The Chinese Are Coming! The Chinese Are Coming!

[JohnBaker3]

Hey Guys:

Let me first say that I own 4 Rolexs, 3 Omegas, and about another dozen of "lessor" brands. I truly appreciate the history of great watch making and the inherent value of a well made timepiece.

I am also 67 years young and I have personally witnessed some incredible events during this time frame.

For instance, back in the early 60's, the Japanese tried to break into the US auto market. Their cars were ugly, under horse powered, and weren't that reliable. However, they were very inexpensive, and over time they made great inroads. Now, in 2015, they make beautiful, well engineered vehicles that compete with the best the US and Europe have to offer!

About 15 years ago, the Chinese started making watches for export to the US. They were ugly, poorly engineered, but were VERY cheap. People bought them in droves....

About 5 years ago I got a catelog from STAUER. There were dozens of interesting looking watches at incredible prices. I bought a few. They were better made than I thought they would be and many of the designs were unique.

This past month I found some very interesting pieces on eBay made by a company called PARNIS. After some quick research, it turns out that their quartz movements come from Japan, and their mechanical movements at made at a huge factory in central China. They have invested billions into their equipment and their employee training.

Many of their earlier pieces were "homage" watches to the likes of ROLEX, PANERAI, ICW, etc etc. Going forward I see many pieces that are completely original in design.....

Bottom Line: The Chinese are in this for the long run. Although most of their watches sell for less than $150, the workmanship and materials get better by the week. I predict that within the next 18 months, they will be competing head to head with some of the better SWISS made units.

Desirable or not, Chinese watches are no longer under the radar; please remember that as you drive your LEXUS down the freeway...



All photos courtesey of eBay.....

[texex91]

Thankfully I prefer Italian cars and Swiss watches.

[T. Ferguson]

Rather loose with the term "homage".

[tom2517]

I have something even better, check the link, even if you can't read Chinese, just check out the pictures, they look like any other Swiss manufacturers.

http://wechat.fingerdaily.com/thread-40896-1-1.html

Top fake watches are not made in mom and pop shops, they require advanced machines like CNC and systematic assembly, and China is getting better and better at it. The article mentioned that many of the manufactures actually makes watches and parts as OEM (China currently accounts of 45% of watches produced worldwide), but on the side, they maybe making parts for fake watches.

The Chinese law stipulates that as long as they don't put a brand logo on the watch or parts, technically it is not a fake watch or parts, that's why these manufactures can get a way with it. They sell those parts to someone who's willing to take that risk (It's the person or company that in the final assembly put on a brand logo like Rolex that's breaking the law).

[watchucallit]

Parnis has been around for a while.

[Rockrolex]

I just ordered an annual calendar like the one in your last picture, John. Ordered from Amazon. For a little over $100 we'll see how good it is. Should be here by Friday (8/7).

[Israguard]

The Chinese may be coming but there isnt a single original thought in any of their watches. All are copies. Homage ? I dont think so.. They copy everything and do a great job at it. Thats what upsets me the most about these $100.- pieces. Let them create something from A to Z and see what that looks like.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by watchucallit

Parnis has been around for a while.

This.
Several years at least. I don't think that another eighteen months is going to make much difference.

The first mention of Parnis on this forum was over five years ago. People on WUS were buying them back in 2009.

There is a (sporadically) long-running thread started over two years ago on the forum about Parnis http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ghlight=parnis

[locutus49]

Not to my taste.

[jjnd08]

I'd rather buy a Seiko, or just save that $100-200 towards a watch I really want.

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

I just ordered an annual calendar like the one in your last picture, John. Ordered from Amazon. For a little over $100 we'll see how good it is. Should be here by Friday (8/7).

Rock:

Definitely post a reply on what your first impressions are.....

I know that many of the Chinese "copies" bum people out, but their latest models with some original designs have really caught my attention....

Under-estimate their capabilities if you will, but things are changing fast....

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

Rock:

Definitely post a reply on what your first impressions are.....

I know that many of the Chinese "copies" bum people out, but their latest models with some original designs have really caught my attention....

