Question: Would you buy a "Fashion" Watch ?

[greydog]

A particular watch caught my eye. I called Macy's and asked if they had it in stock. I gave the Lady a sku number from the web site. She had me hold on while she checked. When she came back on she said, "this is the fine watch department. That is a fashion watch. Hold on while I transfer you to the "Fashion Watch Department". My nephew collects a "fashion" watch. By his own admission that's what he called it. He told me this story. He took one to a watch store for a battery change. The guy he delt with was up front. He told him he only worked on "real" watches like Citizen and Seiko. But this time he would go ahead and change the battery out in his "Fashion" watch. And told him he should look at some "better" watches

So, would you, or do you, purchase "Fashion Watches"? Should I continue to look at this eye catcher?

[MikeCfromLI]

I have a few fossil as beaters...

[Metlin]

Depends on what the watch is, but I certainly have owned fashion watches for no other reason than aesthetics.

My latest acquisition (and a personal favorite) is the Daniel Wellington that I rather enjoy. And one of my favorite watches in my collection (for personal reasons) is the Raymond Weil Maestro, and many consider RW to be a fashion brand.

[Scottish Steve]

The whole premise of "fashion" vs "fine" is insulting and based on a dodgy premise. (not the OP, the "official designation")
Cartier is the classic debunk of this argument. And I wonder how many members would consider Hublot a "fine" watch. I called Harrods once to see if they carried Sinn. I though I could save up for a few weeks and get an affordable model. The girl in Harrods asked "Is it a FINE watch?" The "fine watch" department had never even heard of Sinn!
I believe that it's an inherently derogatory term used by people who think they knew more than they actually do.

[ari.seoul]

why wouldnt I buy 'fashion' watches ... to me, watches are watches are watches ... they're watches ...

watches could 'fall' into categories designated by people ... but if you really like the watch, who gives a high-fallootin' hoot what other people might want to call them,

and please dismiss, get that comment out of your mind, what the guy at the watch store said about 'fashion' watches not being 'real watches' ... that is one of the biggest ignorant, piece of crap I've ever heard

[Scottish Steve]

What greydog should do is take a patek or any other expensive watch he owns or can borrow from the wrist of a friend for five minutes, back to that moronic watch guy and say, "this needs regulated. Do you know anyone who can do it?" When the guy says "I can", simply reply that you're looking for someone who won't insult the birthday present you got from your 15 year old son/nephew etc.

[camb66]

No- I would only buy from a purpose built watch company. Where one draws the line on that is difficult but here are some examples.

Yes- Seiko, Citizen, Orient, Christopher Ward, Tissot and beyond

No- Lacoste, Michael Kors, Fossil, Skagen, Nautica, Hugo Boss etc.

Might be a bit tough on Skagen but they do get sold in general department stores here and I do not really take them too seriously.

[camb66]

Depends on what the watch is, but I certainly have owned fashion watches for no other reason than aesthetics.

My latest acquisition (and a personal favorite) is the Daniel Wellington that I rather enjoy. And one of my favorite watches in my collection (for personal reasons) is the Raymond Weil Maestro, and many consider RW to be a fashion brand.

I wouldn't

[Metlin]

I wouldn't

Neither do I, especially since my RW has performed admirably in the couple of years that I've owned it, and keeps great time. I've been rather impressed with their watches, and consider them to be the last "family owned" Swiss brand.

However, I think I'm part of a small minority here: many, both here and on other watch forums, seem to consider RW to be a fashion brand because of their more fashion-oriented quartz offerings.

[Scottish Steve]

I have no problem with any company trying to make it's way in the world, but I do have a problem with some brands, such as Armani which charge a lot of money for a garish case around a basic Miyota quartz mvt. If a company is up-front about what you get so that you can make an informed decision, that's all well and good. But if you ask a salesperson what's in a $600 Armani watch and s/he says "Oh its a high quality movement" that is not good enough. Spoon used to a good example of a range of disctintive fashionable watches which gives you something well-made for your money. I don't know about now, but ten years ago you were getting 50m WR, 316l cases and Seiko quartz mvts for 75-200 GBP. Good stuff.