140 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 19, 2012Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates
JiiPee Wrote:The image challenge with ETA comes from the fact that it is also used by many lower end brands. I don't remember anybody disparaging Audemars Piquet, Vacheron Constantin, and Patek Philippe for sharing the JLC caliber 920. Bearing that in mind, one solution for IWC could be a co-operation with some other high-level Richemont brands, like Jaeger-LeCoultre and Cartier for example. They could create an ebauche used jointly with brand-specific finishing. This would help to drive unit cost down, so IWC could replace ETA/Sellita sourced movements, while keeping the price increase at palatable level.
+1
Already Piaget movement offers a thinner construct to the Portuguese line...
935 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 8, 2011
Not sure about all the different ideas of what IWC could utilize to become 100% In-House, but here's my real life example of why I believe IWC could achieve this goal and do it with a price point that keeps it competitive and in reach as it exists today.
I mention another brand only for comparison purposes related to this IWC posting subject matter.
Recently I purchased a new "Pilot Chronograph" from the well respected manufacturer Zenith. I also own the IWC Pilot Chronograph 3717. While each has some variations in their spec's, here's a few details of the Zenith for general comparison.
The Zenith Pilot Chrono includes AR coating both sides, front and back, as it has a display Sapphire caseback. It comes with a premium alligator strap lined with rubber for comfort and extended life. Dial is sandblasted minimum 5 times to achieve extraordinary matt finish. The movement is a "fastbeat" 36,000 vpm and is extremely accurate. Known as the El Primero, it has a long established history and is 100% in-house. This total package is priced LESS than todays IWC Pilot Chrono which utilizes a non in-house movement, with solid case back design.
IMHO, if Zenith can produce a watch with these amenities at a very competive price , I see no reason why IWC could not match this accomplishment. I think they can, and will should they move to a all in-house movement environment.
Just my thoughts for consideration, I welcome your comments.
138 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 6, 2013
andy stevens Wrote:Not sure about all the different ideas of what IWC could utilize to become 100% In-House, but here's my real life example of why I believe IWC could achieve this goal and do it with a price point that keeps it competitive and in reach as it exists today.
I mention another brand only for comparison purposes related to this IWC posting subject matter.
Recently I purchased a new "Pilot Chronograph" from the well respected manufacturer Zenith. I also own the IWC Pilot Chronograph 3717. While each has some variations in their spec's, here's a few details of the Zenith for general comparison.
The Zenith Pilot Chrono includes AR coating both sides, front and back, as it has a display Sapphire caseback. It comes with a premium alligator strap lined with rubber for comfort and extended life. Dial is sandblasted minimum 5 times to achieve extraordinary matt finish. The movement is a "fastbeat" 36,000 vpm and is extremely accurate. Known as the El Primero, it has a long established history and is 100% in-house. This total package is priced LESS than todays IWC Pilot Chrono which utilizes a non in-house movement, with solid case back design.
IMHO, if Zenith can produce a watch with these amenities at a very competive price , I see no reason why IWC could not match this accomplishment. I think they can, and will should they move to a all in-house movement environment.
Just my thoughts for consideration, I welcome your comments.
Andy
I agree with You Andy, but I think that El-Primero is more "industrial movement" than those from Schaffhausen. I don't think that it's sucks, contrary I think it's one of the best movements with chronograph. A lot of people say that El-Primero and B01 are the best movements with chronograph. But El-Primero is movement which You can find in many other watches, for example-in Tag Heuer. I think that El-Primero is "more accesible" for other brands, maybe it's reason lower prices. But I agree with You, that it's example that if Zenith can, why IWC could not?
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
Hmmmm, well, since my other favorite brand is mentioned in the two posts above, I'll jump in. I've been a zenith fan for eight years now - and agreed, the El-Primero is wonderful.
But as I keep telling any zenith staff and executives who will give me 2 seconds of their time - it's time to move on. The movement itself is very small and when they try to make the dials bigger, say 42mm and more, well the counters become too clustered in the centre. If u look at all the larger sized editions in the last eight years, you can easily detect this.
