For how long can they keep doing this?: Swatch X Blancpain
2023 ж. 9 Қыр.
9 939 Рет қаралды
We all kind of knew that a new collab was likely and here it is - the Swatch X Blancpain watches. Just like marvel built the MCU, Swatch Group is in this for as long as they can. I dive into why, the strengths of this strategy and the weaknesses.
Let me know what you think in the comments!
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First hand example here. I'm a software developer in a decently big office. Recently 2 guys got into the moonswatch hype on tiktok. None of them wore a watch before that. And now they are turning into watch guys. Before this, if any of them bought a high end watch for prestige reasons, it would have been a Rolex cuz they didnt know anyout any other brand. Now both of them plan to buy an Omega in the next year. And this is happening in a poor eastern European country, where having a 6k $ watch puts you in top 0.5% of the country. Point being thiese colabs are way stronger than people give them credit for in increading brand awareness and creating future customers
That's correct. The Swatch Group CEO confirmed that sales of Omega Moon watches and Speedmasters have increased since the collaboration. It is a fun marketing exercise that has got people interested in watches.
These collaborations also have wider appeal to experienced collectors like myself. I own Rolex, JLC and other luxury brands but I still bought the MoonSwatch because it's fun and exciting. I once owned the real Speedmaster Moonwatch but sold it to upgrade to more prestigious brands. I don't intend to buy it again in the foreseeable future. Therefore the MoonSwatch allows me to enjoy a homage at an affordable price. The same goes for the Blancpain collab. I will buy one when they become more readily available
Fair point 😀 Thanks for sharing your thoughts 😀
Love how you answer to the question whether you would buy one or not. Love it.
He he - Thanks 😀😀
I actually think that - for the average non-collector consumer - these collabs don't devalue the brands, it actually elevates them by making them a bit more recognizable to the average person. Right now on WatchCrunch, there's a thread talking about getting your watch noticed by others. Most of the posters have indicated that it's a generally rare event. But for the person wearing a Swatch 51-Fathoms or (how in the world didn't they name it that, i couldn't imagine), I bet they'd be beyond excited to see the real thing. That's brand recognition on another level conpared ro what they might enjoy now, where the average person jas likely never even heard of them before this
Fair perspective for sure. 😀
You clearly have zero understanding of brand value.
Agree. Can't see Omega or Blancpain being harmed by this. If I had a 20K Blancpain, I'd just shrug my shoulders. Great in-depth analysis.
You have to be a little "something" to get your panties in a bunch over a 400 dollar collab on your 20K watch. Totally agree with you 😀 Thanks 😀
No you would be annoyed that your once exclusive watch can now be bought and worn by the janitor cleaning your office. So many poors buy these and claim they own an Omega, not a swatch. It's a slap in the face to exclusive costumers who put trust in the brand that it would remain wel.. exclusive.
Can't wait for the Breguet collab 🙏😂
lol - You're not the only that seems to be hoping for that 😀😀
I’m a simple guy but my take is even Swatch is telling Blancpain a 45mm FF is too big 😎! Always a great video Mike👍. Best regards
I think it would be a huge error to not launch a smaller fifty fathoms soon. I would have launched the 40mm fifty fathoms before the Swatch collaboration so that the swarms of potential new customers had something realistic that they could buy. Zero women are buying a 45mm watch and probably 25 percent of men could wear a watch that big. It is stupid to create demand for your watches then have no product to satisfy that demand. A fifty fathoms at 40mm with a quick change strap system and micro adjustment would easily double Blancpain sales.
It always strikes me as odd that they don't offer a reduced size modernised version. Sell it for 15.000 for sure, but still make it more contemporary. 😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Blancpain and Hodinkee had a couple limited releases in smaller case sizes but sold out quickly-go figure?
Seiko has been the only brand making iconic watches lately along with Tudor’s all star Bb58.
They’ve launched some cool watches for sure 😀
Very insightful commentary and one of the most, if not the ( wish I knew how to italicise text here ) most mature watch enthusiast sites. Swatch is for people who think "who needs a watch anyway?". It's a cheap low commitment disposable accessory. Very good point about the eco disingenuousness. There's a lot of that about. Again, maybe the type who buys a Swatch doesn't care about, or even consider, that aspect. And if you want to convince yourself that you have a Bancpain on your wrist then my advice is to avoid meeting the real thing because you will want to throw the Swatch into the nearest bin. Do I, as an owner of an Ed White, fell violated by the Swatch Speedies? Ha, puhleese!
I though am jealous that you have an Ed white.... 😀😀
More excellent observations. Swatch this space.
