While everyone else is putting out their "Best of 2018" reports, I thought I'd take a different approach, and put out my "What I'd Like to See in 2019".
Tudor - I love the GMT, completely unabashed love. There, I've said it.
But I also think that there is still a lot to be brought forward - think Rolex Cellini circa 2002/2003. Also, maybe delve into a different take on the North Flag. We loved it when we first saw it, but maybe there is still some "mojo" there that can be fleshed out. More of a field watch as opposed to yet another riff on a dive watch.
My other request? Cool it with the brand ambassadors. Curious to relate, David Beckham and Lady Gaga do not really influence my watch purchases. What made Tudor really cool was the very lack of ambassadors. More to the point, if you're going to go down the ambassador road, dig a little deeper and find a better match.
Eterna - It's been pretty quiet in Grenchen. But there has now been a reasonable amount of down time, and there are still true believers out there. And despite everything that I have written in the past, I am one of them! Focus on the KonTiki. We want it, we will buy it. I have one, and I'm ready to buy more.
Kickstarter as an investment model - PLEASE STOP. I know that we all have dreams and aspirations. And I appreciate that Kickstarter is seductive. But of the few watch brands that had big, splashy starts via Kickstarter, most are now adrift. It is hard to sustain the magic. And this is due to several things, not the least of which is that 9 times out of 10 it is a brand new business for these folks who don't really understand what they are getting into.
And if you are an established brand using Kickstarter? Shame on you.
The Regional Watch Show - Speaking strictly for the US, I am excited to see the potential for a few more organized watch shows in the US and maybe Canada that will level the playing field for brands to participate in (rather than the current beauty pageant/ reindeer games formula currently favored by one show), and make the idea of attending a show a more realistic possibility for people outside of New York City.
Something genuinely new - All too often, it is more a question of playing not to lose rather than playing to win. BELIEVE ME, I understand that! But rather than just cranking out the same old thing and ladling healthy amounts of hyperbole on it? Let's get back to the good old days (2000 or so) when the watches were new, exciting, and in many cases could speak for themselves.
The Gerber/Crawford DNA Olympics - Now in fairness, I think that Cindy Crawford was a very, very good ambassador. Yes, me, I said that and I stand by it. BUT, I have yet to understand the rationale for hiring her two kids (and ostensibly her husband) to shill for Omega.
And honestly? I can't blame the ambassadors. Some company wants to throw stupid money at you? Take it. But Omega was lazy on this one.
And yes, there's a lot more to consider for 2019, let's hope for something even better than before.
Enjoy your watches!
Tudor - I love the GMT, completely unabashed love. There, I've said it.
 |
| Courtesy of Tudor |
My other request? Cool it with the brand ambassadors. Curious to relate, David Beckham and Lady Gaga do not really influence my watch purchases. What made Tudor really cool was the very lack of ambassadors. More to the point, if you're going to go down the ambassador road, dig a little deeper and find a better match.
Eterna - It's been pretty quiet in Grenchen. But there has now been a reasonable amount of down time, and there are still true believers out there. And despite everything that I have written in the past, I am one of them! Focus on the KonTiki. We want it, we will buy it. I have one, and I'm ready to buy more.
Kickstarter as an investment model - PLEASE STOP. I know that we all have dreams and aspirations. And I appreciate that Kickstarter is seductive. But of the few watch brands that had big, splashy starts via Kickstarter, most are now adrift. It is hard to sustain the magic. And this is due to several things, not the least of which is that 9 times out of 10 it is a brand new business for these folks who don't really understand what they are getting into.
And if you are an established brand using Kickstarter? Shame on you.
The Regional Watch Show - Speaking strictly for the US, I am excited to see the potential for a few more organized watch shows in the US and maybe Canada that will level the playing field for brands to participate in (rather than the current beauty pageant/ reindeer games formula currently favored by one show), and make the idea of attending a show a more realistic possibility for people outside of New York City.
Something genuinely new - All too often, it is more a question of playing not to lose rather than playing to win. BELIEVE ME, I understand that! But rather than just cranking out the same old thing and ladling healthy amounts of hyperbole on it? Let's get back to the good old days (2000 or so) when the watches were new, exciting, and in many cases could speak for themselves.
The Gerber/Crawford DNA Olympics - Now in fairness, I think that Cindy Crawford was a very, very good ambassador. Yes, me, I said that and I stand by it. BUT, I have yet to understand the rationale for hiring her two kids (and ostensibly her husband) to shill for Omega.
And honestly? I can't blame the ambassadors. Some company wants to throw stupid money at you? Take it. But Omega was lazy on this one.
And yes, there's a lot more to consider for 2019, let's hope for something even better than before.
Enjoy your watches!
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