Horological Meandering

Forgive some ramblings on a Sat morning but am very curious to hear what Purist members think of the current trends / state of the Swiss watch industry. I have been enjoying some dialogue on this subject among a number of individuals who work in the indus... 

I don't think you can draw any real conclusions as to the quality of a product if every piece was not build in-house or in-country. Case in point - The Beloved Ipod You would be wrong to think that you have in your hand a great "Made in USA" product becau... 

While I like the analogy - does anyone buy an Apple product because of where it was made or even think it is made in the USA? I think the draw is just the appearance and technology. My Ipod is marked with the fact that it was made in China. Swiss watches,... 

. . . tongue firmly in cheek, Art

The Geneva seal. The Geneva seal in horology (watches), is a certification reserved for wrist watch movements made in the City or Canton of Geneva. Although it is concerned mainly with the finishing and decoration of the watch movement, it is considered a... 

... to discuss your views of the merits of 'Stelvin' (screw-cap) closures for fine wine. A lot of top-end New World wine (if that isn't an oxymoron) is finding its way into Stelvin and, frankly, after one overcomes the emotional bind to cork, that's a rel... 

Am I here banned yet? (I'm a big oenophile) This message has been edited by mrsnak on 2010-03-13 18:20:19

You are correct in so far as the technical merits of the screw top which is well documented in your neck of the woods. But it that draw to the emotional aspect of the organic living and breathing cork sort of like digital and analog. But the point you mak... 

the comparison do not stand for even just one second. Lets analize this:we are a community(watch lovers,collectors,not only PPro members) of people with full control over our actions.We all know that our passsion is a little bit exagerated and every time ... 

But we are driven fisrt by our emotional ties to the brand the quality/qualities they stand for. As advertised. We have to at some level trust the brands that we buy. If we are simply looking to learn what time it is with the 20 dollar timex, but again th... 

pics of who is likely to be the most suitable person to embody the wachmaker of your dreams!! Here is mine . Mo...  

and he works for MB&Friends (MB stands for More Beers....)!!!! his avatar up soon....Ha ha !!

Mo - I think you summed up my feelings to a tee. I personally think this practice and these trends, if they continue as they are currently, will significantly dilute the prestige (and hence the main selling draw) for Swiss makers. While it may sound melod... 

. . . had to be made locally for reasons of national security, but those standards have been loosened in recent years because it's no longer feasible to manufacture everything here anymore. The issue of sourcing is an anachronism . . . if a Chinese, Peruv... 

Go figure.

. . . the reason they earned military contracts . . . cordially, Art

Hamilton (an all-American company) got a good amount the contracts, but Benrus, I think got more. Benrus over Hamilton?

. . . while Hamilton was in Pennsylvania. It could just be a matter of which state had the more influential Congressional delegation ;-) . . . cordially, Art

Some things never change. LOL

In my view, the question is not really whether a part was outsourced or not - but does it purport to be "Swiss Made" and not really be all "Swiss Made". In the case of iPod, Apple is quite happy to tell you that it was made in China but designed in the US... 

Well said, J. I like your three points. Particularly in regards to transparency. I doubt we'll ever know exactly how vertically integrated particular watch brands are unless they reveal it to us...which I doubt. (Seiko and Rolex would appear to be the mos... 

We are willing to drive cars and fly planes with "outsourced" parts - some of which require greater precision than watch components. But we (and I) find it hard to accept outsourced parts in a watch. The feeble human psyche.... J.