Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Omega Swatch Speedmaster

swatch.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

51–60 of 142 posts

Re: Omega Swatch Speedmaster

#51

Post by throw0101a »

throwawaycities wrote: post #50
CydeWeys wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's no mistaking the Swatch for the Omega for anyone who has any clue about watches at all. The Swatch has a plastic case and comes on a Velcro strap, for starters. But even beyond that, many people who're into watches really don't care what other people think about them.

> and comes on a Velcro strap Fun fact, the real Omega Moon watches given to the Apollo astronauts was also a Velcro band.

Plenty of folks also put their watches on NATO and Zulu straps if they think they'll be in 'rough and tumble' situations:

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVSWOkxrXjo

Re: Omega Swatch Speedmaster

#52

Post by 2muchcoffeeman »

asjldkfin wrote: post #49
2muchcoffeeman wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's like saying selling prints of an artwork devalues the original artwork. Unless you're saying the entire watch collectors market is a scam driven by companies and not collectors.

I don't really understand what you're talking about- but yes, the watch industry- like all luxury industries, is primarily driven by marketing. It's not a scam, it's just the nature of the industry.

Have you ever collected anything?

Do you think Action Comics #1 would drop in value if DC reprinted it? No. It's worth $3 million because the collectors care about the history that represents and the rarity of finding the original. Otherwise it's just ink on shitty paper. Collectors are deciding the value of the original and it can't be manipulated by merely making a new version. Omega would have to start selling the real thing for less money to tank the price. A clone can't do that.

People aren't going to stop buying the original either. Think about knock off designer handbags. It's easy to get a really high quality fake. But no one is buying the fakes if they can have the real thing. A watch collector sure isn't buying the fake since the movement would play a big part in owning that specific model. You want the same model that went to the moon. Not the plastic version.

Even if the supply of the clone is not constrained, I bet some colours are more popular than others, leading to some natural rarity. And in 50 years if they stop making these things and regular people throw them away, that Pluto watch will be worth more than the Mars and a complete collection will be worth even more. All they have done is create another thing for watch enthusiasts to collect.

Re: Omega Swatch Speedmaster

#53

Post by wdb »

maxclark wrote: post #5

I don’t get why Omega would do this - my initial reaction is it’s dilutive to their brand and I’m happy I’ve never bought one.

I think this is a brilliant idea. I can imagine this would be a fantastic start watch for the younger crowd. Much better than the Rolex shenanigan that's going on their were a mass produced $6.000 costs you $35.000. People are starting to look for alternatives for Rolex. Why $35k when you can get a nice Patek or Lange for the same price with much better build quality and finishing?

Re: Omega Swatch Speedmaster

#55

Post by staccatomeasure »

nimbius wrote: post #23

these watches are gorgeous, but so are "real" omega watches. unpopular opinion but crossing over these brands only makes sense if you think youre capable of targeting a lower income customer without risk of damaging your existing luxury brand, or if your existing luxury brand is floundering. I suspect its the latter, and i suspect its confirmation that the last decade of rennaisance for Rolex is starting to impact th…

My understanding is that Omega is very confident in its brand’s strength and staying power. I believe they put out a substantially larger number of watches than, for example, Rolex, and as a result Omega resale value hasn’t grown like crazy like Rolex watches have. But still, they sell a ton of watches and the brand remains popular.

Re: Omega Swatch Speedmaster

#56

Post by wdb »

asjldkfin wrote: post #35
throwmeariver1 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Salty about what exactly? Put it in words please.

Because it’s a marketing stunt involving an investment I made; an investment I made with the implicit understanding there’ll be some protection for the brand’s dignity.

Investment in what way?

Re: Omega Swatch Speedmaster

#57

Post by andrew_ »

Everyone here debating the speedmaster versus the swatch-speedmaster and there are those of us who have never spent north of $400 for a watch for various reasons, who think the designs are attractive and are considering if one would fit well into a pedestrian i-just-like-how-this-looks-on-my-arm collection.

These are some really interesting color combos and an attractive chrono. I'm considering one having seen them.

Re: Omega Swatch Speedmaster

#60

Post by to1y »

nimbius wrote: post #23

these watches are gorgeous, but so are "real" omega watches. unpopular opinion but crossing over these brands only makes sense if you think youre capable of targeting a lower income customer without risk of damaging your existing luxury brand, or if your existing luxury brand is floundering. I suspect its the latter, and i suspect its confirmation that the last decade of rennaisance for Rolex is starting to impact th…

They're trying to shut down the replica market
Post reply on HN