10 popular watch brands rated
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- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- Is a brand worth spending money on? Retail or not?
For inquiries and collabs: twtw.mike@gmail.com
0:00 Intro
0:34 Christopher Ward
1:47 Tudor
3:35 Blancpain
4:45 Zenith
6:21 Rolex
8:11 Grand Seiko
9:27 Sinn
10:35 Longines
11:37 Bremont
13:32 IWC
Andrew Morgan = Shakespeare of watches
Teddy B = that cool teacher from highschool of watches
Mike = Foucault of watches
I'd argue Teddy is the Bond Villain .
Bill- The haute horoligist
What about Tim Moso?
@@Bloodcrave87 Not sure, any ideas?
Andrew could also be described as the David Attenborough of watches ?
There is no better commentary about watches.
This is so true
We're going to pretend that Archie Luxury III just, what, doesn't exist?
Easily the most logically thought out watch opinion
@@threethrushesArchie luxury the turd ?
Yes .❤
Very kind of you - thanks 😀
Bravo to CW for even making the list. They are what every micro brand aspires to be.
Not a micro
They do numbers and own their own manufacture.
@@Newerasamearea they do now…
I love IWC. But spot on you just can’t pay retail. I get it they overcharge but if you can get one 2nd hand for a good price, it’s a no brainer. Also best bracelet in the business.
For this techie, Sinn has an excellent website - consistent, simple to navigate, with high information density. I despise pointless marketing fluff flash videos constantly popping up on so many other manufacturers' websites that make it harder for me to find what I want.
with an outraging cost for shipping... another German nonsense
Always appreciate the conversation and points you make. Keep sharing!
Always 😀
As someone who is new to watch collecting, I find these types of videos very helpful. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it 😀
Best summary of Rolex I’ve ever heard. Spot on, my friend. 😊
Thanks - Glad you found it balanced 😀
Kinda chilly this morning…gotta get a green hoody along with my morning coffee, to warm me up 😊. Mike understands the power of BRANDING
Not a coffee man myself (diet cola all the way), but I'm with you on the green hoody and a slow start up for the day 😀😀😀
Tudors position in the market is absolute genius.
Moving upmarket slightly, started using in house movements, and getting METAS certifications. Rolex is clearly using Tudor to compete with Omega to show they’re not worried about other brands.
I would argue the opposite: Rolex is using their sister company to compete with the Omegas and other heritage / sports competitors of the horological world *because* they need someone to retain those aspiring owners that have been frustrated that they can’t acquire their sports models as they continue to move more upmarket.
The $4K to $6K was Omega’s market, but Omega got greedy raising their prices. Omega messed up.
If you weren't worried about other brands, you wouldn't ostentatiously try to compete.
@@eyeheartsushi2212 How long ago?
In my opinion Longines are an amazing value for the money.
Comparing them to Tudor is a travesty imho. Longines has incredible history of design and innovation.
@@AndreiLucaaCould not agree more. Tudor is a product of hype from the crown mothership
@@GoTerpsGoBlue well said
I love one or two of the Tudor range. However, I'll never get past the comment that stuck in my head that is shared by many...'Tudor are watches for people who can't afford Rolex'. That perception ruins them for me.
@@AndreiLucaaToo right!
Your videos are always very informative, down to the point, and very analytical - outstanding in a low-key and conversational way. Well done!
Thanks again 😀
Damn, you skipped Omega, JLC and Breitling.
I noticed that. Maybe they’ll get their own video?
Don’t worry, I’m sure they’re coming!
They will get their own video - I just had to split this one for time. 17 minutes is already pushing it 😀
Good takes all. Thoughtful analysis. Earned a follow! Nice job.
You are the only watch related youtuber I'm suscribed to and I only have an old apple watch lol, but I like your insights, editing and overall vibe. Cheers
I appreciate that, thanks 😀
Excellent objective analyses! More videos like this please!
More to come - Still have to cover Omega, Breitling and Patek 😀
The U50 and Sinn 104 are probably my favorite watches I own right now.
