I've never understood the need to go over every inch of a watch with a loupe just trying to find a flaw.
To my mind it was never designed t be scrutinised in such detail and as long as it looks good on the wrist when telling the time that's okay with me, after all that's what they were made to do.

Matt


Brought to you by HYPNOTOAD

 

I've never understood the need to go over every inch of a watch with a loupe just trying to find a flaw.
To my mind it was never designed t be scrutinised in such detail and as long as it looks good on the wrist when telling the time that's okay with me, after all that's what they were made to do.

Matt

Brought to you by HYPNOTOAD

You got a point there, a watch is made just to tell time.

However, if my sole purpose of buying a watch is simply to tell time, i will have just purchase a cheap watch that looks decent.

Buying a well known Swiss watch that cost much more, i will inherently expect a better quality watch?

 

just a month ago, i casually observed my Breitling ...

I've never understood the need to go over every inch of a watch with a loupe just trying to find a flaw.

No loupe involved. Ehem.

OP, I do know what you mean. It happens sometimes.
I suppose you could draw 3 lessons from this experience / discovery:

1. Inspect them better BEFORE you buy next time.
2. Let go of your assumption that famous brand watches WILL be / ARE perfect, just because they charge so much.
3. Allow for less perfection in general, with regard to all things.

I went through #2, and have stopped lusting after expensive Swiss watches. I now merely admire them from afar.
I came to the conclusion log ago that there are plenty great watches under 1K, and even under 500 USD, especially if they can be modified, as one can most Seikos.

 

a big thanks to all the comments made,

i do inspect my watches very closely before purchasing, but it seems certain flaws are only visible on certain lighting or angle or after owning it for a few months

 

Personally, the only way to deal with imperfection is when I think of the object as something to be used. Thus, the all the watches I have are to be used. I won't baby them nor do I keep them protected while they are being used. I don't intentionally try to damage them. The trick was just start thinking different about them. Don't think them as part of your collection. Think of them as tools of time.

 

Just wait a while a the damn movement will start to go off and it will need a tune up!

 

I could babble on with a fable about a Chinese artist and a painting a thousand years ago...
Short version and point, nothing on Earth is perfect in part or it's whole....not even you.

 

I could babble on with a fable about a Chinese artist and a painting a thousand years ago...
Short version and point, nothing on Earth is perfect in part or it's whole....not even you.

I like, I like . . . though I suppose the glass half filled version would say everything on Earth is perfect just the way it is. Sorry couldn't help going toward never never land ;-) . . .

 

Think of it not as a flaw, but like a freckle. Part of what makes that watch yours. Every watch I own has something...unique, let's say. A cosmetic hiccup of sorts that you probably wouldn't notice if I didn't mention it, but I could pick my watches out of a lineup if it came to that because I do get up close with them.

 

Think of it not as a flaw, but like a freckle. Part of what makes that watch yours. Every watch I own has something...unique, let's say. A cosmetic hiccup of sorts that you probably wouldn't notice if I didn't mention it, but I could pick my watches out of a lineup if it came to that because I do get up close with them.

pretty nice mentality you got there!

 

It's inevitable to find flaws and being frustrated about is perfectly normal. If someone pays a couple of G's for a new watch they would assume it would be "flawless", we all know when the human element is involved this is difficult to achieve.

I think the frustration comes more from it being a surprise, usually after the fact. For example, if someone goes to buy a new car and notices some scratches, they would either want it repaired or at least some money knocked off the price. It's easier to notice these imperfections on a car compared to a watch for obvious reasons. In the end there is a feeling we've been duped a little bit because it's usually something noticed once the deal is done.

 

It's inevitable to find flaws and being frustrated about is perfectly normal. If someone pays a couple of G's for a new watch they would assume it would be "flawless", we all know when the human element is involved this is difficult to achieve.

