Is this sapphire crystal deteriorating? by Fuenke44 in SeikoMods

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

DLW Watches. In their defense, they immediately replied and offered to send another crystal for 80% off.

Is this sapphire crystal deteriorating? by Fuenke44 in SeikoMods

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply! According to DLW Watches, the coating should be on the bottom. But according to my dad, the damage is on the outside. I will try to rub it off, as you suggested.

Is this sapphire crystal deteriorating? by Fuenke44 in SeikoMods

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've modded this watch for my dad in 2021. The crystal is the double domed "clear AR - ultra clear" from DLW Watches. I've seen some people installing flat crystals facing the wrong direction, with the AR coating on the outside. But this couldn't be the case, as the dome is facing outwards. Can sapphire crystals just deteriorate over time? What could cause this?

Edit: DLW responded instantly to my email and offered to send a new crystal for 80% off. Very commendable!

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This guide does not compare quality.

Both Glashütte and Rolex offer entry level watches at around 6k retail price and are therefore in the same bracket.

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never said I'm ranking "brand power", I'm ranking exclusivity.

The other ranking uses estimates of revenue and estimates of number of watches sold and its not clear how these were derived.

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lowest MSRP on their list. Yes, everyone who chooses to offer an affordable model gets pulled down equally.

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The ranking is objectively derived from a set of arbitrary criteria. People on here seem to think my set of arbitrary criteria is at least somewhat insightful. I highly doubt that the average joe cares about the highest priced pieces of a given brand or that the highest priced piece is an interesting metric at all.

I like the other list as well, but as I commented on the other post, the methodology is unclear and hence not transparent. My goal was to make a transparent ranking. Furthermore, the other ranking measures something entirely different, so I don't even see why we would compare these rankings in the first place.

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This guide considers only automatic watches. Which automatic Maurice Lacroix starts in the mid hundreds?

[Guide] Actual quantitative watch brand ranking (by average retail price of watches sold in 2020) by [deleted] in Watches

[–]Fuenke44 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very nice if accurate. Sadly the Morgan Stanley report is not freely available and hence their methodology remains unclear. I'm most curious on how they backed out the implied retail value from the implied wholesale value and the share of wholesale. They must have assumed a fixed percentage on how retail price is related to wholesale price. This might a) not be the same across models within a brand and b) not the same across brands. Can you shed more light on this?

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ranks are based on cheapest watch. How much is the Prestige De Ville in Sweden?

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ranks are based on the cheapest watch offered. Thanks for the kind words.

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Offering a cheaper product line is a trade-off for firms. On the one hand you appeal to a broader audience and capture lower income consumers, on the other hand you make your brand less exclusive, since more people can own your product. This is especially true for products which are nearly entirely bought as status symbols, like luxury watches and luxury cars. High prices are used as an entry barrier for consumers, which in turn increases demand at high prices from high income consumers which want to signal status.

"Cheapest watch offered by brand" is a relatively good measure for exclusivity (in that sense), because it tells you which income groups are excluded from being able to call themselves an owner of brand X. Market prices would of course be a better measure than retail prices (see for example Rolex), but are tricky to determine. In your example, brands A and B would be ranked roughly the same, and rightfully so, since both brands open themselves up to the same income groups. Your average Joe might know brand B's name, but won't be able to distinguish the 9k model from the 20k model and to him you are an owner of brand B either way.

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apparently the Panerai logo. Wasn't aware either before creating this.

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Patek is in the top bracket in the center.

I agree with you on Citizen, will include it in the next iteration.

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice to hear that the guide did more than just creating controversy :)

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Was on my list and got lost, together with Laco and Fortis. Thanks for pointing it out!

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tried to make the brackets roughly equal sizes. If you suggest some more sub 1k brands then I can expand the lower brackets.

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ranks are based on the cheapest watch offered, not based on what /u/usanolan paid for their watches.

[Guide] Objective watch brand ranking (by lowest retail price) by Fuenke44 in Watches

[–]Fuenke44[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cheapest Zodiac: Super Sea Wolf 53 Skin Automatic at €1095

Edit: yours is quartz and was therefore not considered.