*WHY* or Why Not??? CHINESE (Asian) Watch with a German Blood

[BlueWings077]

There's two sides to the coin...
PROS & CONS...this topic has been discussed before at the other forums, but perhaps, worth revisiting as some folks feel strongly about the watches they buy...and then, there are some who are sitting on the fence on this topic (or issue). We have seen this before....a company marketing a certain watch and purportedly hints or suggest that the watches are actually made or assembled (major parts/or 51%) or put together in Germany.....OR, as the purists would argue, the watches are essentially made of Chinese parts/components/ assembled in Asia but rebadged as a German watch. and thus, the word "GermAsian" has been coined and mentioned in various threads in WUS. But, somehow, it has a negative connotation and some folks would expressed their dislikes/or disappointments with these watches and refer to these watches as (okay it's the "C' word)...."crap".

But, are these watches, really garbage.....or to put it mildly, relegated to the trash bin after a few weeks..or few months of regular use? Yes, I've heard many horror stories about Invictas/SL's and the like but quite frankly, I have not heard of any pervasive CS/QC issues with some of these watches in general. Since a good number of Chinese watch forum members are very familiar with Chinese movements and/or manufacturing and production fascilities and their track record, I'm hoping that some folks can share their knowledge and personal experiences with "GermAsian" watches. I've noticed that some of the watch designs resembles SeaGulls and Alphas, etc. So, it's conceivable that a majority of these GermAsian watches have Seagull/or Hangzhou/Shanghai movements...or even a Japanese OS20.

Your thoughts?

FOR INSTANCE: the watch below kinda reminds me of a TAO-INTL. watch. Not sure if it's got a Swiss Ronda, but more than likely, Chinese (or Japanese) movement. Perhaps, someone can come forward and dispute this and say this is an authentic German watch.......with an Asian heritage?
Automatic Dual Timer 2nd Time Zone BIG 45 mm Watch





polished stainless steel case
Automatic movement
Vibrations/H: 21,600
Walk reserve approx. 38 hours
Rotor pulling up on both sides
2nd time zone
waterproof 5 ATM
Size approx. 45 mm without crown
Description: WWII Men's dual timer watch with a self winding (automatic) movement, deep blue patterned dial, silver hands and silver numerals, big second hand, front mineral crystal, exhibition back.
Case : Solid stainless steel, polished, 45 mm (w/ocrown)
Band :black, genuine leather, 24 mm, stainless steel thorn fastening brandet by BOSCE Germany
Water Resistant : 5 ATM (atmospheres)
Warranty :2 Years
Delivery : Invoice, Warranty- card, with box

[BlueWings077]

BTW, most of these watches are in the "Affordable" price range which make them very attractive to watch enthusiasts.
The watch pictured below is in the low $100 price point (EURO 89 / USD $109). Upon close examination, these watches are worth the 2nd/3rd look. For someone who may be considering getting a handsome good-looking watch with a proven reliable movement like Seagull or Hangzhou, etc, a GermAsian watch might fit the bill.

[AlbertaTime]

BlueWings077, you're raising the issue in a very respectful and even-handed manner and I appreciate that, so here's my thoughts:

1) There's a sense where I believe these watches are decent value for the $$$, which is to say they may have appropriate enough quality control and attractive features, and even very nice European-style cosmetics. So, I suppose, if they are contracted by a company that has an office in Germany and taken as a fashion watch, meaning "in the fashion of" a German watch, or "styled to be a" German watch there's some value there...the same value of a clothing fashion piece or line that emulates a more expensive look. As long as they don't steal a brand I sort of have no huge problem with that.

They look nice and if I just saw them on your wrist, I'd likely compliment you with no reservations.

But...

2) If they had "China Made" and a more neutral generic or (better) a more Chinese name, I'd be much more pleased to see them here in the Chinese Mechanicals forum. Much better they were sterile even, than pretending to be from somewhere else.

Semdu watches, for example, were welcomed here because, even though they certainly took European styling cues (some examples very much like Omega homages, for a specific example) they were clearly and plainly--even proudly--marked as China Made...to the point of 中国 制造 as well as English.

