Mechanical watch prices
Discussion
I am just catching up with some reading and have come across a 'Watch Special' supplement to the Sunday Times dated 27 October 2011 which contains an article suggesting that since the Swatch Group is restricting supply of ETA and Valjoux movements to smaller watch makers, that in the near future it is likely to be difficult to get a mechamical watch for less than £1,000.
Is that likely to be correct or is it more likely to be scare mongering? I ask because I have got my eye on a Steinhart and a Stowa, both of which use ETA and/or Valjoux movements, and are currently available for less than £1,000. I am not in a position to buy them at the moment and am concerned that prices may rise before I am.
Is that likely to be correct or is it more likely to be scare mongering? I ask because I have got my eye on a Steinhart and a Stowa, both of which use ETA and/or Valjoux movements, and are currently available for less than £1,000. I am not in a position to buy them at the moment and am concerned that prices may rise before I am.
There's also the Chinese manufactures.
http://www.tractionink.com/watch_wiki/index.php?ti...
How big a deal is 'Swiss Made'?
http://www.tractionink.com/watch_wiki/index.php?ti...
How big a deal is 'Swiss Made'?
RemainAllHoof said:
Just get in a Japanese movement - more reliable and doesn't need servicing every month. 
The problem, however, is perception. Oooh, it's a Swiss watch. Problem is, when you think about it, what else are the Swiss good at? Cheese and chocolate. Great.
Finances... Unlike 99.99% of the rest of the world. The problem, however, is perception. Oooh, it's a Swiss watch. Problem is, when you think about it, what else are the Swiss good at? Cheese and chocolate. Great.
M
RemainAllHoof said:
Sure, another thing which is completely unrelated to mechanics, etc. I have no idea why the Swiss got a name for good quality watches.
Is it not the stereotypical view that the majority of the Swiss population are very organised, rather serious and a bit 'over the top' in relation to attention to detail? Sounds like perfect watch-making territory 
Ikemi said:
Is it not the stereotypical view that the majority of the Swiss population are very organised, rather serious and a bit 'over the top' in relation to attention to detail? Sounds like perfect watch-making territory
Fair enough! I was not aware of that stereotype, though... only the surrendering bit. Interesting Bry and informative link - thank you.
I have never heard of Sellita but I am new to this so that may not be surprising. How do their movements compare in terms of quality, timekeeping and price with ETA/Valjoux movements.
Further, once the Swatch Group restrict supply of ETA/Valjoux movements to smaller watch makers (assemblers?) are Sellita likely to corner the market and increase their prices accordingly or are there other comparable suppliers in the market with whom they will have to compete?
Indeed, are some of the smaller makers (assemblers?), for example Steinhart and Stowa (being the two I am particularly interested in at the moment)likely to develop their own movements?
I have never heard of Sellita but I am new to this so that may not be surprising. How do their movements compare in terms of quality, timekeeping and price with ETA/Valjoux movements.
Further, once the Swatch Group restrict supply of ETA/Valjoux movements to smaller watch makers (assemblers?) are Sellita likely to corner the market and increase their prices accordingly or are there other comparable suppliers in the market with whom they will have to compete?
Indeed, are some of the smaller makers (assemblers?), for example Steinhart and Stowa (being the two I am particularly interested in at the moment)likely to develop their own movements?
"Geoffrey --I talked to IWC's product management people several weeks ago. There is no intent to replace ETA as a movement supplier with Sellita Calibres or others. ETA will continue. Sellita will be used as a supplement for certain models; in the future you may see more use of in-house calibres (now way over 50%) on some new models at slightly higher price points."
Christopher Ward has started to use Sellita movements, I think I'm right in saying that they're basically copies of ETA movements (haven't clicked on Bry's link, it's just what I remember from Googling them).
There's a chance that prices could go up I guess should ETA start restricting their own pieces but then maybe Sellita's economies of scale will counter that
I doubt very much that Steinhart could ever have the ability to come up with their own movement, Stowa are a bit more hands on with their watches but I doubt even they could come up, from scratch, with their own unique movement either. Stowa do make some lovely complete peices though, their chrono models are quite something.
There's a chance that prices could go up I guess should ETA start restricting their own pieces but then maybe Sellita's economies of scale will counter that
I doubt very much that Steinhart could ever have the ability to come up with their own movement, Stowa are a bit more hands on with their watches but I doubt even they could come up, from scratch, with their own unique movement either. Stowa do make some lovely complete peices though, their chrono models are quite something.
There will never be a shortage of automatic movements at any price range. You can buy a chinese made 21j automatic movement for as low as £10. When supplies of ETA movements start to dwindle (already have a bit) then other companies will step up. Sellita already has excellent reputation and their movements are essentially ETA clones.
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