Under-estimate their capabilities if you will, but things are changing fast....

We'll see, John.

[Psmith]

Perhaps a better example of the Chinese watch industry would be Sea-Gull

www.seagullwatch.eu

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Perhaps a better example of the Chinese watch industry would be Sea-Gull

www.seagullwatch.eu

I was unaware of the high end finished watches that Sea-Gull offers!

Thanks for the great link!

PARNIS uses Sea-Gull movements along with Japanese quartz movements.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parnis_Watches

[lapince]

Originally Posted by Israguard

The Chinese may be coming but there isnt a single original thought in any of their watches. All are copies. Homage ? I dont think so.. They copy everything and do a great job at it. Thats what upsets me the most about these $100.- pieces. Let them create something from A to Z and see what that looks like.

The japanese also before copied everything, not anymore, I don't think in 18 months like the OP stated but in 10-15 years sure they'll make nice watches, but don't think they'll ever compete with real high end swiss watches like VC, AP and PP, more like Seiko now is competing with Tudor and maybe a little with Omega, but not higher...

[osamu]

I owned a parnis similar to the one 3rd down. I just remember reading decent reviews on WUS but had no idea it was supposed to be like an IWC homage. It stopped on me once on full power reserve and once I cant trust a watch to give me a somewhat reasonable time, I figured it had to go, so I sold it. I did think it looked good and had fun with the power reserve indicator, but it wasn't worth checking my wrist and then checking my phone to double check the time, haha.

[subtona]

No thank you

[mps354]

I'm not seeing it

[sapingo]

lol woah

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by lapince

The japanese also before copied everything, not anymore, I don't think in 18 months like the OP stated but in 10-15 years sure they'll make nice watches, but don't think they'll ever compete with real high end swiss watches like VC, AP and PP, more like Seiko now is competing with Tudor and maybe a little with Omega, but not higher...

Seiko puts out products to compete on all levels of watchmaking. Swatch through Patek...imho


Not interested in these designs though...

[thomaspp]

The Chinese business model is great for some things, but this (true luxury watches) is one where I do not think it will.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wokafu]

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

Rock:

Definitely post a reply on what your first impressions are.....

I know that many of the Chinese "copies" bum people out, but their latest models with some original designs have really caught my attention....

Under-estimate their capabilities if you will, but things are changing fast....

cant agree more...look at how they shaken the smart phone arena..

[chris975d]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Seiko puts out products to compete on all levels of watchmaking. Swatch through Patek...imho


Not interested in these designs though...

Off topic, but I'll have to second this statement.

[Wesley Crusher]

The Chinese are not interested in making high-end, exclusive anything. Their goal is to offer the "look" at a fraction of the price and quality of the real thing. I don't doubt that the Chinese are capable of making a nice watch. They've done a fine job at copying everything else in the world. Are they here to stay? Sure, but the fine Swiss brands won't be losing any sleep over it.

[SearChart]

I have a Seagull military chronograph (mechanical), it is a fun watch but never gets any wrist time, the quality doesn't compare to even the very affordable Seiko SKX diver's watches. They're very popular on WUS and I can see why people like them (not everyone can afford watches that cost several thousand or even several hundred Euros), but I prefer my Seiko's if I want an affordable mechanical beater.

[Ferdelious]

I will probably stick with Swiss and German brands but to each his own.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

Rock:

Definitely post a reply on what your first impressions are.....

I know that many of the Chinese "copies" bum people out, but their latest models with some original designs have really caught my attention....

Under-estimate their capabilities if you will, but things are changing fast....

John,

This one just arrived this afternoon. I've strapped it on and we'll see how well it performs when we go out for dinner tonight.

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

John,

This one just arrived this afternoon. I've strapped it on and we'll see how well it performs when we go out for dinner tonight.

Rock:

Looks good so far! Here's my latest....I removed the "extra" seconds hands over the "flywheel"....lots of watch for the money...

[SearChart]

Here's my chinese watch.

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Here's my chinese watch.

Bas:

I think it looks great!

How about some details! Like, how do you like it, was it a good value, and did you pay extra for the Chineses characters on the dial ?