My point is that if the brand is not proud enough to be plainly Chinese and proud of the nationality of workmanship, then they don't please me by being in this particular forum any more than a Claro-Semag 888 does. There's a reason the Claro-Semag 888 and the Pan homages, and/or other sorta-Swissish/European-looking watches are in the Affordables or Fashion forums and that's because they belong there. In those forums, I can even respect the watches you show to some degree. That's why I even went to bat somewhat for Zodiac over it's labeling of the Claro-Semag 888 as "Swiss" in this post in this thread...but that thread was also in the Affordables forum which I think was more appropriate and the movement actually does (even if barely) absolutely met the technical/legal parameters of "being Swiss".

As well, when I see watches like you're asking about in the Affordables forum or in the Fashion watch forum, I'm pleased to very publicly note that I'm happy and grateful they hire Chinese workers and provide business for Chinese companies.

Here in the Chinese Mechanical Watches forum, however, they make me feel somewhat like I would feel in the presence of a brother or parent who wouldn't acknowledge my kinship.

[Reno]

are these watches, really garbage.....or to put it mildly, relegated to the trash bin after a few weeks..or few months of regular use?

I'm the happy owner of three germasian watches for 3 years now :

Aeromatic Pointer Date (chinese automatic)



Tauchmeister U-Boot (japanese quartz chronograph)


I have another one (Wagner), still running, but with several minor issues :

[AlbertaTime]

I'm the happy owner of three germasian watches for 3 years now :

...and Reno shows three perfect examples, all of which look great and all of which I love seeing in the Affordables forum, every single time.

[Reecek]

I have 2 Trias and a Tauchmeister and they work like a charm, in fact I love the designs of these watches to the point that they are the top of my favorite list!!

[arktika1148]

I've got the very same Areomatic !
Stunning looks, keeps good time , well made , sits comfy on the wrist.

[ckot]

Some are purely Chinese watches, that just stick 'Germany' on them. Minorva's tourbillons come to mind. To me those certainly belong in this forum; this is where the expertise on those movements is, if nothing else.

You could make an argument that any discussion of watches with Chinese mechanical movements belong here. The affordable forum's collective knowledge seems to be around ETA (including Unitas) and Japanese movements. When SeaGull or Parnis come up, referrals are often made to this board.

[BlueWings077]

Some are purely Chinese watches, that just stick 'Germany' on them. Minorva's tourbillons come to mind. To me those certainly belong in this forum; this is where the expertise on those movements is, if nothing else.

You could make an argument that any discussion of watches with Chinese mechanical movements belong here. The affordable forum's collective knowledge seems to be around ETA (including Unitas) and Japanese movements. When SeaGull or Parnis come up, referrals are often made to this board.

THANK YOU, Gentlemen (and Ladies?)...appreciate all your comments and feedback.
>RENO: Beautiful timepieces!!! (Aeromatic/Tauchmeister/Wagner). I actually have a limited edition #34/200 Tauchmeister diver. It's one of my favorites.
>REECEK/STRELA 167: Thanks for your comments and sharing your watches...
>CKOT: At the outset, I was debating whether to post this thread in the Public/or Affordables Forum....but I finally decided that this thread would have more relevant and meaningful feedback from Chinese Forum members b/c of the vast wealth of knowledge of WUS members who owned China-made timepieces and have personal experiences in collecting/owning these fabulous watches. Because like you said, "the affordable forum's collective knowledge" would focus more on ETA/Unitas/Japanese/Other Misc. movements.

[Pawl_Buster]

If a watch is sold by a company with it's head office in Germany, then it is a German watch. Same goes for a watch made/assembled by a company headquartered in Switzerland or one head quartered in Japan.
Bulova may now be owned by Citizen but it is still a registered American company headquartered in the USA. Discussing Bulova watches is still frowned upon on Citizen forums.

So, I have to agree with Alberta Time; the better forum for discussing these watches is on the WUS Affordables.