I guess it was my mistake, I apologize for calling certain brands "garbage/piece of shit". I guess I'll just clarify myself. What I meant was, those brand are not worth the money. It's like paying RM300k for a Proton Saga. Some of you do have your points right, to some, a Proton is in fact worth RM300k, but not to me.
One of you did mention about my taste 8 years ago, as to purchase a Quartz Kirium F1 TAG Heuer. Back then, I was only 21 yr old. I was young, and naive, or shall I say, I was totally new to luxury watches. It was a watch from my mother, as a gift. I went for purely look, and functions. Only to regret it years later, after evolving, learning to appreciate the beauty of the engine that drives a mechanical watch. I've found out that Quartz/Digital watches are simple watches to produce, can be easily produced. The most important part of it is an integrated chip that stores all the algorithm to record time, and of course a battery to power it up. Whereas a mechanical watch consists of many separate pieces, and in same cases, are handcrafted and installed piece by piece. After reading the history of mechanical watches, and how a movement was designed, I learned to love mechanical watches, as though it is an art. I'd compare Quartz vs Mechanical, to Photos taken by cameras, to pictures drawn by painters. Once you understand how much effort is being spent on it, only would one truly appreciate the final product. But of course, there are ppl out there who prefer camera pictures than hand drawn, as they believe it looks more realistic.
There's also another reason why I didn't quite like TAG Heuer. After owning the watch for 2 years, I needed to have the batteries replaced. So I sent it to KL Plaza's service center. After they serviced it, which I believe they didn't seal it properly, or a small amount of water moisture went in, and the chrome hour/minute/second hands had moist corrosion approximately 2 months after service. I took it back to to KL Plaza and blamed them, but they refuse to take the blame for it. Anyhow, I had them chrome hands replaced for RM1100 (and I still have the receipts as of today), and guess what? 3-4 months later, same shit happened. I brought the issue up, and my brother told me he warned me against buying a TAG Heuer, but I ignored, as he had same issues with his watch TAG Heuer 4000 Series Automatic back in the days, and my Uncle's 4000 Series too. Time wasn't accurate from day one, and sent for servicing, the watch became way too fast. I'm talking about tens of minutes too fast. Tried numerous times to fix it.
The way I look at things are pretty simple ... a brand is as good as it's service center ... technicians at TAG Heuer's service center in Malaysia are not qualified at all ... for as long as I remain in Malaysia, I would at least avoid that brand. That's also a reason why I avoided purchasing Zenith. I loved Zenith, but I went with IWC instead because of this sole reason.
Why I insist on in-house mechanism? I just believe that spending RM20k on a watch, is a luxury. I'm not a super rich person. That's why I would like to believe if I spent RM20k on a watch, it better be worth the money. In-house technology represents how deep that company/brand is into "it" ... Why would I buy a RM20k watch that uses an ETA mechanism that's found in watches under RM1k? Just for the design? Someone also mentioned Audi/VW/Skoda using the same 2.0TFSI engine, I appreciate it. But that's different, they are all owned by Volkswagen Group, IMHO. But we're comparing Apples and Oranges, there's nothing wrong with TAG Heuer using Zenith engines, because they're both sister companies under one same roof. Unlike cheaper watches like "BALL", which is a USA company, but purchases engines from ETA, and modify it, and sell the watch as it's own name. Don't get me wrong, I'm a BALL WATCH fan, as I own a Ball Aviator 46mm, it is indeed a very beautiful and great watch, for the money. I paid RM5500 less 32% discount for it. It was worth every single cent of it. As good as the Ball Aviator is, there is no way I would pay RM20k for it. Funny thing is, on certain days, my Ball is actually more accurate than my IWC. So value doesn't just rely 100% on how accurate it is. Also, if you guys ever seen and tried on the actual IWC Portuguese Automatic, look at the back of the watch, the mechanism itself is a true beauty, and I fell for it at first sight after looking at it. I've seen countless generic movements, and none look like the IWC I currently own. To fit everything in that small encasement, and pump up 7 days worth of power, to me is still a great invention/design. I hope you guys understand where I'm coming from.
Please don't come comparing classics to what I'm talking about. A 1960 Ferrari is considered classic, because they're built in 1960, and back then the engine in it was a "GREAT INVENTION". If you build the same model today, and put in the same engine, please do note this, built in 2011, the cost of that particular Ferrari will not cost the same. However what I was referring to regarding the old mechanism/technology, is a Brand New Ferrari, built, and installed with a 1960 engine, I'm willing to bet you whatever I have, it will not make it classic, and therefore not make it super expensive, because it is not classic. But I know, since it is still a Ferrari, the price will be expensive, but it will not be as expensive as a Classic 1960 Ferrari.
I didn't claim that IWC's are fully in-house, they do have movements supplied by ETA, for eg, one of my favorite is IWC Portuguese Chronograph, it has a modified ETA movement, and it costs RM22k after discount. I think it looks great, and is cheaper than the Portuguese Automatic I purchased, but I didn't buy it for the fact that it runs a generic engine. But of course, that is my personal point of view.
I just hope that I didn't really push the limit too much, as it seemed as though everyone is pretty pissed at me for dissing Rolex. I've claimed that Rolex are great watches for diving purposes, and of course the Submariners do look good. But somehow, I just don't think it is worth the price. If you own a Rolex, be happy about it, as a lot of ppl couldn't afford one, and I for one don't own one. Ppl do purchase luxury items so that it could in a way provide a sense of satisfaction, and it is very hard to justify. But again I emphasize that a Proton Saga costing RM300k could probably provide me with a sense of satisfaction as I drive around in it, but it will not provide the same amount/level of satisfaction as though I owned a RM300k Mercedes. But of course, I'd always go for the SATISFACTION/DOLLAR factor.
Anyway, everything written above are solely my humble opinion, nothing but an opinion. Wasn't intended to make enemies here.
Cheers. I'll be back.
P.S. Why I also prefer other brands over Rolex? I can wear an IWC daily, walking through the markets/etc. without having to fear that someone would chop my hands off.
I enjoy luxury at my own expense, for my own pleasure only. I don't do it just so that others would notice me, and put my life under jeopardy. My watch is something that I look at it everytime and it gives me the sense of satisfaction that only I, myself, most of the time know ... unlike a Rolex ... I bet you, go to a wet market, ask any random person if they recognize or heard of a Rolex, almost 99%, if not 100% ppl know about it. But try JLC, IWC, Patek, Breguet, Hublot, Richard Mille, etc. it'd be a miracle if more than 1 out of 5 person recognize even one of those mentioned brands. But don't quote me on statistics, I'm just trying to make a point, that's it.
This post has been edited by ytkwong: Nov 26 2011, 08:34 PM 
Nov 25 2011, 09:59 PM
... hate em' Rolex ... So far, I only own a Tag Heuer F1 Kirium since 8 years back, Ball Aviator 46mm, a bunch of G-Shocks, and recently, 2 weeks ago IWC Portuguese Automatic 7 Days Reserve ... I've been saving for 2 years to buy this watch ... love the 7 days pr ...
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