Fortunate individual 💪💪💪
Great content as usual. Different than all others and great perspective.
Glad you think so 😀
Love your insides Mike. You mentioned several of my favorites 😊
Cheers 😀
I'd take Longines over Tudor every single time. The quality for the price is astonishing.
Couldn't agree more.
Their watches are also much less boring than Tudor watches. I say this as a Black Bay owner.
Fully agree.
Must be good, they say 5 stars right on the dial.
Sadly the Tudor non-Black Bay series: Royal, 1926, Ranger, Style don't catch much attention.
Thorough analysis as always. Much appreciated. Now, TAG, Cartier, Omega, JLC, Panerai, Moser, Montblanc, Citizen. That would be a great follow up cadre.
+ Chopard, Junghans to round it out to 10.
Also Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Oris, Nomos, and (what the hell) Tissot.
@@gfxdaddyTry on a L.U.C. and you realize the people at Chopard actually care about the watch community 😎👌🏾
another idea/order for UA-cam video
Additional video incoming - Had to split this one for time .😀
I appreciate your logical and to the point approach. Very nice review
Glad you liked it 😀
Mike, I like this style of vid. Honest opinions clearly stated. I like each brand and their models explored.
Regards,
Chris
Cheers 😀
Always a pleasure tuning in to your take on watches
Thank you. I always learn something and get a fresh perspective from your videos.
So nice of you 😀
Damn, your videos are probably the best that can be found…very honest, detailed and you honor the nuances well. Additionally you’re quite frank when it comes to the shortcomings of a particular brand or watch….Bravo!
Thanks - Glad you like my approach 😀
I wait with genuine anticipation for each of your videos…a real compliment. Another excellent episode..your assessment of Longines is interesting, I definitely think a reduction in the range would help the brand..love my Majetek.
You have a majetek? Lucky you 💪💪💪
Yes, inspired by your review.
Great to see a quality channel growing
I'm happy with it as well 😀😀
Thanks Mike! Great video as always. I missed Bell&Ross, Nomos and Glashütte.
You, sir, are outstanding. Thanks for the commentary it was spot on per usual.
Glad you enjoyed it 😀
Love your videos. It has a good amount of information and opinion.
Super review Mike. Your reviews are absolutely the best.
Glad you like them 😀
Fantastic video - always intelligent and informative Mike - great channel.
Great video. It would be interesting to see you do more of these videos, then do deeper dives into one or two of the brands mentioned and speak about their lineups or popular models in a similar format to this.
Will do 😀
Really enjoyed your "fireside chat" and your observations. I've recently came out of my Tudor BB/Pelagos comfort zone by getting a Longines Conquest with the green/khaki dial. Just fallen in love with everything about this watch. I'm afraid my Tudor watches are enviously residing in my watch box. For now of course. 😀
Yes, loved this video. Great blend of objective info and clearly stated and explained opinions.
Thanks - I try to just say what I think and let people decide for themselves 😀
Another thoughtful and informative commentary. Thank you. Liked. Subscribed. Cheers.
Full bingo! Thanks a ton 😀
fantastic concise content and respectful opinions as always, brilliant!
I do like this style of video and this is my favorite watch channel because of your analysis.
Love this style of review keep making more
Will do. 😀
I do agree with your Rolex summary. Plus - I don’t want to pay so much for a watch that ends up paying for exclusive sports/activites….
I love Grand Seiko for exactly the reasons you find against them.
Cheers.
Grand Seiko's brand separation from Seiko has helped its image for me personally. The introduction of standalone GS boutiques alongside many high end Swiss brands has also helped.
They're also starting to improve weakness areas like their bracelets. Personally I find some of the dressier pieces too conservative and actually prefer the "flashier" models like the Sports GMT with sapphire bezels because when you combine GS's superlative finishing with more avant-garde designs the effect is often spectacular imo.
