buy it for a month 😂😂😂😂 now you know how i feel to this video
@mk well its true, was wearing it at time. now the glycine combat sub. the sarbs incredible for the price nothing beats it. and my skx cant fault. you can get all them together for less than a grand all in....
@@adambransbury Seikos are great that way. Swiss watches have terrible value cause they can't cut down manufacturing cost and like to gouge mindless people who think they're paying $10k when the watch cost under $1000 to make. That's how the get rich due to very high mark up.
This is one of your BEST videos in the series. May we also compliment your careful macro photography. I now understand more about elegant high end timepieces, thanks to your team.
I like time pieces and can well understand the fascination of a manufactured 20k watch. However, I have a problem with it. You mostly pay for things that you don't see and feel, and that don't give you any advantage over basically any watch that costs 100 Euros. The mechanics may be handcrafted, super detailed and made by the most skilled people in the industry. But still, you really can't see any of it. What you see (if even) is that the watch is Gold instead of Steel. I've just bought a Davosa "Batman" for 1.300 Euros and I love it. However, apart from the fantastic bezel there is not much difference to a couple of 400-500 Euro Tissot that I own. I even own an Invicta für 140 and a Parnis for 130 Euros. Both outstanding for their respective prices. Neither the Tissot and not even the Davosa are really "a lot" better. Sure, you can see a difference, but only when looking close. Is the Davosa 10 times as good as the Invicta? Nope. And is a Rolex 10 times as good as the Davosa? Nope. My point is, you pay an aweful lot of money for things that don't make the watch better. If I compare a VW Golf to a Porsche 911, I can at least see and feel what I'm paying for. And there it's only double or triple the price of the Golf. I would go as far as to say, most watches are not worth more than maybe 2.000 Euros. The rest is image and brand. BTW: 2.000 pounds is NOT a cheap watch. It's expensive. Saying it is cheap is like calling an Audi A6 cheap just because there is also Lamborghini.
That is a very valid argument. The only value proposition I can see is the pride of ownership on top of the real value of the watch. This brings in the case of the the likes of Christopher Ward etc.
The next step in watch manufacturing is to automate the hand finishing process, to get the mirror polish edges on components barely 2mm wide, or perfect guilloché pattern turned by CNC (and not stamped as so many do) and to get flawless dial numbering and patterns that stand up to x50 magnification. That way, we can get the Vacheron Constantin for Longines money.
Super video as always and a perfect example of why people are willing to pay much more for watches, and at the same time why people aren't willing to pay. Whilst the VC and JLC are beautiful and more work has gone into them are they worth 5/10 X the price of the FC, especially when in order to see the extra work you need a lens 🔍🤔? As always the answer yes/no/maybe is down to one thing and one thing alone.... personal opinion to which there is not, nor will there ever be a right/wrong answer...only your answer. 👍
To appreciate fine details in all form of art you need to use a loupe, and yes, the price is justified. Diamond for example, D colour IF clarity diamond is literally identical to a E colour VVSi clarity diamond even under a 10x loupe. However the price is sky and earth.
@@CYC_JP whilst I agree the point you make is valid, it really depends on your opinion on what a watch is. I don't consider it "art". I consider it a form of jewelry that has a true function, telling the time. But that's just me. You may well view these watches as art, and the prices justified. I don't. Are you wrong? No. Am I wrong? No. Which is why I made the point in my op about personal opinions. All watches in this video are beautiful. How beautiful and how justified the price is, is all in the eye of the beholder
I’ve watched this channel for years because I’m fascinated with these tiny parts and the skill required. One day I hope to own a Seamaster. Not super expensive but checks my boxes and is a beautiful watch. I want to buy to do my part in keeping mechanical watches alive.
Wow finally you said Jaeger in the French way! You've always read it as "Yaeger"! Both are accepted anyway but it's just refreshing to hear you say it as the French does.
