Which Watch Brands Belong in the High-End Forum? Which Ones Do Not?

[TK-421]

i was told that AP uses ETA movements by a salesperson. i just asked a 2nd person and they told me the same. so i would be interested if someone who knows for sure would chime in on this. if this is true, then i consider AP a luxury brand, if this is not true, then i would put them as high-end.

[Janne]

Me too have heard that AP uses sometimes ETA.
Of course, I might be misled. Has happened before.

[wwiibuff]

Fake AP's use 7750's, per the AP service center in clearwater Fl real AP's do not.

[Janne]

If not ETA, then maybe Ronda?

What I did not mention before, is that I am not sure who makes the QUARTZ movements. I doubt AP or PP manufacture them 100% from scratch.
Certain parts - yes, but not all parts.

We tend to forget that some of these High End Manufacturers also make Quartz watches!!!

[craniotes]

Let me put this to rest for you guys:

AP does not use ETA movements (nor do they use Ronda). They have collaborated with JLC in the past, but then so have pretty much all the major brands.

Case closed.

Regards,
Adam

PS - AP's quartz models are made by, you guessed it, AP, most likely with an assist from JLC or F.Piguet. It might surprise some of you to learn that marques like Rolex, Patek, IWC and JLC have all collaborated in the past to develop quartz calibers. Look up the Beta 21...

[Janne]

I would think that all the major components in the Quartz movements used by these low production companies are outsourced. Bridges and plates - can be made inhouse, together with the assembly?

I do not think AP, PP or JLC have the machinery to manufacture the crystals, coil, boards etc.

[craniotes]

I would think that all the major components in the Quartz movements used by these low production companies are outsourced. Bridges and plates - can be made inhouse, together with the assembly?

I do not think AP, PP or JLC have the machinery to manufacture the crystals, coil, boards etc.

Now you're splitting hairs. With the exception of Seiko, which has raised vertical integration to an art form -- and to a slightly lesser degree, Rolex -- no manufacture can create EVERY component in-house. Where you choose to draw the line is up to you, of course, but for the purposes of the discussion here, AP qualifies as a high-end, in-house manufacture by every reasonable criteria.

For further discussion of AP's quartz calibres, the High-end Quartz forum is probably the best place to hang out. Those guys know everything about quartz watches, top to bottom.

Regards,
Adam

[Janne]

AP is definitely high end, no doubt!

Splitting hairs? If it is as I assume, that the major parts in the Quartz movements are not made by AP, PP, JLC, Rolex, but just the plates, bridges and assembly, then it can certainly be discussed if the movement is inhouse.

I will post in the Forum you recommend.

[TK-421]

i just spoke with 2 different ADs. they both said that AP makes their non-chrono movements, and that their chrono movements are modified movements of other manufacturers.

AP is definitely high end, no doubt!

Splitting hairs? If it is as I assume, that the major parts in the Quartz movements are not made by AP, PP, JLC, Rolex, but just the plates, bridges and assembly, then it can certainly be discussed if the movement is inhouse.

I will post in the Forum you recommend.

[ajack]

I really wonder why Blancpain is not high-end, but just luxury. Ok, I know that's different between high-end and luxury, but, can anyone tell me more specific?

Each Blancpain watch is made by single watchmaker, they have in-house movements, they got the most complicated watch in the world (Blancpain 1735). And Blancpain is not high-end watch?