Does it matter Seiko is a great brand, I don't care what people are saying
Still Seiko though. I think they'd do better to remove that name from GS simply because the average Joe (who probably isn't in their target demographic anyway) just sees a Seiko. Nuanced. Great watches, but boring and way too expensive.
Exactly this.
@lhuddyness anyone who appreciates GS doesn't care that others see "Seiko". We know we're wearing something that blows Rolex out of the water. It's enough that we know it, we don't need you or some other casual observer knowing it.
I was able to hold my first GS yesterday. I have criticized them in comment sections for years. Partly because I thought they were boring and partly because their advocates are so adamantly (obnoxiously 😅) committed. It was just as well finished as I thought it would be. The bracelet was better than thought it would be. And finally the three hand design was just as boring as I thought it would be. GS has so much unrealized potential. All they have to do is hire a couple of European designers and make a tool watch line, a complicated dress watch line, a complicated sports watch line and they could take over the watch market. They could continue to make watches reminiscent of stuff that their engineers see out of their windows but then the rest of us could all revel in watches that are as well designed as they are built. Deep down no one can argue the engineering or finishing. Just give us a little Parmagiani, Bovet, or even Lange. Is it too much to ask for creativity and engineering excellence? A hand full of Kodas a year are not enough, and yet a perfect example of what they could be if they would put forth the effort.
Excellent analysis, once again.
thank you kindly 😀
Really thoughtful video as always. I’m an IWC fanboy, and have both the Portugeuiser chrono and Mark XX, and yet fully agree about the cost at retail. Zenith, I now finally understand why I don’t understand the brand; they’re not just one brand! And one day I will get a Sinn 556, just waiting for the website to become useable😮
Seriously -- as a watch newbie, how does one even go about buying a Sinn (in Canada)?
Great format, great comments like it a lot
Glad to hear it 😀
This is the first video I’ve seen of yours and it’s a follow for me, loved it
Hi Mike,
I really like this new format. It’s a good brand overview and highlights which models are best in brand.
As someone who has yet to dive into the second-hand market and therefore more comfortable paying retail this format is helpful in exploring that choice for each brand.
Some brands I’d like to see next: NOMOS (my likely next purchase, the Club Sport 37), Oris, Omega.
Keep up the great work.
Thanks for the feedback - I'm still going to do my analysis vids and the like, but I like to change things up also 😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch absolutely. Both formats have merits. Mixing things up is good.
You sound like the voice in my head that discusses everything with me. Thanks for the great videos.
Be careful with extra voices in the head. Generally not a good sign 😂😂
Excellent video. A great watch guy.
Your videos are comforting to watch! It feels like I am listening to a elder sharing his experience.
Hopefully not too elder 😂
This was very straightforward and I enjoyed it very much. You should continue and do other brands.
Will do 😀
Great video. I love Sinn. The EZM 9 is my daily - practically indestructible
Thermo nuclear explosion resistant for sure 😀
Very informative , smart content. Thank you . I buy what I like , usually never at retail even though I still have to sell a watch I have bought.
Very informative as always..... This video needs to be MUCH longer to include all the other brands..... Looking forward to more episodes on the same theme. Keep up the good work!!
I think I'll keep it to this length - But I have a video on the way for another 10 brands 😀
The video is constructed with data-based description and personal opinion. It is very helpful to inform people on the most important features of those brands. It is also entertaining to learn your opinions about the watches. Well done and thank you for a nice video!
Nice video and analysis. Would you considered to do a part two evaluating brands like Cartier JLC Omega..maybe picking from the watch swiss report in terms of sold watches and profitability?!? Always a pleasure to see your dissection on a very personal subject 😊...best watch for value
Part two on the way 😀
Great video, and would love to see more like it. I think Zodiac needs to be involved in the conversation, or maybe a video of their own.
Great insight and very concise
Much appreciated! 😀
One of the best overview or assessment of watch brands I have ever seen
Wow - very happy to hear that 😀
Great video, as always!
