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How About a Win-Win for Buyers and Manufacturers?
I've been thinking about this for a long time. It first came to me when I realized I couldn't buy a Rolex OEM rubber strap (or any strap) for my son's 2020 SS Daytona.
Then again when I was contemplating buying an ALS watch in a certain metal but with hands of a different metal. The cases and hands already exist, it's just that ALS does not offer the combination which would make me jump up and down and scream at them to 'Take my money!'
It came to me yet again when looking at the new VC Overseas:
In the case of the Overseas, it is a gorgeous watch, but the date background does not match the dial and that bothers me, as it probably does a lot of you, too.
Ted-Lo suggested it may be a cost-savings measure. Spangles - Mr. Tabby thinks this just may be the way of modern Swiss manufacturers.
The solution? Why doesn't someone implement a mix and match strategy. In the case of Rolex it would be simple. If you offer a strap for a WG Daytona, the same strap should be available for any Daytona, either from the factory or an an after-sales OEM purchase. In the case of ALS, just put the pieces on the watch that the buyer (me) wants to buy.
For someone like VC and the non-matching date background, it would require some extra inventory. But it would allow the buyer to customize the watch. After a while, VC would know what the take rate is on the various components and would make those components in the correct proportions so there would be little waste.
The manufacturer would sell more watches (I might buy one with a matching date background), and the buyer would get what they want.
It would be a good way, especially on watches with high-dollar MSRPs, to compete with independent manufacturers who are willing to customize their offerings.
The best part for the manufacturer would be that the watches must be ordered from an AD or the manufacturer directly at MSRP. No discounting.
I'm sure that there are many flaws here so go ahead and poke holes in my strategy : )
Bonus
As extra credit, tell us about a watch that you would love to purchase if it were only offered in a slightly different configuration...
How About a Win-Win for Buyers and Manufacturers?
I've been thinking about this for a long time. It first came to me when I realized I couldn't buy a Rolex OEM rubber strap (or any strap) for my son's 2020 SS Daytona. Then again when I was contemplating buying an ALS watch in a certain metal but with han...
VC American 1921
I wear my watch on right hand, so I’ll buy if the dial is tilted to left (which was the original configuration apparently)... Best, mahesh.,
Good one...it would require a new case...
...with the crown access at upper left instead of upper right. This one might be pricey but I like your thinking...
I also love that watch, and also wear watches on the right...
So it's been out of consideration for me. Make it right wrist wearable, and I'm a buyer, too.
I tried it with VC as special request...
the quote was too expensive...it wasn’t worthwhile to pursue
And it would be pricey for a one-off....
...but if VC did the research they might find they could sell 20% more watches with a different dial. At that point they are making money and you are happy. Win-win.
I met someone once who'd gotten one made as a special request.
He wasn't wearing it, so I didn't get to see it. I didn't ask how much it had cost him, but it seemed clear he'd had to pay more than I'd ever be willing to.
This was mentioned elsewhere but even Bell & Ross matches the date background not to mention printing the numbers to read horizontally
I have a lot of respect for B&R for caring or giving a damn: ...
I've never been a B&R fan...
...but I appreciate their attention to detail...good for them!
To reply to my own post...
...I love two-tone watches, especially white gold/platinum/steel cases with yellow or rose gold hands and/or markers/numerals. Pretty much any manufacturer could build their watches like this with little effort.
I would love that.
I think the possible loss of economies of scale as more choices are offered, and increased complexity of construction processes, leading to increased manufacturing costs, are the real reason for not having this. The reuse of generic white date wheels poin...
If they can't make a profit on a $46,000 watch, they're not doing it right...
..and deserve to go under. That's a well-optioned C-class Mercedes on your wrist to put it in perspective. Think about what goes into a car like that.
In their mind they are doing it right by pocketing the extra chunk of change they saved by giving us a generic date wheel
It's really as simple as that. If B&R can do it and stay in business, everyone else charging 4+ times for a watch should be too.
I guess if I were rich enough (I'm not)...
...I would only buy independent or the big boys if they would customize. Maybe in another life : )
I think their view is that if you are going to have a unique piece you should pay a lot for it.
It's not the manufacturing cost, it's the rarity.
Sort of makes sense, but who cares what it goes for after it leaves their shop?
Here's an example. My family has a small vineyard in Napa Valley. We sell our grapes to a small winery. The winemaker turns around and resells it to another couple of other winemakers. In the beginning I didn't know who they were but I soon found out. But...
Some brands already do this
Kari Voutilainen with the bespoke dial program Armin Strom offers a configurator on their site. Not sure it's always a good idea because brands need to have a consistent image. And taste is a subjective thing. I have seen ugly creations from customization...
I wouldn't place Kari or Strom in the 'mainstream' category...
..but if they can do it and survive, why can't the big boys?
Frustrating as it may be, this is the reaction they want (apparently)
The Open Caseback had an interesting article earlier this year discussing the textbook The Luxury Strategy , which is apparently taught at MBA programs (not the one I attended, but to be fair I didn't opt for the types of classes where this would have bee...
Really good info...
...thank you. It seems like the days of 'The customer is always right' are long gone. Odd in that we are the ones keeping their lights on...
Thanks for sharing your insight from the brands‘ perspective
Great info! I‘ve never thought about this. It makes perfect sense for the strongest ones to pursue this road, and the followers imitate them cause they want to copy the leaders of the pack. Thanks, Brandon
