How to spot great watches "for the price" at all prices 

Would you consider doing a walk through of an artisan watchmaker's workshop; what tools they have, why they use those tools, what is the real investment in the low number production of an artisan watchmaker's offering, and what does the future look like for handcrafted attention to detail versus mass market offerings?

I thought of another one. The pitfalls of buying microbrands and the longevity of maintenance and repair parts. Ex1: Buyer gets microbrand watch. 5 tears later, can't get parts from brand and/or service. Ex2: Buyer buys Seiko. 25 years later, straps, bracelets, movements, and dials are all serviceable. Q: Are there any indications that microbrands are more than a hit and run popup shop capitalising on a short-term trend?

I have a question for you if you would humour me, sir. Would you consider the Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional to be a good value watch? I am referring to the three-handed deep blue model with bracelet (T120.607.11.041.01). The specifications are staggering (similar to a Planet Ocean) and the price for those specifications is astonishingly low. I know that Tissot's quality is legendary so I'm at a bit of a loss as to how they've managed to do this for the price and so I respectfully request your opinion good sir. Thank you for all that you do.

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This video was especially interesting to me on a philosophical level, especially when you discussed the concept of "value." ln many areas, value is an entirely philosophical concept. This is as true with great watches as it is with fine art. The, now (in)famous, Dutch forger, Han Van Meergeren was an accomplished but unappreciated artist. He was also known as a legitimate art dealer. ln the 1930s, he "found" a previously undiscovered masterpiece by Johannes Vermeer. Not long after that, he "found" several more. The art world and its "experts" were transfixed by their beauty, with many hanging in the world's greatest museums. lt wasn't until after WWll, when some of Van Meergeren's "Vermeers" were discovered among Hermann Goering's mostly stolen loot, with Van Meergeren's name displayed as the seller, that the secret was revealed. Apparently, the deservedly infamous Goering had actually paid a fair price for some of his treasures. Only when Van Meergeren was charged with selling "Dutch national treasures" to the Nazis" and on trial for his life was the truth revealed about their provenance. Van Meergeren had "found" them on his own easel, after creating them, himself. lf not for that, those "previously undiscovered Dutch national treasures" might still be in circulation with no one any the wiser. Much same the same can be said about fine watches or any other collectible. Their value is determined solely by what the market, or any individual is willing to pay for them.

Not sure that's true - but very kind of you to say. 😊

Thanks a ton for the feedback and praise. It's really appreciated and so glad to have you on board 😃😃😃

Thanks a ton!

I’ve become very interested in watches and horology over the past 6-9 months and your channel is incredibly helpful. It’s like having access to dozens of Masters level classes. Thank you.

I appreciate that! THANKS! 😃😃

Very true 👍👍👍

One of my dreams. Love the Railmaster Denim- jealous!

Glad it was helpful! Thanks 😃😃😃

Exactly 😃😃😃

Gandalf? The grey? 😂😂 Thanks for taking the time to share some feedback 😃

Glad you find my perspectives worth listening to. I don't profess to possess the truth but I enjoy the process of put my thoughts out there.... As for the whole value thing. I get it, totally. Very few on this planet have the money to not care at all about value, resale, etc.... Thanks for sharing 😃😃

Thanks and cheers 😃😃

Thank - Glad you found it worth your time 😃😃

Thanks for sharing! 😃😃

Interesting perspective. That is likely also part of Rolex allure - the recognizability. The status. For sure. Thanks for sharing 😃😃

I used to be like that but at 50 I grew out of it, my watch collection is all Seiko, Vertex, Sinn and Longines - and the only people that give a s**t are people that know.

The average person on the street has heard of Rolex but in real life situations won’t be able to tell an Omega from a Rolex

This. I'm not a watch guy but a friend of mine is. The only one I ever remember is his rolex, even though he has a lot of other comparable ones. If I was spending more than necessary to have the time on my wrist I know where I'd go.

Awesome! Thank you sooo much 😀😀😀

Glad you like them! 😃

Thanks - Remember to apply your own assessment and research as well. My approach is not a universal law of course. But really happy you find it useful 😃

Thank you kindly 😃😃

Glad you found it worthy of your time 😃

Thanks - My channel is growing which I am grateful for. Hadn't expected it to be where it is now after barely a year .😃

Thanks - Glad you found it worth your time 😃😃

Because modern movements are more accurate even if they have a slower movement. Also I would much rather have a longer power reserve. That means I can stop using my watch on Friday night and put it on Monday and it will still work. Letting me also use other watches more. With a regular eta, you have to use your watch on Sunday or it will run out of battery. This means you can use your watch, then another watch the next day and then you need to use the first watch else it does. Or alternatively you use a powermatic and you can use 3 other watches in 3 different days, then come back and the watch is still running

Thanks a lot 😀😀😀

This is why I bought my GS SLGH017 with 80hr PR with 5hz movement at a 30% discount at the grey market. No regrets

Good that you like a bracelet that tapers from 22mm to 20mm 👍🏻

Lower frequency means longer service intervals and less wear. A higher frequency is only one of the parameters to increase the accuracy of a watch, there are many others which is proven by the many certified chronometers from the 50s and 60s whith a frequency of only 2,5hz.

Glad you found it worth listening to. It's not an objective set of laws of nature or whatever but it is a set of broad guides that work for me ... 😃😃😃

Indeed. Just like housing pricing.

