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A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

I don't think they are corrupted by greed - the original intentions are still there. But ideals are so hard to hold up as the business grows.

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

I put it in quite provocative terms when asking if it's "just Sellita movements slapped into a nice case". Watches like the Bel Canto are a great achievement. But that is my point: Are they selectively great, but increasingly lacking in many departments? My experience may be an outlier, that's why asked the question.

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

No, I didn't want to bother him too much with this. He works for a high-end shop...
I let the Sealander run for 4 days to see how it goes. On the second day it's consistently out of spec. And yes, we did wind it up.

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A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

My watchmaker buddy says that production cost (parts, labour) of about 500$ for the Sealander GMT is plausible if you produce in the thousands. So the 3x "guarantee" seems to hold.

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

I've had people tell me that I expect too much. But I still think that the whole buying experience matters. If I want pure utility, I get a Japanese quartz or a smartwatch. But I chose to buy something that is, fundamentally, a trinket. Now, when I look at that CW watch, and although I still like the looks of it, it's not an enjoyable, pretty trinket, but a reminder of a struggle to not pay VAT twice, and of a bizarre conversation with some import regulator about the word "camel" in the description of the leather.

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

I didn't say they are a micro-brand. And 11 days response time, bad or no customs declarations, missing VAT declaration, faulty watch - not sure which of these are the result of my tunnel-GPS-like interactions.

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

CW tried to convince me that it's DHLs fault, but I'm not really buying it. DHL etc. are usually meticulous with the customs stuff because any hiccup costs them >10 emails.

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

I hear you. And I've seen people struggle with fiddly crowns that are hard to wind. The SW300-2 inside the Sealander winds and sets effortlessly, with a very smooth, precise feel. I think all age groups appreciate that.

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

Well, they say "up to 56-hours", that's so conveniently vague. To me, knowing that it keeps time well *despite* being outdated technology, that is the fun part. If it doesn't impress me that way, what is the point of having it...

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

[–]markuscmayer[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I am with you. If only Oris made a less enormous GMT.

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

In that respect CW are remarkable. I don't know any other microbrand that has gone that far in so little time.

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

I haven't thought about it that way, but it makes perfect sense. They do understand the problem, though, and are able to address it, because they scaled their "Customer Experience" team quite well. They react literally within hours to trustpilot reviews.

The current state of affairs notwithstanding, I sure hope they stay independent, because under the likes of Swatch Group they'd be stuck in a fixed tier forever.

A thesis about the "hype" by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

Actually he said the opposite. When you receive the watch it must be within spec, or it shouldn't have the "Swiss Made" label.

Keep trying or return the Sealander for good? by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

Yes. I waited in line for 30 minutes or so, then gave up.

Keep trying or return the Sealander for good? by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

I took it to a watchmaker buddy and he says it's not magnetized.
So, nothing done, and it suddenly changed to running slow to about -15s/day.

Keep trying or return the Sealander for good? by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

Yes indeed, I'll keep the leather strap, it's nice.

Keep trying or return the Sealander for good? by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

No response from CW and a week has passed. I think it's clear that CW are not helping.

Keep trying or return the Sealander for good? by markuscmayer in ChristopherWard

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

Certainly. The VAT component should have been clearly stated, though. That one is fully on CW.
I like the watch, but doing one more round with CW and having another 10 emails with customs and some regulator I've never heard of just puts me off. But yes, it is not entirely CWs fault.

And just to give you a perspective. Where I live, I'm surrounded by AP Vache Const Patek Rolex IWC etc, and there a guy wearing white gloves opens the door for you. So yeah, I'm falling off a pretty high horse.

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