Sounds good. I recently purchased an "Air Ministry" watch. Perhaps the most attractive dial/hands combination of any in my extensive accumulation.

heb

 

Found myself recently looking at that one as well. And its brother. I think all are all sold out now? The movement is interesting.

 

That's true. Loving it! Wearing my PRS29 AM most of the time. My SARB035 is having it's rest days, since AirMinistry got to me.

I bet many more are looking to buy and rock their TimeFactors watches, sure it won't loose it's " Always Sold-Out (or) Sells out fast " status.

But I am wishing and daydreaming it would have been awesome, if hypothetically TimeFactors were made all in UK or Switzerland or Germany like it used to be. Atleast pricing the PRS29AM a bit more less than 405 GBP (GREAT BRITIAN POUNDS) for being made in "HongKong" will be more comforting for a buyer.

Well when the conspiracy of how Omega, Rolex or an other Whale like brand outsource their watch cases made from China or an other country.

It doesn't surprise me with TimeFactors. As Eddie doesn't not mention about where it's made in the website or in the actual watch.

Irrespective of where it's made aspect, still one of the top option to go for in entry level mechanical watches.

 

TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

I happened to read a discussion thread wondering about where the "TimeFactors watches by Eddie Plats been made ".
Actually I contacted Mr. Eddie Plats himself via email and he was a great guy, When I enquired about where the watches are manufactured, he gave me a very honest and precise answer. His watches are so well done and a value buy among entry level automatic and mechanical watches. I am among who don't judge or discriminate a product on where it is made if the quality surpasses the current product options in the market on the particular genre of entry level watches. So the answer is " It's made in HongKong since 2018 " - yes TimeFactors from this years is Made in Hongkong. But Eddie also added that the quality feed back from customers is that it's even better than the times when the watches were made in Germany until 2017 and prior to that " totally Swiss made until 2013" Anyway it's a lovely watch Every serious watch lover must be aware of. Please check it out. I am new proud owner of PRS 29 AM owner from Time Factors. Email from Eddie Plats of TimeFactors for my query reads as follows " My watches were made in Switzerland until 2003, when I switched to Germany. They were manufactured in Germany until 2017, when the company boss suffered a stroke and whilst he tried to return to work, it was too much for him and he retired. I searched for a new manufacturer and in April 2018, was introduced to a manufacturer in Hong Kong. Ihave now had two models delivered from them and customers report that the quality is even better than the ones made in Germany. I hope this answers your questions. " Cheers my peer pals!

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

Quite a few brands now hark from that part of the world.

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

I have a great respect for Mr. Eddie Platts: he was running a true affordable micro brand long before that was even a thing.

Let's not forget that Hans Wilsdorf relocated Rolex from England to Switzerland in order to cut cost on wages. Back then, Switzerland was the Shenzhen of Europe.

In the 1980's, as the Swiss were pressed by a crisis caused by bad competitiveness, they trained a lot of Hong Kong nationals and brought them up to Swiss standards, to such a degree that the Pearl River estuary (Hong Kong and the Guangdong province) became the anteroom of Switzerland:

* There is a 90% chance that your watch box has been manufactured near the Pearl River estuary.
* If your watch retails below USD 700, there is a 95% chance that all external parts were made and refinished near the Pearl River estuary.
* If your watch retailed under USD 3,000, there is an 80% chance that the case blank was stamped near the Pearl River estuary.
* If your watch has a steel bracelet, there is a 90% chance that it was made and refinished near the Pearl River estuary. Thailand is the second place of origin.

This first generation of Hong Kong craftsmen have since set up their own companies and relocated production plants to the neighbouring Guangdong province of Mainland China and trained a second generation of craftsmen.

These Chinese nationals have in turn set up their own companies, but they do not yet reach the same quality level as the Hong Kong companies do.

Hong Kong is now the watchmaking London of Southeast Asia and the Guangdong province is its Switzerland.

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Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

After all the improvements, I am seriously considering the new Smiths Everest. And yes, Mr. Platts is a real pleasure to work with.

 

I think the boys from Hong Kong have proven for a long time that they can assemble some real nice wrist watches.

heb

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

Eddie and Timefactors are among the handful of people/businesses I've looked up to since starting my own business. I'm fortunate enough to have connected with him on social media, and he's been kind enough to share some of his experience with me.

I wish him nothing but continued success.