I think the frustration comes more from it being a surprise, usually after the fact. For example, if someone goes to buy a new car and notices some scratches, they would either want it repaired or at least some money knocked off the price. It's easier to notice these imperfections on a car compared to a watch for obvious reasons. In the end there is a feeling we've been duped a little bit because it's usually something noticed once the deal is done.

You got it right.

Before purchasing, inspections are made by me to make sure my new purchase looks good in my eyes. Purchase is then made assuming the watch is flawless.

If i end up finding flaws after several weeks on owning it, the feeling of disappointment and disgust is always there.

 

If I really have to look so closely that I'll never see an aesthetic defect during normal use and admiration, then I let it go. I get better and better as I evolve as a collector.

 

I'm flexible over what is acceptable. Something that I will let slide on a Ray is certainly not acceptable on say an Oris. The more a watch costs the better the finish on all of it should be.

 

I am quite OCD about things I own, but there is a fine line between checking things with the naked eye or going microscopic on it. It bothers me when thing are out of place, I had a Steinhart where the date was slightly off by a hair and had to let it go well the other reason was that it weigh a ton. So yes I check to see if nothing is out of whack but that is it.

 

I recommend therapy.

It is only a watch after all - a mechanical device to measure the passage of time. And it starts to wear out and accumulate damage from the moment you take it out of the packaging - much like human beings do.

 

Just a brief introduction, i began my watch collection 3 years ago under the influence of my friends and especially this forum.

Up till now, i have about 8 watches , ranging from a Sinn, Fortis , Rolex , Omega , Panaeri , Breitling , IWC , Cartier , JLC and Seikos.

Initially i was very contented with my purchase, didn't look into detail the finishing of my watches but ever since i started to look closely into my watches to admire them, i started noticing flaws that should not be there.

just a month ago, i casually observed my Breitling under sunlight and noticed a scratch-like flaw in my Breitling , bought it to the service centre and the watch technicians could not notice the flaw.

the defect is beside the 2 o clock index, its a white line when i have my light shine directly against the dial. the defect is visible only at strong light and at certain angle which explains why the watch technicians could not notice the flaw
After this incident, i started to observe my other watches and similiar issues came up, i started noticing scratch in dials and indexes, imperfections in dials , uneven lume , smudges in hands etc. all these issues were observed without the use of a loupe or other devices other than my own eyes.

As some of my watches are out of warranty, replacement of dials will be pretty expensive, for example the cost of replacing my IWC dial is almost $950 which is pretty hefty when i asked for the quotation!

During this few months, i became disappointed and fustrated , how can swiss watches be so poorly finished as compared to my cheap watches. Watches that i used to love and wear now became a eyesore for me as i am constantly looking at the flaws. I have even considered selling my watches off just to get rid of the fustration.

To all watch collecters, how to you deal with flaws, having so many watches does make it impossible to make every single watch as flawless as it can be.

I am a perfectionist when it comes to watches. i have actually read up about perfectionists and one way to deal with it is to deliberately leave it alone until i am adjusted to it.

Any suggestions as to how to deal with my mentality?

I have yet to see a watch that did not have a flaw somewhere. Sure you have to look close possibly with a 10x loupe but errors are there to be found if you want to spend the time finding them. If I can't see a goof in normal use with the unaided eye then it is not significant. To me such a obsessive hunt takes all the joy out of wearing a watch.

Look the watch over carefully before buying but once you hand over the $$ get on with enjoying the watch for the reasons you bought it.

 

I certainly understand that when you buy an expensive watch, a major part of what you're paying for is a flawless product. This is jewellery we're talking about, and high-end watches (relatively speaking) are supposed to be marvels of impeccable finishing. That's why the big names are advertising their Q&A heavily.

But it's also true that the more expensive watches you get, the more hand-finishing is involved. While the components for a Rolex watch are pretty much 100% machine-made, the movements are assembled completely by hand, as are the dials, hand-setting etc. This is both expensive and also part of what you are paying for - craftsmen practicing their craft.