Glad you enjoyed it again 😀
Always nice to hear an honest balanced opinion. Well done
Thanks - Glad to have you popping by. Enjoy your channel 😀😀
I bought a Grand Seiko GMT last Fall. Man, that dial was absolutely beautiful, it really was. Probably the best looking watch I've seen in person. However, that bracelet looked like it belonged on a $200 watch, not a $6000 watch.
Excellent video! More of the same please Mike!
Thanks! Will do 😀
Early 2000s IWC was 🔥. They need to get back to that.
Great summary!
I love the measured analysis of these unquestionably higher end brands. For those of us wading more into that side of things, it gives a good synopsis of pros and cons. If nothing else, it gets me thinking. Of one thing I'm absolutely sure, though. I have given up on NATO style straps. It's the keeper loop at the top of the wrist. Wear what you like.
Thanks so much for the video. Just out of curiosity... wondering if you have an opinion about Maen watches
Thanks! Not really yet. I've only encountered one or two, so I haven't formed a strong opinion on them yet... 😀
I saw a transformer and a Gundam and knew I respected this dude's opinion! Great Job!!!
Thanks - Usually people are like "How can I respect someone that has toys in their video?". 😂😂😂
You mentioned Breguet as the forgotten brand and then forgot to talk about them!!! 😂😂😂
lol 😂😂
Thinking person’s watch commentary. Love it.
thanks 😀
Great video man 👏
Thanks for popping over from your channel - Appreciated 😀😀
This is how I start my Saturday mornings, lol
😀
Thanks Mike for the vid. Perhaps you could do the same approach again in some time for other brands as well. As for Longines: never been a great fan myself but have the impression they do rather well in Asia.. different perception there, I guess
There will be a follow up vid with Omega and others 😀
I think this is one of your best videos yet! As a CW fan,I feel you have explained CW perfectly. As for Bremont, they are trying to play the game the big boys are,yet they lack imagination and are charging big boy prices for their watches. Obviously, money is far more important than imagination!
I was convinced to get an IWC or Panerai this year. However, they have outrageously raised their prices. I feel like their pieces are overpriced and they don't care about watch enthusiasts. They are going for the money of people just seeking status.
In terms of value for money, I have made my decision to purchase a Tudor Black Bay GMT Coca-Cola. Solid, elegant, versatile, excellent finishing, excellent caliber.
For the same price, I could buy an entry-level Panerai Radiomir with a very simple caliber and no seconds function in a sad and blue cardboard box, or an entry-level and simple IWC Portofino without any special feature.
If I were a marketing executive of IWC or Panerai, I would be in shame. I have compared the three pieces side by side at a boutique and the Tudor GMT is miles away in terms of respect for the consumer. I felt really happy with my acquisition.
Nice video! Thank you for including Christopher Ward and Longines. I'm relatively new to watches, and am more of a wearer than I am a collector, but I still want something of a decent quality. I'm angling for a Dolcevita, unless some other reasonably sized and priced dress watch comes along, so it was nice to hear your comments on Longines. Keep up the good work!
I own an Chronomaster Revival, the A385. It’s quite a fine watch. Their vintage leaning watches are spot on, clearly their sweet spot.
As for paying or not paying retail, regardless of manufacture, I avoid retail. In this regard, Zenith, depending on model can offer great value by going preowned.
My biggest wish from Zenith would be to see them revamp their Elite series of dress watches. Those are nice watches, but nothing particularly special. They could certainly be given a boost.
I think the 'unoffensive' approach is Tudor's main appeal. It's for those who want the Rolex association and build quality without the explicit branding or the flashiness. Otherwise yes, they do all seem "boring". I was very interested in the Ranger until I saw a Serica, I was interested in the BB58 until I saw a Maen, and so on...
Unoffensive or "vanilla" is a very good strategy if you use good vanilla... 😀 Lot's of people like good vanilla 😀
I subscribed to this channel due to genuine good quality opinions from Mike.. Keep going 👊🏾
Was wondering why Omega Aqua Terra or any other omegas were not mentioned ?