@Dawn Keebolz I think it will be that way for a long time. Since Richemont already bought this channel watchfinder. 😁 But it used to be a non biased channel for a long time. Until it was bought.
Sounds to me like you are paying for manual polishing. If you manually polished a Selitta movement to the same level of the VC, would it be worth as much?
The VC is a stunning watch, elegant simplicity on the face, and the movement is exquisite. £20k seems a bit of a bargain, relatively speaking of course.
Your knowledge on these magical, mechanical, "spring driven" pieces of timekeeping marvels is astonishing. Right now as I worked so hard for 30 years so that I could afford some of these pieces make me appreciate it even more. Thank you.
Putting cost aside a watch has to be pleasing to the eye, of the three watches discussed the JLC is the standout watch here. As I can't afford any of them I await eagerly the Seagull 1963 coming in the mail to me shortly, am heartened you find your 1963 so enjoyable to own.
I learn so much about horology from watching this channel. I've said it before, it's one of the best watch-related content on the internet. That being said, I will likely never buy any of the pieces here, as I feel they are far too expensive. I don't mean that as a slight on the brands at all. I believe that, to some, they must be worth what they are charging, given the expertise and time spent, and the prestige that comes with it. But to me, the differences, being microscopic, simply can't justify the exponential jump in price. I do enjoy looking at the pieces and learning about them though.
Great Video!! Man I love those macro shots. JLC ultra moon is the pick of these watches - great balance of features and price. This is a great video to explain the finishes and why watches cost so much. That VC is amazing though!
Love your videos. Everyone a great story. The photography is top notch, exquisite finishes on all. The close in look on the FC was a surprise. It looked flat and featureless initially. Great work.
I think the Jaeger Le Coultre is the more beautiful, the best watch and the best deal of the three watches. It takes a lot of work to hand make a luxury watches.
@@CYC_JP If Federic Constant is Zara then I suppose my seiko sarb is somethink like Izod, my certina Ds-2 Chonograph Precidrive is something out of wallmart and my Victonrinox maverick is the hoodie of a homeless man...
I haven't had a problem with watches using "cloned movements" they are very good and keep the price down but quality up. The problem arises when a steel watch with a cloned movement costs 3k or more .
I love you approach and expressiveness in every video. I have learned a great deal about timepieces from you in the most elegant fashion. I have a Rolex Submariner 116613LN two tone blackface. I love it, however, why is the SS more in demand? I have Stainless steel pieces non-Rolex so I thought, when I get a Rolex it should stand out! I would love one of your explanations in a video highlighting the reasons for gold and stainless vs. all stainless. Thank you
I would very much like to see a presentation of I.W.C. wristwatches with some emphasis on the "Portuguese"; And thank you for your magnificent videos ...... very enlightening .......
Hmmmm interesting proposition this.... If you need a powerful loupe to appreciate the watch then, arguably, the character of the watch, the emotion if you will is lost. The VC is gorgeous but if you can't see the detail on the dial without getting up close & personal then it looks plain. The JLC had my vote on this occasion, though not this variant as gold on black looks a little Armani to my eye.
Well. Fine arts has to be observed by loupe. Same goes to fine jewellery - diamonds - gem stones. Even vintage paintings you have to use a loupe to observe and appreciate the fine details.
@@CYC_JP I don't disagree - that kind of brilliance is beyond skin deep & I think this, and other videos, absolutely show this. What I suppose I was trying to say perhaps ineloquently, is that if that kind of perfection is only visible under a loupe then it's difficult to appreciate day to day if the aesthetic is otherwise plain. I have to concede that the VC dial is superb & visibly so.
I agree with you comments about the JLC black and gold combination, but the dial of the VC...oy vey....I would never get bored of looking at that through a loupe..
Honestly for luxury watches you are paying for the knowledge of craftsmanship. That every detail has been carefully done by hand instead of machine and that if you do decide to look at it upclose, it is well done. As non watchmakers we will never see the inners of a watch most likely, and yet they hand finish even gears that are unseen.