So - what to do ? Create a different movement. Ahhh - the response then is that it will mean significantly more R&D and new manufacturing processes - and invariably increase in price.
my 2 cents.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
138 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 6, 2013
shing Wrote:Hmmmm, well, since my other favorite brand is mentioned in the two posts above, I'll jump in. I've been a zenith fan for eight years now - and agreed, the El-Primero is wonderful.
But as I keep telling any zenith staff and executives who will give me 2 seconds of their time - it's time to move on. The movement itself is very small and when they try to make the dials bigger, say 42mm and more, well the counters become too clustered in the centre. If u look at all the larger sized editions in the last eight years, you can easily detect this.
So - what to do ? Create a different movement. Ahhh - the response then is that it will mean significantly more R&D and new manufacturing processes - and invariably increase in price.
my 2 cents.
My AD, which is my good Friend has many brands, also Zenith. We together saw, that Zenith losts very much (first of all-quality), after the departure of Thierry Nataf. I know that desing of Nataf was very extravagant and everything is a matter of taste but quality isn't for me matter of taste. But of course, it's only my personal view. Would You agree with me, Shing?
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
Cisiu Wrote: My AD, which is my good Friend has many brands, also Zenith. We together saw, that Zenith losts very much (first of all-quality), after the departure of Thierry Nataf. I know that desing of Nataf was very extravagant and everything is a matter of taste but quality isn't for me matter of taste. But of course, it's only my personal view. Would You agree with me, Shing?
hmmm, per forum rules, let's stick to IWC and take the Z-discussion offline, shall we ? :) I would have to say in short, No, unfortunately I have to disagree.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Hey, guys, let's keep the discussion focused on IWC. Zenith is a nice brand; the El Primero is a great but 40 year old movement, and some of the comparisons are marketing (coating both sides of a crystal may cost a $1 extra and scratches more easily on the outside, etc.).
But there are many nice brands with nice movements. We should only discuss them in the context of IWC.
138 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 6, 2013
Michael Friedberg Wrote:Hey, guys, let's keep the discussion focused on IWC. Zenith is a nice brand; the El Primero is a great but 40 year old movement, and some of the comparisons are marketing (coating both sides of a crystal may cost a $1 extra and scratches more easily on the outside, etc.).
But there are many nice brands with nice movements. We should only discuss them in the context of IWC.
Thanks for understanding.
This would lead to an overview of the subject of the possible application 100% in-house movements in IWC, but in fact there was too much, about other brands. Sorry for that
225 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 18, 2012
Interesting discussion. I think the clever sourcing strategy worked in the past very well for IWC, so I am not sure why 100% in-house calibres would bring additional benefit - even if we assume that the margins for watches with "bought" movements is lower than for those with inhouse movements.
If you are loosing the high volumes (assuming, you are not willing to produce a lower cost inhouse calibre), this could economically only make sense if you are sure that you will compensate this loss by achieving higher prices on the other models. I would not expect the same people who buy a watch today for 7'000 USD to buy one for 12'000 USD tomorrow instead.
So I guess the idea behind is to drive the brand's value in a higher range, in order to be able to ask for a higher "brand premium". Will that work for a brand like IWC? I am not sure.
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
88 Discussions and CommentsMember since Oct. 27, 2010St. Louis,
United States
whichwatch Wrote: "pull out of the entry-level segment"???
In the US Midwest, there is a slogan that says to never eat your seed corn. I'm not sure how well that translates into other languages, but I really question that strategy for IWC.
They no doubt sell lots of watches to celebrities, athletes, and random wealthy buyers who are mesmerized by the great looking watch in the case. No battery needed? Cool!
But I suspect they also sell tons of watches to people like us who start with a Portofino or Aquatimer or Ingenieur or Mark xx and then move on up the line to add more complicated pieces such as Perpetuals in precious metal cases, collector BP's, and the like.
Just my opinion. Love to hear yours.
