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

[Hammondo]

True AP,VC and PP have all used JLC movement and some of movements they make them self today and call inhouse is still based on JLC know-how
JLC is for sure a watchmakers watch

Based on your signature......I consider Grand Seiko's as high-end and would happily sell some of my Omega's (Luxury watches) to get one. Video Review of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE001 - YouTube
what say some of you?

[Stensbjerg]

Based on your signature......I consider Grand Seiko's as high-end and would happily sell some of my Omega's (Luxury watches) to get one. Video Review of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE001 - YouTube
what say some of you?

I also see Grand Seikos as high-end and I think Seiko has a value for money and a innovation (as we see with the SD technology)
many others brands only can dream about.

Just think of what hype and buzz a swiss made brand would have made if they hat come up with this idea,
to me Seiko do not get enough kredit for what they do on many watch forums but as I hat said before we all have our preferences

There is no doubt in my mind that all brand world wide has a great respect for Seiko they just don't say it out loud
and to me thats says it all

[iim7v7im7]

Based on your signature......I consider Grand Seiko's as high-end and would happily sell some of my Omega's (Luxury watches) to get one. Video Review of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE001 - YouTube
what say some of you?

I think that this thread has sort of lost its course from the original question. This forum is a catch all for "high-end" brands that do not have teir own forum at WUS. Grand Seiko are superb high end watches that should be discussed in the Seiko forum. I thought that this forum was for high-end brands without a seperate brand forum. Brands like:

• A. Lange & Sohne (Richemont)
• Audemars Piguet
• Blancpain (Swatch Group)
• Breguet (Swatch Group)
• Cartier (Richemont)
• Chopard
• Girard-Perrgaux (Sowind)
• Jacquet Droz (Swatch Group)
• Montlanc (Richemont)
• Patek Phillipe
• Roger Dubuis (Richemont)
• Vacheron Constantin (Richemont)
• Ulysse Nardin

[TK-421]

thanks for getting back on track.

I think that this thread has sort of lost its course from the original question. This forum is a catch all for "high-end" brands that do not have teir own forum at WUS. Grand Seiko are superb high end watches that should be discussed in the Seiko forum. I thought that this forum was for high-end brands without a seperate brand forum. Brands like:

• A. Lange & Sohne (Richemont)
• Audemars Piguet
• Blancpain (Swatch Group)
• Breguet (Swatch Group)
• Cartier (Richemont)
• Chopard
• Girard-Perrgaux (Sowind)
• Jacquet Droz (Swatch Group)
• Montlanc (Richemont)
• Patek Phillipe
• Roger Dubuis (Richemont)
• Vacheron Constantin (Richemont)
• Ulysse Nardin

[TK-421]

er, um, it's not a schtick.

ps-i have nothing to deal with, i never bought an AP. i believe you that 35% of the cost is in the case, but that does not directly correlate to the retail price. there are watches with the same finish quality at half the price. the retail mark up is huge, the cost to make an AP is no more than many watches. the real cost is all the APs on the shirts of PGA players.

I think it's great that you've found many watches that are the equal of AP in terms of finishing for half the price. Considering that over 35% of the cost of every AP that leaves the factory goes into the finishing of the case and the movement, all of which is done by hand, that's pretty amazing. I hope that you've bought a few of them.

Oh, and you're right, I can't deny that the dial layout of the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph is similar to the Valjoux 7750, never mind that the registers don't correspond to one another, their internal architecture is completely different and there's no comparison in terms of movement finishing. Seriously, though, compare it with an ETA 2894 if you must, but drop the 7750 schtick already, because you're not doing yourself any favors here.

Regards,
Adam

PS - You can talk to as many ADs and reps as you want, but objectively speaking, AP is a top-tier manufacture and is widely regarded as one of the best of the best by knowledgeable WIS the world over for good reason. Deal with it and move on; there are plenty of other windmills to tilt at.

[craniotes]

Hey, trooper, you're the one who went off track with your woefully misbegotten and quixotic mission to prove that AP was using Valjoux movements, and now that you've finally been shot down in that regard, you're attempting to imply that, what, an Anonimo's case finishing is the equal of an AP's? Please. (And if not your beloved Anonimo, then who?) So don't go trying to take the higher ground here, because no one is buying what you're selling. Oh, and trust me, we are all more than aware of the insane markups that go hand in hand with the luxury goods industry, but thanks for sharing anyway.

Look, you want an opinion, fine, you've got it. Pity that it isn't an informed one, though.

Regards,
Adam

PS - Still, I do hope that you bought some of those half-the-price-but-all-the-quality-of-AP watches you're going on about. What a bargain!

PPS - AP's brand ambassadors aren't paid, but of course you already knew that.

[Aliisloo]

er, um, it's not a schtick.

ps-i have nothing to deal with, i never bought an AP. i believe you that 35% of the cost is in the case, but that does not directly correlate to the retail price. there are watches with the same finish quality at half the price. the retail mark up is huge, the cost to make an AP is no more than many watches. the real cost is all the APs on the shirts of PGA players.

In all fairness, it is hard to argue against AP being a high end. You might not like the aesthetics of some of the ROO models and too many LEs associated with rather mediocre celebrities diluting the brand (Jarno Trulli? seriously? What were you thinking AP!). But the place of AP in high horology is undisputed with their contribution in design, complications or straight up great looking dress watches like current Jules Audemars range.

By the way, I read somewhere that celebrities associated with LEs are not paid anything by AP. In fact they come to AP for the request to make a limited edition most of the time. I don't know same is true for those who are simply sponsored, like PGA golfers. I doubt any golfer will wear a badge without paid!

Ali

[craniotes]

Nope, the golfers aren't paid either. In some instances they're already fans of the brand and collectors themselves, and in others AP donates to charities of their choosing.

Regards,
Adam

[Janne]

Some brands are manufacturing only High End Pieces. Those are easy to call High End>
The problem arises on brands like IWC even Omega. In IWC's case, some movements are ETA, some not. Omega, I believe use maily movements based on ETA? But, they make some truly astonishing pieces, very High End!

What abour Rolex?

[Lencoth]

I would find it much easier to establish what watches are high-end than brands.......