JahoyDahoy I think it all comes down to appreciation. All who watch this channel love fine high level craftsmanship. If you showed the VC watch to somebody walking down the street they would probably just glance at it and not give a thought to how it's been crafted. They are works of art.....to us. Show me an oil painting in a gallery and I would pass it off without a thought, but these watches...no way, I find them alluring, magical and thought provoking.
It's kinda like "watch porn" lol. And this channel is getting addictive. Recently got into watches, and even tho these aren't what i will ever buy (Ok, i have one that retails for a bit over a grand), i just find this stuff calming and soothing, not to mention, man that's art amd i can appreciate that.
Who declared AP, VC, and PP the top 3? They’re great but so are ALS, JLC, Bréguet if you like wearing a cheeseburger deluxe on your wrist, and many others.
The hand-wound vintage watch I’m currently wearing has the words ‘Timex’ and ‘Made in England’ on the dial. I wonder how much it would it would have originally cost?
The problem for me with the higher tier watches is that they sale you on half truths. One of the biggest ones is "handmade" but you'll find out it machine product and hand finished or some other mix. Also the in-house thing. Had a Tag with an in-house movement but they couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. So I feel the lower and mid price watches are better at the moment because they have to work harder to impress buyers. And I happen to have have watchs on both sides of the spectrum.
The Tag you mentioned is itself a lower tier brand.... And 99% of their watches are using Sellita/ETA movement. They only use their in-house movement on their latest Tourbillion creation and few watches in their Heure vintage collection.
@@CYC_JP when I was speaking about the Tag it was in the context of in-house movements and not it's pricing. Point being that a lot of brand are using in house tag line as a gimmick. Even the 1887 movement they use they claim to be in-house is actually a Seiko moved they bought the rights to and modified. So how in-house is that? Still a Tag not exactly cheap.
There will always be someone who will pay more for a watch just to say they can and you can't. If you can appreciate what you're wearing on your wrist regardless of how much it costs, that's what matters.
I'm a watch collector for over 50 years. And I'm not talking Casio's. But, Omega, Universal, J L C, Girard Perregauz, Zenith. The nowadays more you have to pay for a gold case, is completely ridicule! Although gold is more expensive, there's not that much cold on a case. Especially with an open backcase holding a glass, for the so-called view of the caliber. Next, if (and I'm a pensioner 4 some years), my income would have gone up compared to top branches in ratio from, lets say 1970, till now (if I would still be working), I would be at least earning € 70.000,-- per month. The madness in watch prices, started in the mid eighties. Last century. Before that, one could buy a PP Calatrava, for a few thousand, as jewelers, where happy enough if you would buy their stock then.
Not knocking nice watches, and they are very nice...... but my father in law, that had the financial ability to buy a $10-20k watch(s) wore the same $30 Timex that was given to him at his HS graduation .....until he passed in 2016. That, to me, demonstrated more class and sophistication than any of these extreme 1% er vanity wrist watches.
Weren’t Watchfinder owned by Richemont Group which in its turn owns Jaeger LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin, I would have liked this video much better.
Should've added one more watches after VC like Kari Voutilainen or Phillipe Dufour for a more full scope comparison of price ranges. Would be really cool :/
Well for independent watchmaking, you usually will see very high jump in price. The reason for that is because of low number of production, each watch usually unique and can be customized. But not so much gap between the quality of this VC and these watch, at least if compared to the price difference. So it's hard to make comparison.
@@galihprabasidi8498 yeah what you said, A Perpetual Calendar or a Tourbillon from a brand like A. Lange & Söhne or Patek Phillipe would have been a better super high-end comparison.
Your videos are eye opener, now i know why these watches are so expensive but at the end of the day, a watch just shows time :) an expensive watch shows good time :D
Great video. For that was TL DW, if you have bad eye sight, expensive watches are not for you. You'd always need microscope to see the attention to details. You are paying for the hours put it to make the watch. The process. That's all it is. Now make your choice.