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

Looks interesting. The only thing I'm disappointed by is that it doesn't say Hong Kong on the Smiths (at least the PRS-25 that I can see). I actually don't care where a watch is made as long as it's good. But if I buy a HK watch, I'd like it to say it is. In fact, I looked into Undones specifically because they are HK watches and was a bit disappointed when it didn't say HK on it. I have ties to HK so I would be much more happier if a watch I had that was made in HK said so, even if it was just on the back.

 

Looks interesting. The only thing I'm disappointed by is that it doesn't say Hong Kong on the Smiths (at least the PRS-25 that I can see). I actually don't care where a watch is made as long as it's good. But if I buy a HK watch, I'd like it to say it is. In fact, I looked into Undones specifically because they are HK watches and was a bit disappointed when it didn't say HK on it. I have ties to HK so I would be much more happier if a watch I had that was made in HK said so, even if it was just on the back.

We are on the same boat on how we feel disappointed about how it's not mentioned " Made in HongKong ". It costs 405 GBP ( Great British Pounds ) = 516 USD for a PRS 29 Air Ministry. Indeed a very quality time piece.

But it certainly is over priced,considering it is made in HongKong. Sourcing an ETA 2801-2 must cost about 20-30 USD at max.

Pricing it same as when it's used to be made in Germany since 2017, even though now it's made in HongKong now is something I feel a mismatch.

 

[/QUOTE] Why the quality of Eddie's watches is as good as anything 3 times the price and I thought we paid for quality. Just because something is make in HK, or China, doesn't mean it's poor quality.

Tell me what the Swiss, Germans, Brits or Americans built 200 years BC that's still standing and visible from space. Or the 8000+ soldiers of the Terracotta Army, hand carved circa 210 BC. If that ain't proof that the Chinese do quality then heaven knows what is![/QUOTE]

There is no question of quality on TimeFactors watches. Is a lovely well made timepiece.

NICE !
" Terracotta Army example " to advocate for Made in China upon there is a quality.

The quality 'made in HongKong' costs the same as the quality 'made in Germany'? But that's ok hey!

& the usual look down about " made in China " is not purely a prejudice. It's people's experience over several commodities " made in China " that lacked quality resulted in such a view.

+ Germany - Switzerland - USA has more accomplishments in Watchmaking than China anyway! & I wasn't buying Terracotta Army to put in my backyard. Will have trusted China's expertise otherwise for that matter. Sure watches from Germany, Swiss and USA have stood in time for it's performance & quality. It's not all marketing!

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

Good thing I got mine when they were still made at The Shire.

Bob

 

Good thing I got mine when they were still made at The Shire.

Bob

View attachment 13699085

View attachment 13699083

Nice Bob

 

There is no question of quality on TimeFactors watches. Is a lovely well made timepiece.

NICE !
" Terracotta Army example " to advocate for Made in China upon there is a quality.

The quality 'made in HongKong' costs the same as the quality 'made in Germany'? But that's ok hey!

& the usual look down about " made in China " is not purely a prejudice. It's people's experience over several commodities " made in China " that lacked quality resulted in such a view.

+ Germany - Switzerland - USA has more accomplishments in Watchmaking than China anyway! & I wasn't buying Terracotta Army to put in my backyard. Will have trusted China's expertise otherwise for that matter. Sure watches from Germany, Swiss and USA have stood in time for it's performance & quality. It's not all marketing!

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

Sure would like to see him made another batch of the 39mm PRS-29B.

 

Sure would like to see him made another batch of the 39mm PRS-29B.

Same here ! 😄

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

Low production volume custom cases are probably made using CNC machines, and I hardly think it matters whether a Chinese or European operates one of these devices.

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

I have a very pragmatic view of pricing, if a watch is truly overpriced, then it should be a trivial exercise to find an alternative which is as well made, as well designed, and as aesthetically pleasing, at a significantly lower price. Otherwise, it is a pointless theoretical exercise, particularly if you've already bought the watch in question.

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

I'm not sure what the issue is here. Eddie is open about the fact that he's used an Asian source for his new watches. From what I can see, they appear to be good quality watches so again, I'm not seeing the issue here. Other than the source and the quality, what's the problem?

The only issue is that I'd like Eddie to produce the 29B.

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

And???

Its no secret. Many watch brands are made in Hong Kong.

In a way, I think it would give a lot of brands more respect if they would just admit their watches are made in Hong Kong.

I trust an experienced Hong Kong watch making company much more than an inexperienced kickstarter micro-brand pretending to make watches.

Unless proven otherwise, I assume that all micro-brands are made in China.

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

Unless proven otherwise, I assume that all micro-brands are made in China.