He he... Buy me Nautilus and I'll shop for you on the side 😂😂 Jokes aside. Thank you 😊

Thanks a ton 😃😃

Thank you - No. I'm not selling anything, just babbling on about watches 😊

Thanks a lot 😃😃

Glad to hear it! 😃😃

Spot on 😊

I hope not. School killed me.... Slept or daydreamt most of the time 😂😂

Much appreciated! Thanks 😃😃

Good perspective - Personal value. No more. No less 😃

Thanks for subbing! 😃😃

Interesting idea on the rolex perspective. Maybe worth a deep dive. Thanks for the kind words 😃😃

Very true. Good point 😃

Very true, another big factor ...

You're welcome 😃😃😃

Glad it was helpful! 😃

Thanks for the feedback - appreciated 😃😃

Good choice 😃

Good call! Thanks for the praise - Appreciated 😃😃

Thanks for the feedback 😃😃

You are so right. I’ve been diving into GS lately and I continue to be astounded by the level of detail and finishing and tech that goes into their watches at a incredibly competitive price. They are one of the “exceptions to the rule” 😀😀

My and David Attenborough 😂😂😂

I can hear it, Planet Earth 10. “..the seal has no idea he’s in danger as he frolics playfully in the water. From the depths, the hunters go stealth as they close in….” 😂

Thank you!!! I will do my very best at least 😃😃

Glad it was helpful! 😀

Glad you found the video worthy of your time. Cheers 😃

@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch you inspired me to become a hobby RU-vidr!

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Thanks and welcome 😊

I have my watches on a formality × functionality plot. They're usually either full of functions and features, or suitable for more social occasions. But if a watch is both functional and formal (i.e. it's higher and further to the right), it's objectively better, because it's overall more usable.

@@vaclav_fejt Sounds like a good plan!

That sounds horrible.

@@AcmeRocket Well: Happy impulse buying to you too...

any chance you can share this spreadsheet 😁

Thanks! 😃

Glad you liked it! 😀

Thanks! and cheers to you too 😃😃

You're welcome 😃😃

Many thanks 😃You are very kind 😃

I like that equation - makes sense 😃

My pleasure! 😀😀

Cactus Jack AP maybe? 😂😂

Glad you enjoyed it! 😊😊

True

Lol. 😂 Possibly... 😂

Yeah, a super important point. Everyome raves about it. But it's 14.6mm thick!

Good point! Thanks for the feedback also 😃😃

Thanks, and do agree - Value is a fluffy concept at the end of the day. For some it boils entirely down to resale value, for others much more gets stuffed into the definition. Thanks for sharing 😃😃😃

Not often I hear about a Bathyscaphe owner. Good on you and good choice. Skål! 😃😃

@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Appreciate that. Keep up the good work👌🏻 I, particularly, fancy your clever, eloquent analyses of how individual brands are performing in respect of coherent product line market positioning. Also despite the fact that a Blancpain analysis by you would be devastating😉 Skål og god jul🍻🎅🏻

Very kind of you 😊

Very kind of you 😃

You don't HAVE to agree - but glad to hear it nevertheless 😀

High praise! Thanks a ton 😃

Thanks a ton! 😃😃

1521 - Brushed, blue on mesh. Was on my wrist for many years until I lost it in a bar one night 😃😃

Thank you!! 😃

That's the thing - 6K and below gets you A LOT of watch 😊

Thanks for the sub 😀😀

Need to account for the herd effect though

Tend to agree. Value is really wierd when it comes to a chunk of metal, but to many it's a factor because they are so expensive 😃😃

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A pre owned black bay makes perfect sense too , at approx 2K it’s holding its value all day long

@@peterpaterson7320 Yeah, you're not really going to be loosing much money there. I'd say the same is probably true with a used Omega Seamaster / Aqua Terra

Agree... Tudor has really raised the bar for value in that price range. 😃😃

Glad you enjoyed it! 😃

Thank you - also for sharing your thoughts 😊

yes, agreed on the power reserve as I am having 7 watches in my collection, one each day. So, everyday need winding it and set the time. Ironically, I use my phone to see what time it is.

@@powerrangers16712 I’m a bit more old school… just a flick of the wrist to look at the time :), but sometimes a get a certain reflection on my watch that looks so good that I forget to see the time.

Thanks - Glad you enjoyed it 😃😃

It’s funny but I don’t really rationalise my watches buying. At 18 I bought a Cartier Santos because I liked its design and the brand. Then I bought Hamilton because I was going to work in Vietnam so I wanted a proper field watch. Then I tested IWC because of its rattrapante complication. Then another IWC Doppelchronograph but this time in black ceramic which does not scratch and I duly verified this. The next one was the JLC Tribute to Polaris 1968 because of its mechanical alarm and it’s fabulous design with 3 crowns. Last year I bought the Omega Seamaster NTTD as I wanted a titanium watch and is subdued, discreet non shiny style with the Milanese bracelet was perfect. I also have a few Swatch and vintage pilot watches from the 30ies - 40ies. It’s all cool.

@@patrickjean-philippe7679 that’s exactly what I mean… buying a watch is more emotional then rational, that’s why the design is such an important aspect. That being said, once you start getting deeper into the hobby you start rationalising your purchases a bit more… I buy this or that because of this and that reason…