Omega will make its' way into another video - didn't have space for more brands 😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch I purely make decisions of buying watch based on your videos now.I was not expecting you to reply me.But this reply states your commitment and passion. Shoutout to you and looking forward to you next video.I am finalizing purchase between Omega Aqua Terra,Tudor BB58 & Rolex Oyster perpetual! Thanks
Don't do that - Always do your own research and follow your own decisions. No person, including me, should wield that kind of power .😀
Another brilliant presentation Mike! Thanks for doing what you do. Your content is more often than illuminating to say the least. FYI when I referred to you as the Dr Phil of the watch enthusiasts, that why... So I definitely meant it in a good way...
Yeah... Still not sure about the Dr Phil reference... 😂😂
Hope you do more of these. Would love to hear your thoughts on Breguet, JLC and Glashütte Original.
There will be a follow up vid with more brands 😀
I enjoyed today’s content and take on the brands that appeared in the video. One brand I thought you were going to cover but didn’t, was Breitling.
Will cover Breitling in an upcoming video 😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch I look forward to your assessment. IMHO, they are not a hyped brand, but offer tremendous value. The Transocean competes well against the Rolex Day-Date. The World Timer offers 24 time zones while the Rolex GMT only does 3. Breitling chronographs also do well against the Daytona. Anyway, thanks for taking up my suggestion.
Finally! Someone calls Tudor, boring. The original Black Bay was a great watch but, too much marketing, hype and media exposure have made it about as interesting as watching paint dry.
Having a million Black Bay versions surely doesn’t help.
And yet - boring sells.
I'm thinking of dropping the word boring and replacing it with "vanilla". To me it captures it better. Vanilla isn't exciting but most people like vanilla 😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Tudor Vanilla Bay has a ring to it!!!!!
In my opinion Sinn watches hold their value quite well due to the fact that they don't offer discounts and neither do the ADs, because they don't buy the watches from Sinn but sell them on commission.
Got two chronographs that more than doubled their value, but it took 30+ years. 😂 In ny experience they normally drop at around 30% and then keep value quite good.
Great video, as usual.
Very good analytical review
thanks a ton 😀
Very good editorial with great insights. Please include JLC and Panerai in the next chapter.
Coming up this weekend 😀
Love thy new style 👍🏽
Yay! Thank you! 😀
I loved this video because you don’t muck around. You back everything up with observation (dial, size, and movement). I disagree on the Grand Seiko but I have a different aesthetic (Northern Californian). But I hope it and others listen to your marketing advice. In the future please do a video on the integrated bracelet. In the 1960s and 1970s that’s all my alcoholic dad wore so I don’t have good associations . All I hear now are complaints (pain, sizing, and scratches). Thanks
I’m sure Swatch groups marketing makes sense to any normal person, but as a watch nerd it’s incredibly frustrating. Blancpain, Breguet, and Glashutte Original are all insanely high quality watch brands with history, anchor level models, and somehow they make sure literally nobody knows who or what they are. This massive company with all the resources in the world. They generate more revenue than most brands just selling plastic ripoffs of classic models, and it just seems like some of that cash could go to getting more distribution and promotion for these top brands into new markets. At some point there aren’t going to be any legacy models to copy, because when the average customer doesn’t even know what Breguet hands are, a quartz plastic shitter modeled after a Classique isn’t going to get people flocking your boutiques.
Just my 2 cents rant.
SWATCH marketing is actually hurting Breguet and Blancpain.
BP only saw an increase in popularity because of the SWATCH collab, Breguet is teetering on the brink of collapse. No innovation and their sales on new models are screeching to a halt.
You could saw Omega as a whole is also hurting. Yes the SWATCH collab helped them, but their place on the Morgan Stanley watch report has been declining. Cartier has overtaken them and general interest in the brand is declining.
Swatch group deserves a rant dedicated to them. I'm not impressed. Sure the moonswatch was genius but generally I don't think they're doing a good job 😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch I'd love to see a video on SWATCH from you.
IMO the MoonSwatch collab is no better than DW and MVMT. All marketing with a lackluster product.
