Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses • Hacker News Board

Re: Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses

#11

Post by ALittleLight » Mon, Sep 02, 2019, 6:26 AM UTC

lrem wrote: post #5

sdrothrock wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Companies can definitely reduce the price but the price is a status quo in those products. This is why I always advise glasses-wearing friends and families to buy glasses whenever they come visit Japan; prices are MUCH lower than in the US without the Luxottica tax.

I've never worn glasses... But it does seem that in Europe you can get them in the range of €2-€5000. And they all basically have to work, otherwise the seller could get in trouble. Can you tell me why is the range so wide? And are you saying the top end is of equivalent quality, but cheaper in Japan?

My current glasses say "handcrafted in Japan" on them, so I guess I qualify as a Japanese glasses owner. They cost 600 USD (bought in the US) a few years ago. I like the way they look, they are light weight, and extremely durable. They have been stepped on, sat on, bent by hand, and seen years of constant service and are still in perfect condition.

I wear my glasses pretty much all the time except when I'm in bed. I even wear my glasses in the swimming pool unless I'm swimming laps. When I last looked for glasses I looked very hard to find something I liked the asthetics of, were wearable, and durable. The price is much less of an issue given that glasses are such a constant and important part of my life. It makes sense to spend to get good glasses to me. Compromising on some aspect of the glasses may save a few hundred dollars, but it would degrade the quality of my every waking moment.

Re: Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses

#12

Post by Qworg » Mon, Sep 02, 2019, 6:32 AM UTC

DrStalker wrote: post #6

sdrothrock wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Companies can definitely reduce the price but the price is a status quo in those products. This is why I always advise glasses-wearing friends and families to buy glasses whenever they come visit Japan; prices are MUCH lower than in the US without the Luxottica tax.

I buy glasses online from Zenni optical, who make them in China. (there are other companies that do this, but Zenni is the one Iv'e used) They start at $6 for frames and prescription lenses, and they have multiple styles under $20 that match the shape and look I prefer in my glasses. It's really nice to have glasses cheap enough that I've got spare sets at home, at work and in the car; and not "my old set with the ba…

An in-between is Warby Parker - I like being able to try on the glasses in store (or shipped to door). Roughly $100-$150.

Re: Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses

#13

Post by kiba » Mon, Sep 02, 2019, 6:51 AM UTC

DrStalker wrote: post #6

sdrothrock wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Companies can definitely reduce the price but the price is a status quo in those products. This is why I always advise glasses-wearing friends and families to buy glasses whenever they come visit Japan; prices are MUCH lower than in the US without the Luxottica tax.

I buy glasses online from Zenni optical, who make them in China. (there are other companies that do this, but Zenni is the one Iv'e used) They start at $6 for frames and prescription lenses, and they have multiple styles under $20 that match the shape and look I prefer in my glasses. It's really nice to have glasses cheap enough that I've got spare sets at home, at work and in the car; and not "my old set with the ba…

Seconded this. I bought mine from Zenni optical as well.

It's amazing that we don't have backups for critical personal items, such as our phone and our eyewear.

Re: Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses

#14

Post by aidenn0 » Mon, Sep 02, 2019, 6:55 AM UTC

Qworg wrote: post #12

DrStalker wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I buy glasses online from Zenni optical, who make them in China. (there are other companies that do this, but Zenni is the one Iv'e used) They start at $6 for frames and prescription lenses, and they have multiple styles under $20 that match the shape and look I prefer in my glasses. It's really nice to have glasses cheap enough that I've got spare sets at home, at work and in the car; and not "my old set with the ba…

An in-between is Warby Parker - I like being able to try on the glasses in store (or shipped to door). Roughly $100-$150.

In on the fence with my warby parker glasses. They seem to scratch far easier than my previous lenses. After 18 months I can't wear them in the dark anymore as they are so scratched that off axis light causes terrible glare.

On the other hand, I can buy new glasses five times as often, and I usually will break or lose my glasses due to misfortune within 7 years, so it's still cheaper.

Re: Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses

#15

Post by dutchbrit » Mon, Sep 02, 2019, 6:58 AM UTC

godelmachine wrote: post #2

Coincidental that I read this exactly 5 min after I broke glasses of my wristwatch, which was gifted to me by someone close. Wondering how to fix my watch now.

Depends on the movement etc... If it's a higher end or vintage watch is good to look for a specialist.

