Whats a boutique watch company?!?!

[t8cmf]

I'm looking for a nice PVD divers watch and I'm working my way through the various watch companies on the fantastic oceanictime.blogspot to find one.

During my research reading watch reviews I've notice that some reviewers refer to some of the watch companies on oceanictime as "boutique watch companies". This is a phrase that is new to me. What do they mean by it?

[andy tims]

Small companies with limited resources producing watches in small batch quantities, using pretty well 100% bought in components, or completely outsourcing the whole assembly process.

They often part finance their costs by taking deposits off customers before starting production.

[RemainAllHoof]

Is that the definition? I just assumed it meant brands which are sold in "boutiques" (I hate that word *shudder* ).

[andy tims]

RemainAllHoof said:

Is that the definition? I just assumed it meant brands which are sold in "boutiques"

Boutique watch brands are pretty well 100% internet sales only

Edited by andy tims on Sunday 6th November 13:31

[t8cmf]

RemainAllHoof said:

Is that the definition? I just assumed it meant brands which are sold in "boutiques" (I hate that word *shudder* ).

Ha ha. I don't like the term either. I was trying to work out if it was being used in a derogatory sense or not. I guess not.

[RemainAllHoof]

andy tims said:

Boutique watch brands are pretty well 100% internet sales only

Edited by andy tims on Sunday 6th November 13:31

I learn something new every day. I would have just called them independent watch manufacturers. But I suppose bigger brands are that, too.

[sneijder]

I've got Armida and Helson bookmarked.

They're bloody huge some of them though.