WatchProSite|Market|Digest
WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Horological Meandering

Thanks for the note...

 

I definitely don't have the hand craftsmanship to ever have the potential to be a watchmaker. That being said, much of the brands already construct and assemble their pieces using modern methods - and having seen the finishing process up front, I can understand that there is significant man-hours required to finish a timepiece with hundreds of parts. But, for the larger brands - I'm surprised there is not more predictability and consistency of order to supply. If servicing a watch takes on average 8 to 12 weeks - and that includes disassembly cleaning reassembly and testing - then does this mean the "finishing" of a watch takes multitudes more time? Take Ferrari or Lamborghini for instance - each producing 5-10 thousand cars a year yet a majority of these are made bespoke, and look at Porsche 911's where 30-40 thousand are made a year with a lot today made to order. Why can't PP or AP with similar volumes have better JIT and predictability of supply?

Peter

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8 Comments view entire thread 

Supply chain, allocations, and reality?

 
By: pfang56 : January 28th, 2022-21:53
One of my biggest pet peeves - is the seemingly rather serendipitous appearance of some fine, limited edition watches with the "wishlists" of collectors. I'm sure some of you have made pre-orders of some fine automobiles, which at most have a two year tim... 

Many People, Hand Crafted, So Be Patient.

 
By: enjoythemusic : January 28th, 2022-22:15
JIT parts and production doesn't really work with the higher horology Swiss timepieces. Have you considered becoming a watchmaker?

Thanks for the note...

 
By: pfang56 : January 30th, 2022-14:33
I definitely don't have the hand craftsmanship to ever have the potential to be a watchmaker. That being said, much of the brands already construct and assemble their pieces using modern methods - and having seen the finishing process up front, I can unde... 

I don’t think it should be so hard.

 
By: TheMadDruid : January 29th, 2022-00:42
Maybe right now with COVID, and difficulty with shipping companies it’s more problematic to promise a watch within a short time frame. But unless you are a one man brand, or brand new to making and selling a watch, or your whole model is to make custom pi... 

Thanks - perhaps the pandemic is making a mess of things...

 
By: pfang56 : January 30th, 2022-14:35
Hopefully as things ease eventually...we will see additional pieces available. Cheers Peter

If it’s quality…you just have to be patient. You’re paying with $$$ and time for a superior experience.

 
By: U3O8 : January 29th, 2022-20:19
No matter what the product is. Bespoke shoes, a bespoke suit, a car you order from the dealer and not buy from the lot, a pair of shotguns (after a proper gunfit), a Riva and even your large cabin business jet. At a minimum you need to wait 8 months. In s... 

Good points and examples...

 
By: pfang56 : January 30th, 2022-14:41
Perhaps because of the risk of technological obsolescence that the supply chains for goods requiring technology require a quick turnaround. I guess ironically the delay and inconsistency is proof of the human, hand made aspects of some of the bespoke, lux... 

Are watch manufacturers really hampered with unavailability of parts?

 
By: MichaelC : January 30th, 2022-15:08
That is clearly the issue with most automobiles nowadays. I ordered a car over 4 months ago and the order has not even been accepted by the brand (Cadillac). I even ordered a 2nd from an out of state dealer who moves a higher volume, and that one also is ...