Re: Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses

#16

Post by masklinn » Mon, Sep 02, 2019, 7:01 AM UTC

lrem wrote: post #5

sdrothrock wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Companies can definitely reduce the price but the price is a status quo in those products. This is why I always advise glasses-wearing friends and families to buy glasses whenever they come visit Japan; prices are MUCH lower than in the US without the Luxottica tax.

I've never worn glasses... But it does seem that in Europe you can get them in the range of €2-€5000. And they all basically have to work, otherwise the seller could get in trouble. Can you tell me why is the range so wide? And are you saying the top end is of equivalent quality, but cheaper in Japan?

> I've never worn glasses... But it does seem that in Europe you can get them in the range of €2-€5000.

Glasses have two components: frame and lenses. Both can vary widely in prices.

For frames there's components (from cheap hard plastic to metal e.g. shape-memory titanium alloys) and branding & style.

For lenses there's material (basic polymer, impact resistant, high-index, …), complexity (e.g. bifocal) and further treatments (polarised, photochromic, anti-reflective coatings …), the actual prescription likely has a complexity impact as well.

€5000 glasses I expect would mostly be down to branding and style (e.g. dior frames or whatever). Aside from branding and style, most of the price would come down to the lens'.

Re: Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses

#17

Post by crusader1099 » Mon, Sep 02, 2019, 7:03 AM UTC

DrStalker wrote: post #6

sdrothrock wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Companies can definitely reduce the price but the price is a status quo in those products. This is why I always advise glasses-wearing friends and families to buy glasses whenever they come visit Japan; prices are MUCH lower than in the US without the Luxottica tax.

I buy glasses online from Zenni optical, who make them in China. (there are other companies that do this, but Zenni is the one Iv'e used) They start at $6 for frames and prescription lenses, and they have multiple styles under $20 that match the shape and look I prefer in my glasses. It's really nice to have glasses cheap enough that I've got spare sets at home, at work and in the car; and not "my old set with the ba…

Being a glasses user I can definitely understand the peace of mind part. However, I find that I rarely seem to break or otherwise damage my glasses. Maybe it's just me.

Re: Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses

#18

Post by benj111 » Mon, Sep 02, 2019, 7:37 AM UTC

Swizec wrote: post #7

lrem wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never worn glasses... But it does seem that in Europe you can get them in the range of €2-€5000. And they all basically have to work, otherwise the seller could get in trouble. Can you tell me why is the range so wide? And are you saying the top end is of equivalent quality, but cheaper in Japan?

In my experience in wearing glasses my whole life it comes down to "you get what you pay for". Not in the functional department since they all use the same lenses, but in the fashion department. I've worn 30euro glasses. They work and bring no joy. I've had 300 euro glasses. They work just the same and you think "Damn I'm hot" every time you take a selfie. This effect is even more pronounced with sunglasses. I get th…

Would you say theres an actual qualitative difference between frames, or is this purely psychological?

Your comment seems to be pointing at both, which may be the reason for the down votes.

Re: Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses

#19

Post by vinay427 » Mon, Sep 02, 2019, 8:20 AM UTC

Thanks to better technology, quartz watches are now cheaper, easier to maintain, almost always more accurate, and often more robust to shocks and damage. Even the cheapest quartz watches are often more accurate than a $500 (or more) mechanical watch today, and more expensive digital watches are certainly more accurate than anything mechanical no matter the price.

For functionality, then, it seems to me like affordability of watches has been significantly progressed or even attained.

Re: Mark Twain’s Quest to Bring Affordable Watches to the Masses

#20

Post by ctordtor » Mon, Sep 02, 2019, 8:23 AM UTC

DrStalker wrote: post #6

sdrothrock wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Companies can definitely reduce the price but the price is a status quo in those products. This is why I always advise glasses-wearing friends and families to buy glasses whenever they come visit Japan; prices are MUCH lower than in the US without the Luxottica tax.

I buy glasses online from Zenni optical, who make them in China. (there are other companies that do this, but Zenni is the one Iv'e used) They start at $6 for frames and prescription lenses, and they have multiple styles under $20 that match the shape and look I prefer in my glasses. It's really nice to have glasses cheap enough that I've got spare sets at home, at work and in the car; and not "my old set with the ba…

I can attest to Zenni glasses, I have three bespectacled users in the family and have started to get them to bring home prescriptions. I've saved hundreds and they're happier with their glasses and their backups and their sunglasses. None of us are on transitions which seems like the best use case for a traditional Luxottica mall brand.

It seems to take about the same amount of time vs. a mall store.