Indeed. I'm skeptical of the grandiose claims by some micro-brands (I'm looking at you, Ginault). If you say they're assembled somewhere else, perhaps, but I would be very skeptical of any claim that the vast majority (not just by value) of the movement, case, and bracelet components were made outside China.

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

It matters not at all to me if the watchmaking is subcontracted to Hong Kong, China or Outer Mongolia. What matters is QC is under the control of the main contractor, i.e. the seller. If it saves cost which is passed on to the buyer as value for money then I'm all for it.

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

I was going to say how refreshing this post was no one was complaining troll style about Hong Kong but alas it did not happen.

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

I was going to say how refreshing this post was no one was complaining troll style about Hong Kong but alas it did not happen.

Well, it appears my post might've started all of this, but my original intent was to say the watch should proudly say it was made in HK. While saying Made in HK would never sway me to buy the watch alone, I would actually consider a brand more if it actually said it. Like I said, I have ties to HK and to me wearing a watch that said made in HK would be akin to an American having an item saying Made in America. Though in my case I would actually care *thinking of all those proud people who think respecting the flag is wearing one as a speedo over their nether regions*

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

There's a lot of confusion here about whether being made in HK is the same as being made in China. If it involved actual workmanship in HK, one of the most if not the most highest cost of living places in the world, and where the salary is completely different to the factories in China, then the "assumed differences" between being made in Germany vs HK may not be as wide as some may think. I've no doubt that in Germany they would have had more experienced persons on assembly, but do you not think they would have transferred these skills to HK via training? Of course they would have. It's in their business interest to.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

There's a lot of confusion here about whether being made in HK is the same as being made in China. If it involved actual workmanship in HK, one of the most if not the most highest cost of living places in the world, and where the salary is completely different to the factories in China, then the "assumed differences" between being made in Germany vs HK may not be as wide as some may think. I've no doubt that in Germany they would have had more experienced persons on assembly, but do you not think they would have transferred these skills to HK via training? Of course they would have. It's in their business interest to.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

since i am currently living in Hong Kong i can say that Hong Kong would be more or less same as Germany in terms of costs.
and i don't think being made in HK is inferior in quality to German made watches.

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

Looking at the site I'm a bit confused. It looks like he makes homages (I don't quite get the negative connotations of that word here but I don't have any) of classic watches. Are the watches on the site now their main offerings, or do they cycle through? Like make an homage to one watch for a few years (limited run) and then move to others? And do they make a watch once the order comes in or do they have a stock (i.e. does the S&H time include manufacture)? And how do they decide which watch to do next? Owner tastes? Polls? Requests?

I guess I'm confused because it appears they do things a bit different than the usual "microbrand."

 

Re: TimeFactors watches are Made in HongKong (since 2018)

"Made in HongKong"...

Why should Eddie stamped that when so many people still suffer from
kneejerk "Eeeew Cooties Syndrome" when they see any watch made in "that part" of the world?

What I wanna know is:
When am I gonna see a microbrand ballsy enough to stamp their dials "Made in My Dang Garage!" with an exclamation point too. :-!

I'd totally buy one.

 

"Made in HongKong"...

Why should Eddie stamped that when so many people still suffer from
kneejerk "Eeeew Cooties Syndrome" when they see any watch made in "that part" of the world?

What I wanna know is:
When am I gonna see a microbrand ballsy enough to stamp their dials "Made in My Dang Garage!" with an exclamation point too.

I'd totally buy one.

Quality control has been a major issues from those part of world in very significance despite what the product is, when made from those part of world. Deniabile?

There you go with the reason why people have that " Cooties Syndrome ". They don't want to end up with a product bought with the hard earned money that won't stand the test of time and purpose.

Why do people relate item of poor quality to those parts of world? The occurrences and experiences of consumers in the recent past has to be the reason.

Saying it's made in HongKong - gives an option for the buyer to decide if he wants to give products from those parts of the world an other chance.

The actuality as well will be that the quality of product depends on the producer despite the place of production.

Lots of incidental evidence is necessary for a recognition. HongKong is just beginning it's log in the good books.

TF watches sure demonstrates such quality of manufacturing even from the Hongkong made offering. Nothing is been compromised.

 

Unfortunately, there are some very negative customer service threads about EP and timefactors on here. While I'm not taking sides, let's hope the customer service area has improved too.

 

Two threads merged. The Review Forum is for reviews only.

 

So want does the “Great Britain” stamped on the dial mean on the Smith’s line if they are made in HK? I would love to have an affordable “English” watch (I lived there from 1983-86), and I like several of the Smith’s offerings, but I can’t help but think these are really just rebranded Seikos.