I agree completely. There is something admirable about a company offering watches for three thousand dollars (I am thinking of the previous basic Portofino) as well as for astronomical prices. We who love the company are convinced that from least to most expensive, the emphasis on quality is the same for all models.
Michael F. has often been quoted as saying that IWC is the poor man's Patek Philippe. But is that always going to be the case(no pun intended) if current trends continue?
+1
Already Piaget movement offers a thinner construct to the Portuguese line...
Vincent Fong
I mention another brand only for comparison purposes related to this IWC posting subject matter.
Recently I purchased a new "Pilot Chronograph" from the well respected manufacturer Zenith. I also own the IWC Pilot Chronograph 3717. While each has some variations in their spec's, here's a few details of the Zenith for general comparison.
The Zenith Pilot Chrono includes AR coating both sides, front and back, as it has a display Sapphire caseback. It comes with a premium alligator strap lined with rubber for comfort and extended life. Dial is sandblasted minimum 5 times to achieve extraordinary matt finish. The movement is a "fastbeat" 36,000 vpm and is extremely accurate. Known as the El Primero, it has a long established history and is 100% in-house. This total package is priced LESS than todays IWC Pilot Chrono which utilizes a non in-house movement, with solid case back design.
IMHO, if Zenith can produce a watch with these amenities at a very competive price , I see no reason why IWC could not match this accomplishment. I think they can, and will should they move to a all in-house movement environment.
Just my thoughts for consideration, I welcome your comments.
Andy
I agree with You Andy, but I think that El-Primero is more "industrial movement" than those from Schaffhausen. I don't think that it's sucks, contrary I think it's one of the best movements with chronograph. A lot of people say that El-Primero and B01 are the best movements with chronograph. But El-Primero is movement which You can find in many other watches, for example-in Tag Heuer. I think that El-Primero is "more accesible" for other brands, maybe it's reason lower prices. But I agree with You, that it's example that if Zenith can, why IWC could not?
Last edited: 1 February, 2013 - 17:28
But as I keep telling any zenith staff and executives who will give me 2 seconds of their time - it's time to move on. The movement itself is very small and when they try to make the dials bigger, say 42mm and more, well the counters become too clustered in the centre. If u look at all the larger sized editions in the last eight years, you can easily detect this.
So - what to do ? Create a different movement. Ahhh - the response then is that it will mean significantly more R&D and new manufacturing processes - and invariably increase in price.
my 2 cents.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
My AD, which is my good Friend has many brands, also Zenith. We together saw, that Zenith losts very much (first of all-quality), after the departure of Thierry Nataf. I know that desing of Nataf was very extravagant and everything is a matter of taste but quality isn't for me matter of taste. But of course, it's only my personal view. Would You agree with me, Shing?
Last edited: 1 February, 2013 - 17:28
hmmm, per forum rules, let's stick to IWC and take the Z-discussion offline, shall we ? :) I would have to say in short, No, unfortunately I have to disagree.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
But there are many nice brands with nice movements. We should only discuss them in the context of IWC.
Thanks for understanding.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
This would lead to an overview of the subject of the possible application 100% in-house movements in IWC, but in fact there was too much, about other brands. Sorry for that
Last edited: 1 February, 2013 - 17:28
If you are loosing the high volumes (assuming, you are not willing to produce a lower cost inhouse calibre), this could economically only make sense if you are sure that you will compensate this loss by achieving higher prices on the other models. I would not expect the same people who buy a watch today for 7'000 USD to buy one for 12'000 USD tomorrow instead.
So I guess the idea behind is to drive the brand's value in a higher range, in order to be able to ask for a higher "brand premium". Will that work for a brand like IWC? I am not sure.
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
Last edited: 31 January, 2013 - 18:56
I agree completely. There is something admirable about a company offering watches for three thousand dollars (I am thinking of the previous basic Portofino) as well as for astronomical prices. We who love the company are convinced that from least to most expensive, the emphasis on quality is the same for all models.
Michael F. has often been quoted as saying that IWC is the poor man's Patek Philippe. But is that always going to be the case(no pun intended) if current trends continue?
Cheers!
Donald