An honest breakdown. Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks for watching 😃
I bought the Sinn 556 (mother of pearl), absolutely love the quality and find it more interesting than other "beaters". Another great video.
Your videos are quite special. They’re a real breath of fresh air in a world of UA-cam creators who are mostly just trying to sell the idea that X watch is fantastic or that Y brand is the best of 2024. I understand that people want to feel validated when they make a big purchase like a nice watch, but the truth is that it is a personal decision and there are a lot of compelling products out there. The watch industry is based so heavily on branding and stories to differentiate various brands that it’s a challenge for consumers to figure out what they’re buying and why.
I do like this style of video!
Thanks for the feedback 😀
I personally disagree about Grand Seiko.
There is an incredible attention to detail in each watch that you won't find with most other brands, and the simplicity in their dials reflecting nature is exactly why I bought one (it reminds me of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli).
The fanboys are a bit insufferable, but no other company is doing what they're doing in this price range. If they were a Swiss brand, you would be paying 15-20K for most of their steel models.
The only thing that isn't performed by hand is the finishing on the movement, but even that still looks really good even under a loupe and won't fall apart like most other machine finished movements.
I agree, Their dials are to die for. And the movements are next to none.
Well we do agree that the GS watches are great. Pretty sure I said they were "top notch" and excellent for the price they ask 😀
Great takes on these brands Mike! My fav would be Longines and Sinn. Its exactly like you said. I've seen more Rolex's than any other brand on this list and it the only brand on this list I've actually owned!
Great analysis! I’d love to see another one of these on like Tag, omega, breitling, new seikos, ball, Panerai, Oris, fortis, rado, zodiac and some of the other brands that sell watches under 10k.
I think all of the brands listed will have to get really ‘creative’ lol if they want to continue to sell watches as the weak economy, internet, and micro brand offerings forge more and more discerning customers.
Thanks - There will be a follow up where I cover Omega and others. Had to split this one for time 😀
Regarding watches, I'm most impressed with how you can outdo yourself every week!
Great videos!
Hopefully I can keep it up....
OK, the Squarespace crack was AMAZING. Even if you knocked GS. ;)
GS is great, but their marketing is dull . I stand by that opinion 😀
I like this kind of videos because your takes are original and articulated. But what are CW and Bremont doing in this list of illustrious brands? Suggestion : Either mix it up completely or go by theme such as a country 🇬🇧, the execution of a complication, brand heritage by age bracket, pre-owned market value
just discovered you on UA-cam. Love your commentary. It is as all commentaries should be: 1) You talk fast but not too fast 2) you are straight to the point, no fluff, no "woke" over-explaining from a dozen different angles why your opinion is this and not that (a bit THANK YOU) 3) Your analysis and particularly comparisons are simply spot on 4) what you say feels not much scripted, no marketing guru has reviewed your content, really refreshing 5) you dont
bore audience with technical details. on top of that, pleasant voice without strong accent, and you obviously have a lot of practical experience. subscribed!
Glad to hear that you appreciate my approach. Just trying to share my thoughts without professing to hold a certain truth - just perspectives and ideas 😀
Fantastic breakdowns and love the mix of brands you've got in here! One Q on Blancpaon - you left it out as well, and I get its an offshoot of the 50 Fathoms, but always wonder why the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe is so overlooked? Think it's the perfect size and still carries a good bit of the brand history and legacy - it's on my list over a Sub or other divers in the price range. Curious on your thoughts?
Good question - The bathyscaphe is the "also ran" to me. It's not that good compared to the FF. I'm not a fan of the teeny tiny hour plots. I'd go Seiko 62MAS any day of the week - sure. Not nearly the same quality but it's just prettier.
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch that's a fair summary, and the Seiko 62MAS is probably my favourite Seiko diver, but think it comes down to the age old individual taste on this one because I love the design of the Bathyscaphe 😅 not the tiny hour plots specifically, but the way it's almost flat on the side view gives it (i think) an incredibly sharp, sporty look.