destrodan
506
Well, that begs the question:
Which is better?
1. That Conglomerate A pools revenue from its watch companies to centrally fund R&D on movements
2. That Conglomerate B performs an intercompany transfer of resources/funds away from other brands to their staple brand to build movements that appear to come from that staple brand...but with the might and resources of the Conglomerate behind it (does this make that staple brand a "micro brand"?). Oh, and their signature movement comes from a famous watchmaker outside of their organization
3. That an Independent Company builds movements, but a number of their movements are antiquated, the accuracy isn't quite there and their watches are very expensive (although the hand-finishing is great!)
4. That a famous independent watchmaker obtains funding from investors (with strings attached) to invest in developing movements (via CNC), but the movements don't perform as well as movements from the big Conglomerates because the watchmaker hasn't produced hundreds-of-thousands or millions of units to fine-tune the movement for better performance...
...or....
...the traditional Swiss answer for a long time (up until 20 years ago)...outsource your ébauches and focus on finishing, fine-tuning, and marketing.
Which is better and which is worse?
I can't find a clear winner myself.
Hmmm … The new panerai p.9010 – perpetual downgrading
The new panerai p.9010 – perpetual downgrading In late 2020, Panerai customers started noticing that their latest P.9010-powered watches no longer had “hacking seconds” . . .
Closer and closer to Patek and VC Overseas! ;-)
I agree it would be better if it were hacking...but it doesn't bother me.
It's not just the hacking...
They've downgraded the finishing as well! I wonder what the damage will be to other brands within the Richemont group?
Panerai was never known for their finishing
My 115 from 20 years ago has automated finishing on it...in fact, many models that put Panerai on the map at the height of their fame were based on the Unitas 6497 that had rudimentary finishing compared with the Great Houses. Everyone knew this. Movement...
Very disturbing!
Much of my shopping is based on trust, reading reports like this makes me angry. What’s next… their white gold will be made of steel, the yellow gold of copper and so on. In other industries, and often for much less, individuals, groups, organizations etc...
Perezscope is really bringing it, great work. Sad for Panerai, obv.
Would go for older Panerai, I guess,?
Back to the Fiddy?
I have a Fiddy and like it a lot, still. Did I ever mention to you, that I own some 25 Panerai and I couldn't care less about what's inside? Keep on tyre-kicking and have fun
I have never been a fan of a hacking second
I always wonder whether the hacking mechanism causes more wear by forcing the balance wheel to stop. Panerai on the hand is a different story altogether. Every time I read something about the brand, it gives me more comfort for selling mine years ago.
Holy ****!!!
“Perlage was only applied where it could be seen through the gaps between the bridges. Yes, this is done by other “luxury” brands as well…” That was the most shocking image of them all. Really deceptive. Go take a look at the Perezscope article if you hav...
Reminds me of the Walt Odets and Peter Chong debates about Lange and Patek in the very early 2000s...
...Odets' position was that Lange took shortcuts on finishing the unseen areas of the 1815 L941.1 movement. This movement was produced since 1994 and the debates were occurring around the time that Richemont acquired so it wasn't "because of" Richemont. T...
Well, that begs the question:
Which is better? 1. That Conglomerate A pools revenue from its watch companies to centrally fund R&D on movements 2. That Conglomerate B performs an intercompany transfer of resources/funds away from other brands to their staple brand to build movements t...
I think maybe it's less the structure and more the intent and goals? Specifically when it comes to Richemont, the goal always seems to be cost takeout
I think any of the scenarios you presented could be great or terrible for customers depending on how they are implemented and to what end. For example, with scenario 1, is that central R&D budget more, the same, or less than the combined budgets of the br...
I agree that the scenarios can be great or terrible...
...and to be honest, it wasn't that long ago that I was having the same discussion in another forum about questionable Swatch quality (Omega to be specific). On another day, it was Patek (cost-cutting related to movement finishing on certain models). On a...