LM-3 Discussion

[MitchSF]

... would a less expensive Asian model cause you to not buy the LM-1 or LM-2? I think the answer is no. A less expensive model is not going to lose customers it will only bring in more.

This makes sense to me.

if it's crap don't sell it though, protect your brand

Absolutely, but it's been established by current buyers, that the quality is good. Of that we have no worries.

Mitch

[mike03]

I say go for it. I see nothing wrong with having high quality watches at different price points of styles and movements. There is clearly a market for $300-400 watches and some people simply cannot afford to buy an assortment of $700+ watches. Those people might not reside on this forum but trust me they are out there! If the object is to sell watches I see nothing wrong with reaching beyond these virtual walls and tapping into that market too. My two cents

[Dean in Canuckistan]

I think the "for Asian production of a ~$3-400 diver" folks make good points.

I think the others are being elitists, personally.

A lower priced watch will bring in more customers in addition to those who can afford to more rare and custom made LM-Xs. If the quality is as good as suggested, then I see no reason for them to leave or to not upgrade to another Ocean7 in the future.

I know that the LM-Xs are a bit pricey for me, but that the picture at the top of this thread looks very promising at a price range that I can consider right now...

[Dean in Canuckistan]

Yes, and also check the "Metal Band?" thread for the same watch from another brand. I met with the manufacturer in Hong Kong. Nice people. They won't say who they manufacture for, but it's obvious.

Most here are against the decision to make this watch.

Mitch

Having just seen the watch in the "Metal Band" thread that appears to be based on this company's product along with another brand that appears to be using this case as well, I can't encourage you enough to go ahead with the plan to use this manufacturer. I think you would have something at a fairly low price point, including a swiss movement, that could compete with watches three times its price.

That to me sounds perfectly in line with the plans for Ocean7 being tossed about this forum - high quality, great looks, excellent value for money.

[bleddrewsoe]

Mitch, I think there are two schools of thought here....

1. There must be consideration to what offering a non-Swiss watch will do the reputation of a Swiss brand as Ocean7 decided to be . My feeling is that the general public will be suspicious of the "Swiss Made" Ocean7 watches and that offering Asian models will dilute the Ocean7 brand. I'm not saying this would be a valid assumption, but remember perception is reality. If you look at the watch brands out there, the well respected brands(large or small) offer their watches from the same origin...Both Swiss and German companies that have the respect of the watch community offer all their timepieces as Swiss or German. The brands that do not do this and offer both Swiss, German & "who knows where it was made" watches generally have a lack of respect. Invicta and some of the Germasian brands come to mind ...
2. Now there is always an exception to the rule and if this watch is truly the same watch more or less as the watch in the "watch band" thread, I think you may be onto something . I really do not see the resemblance myself , but it could be that the bezel is throwing me off and the drawing is not that detailed. Again, if this really IS a sister design to the other brand, then I think you make this part of your offering at a lower cost, but have it as a stand alone Asian production model. Also, speaking of watch bands I think you would need to offer it with the same steel bracelet as that makes much of the look for the other piece.

Just my .02

[Brad Trent]

bleddrewsoe offered: "...the general public will be suspicious of the "Swiss Made" Ocean7 watches and that offering Asian models will dilute the Ocean7 brand..." and. "...perception is reality...", and "...Invicta..."

That's all I'm sayin'!!!

Hell, I know you can make a great product in a cave in Kazahkstan, but we're talkin' about a fledgling company trying to make a name for themselves in the watch biz...diluting the brand before it get's outta the starting gate hardly seems like a wise business plan to me.

Now someone has already mentioned having two tiers, like Lexus and Toyota. Lets get real for a second...watch buyers are hardly looking for one company that does "everything". If Ocean7 makes a great "Swiss" dive watch, then the buying public looking for that kind of toy will line up and buy it. If they wanna make a great Chinese 1000m diver, then I'm sure there are just as many guys who will jump all over that too, but let's be very clear...I seriously doubt the guys who are buying the Swiss watch would have anything to do with the Chinese model. Call me short-sited, call me elitest, call me racist...I can take it! But I know a lotta watch-geeks and I know how they think.

BT

[Tragic]

Threads like this make me wish Wal-Mart and China would hurry up and finish conquering the universe.

[Malyel]

Brad,
Here is something I can not understand. You already own a watch whose roots are with the Asian manufacture in question, don't you? O| A watch that sells for 2x-3x the cost of the proposed Asian diver. If you are so against 1000m dive watches from this Asian company, why do you already own one?

You know the quality of this Asian manufacture is good. You mentioned how great and inexpensive their bracelet is. You even recommended it's use for the Swiss model.

You say that the guys who buy the Swiss model will have nothing to do with the Asian mode. I can't disagree with you more. I am a watch nut. I own many Swiss watches and I am always looking for a great value in a watch. In my opinion, a watches cost or origin have no bearing on if the watch is a good watch. A $60 Casio G-Shock is a great watch and a $3000 Zenith el primero Chonograph is a great watch. If the quality is there it doesn't matter where the watch is made. What's funny is the guys you say will avoid the Asian model are the same guys who are going to spend $1000 for a watch they think is Swiss when in fact it's made by the same Asian company in question. I can think of two guys already. :-D

I plan on buying both LM's and I would buy the Asian made model in a second. $3-$400 for a quality 1000m diver, where does the line form?

[Danny S]

Sorry to do such an abrupt about face here.. but I've been swayed by the well-reasoned replies I've been reading. I now agree all Ocean need offer are upscale, upmarket products. Better to forget all about the "high quality / low cost" concept that put Ocean on the map in the 1st place.

After a little market research I've come to realize that GM sells many more Caddys than Cavaliers.

Turns out BMW moves 4 or 5 times more 7series sedans than 3series variants.

Volkswagen had such great sales success moving upscale with it's Phaeton it still keeps examples in showrooms on display. (..even though production ceased two yrs ago.)

Good thing we've got advice coming from NYC.. 'cause lord knows the rest of the country follows their lead closely whenever possible.

Glad Mitch & LaHugh arent interested in sales volume. Long as the overwhelmingly large group of 'elitists" are happy, it'll be a job well done!

O|

[Brad Trent]

Daniel...sarcasm aside, you can keep the Cavalier, OK?!!

BT (NYC)