And therein lies the conundrum. Whenever something is made by hand, there's bound to be some variation. The vast majority of collectors will prefer variance (and errors) introduced by the human element, as that is (a somewhat unwelcome) proof of the craftsmanship involved.

That is why a $500 Seiko may actually be more perfect than a $5.000 Rolex.

So embrace the human element and be proud that you are wearing a watch that a very skilled human being spent time creating, rather than a watch that was spit out by a machine and is 100% identical to the next one.

 

It's interesting. How do you interact with other "stuff" you own, like a car, house, washing machine, computer, jewelry, etc? Same tendencies or is it just with watches? Sorry, I know this doesn't contribute to the forum objective and don't have an answer, but like I say - interesting (to me) . . .

 

It's interesting. How do you interact with other "stuff" you own, like a car, house, washing machine, computer, jewelry, etc? Same tendencies or is it just with watches? Sorry, I know this doesn't contribute to the forum objective and don't have an answer, but like I say - interesting (to me) . . .

i do not have the "perfectionist " mentality when it comes to other issues. I am a rather relaxed, laid back person when it comes to other areas like clothes, bags, grooming etc . In fact i am a rather messy and untidy person.

However when it comes to watches, its a different story.

I am not concerned about timekeeping and accuracy of my watches. I do not check if my watches are off in terms of accuracy.

I am not concerned about external damages due to wear n tear like dings, scratches to cases etc

But when it comes to the watch interior issues such as quality of dial, indexes, markers etc , i am very particular about these areas.

Perhaps it could be because i pay so much for a watch and i expect it to be perfect. If it doesnt meet my expectations, i feel pissed.

 

You shouldn't look for perfection; it doesn't exist. Heck, NASA couldn't even do it right - the first reflective mirror on the Hubble Telescope was screwed up and had to be replaced, and that thing was made in a room cleaner than most operating rooms.

 

Things with flaws can nonetheless be perfect. As true in watches as spouses as great art, and so on.

Enjoy the perfection, overlook the flaws...happy life!

 

When watches are made in large quantities to keep costs low and yield large returns, irregardless large or small brands... perfections becomes things of the past...

 

As a licensed therapist, I'm going to outline an effective treatment plan for your obsessive compulsive behavior-- at no charge as well.

Purchase something similar to the following:

Any time you feel the urge to critically examine your watch, take it off and put this watch on and wear it for 24 hours straight.

I would say that within two weeks of initiating this treatment, you should see a marked decrease in the urges.

You're welcome.

 

Its the way life is. Very sorry. But what is the alternative.

I think if you pay $10,000 and up for your watches you should see fewer imperfections in your watches.

 

I think if you pay $10,000 and up for your watches you should see fewer imperfections in your watches.

Quite right.

Few flaws should be accepted at that price range. If there were flaws at that price range then I would consider it a "breach of contract", so to speak.

By the way, I've noticed that the mass-produced Timex, Lorus and Pulsar watches I've had have had very few flaws. This is probably due to their having some robotic input during the assembly stage, while high-end watches are assembled by fallible human beings, who might be tired, bored or simply have no consideration for the eventual customer of the watch they are assembling.

That's why I wouldn't buy a high-end watch and expect no flaws in it-the risk of "human error" is unacceptable for me.

The sad fact is that until all watches (most especially the dials) are assembled by robots there will always be flaws.

 

Imperfections are a part of everyday life. That doesn't mean it's a flaw not to be perfect. In some cases, imperfection is actually preferred and thought of as being better than "perfect". Some reading on the subject: Wabi-sabi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Just a brief introduction, i began my watch collection 3 years ago under the influence of my friends and especially this forum.

Up till now, i have about 8 watches , ranging from a Sinn, Fortis , Rolex , Omega , Panaeri , Breitling , IWC , Cartier , JLC and Seikos.