Your comments are on point as usual!! Keep up the good work 👍🏻👏🏻🙌🏻
Thanks - Will try 😀😀
I have a Moonswatch, I waited for the hype to calm down to get it, and I was lucky to bought it in the Zurich airport while waiting for my connection flight. I was thinking to get also the 50 Fathoms but I don't want to stay in the line and I think it's too expensive. That said, when I learned about the 50 Fathoms I immediately start to think which is the next one? I thought, it should be "the first watch to..." (something special). Looking at the Swatch group I think it should be a Longines, and looking at its heritage one that could fit the strategy could be the Ultra-Quartz. First quartz wristwatch, with internally development movement... ...and they could potentially launch both together: the Swatch (100$) and the Longines (1.000$) tribute to the Ultra Quartz.
I love the analogy 👏👏👏👏👏
Thanks - Glad you could recognise the similarities 😀😀
Excellent take. As always.
I appreciate that 😀
Great video. I am really not the person this "popcorn" product is marketed towards. Don't listen too much to Nico - he is only after eyeballs. I share your thoughts. Swatch is joining the "subscription gravy train" by doing this for revenue and is doing it in a calculated way.
I quite enjoy Nico every now and again. Most of all though I think he has so much more to offer. He seem really knowledgeable but he prioritises something else - that is super succesful but very different from what I do. Thanks btw! 😀😀
I don’t think that there will be yet another Swatch collaboration. The Moonwatch and the first diver watch. That‘s it. Swatch won’t overplay this, they are not dumb.
Time will tell for sure 😀
Brilliant analysis
Thanks 😀😀
I think the success of the Moonswatch caught everyone unawares, including Swatch group. That's why they ran out of stock so quickly. With this Blancpain collab, they're trying to capture the same lightning in a bottle. I'm not so sure they can replicate the same viral response. These things pop up unexpectedly and usually don't happen when they're carefully planned. The Moonswatch was Swatch group's Pokemon Go moment.
In Copenhagen they sold all out in the matter of hours
This is quite the hot take. We shall see in the long run, but I'd wager these will be sold out for months to years.
They had no clue that the moonswatch would be that popular. Agree. They were totally caught by surprise 😀😀
Genius way for Swatch group to bring awareness to their brands and their own existence. Everyone knows Rolex and G shocks, how many people know Omega or Blancpain, especially on the younger side? I think Omega is smartly trying too use virality in media and Instagram to bring more young people into watches. And at the end of the day , exclusivity doesn’t mean that watches have to be Rolex priced to get people excited.
This is true - It is opening a lot of peoples eyes to something that has been relegated to smartwatch territory 😀😀
I really like your thoughtful content, thanks a lot!
Glad you like them! 😀😀
Great video. I think swatch is just looking for cheap plastic ideas. I doubt these cheap copies will hurt the brands but I also don't think they are too thrilled with the idea.
I do not see Blancpain actually thinking this a something they REALLY want to do 😀😀
Always excellent!
Thx again ! 😀
Great discussion ! I am self reflecting my emotions as I spotted the yellow case box on the store three days ago, the name and the subsequent larger leaks. Value is a bifurcated view at this price .. either it is junk and unacceptable to many but to others it’s a fun spike. There is a subtle reawareness of the 50 fathom which emerge on off on my wishlist . And here is comes again .. marketing at its best
no doubt - Swatch have realised they have struck gold 😀😀
Great analysis. Swatch has become a one-hit wonder. The collaborations may provide a short-term windfall, but have you noticed Swatch boutiques are completely empty? There are only customers in the store when there’s MoonSwatches available but for the rest of the time no one is in the stores looking or buying the other Swatch models. The MoonSwatch by default has cannibalised the rest of the Swatch models and over the long term Swatch sales and reputation will suffer unless, like you say, Swatch can continue to reinvent the wheel with the collabs. It’s gotten so ridiculous with the MoonSwatch that the security guards at the door make customers wait outside even if you want to buy another Swatch other than a MoonSwatch. This is because Swatch is just focusing on selling the MoonSwatch (and now the Blancpain) and it’s neglecting its other models. It’s very short sighted.
