Most Troublesome Conglomerate

[enjoythemusic]

Since conglomerates now control quite a bit of the timepiece market, which conglomerate would you avoid?

Votes are private, feel free to vote without worry

[Blansky]

A list:


https://www.rescapement.com/blog/bra...wn-what-brands

[Blansky]

I have one from almost all the groups.

I don't find them problematic or anything except that most of the brands I don't care about. I don't buy watches by houses or brands, I buy by which models appeal to me.

The in-house movement thing seemed about nailing down the supply chain and controlling the money to be made in repairs/overhauls which increased the costs to the consumer.

If I was still in the buying mood and had lots of cash, I'd go to the independents (not the ones listed here) instead of the conglomerates.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Blansky

If I was still in the buying mood and had lots of cash, I'd go to the independents (not the ones listed here) instead of the conglomerates.

Yeah, I hear you about needing to be in the mood... and independents. Think that's my 2022 goal as have two due by Xmas to fill spots in the current 'themes'. Next theme will be supporting the real crazies

[Boothroyd]

I appreciate that chart! Lost track of the corporate umbrella some of these brands operate under.

Makes me respect Breitling a bit more....

I can't downvote any of them, actually. They all have some solid entries with good service. Biggest issues, well documented ad nauseam, are probably with Wilsdorf.

[Chester01]

Um whelp, this seems to be true for most industry now days is it not?

[yoast]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Since conglomerates now control quite a bit of the timepiece market, which conglomerate would you avoid?

Votes are private, feel free to vote without worry

All of them. The panerai 318 was an eye opener for me and I decided never to buy from any conglomerate ever again.

[mbalmz]

Originally Posted by yoast

All of them. The panerai 318 was an eye opener for me and I decided never to buy from any conglomerate ever again.

I dunno if I’d blame that on Richemont… Panerai has done other sketchy movement-related stuff like this, while other Richemont brands have not (to my knowledge).

Brands seem to be run pretty independently and it doesn’t seen like the mother ship gets involved in things like individual limited editions and movements.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by mbalmz

I dunno if I’d blame that on Richemont… Panerai has done other sketchy movement-related stuff like this, while other Richemont brands have not (to my knowledge).

Brands seem to be run pretty independently and it doesn’t seen like the mother ship gets involved in things like individual limited editions and movements.

I did find it interesting when JC Biver took over LV he told Tag to stay in their lane and quashed some of their higher end aspirations that they had in the works. Although he did head them into hybrid watches.

But you can't fault his track record.

[mbalmz]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I did find it interesting when JC Biver took over LV he told Tag to stay in their lane and quashed some of their higher end aspirations that they had in the works. Although he did head them into hybrid watches.

But you can't fault his track record.

I heard about this too—have not heard about anything like this at Richemont though.

Things like expanding in-house movements at IWC and increasingly “out there” stuff at ALS and VC seem to suggest as much (but this is just my sense of course… I certainly don’t. actually know anything )

[GoingPlaces]

If you're really into watches it's hard to avoid Richemont, ALS, VC, and JLC are fine makers.

Definitely not into the swatch or lvmh brands.

[Cryten]

Richemont for me. Their repeated use of Richemont group movements across brands while claiming "in-house" is dishonest at best.

Swatch share movements too, but they'll tell you it's an ETA, they don't assume we're all idiots and write paragraphs of "(insert brand name here) specially developed in-house movement."

"Avoid" may be a little strong though, perhaps "influence purchasing decisions" would be a better fit for me.

[watchbobby]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Um whelp, this seems to be true for most industry now days is it not?

I was watching a YouTube video a while back about common household/construction tools (drills, saws, routers, etc.) and the companies that make them. Turns out that only Makita, at least at the time, was the only independent well-known tool company; all the rest were owned by conglomerates.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by watchbobby

I was watching a YouTube video a while back about common household/construction tools (drills, saws, routers, etc.) and the companies that make them. Turns out that only Makita, at least at the time, was the only independent well-known tool company; all the rest were owned by conglomerates.

2 firms in the US control 80 percent of the milk, beef, pork, poultry controlled by 4 giants, the top 3 hospitals account for 77 percent of all admissions, Corning 60 percent of all glass, etc.

Easy to see how supply chain issue can start.


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