Initially i was very contented with my purchase, didn't look into detail the finishing of my watches but ever since i started to look closely into my watches to admire them, i started noticing flaws that should not be there.

just a month ago, i casually observed my Breitling under sunlight and noticed a scratch-like flaw in my Breitling , bought it to the service centre and the watch technicians could not notice the flaw.

the defect is beside the 2 o clock index, its a white line when i have my light shine directly against the dial. the defect is visible only at strong light and at certain angle which explains why the watch technicians could not notice the flaw

View attachment 3050002

After this incident, i started to observe my other watches and similiar issues came up, i started noticing scratch in dials and indexes, imperfections in dials , uneven lume , smudges in hands etc. all these issues were observed without the use of a loupe or other devices other than my own eyes.

As some of my watches are out of warranty, replacement of dials will be pretty expensive, for example the cost of replacing my IWC dial is almost $950 which is pretty hefty when i asked for the quotation!

During this few months, i became disappointed and fustrated , how can swiss watches be so poorly finished as compared to my cheap watches. Watches that i used to love and wear now became a eyesore for me as i am constantly looking at the flaws. I have even considered selling my watches off just to get rid of the fustration.

To all watch collecters, how to you deal with flaws, having so many watches does make it impossible to make every single watch as flawless as it can be.

I am a perfectionist when it comes to watches. i have actually read up about perfectionists and one way to deal with it is to deliberately leave it alone until i am adjusted to it.

Any suggestions as to how to deal with my mentality?

Perfection is not of this world. Folks are way from perfect. (ALL) Things made by folks are bound to have flaws. You just have to understand that and accept it as part of life.

 

Customers like these are Ssoooooooooo annoying.
my only joy is knowing that they will never ever be happy.

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln

 

my only joy is knowing that they will never ever be happy.

lol

 

Ok I'll fess up. I expect even my $50 mechanical watch to be accurate to 5s a day

 

OP, 1 shot of whisky will cure your ails

Eric

 

Wow. This thread was exactly what I needed...

I own my own brand of watches, all priced between $400 and $600. With every new model, inevitably, there will be one or two customers who will put the watch under a loupe or macro lens, and complain to me about some cosmetic flaw that is all but invisible, or will compare the watch in some way to something WAY more expensive.

My first model was a ~$500 automatic chronograph with a Chinese movement. One customer complained it didn't keep time as well as his $3,000 watch from a Swiss luxury brand (it still ran within spec).

More recently, a customer complained the ~$500 watch I sold him didn't make the same sort of impression as the >$10,000 watches worn by the more senior guys he works with at a hedge fund.

I could tell you a half dozen more stories along the same lines, all equally eye-roll inducing.

I have to say I'm very surprised at how easygoing a lot of you guys here seem to be, this being the public forum, where discussion often centers on watches which are much more expensive than the ones I sell. I would have expected people here to be much more demanding. A recent thread in the affordable sub-forum indicated many of the guys there truly expect perfection in a <$600 watch.

I'm not here to tell anyone whether or not it's realistic to expect perfection in a watch at any price, but I am a big proponent of keeping expectations realistic, and judging quality in light of the price paid, rather than irrespective of price. I'm very thankful the vast majority of my customers are quite pleased with our quality, if not very impressed, particularly for the price they paid. I wish I could say they were all as easy to please as some of you here seem to be, but unfortunately about 1% seem to be impossible to please. Along those lines, thank you, because some of your comments here help explain why some of our happiest customers are those who've previously made much more expensive purchases.

As far as the OP's complaint about his Breitling, I admit even I'd be much more demanding if I was spending that sort of money to purchase something from a luxury brand. One of my customers recently made the point to me that any given customer's degree of crazy (i.e, unrealistic expectations) seems to be perfectly correlated with their degree of cheapness. This thread makes me wonder if some of our expectations regarding degree of perfection don't have something to do with the relative affordability of any given purchase. If you've got Breitling money stuck in your couch cushions, maybe that scratch wouldn't stick in your craw, but if making that purchase requires sacrifice and saving, maybe that scratch isn't something you could easily live with?