Great point. Post-MoonSwatch, not many people seek out boutiques to get a swatch that doesn’t look like an Omega
Thanks I'm totally of the opinion that Swatch, the brand is, surviving because of these collabs. It's been ages since I bothered to walk into a swatch on a vacation - and fact is, it's usually the only time I go into a swatch store. And... I've time and time again come to conclude that I'm pretty much like everybody else in so many ways, so why net here also..? 😀
Great video and analysis! Swatch pretty much only has the Seamaster left as a viable candidate. I believe we need to look outside of Swatch Group for future collabs as well. Hayek has stated that non-Swatch brands approached him after the success of the Moonswatch. Which non-Swatch watches might lend themselves to a fun Swatch incarnation? The Royal Oak, for sure - Bioceramic bracelet and all. The Doxa Sub would make an excellent, fun Swatch in a variety of colors. Panerai? That would make a great Swatch. Hublot? I can see it. Even Richard Mille with their distinctive case shape would make a great Swatch. I could see those brands going for it. I think the Cartier Santos is another great candidate, but I don't think Cartier would go for it. And of course the Rolex Submariner, but there's a zero percent chance of that happening. :)
Lol. Swatch Sub. Zero percent as you say 😃😃😃
Very good analysis of this mostly misunderstood release. I almost entirely agree, except I think in your analysis of Blancpain's gain. Blancpain will gain a few sales directly from increased awareness and for them, a few sales is quite a lot, %age wise - I'd guess more Submariners are made a year than the sum of all modern FFs ever made. So for them, an uptick of a hundred extra watches in a month is huge (and useful to sell inventory ahead of a possible new release). And then it's all about broader awareness and the chance to tell their story. The GQ articles, the newspaper columns, the Esquire articles, maybe a Vogue placement in the run to Christmas... For them, improved awareness is everything. I know first hand that their marketing team is very concerned about Blancpain seeming out of date, unapproachable, difficult, serious (all good things in my eyes, ha ha!). All wood panel Boutiques and old blokes with eyeglasses (as it should be, heh heh). I pointed out this is authenticity... But these Swatches will help cut through that and inform a generation and a demographic (for whom it is important) that this is a brand that does not take itself too seriously. The thought. As for the Group and 'popcorn releases' (good term)... I certainly see this with Omega and frequently rant on about it - a brand becoming consumed by gimmicky, short-termism. But I don't see evidence of it at Blancpain (or Breguet). In fact, a criticism of those brands is that they don't release enough. So I think they are being left alone, but they need to show willing and allowing these sorts of collabs may help keep the corporate dogs at bay. I think Swatch will continue with the collabs and guess Breguet is on the cards, for the same reason as Blancpain. But all fascinating stuff and I certainly welcome your intelligent insight into these issues (sorely lacking in the watch community). Not sure if I'll buy one. I'm a huge Blancpain fan and FF owner, so probably will at some point. They certainly don't devalue the brand in my eyes and your H&M analogy is spot on. I never bought a MoonSwatch to complement my Speedies, but might if I ever encounter one. But they certainly never impacted my enthusiasm for the original.
Thanks 😀 Fair enough in term of the Blancpain perspective. Maybe it is more important to them, then I give it credit. Either way - Blancpain does need help. They are loved by a small group but they could/should be able to reach more people with their Bathyscaphe and Fifty. They just don't. Which is disappointing. 😀😀
Very good analysis Mike! I particularly like the parallels drawn to other industries rather than going down the rabbit hole like so many others. After all this is just another business. As a FF owner this leaves me completely cold. This is a completely different product for a different target group by a different company (Swatch). Blancpain just provides co-branding and design. If in doubt this will partially offset Blancpain’s underwhelming marketing and raise brand visibility.
Agree on Blancpain. They are underwhelming considering their heritage 😀😀
I think, in general, these two recent colabs have/will help the watch industry at large. Its trying to get people (larger chunk of the population) looking back into ‘watches’ with the hype and news. Since mid-2000’s with the increase of mobile phones a large number of population had stopped wearing watches in general; watches just faded out into the background. These colabs and hype will slowing try and draw people back into wrist watches, the price of the watch they choose to wear is irrelevant; it will help the watch industry at large. Most of us watching this video, at some point did stop wearing a wrist watch for maybe even a few years/months. A larger population not watching this, still doesn’t wear a wrist watch. On a different note, I think Swatch x Panerai would have knocked it out of the park. I know, I know, they are not in the same brand - just saying !
I could love a Panerai collab. And fair point about the broader audience. With all the expensive stuff so unattainable, it's refreshing to have something that's less pretentious and more accessible 😀😀
Another great vid. For the last 9 months I've been thinking of getting a Bathyscaphe. Doubt I'll go for it now, it definitely feels cheapened to me. Kind of puts me off any Swatch Group brands.
