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I agree that it is
all those things but brand snobbery seems to be a big factor. It blinds people to what is in front of their eyes.
Another example is the Parmigiani Ionica 8 day. A beautiful watch, fabulously finished movement, great dial and zero recognition. There is a PT one that has been languishing on C24 for about 25% of what an equivalent PP or similar would cost, it's been there for at least 6 months. Incredible!
Why Is a Restaurant Like a Top Watch Brand? Mkii
Trying again! Two years ago I went to a top restaurant to celebrate a significant anniversary. The food was excellent but the service was sloppy and slow, irritatingly so. By nature I am not a complainer but the celebration had been diminished by the serv...
Wow, what a watch and a great story…
This is an amazing story and experience that will put other brands to … ahem….shame. Isn’t this what we collectors want? Thank you for sharing.
Agreed
and yet Chopard does not seem to get 'the love' from enthusiasts, but you can tell that they really care about us. Funny old world, eh? ATB Antony
Thanks for an interesting and entertaining post...I would sum it up that the quality of a product must always be matched by the quality of the experience provided to its customer...
This should really be the norm in any high-quality offering, be it a watch, food, or anything else. Glad that this excellent, independent brand and its owner delivered — twice — to your full satisfaction!👍🥂
I Agree That
it should be the norm, but isn't. I have recently experienced Bulgari's 'service', the contrast with Chopard's is arresting. Regards Antony
Impeccable service...
... which, as in this case, starts at the top of an organization. Great story and though I don't own a Chopard (my wife does), stories like this inspire me to aspire for one!
My experiences
have been nothing but positive. March to your own rhythm section! Regards Antony
In a word: class. One either has it . . .
. . . or not. Thanks for the read, Anthony. It made my day. Art
Thanks
Dealing with them is an unalloyed pleasure. They don't make bad watches either! Kind regards Antony.
That is a super-cool, rarely-seen watch...
...and one of the few skeleton dials that are legible : )
Quite so
Also I think that the design was well ahead of its time. Personally I had never seen anything else like it before, since then many times. I wonder whether this was a 'breakout' design?
An outstanding watch, an (awe) inspiring story, and
a highly entertaining read. That bit about watch and man falling apart was cracking me up; surely you were writing about me. Thank you for sharing! Cheers Marc
Chopard to often overseen
I hope the maison wil gain more attention from us. Their watches are not only for the happy few, that makes them so special. Good story, and a perfect designed Chopard. I thought it was a 2020 watch, read you own it 18 years already.
I Think That's It's a
great design, and in 2003 well ahead of it's time. It has been a joy owning and wearing it for the last 18 years,,,burnished by the outstanding confidence inspiring backup.
A brand on my eye
I look from time to time to Chopard watches if i find a nice one for my collection. I work with a program, and i look if i can place a Chopard in my Program. Clifton. grey. AT WT. blue,rubber. Santos. grey,black. Navitimer. blue dial, cream sub dials. Big...
When I First Clapped
eyes on it I couldn't resist. Amazingly, after 18 years, nothing has changed. I can't say that about many things! Yup, it must be passion. Regards Antony
A great design never ages,
also I think that this was an original water-shed design. I had never seen a semi-skeleton cut out numerals design before. Do you know of any examples? If I am correct they deserve recognition for their ground breaking design. Regards Antony
A Great Piece
and virtually deep sixed by watchistas. Fashion is an odd thing. 18 years and still evergreen The service is on the same level as the watch: top notch. Regards Antony
Several reasons behind that. First, what kind of enthusiasts? Insta Enthusiasts? ;) Then, in 2003 Chopard was not what they are, now. And in 2003, people didn't get the interest of this watch.
If you give me the choice between a time only steel Patek or AP and this one, well, my choice is easily done. Steel Wings all the way!
Wise and brave words!
I agree but over the last 18 years I have shown it to a wide variety of enthusiasts, 90% response has been..."meh!"....it is frustrating. These aren't the Instagram lot,, having a steam powered phone I can't do that anyway. I am always disappoined how Bra...
I agree that it is
all those things but brand snobbery seems to be a big factor. It blinds people to what is in front of their eyes. Another example is the Parmigiani Ionica 8 day. A beautiful watch, fabulously finished movement, great dial and zero recognition. There is a ...
Wink-wink, nudge-nudge
those used values represent bargains for us. I have seen some of their pieces go for stupidly low prices. e.g. Lunar1 PT, tourbillons. Crazy stuff! On the other hand the prices of the 16/1860, with the 1.96 movement,, what an amazing watch,,,, are going u...
All agreed
maybe we should ask KFS to make a special Purists dial for this reference? Then send our watches in for a service, new dial fitting, and certificate.
Amazing level of service
The steel wing is a gorgeous jawdropping piece. I have a hunch that Chopard is a sleeper brand, and is poised to dominate in the near future. When I saw the back of your awesome steel wing, I had a thought that if they released a simple looking tantalum p...
I agree, but most collectors
don't see the same things as we do. Fashion is a strange thing, but wheels turn. Regards Antony
Well, the level of service you describe is exemplary. Furthermore...
I believe that is the greatest watch Chopard has ever produced. Ever. Are others more complicated? Sure. But no other Chopard I think of provides such great technical attributes with an incredibly seductive design. It's top notch!
Michael
you may well be right. The fact that it is more than 18 years old and still looks as if it had been released yesterday shows what a great design it is. The service? In truth, I'm lost for words. Warm regards to you and yours Antony
Chopard has had some quirky models over the years. And I rather like that quality.
But this one blends it all together. It is spectacular.
I think a restaurant is a perfect alegory to watches!!
Both have a practical nature to them but can be brought to an art form by the dedication/mastery of the artist! I did not know about how good their service is!! I like Chopard even more now with your story about the service, really cool!
I don't know where you
are based, but visiting one of their boutiques is a refreshing experience. Somehow KFS has imbued his philosophy in all his staff. Given how friendly and 'on message' they all are, perhaps colleagues would be a better word? Regards Antony
Great Chopard pieces Ant. Chopard is a TOP notch company and most people do not even know how many pieces they make. It is a HUGE number which shocked me to find out but of course their LUC line is much smaller and of higher quality...
Their service is indeed TOP notch and KFS is a class act as well as being a true horology fan and historian 😉👍
Thank you Justin
I am sure that you are right. I have had this watch for a long time, to see it again, freshly, was to see it anew. What a great watch. Kind regards Antony