Horological Meandering

Marcus Hanke
[PuristSPro Moderator]
11296

• Show profile
• Show other posts

The hypocrisy within the industry is beyond limits ...

Let's recall the 2007 crisis, when the bubble burst was predicted. What did the crisis do? Some companies put their people on short time and received compensatin from the government, others fired some of their employees, but still they increased the consumer prices. Only consequence was the production of some so-called "introduction pieces" that were still expensive. Yes, and a few small brands went over the edge.

Very briefly afterwards, everything seemed to back at normal, and the brands continued to
a) put every effort they could into short-term luxury markets,
b) forgot who their traditional collectors were, who always stood by the side of "their brand",
c) used every possible opportunity and apology to increase consumer prices, sometimes twice a year.

And now they (Hayek, Kern) they dare to criticize the "exaggerated price level" of the watch industry??? Now, what were the prices of the IWC timepieces when Kern took over the helm? And where are they now? Inculding those pieces that have the same movement they had back then? Omega?

Whenever I attended the Basel fair during the last decade, brands' staff would smile apologetically when presenting the new pieces: "Yes, the high price level is a concern to all in the distribution, we understand", only to hand me the new price lists half a year later, with further increased prices and the same smile.

And now it is the same, and nothing will change.But one day, meybe, they'll try once too often ...

Marcus