Negative people like you say stuff like this yet if we look at sales of Omega Speedmasters after the collaboration they have increased significantly. People are visiting real Omega boutiques and buying real Omega watches because of the collaboration. You aren't a real buyer and never were so concentrating on people like you would cause brands to go bankrupt. Best to concentrate on real buyers rather than tyre kickers. You seem more like a Black Bay kinda guy
Thanks. - Probably wouldn't say no to a bathyscaphe personally, but I understand where you're coming from 😀😀
Given recent changes to Jaquet Droz's business model, I'm sure the Swatch Group is on the right track with their prestige brands (Jaquet Droz, Breguet, Blancpain) by letting them do their own things at their own pace. I also don't foresee a JD collab as they are positioning it to be the ultimate exclusive God tier watch brand. I've always admired Blancpain, especially the gorgeous Ladybird Colors Phases de Lune. But thanks to this collab, I bought a Fifty Fathoms Automatique in rose gold 5015 3603C 63B. So that's that. I think it'd be amazing to have you do a video on Jaquet Droz! Thank you.
I'd love to do a vid on JD - but in fairness, I've seen one in real life. One. I try to stick to watches that I have had hands on, even just at an AD (even if I don't have the option to film them)... Cheers 😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Fair. And now it's even harder to see or handle a JD watch. oh well
I think the next collaboration will be something more left field. Rado would be an interesting choice, particularly given its focus on ceramics.
Captain cook? 😀
Imagine a MoonSwatch owner wearing his plastic watch with a room full of ppl with real omega speedies. Its like driving your suit up civic to a porsche meet!
Wierdly though - there was short period of time where that actually happened and the swatch wearer was the cool person 😀😀
Best views I've heard on this matter so far. I kinda like them, and I think they'll sell like hotcakes, though not as much as the MoonSwatch, due to price & name. Also, I think you're absolutely right they can co-exist, and I think they'll reinforce both brands. Furthermore, I think a bioceramic integrated bracelect PRX, or a GMT hydroconquest, would be awesome. Not a clue how they would do a Breguet Tourbillion, but a bioceramic Khaki Field, or Rado Captain Cook, they could do no problem. And one of these releases every two years or so is great. So,the next for the next 8-10 years we'll get the hype train coming by, which is great. But if they want to get the younger ones interested, they should do smaller sizes though, 'cause my oldest can't wear anything bigger than 36mm (I made him Seiko mod with a Darth Vader dial in a black pvd, datejust case, and oyster bracelet 😂). Both the MoonSwatch and this one are in the 42mm range. Actually, I think even the missus doesn't own anything over 38mm.
I think Tissot or Longines isn't a good candidate for the Swatch treatment because those watches aren't expensive to begin with. It needs to be an item that is prestigious. Omega Seamaster and their Bond watches would be cool or Breguet.
@@almac9203 yep, I'd be interested in those.
A captain cook is definitely an option. But since they've just done an ocean, the next one has to be sky or field. I'm thinking a field watch or some version of a Pilot. Breguet has a pilot....😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Nice, a Breguet x Swatch Type XX for ecample in bright yellow, or khaki and green. Can't wait. 😉
Would love to see a Swatch x Glashütte PanoMatic colab Would it make sense? No absolutely not but that’s why it would be awesome Or do a pilot watch. The IWC Tahoe looks incredible
Panomatic could be really interesting 😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch yeah right? As I said it wouldn’t make sense but it would be an awesome addition and something I’d actually be willing to wait in line for
Thanks very informative and interesting analysis ✌️next year Breguet Type 21 🤣🤣🤣🤣
We shall definitely see 😀 Thanks!
Great analysis. I think Longines, Tissot, Mido can benefit from a collab. They sort of straddle the distance in perception between Omega, that everybody knows and Blacpain that no one normal knows, lol. Would be interesting to see. I dont think it hurts the higher end brands, but as you pointed out, time intervals are key. New OmegaXSwatch every year would hurt Omega in long run I think. As noted though, Swatch is a publicly traded company so short term rules. Willbe interesting to watch this unfold.
Thanks - glad you enjoyed it 😀
I think this is going to do well but I agree with you... This might be the last collab that will work. I've had a bioceramic watch and will never buy another one and although I like the design and the colors I just cant see myself parting with $400 to acquire one. Have a great Sunday Mike!
There is still Breguet and the Omega Seamaster or Omega Bond watches.
Any sunday where the weekend end with the boks winning and the ABs losing is a great weekend 😀😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch 😆👌
Well said 👍🏽
Thanks 👍
Hot take: Swatch saved the Swiss watch industry in the 80's, now Swatch expects to be saved in return. But while Swatch succeeded by being affordable fun, serious horology can't, not even Tissot (the lowest end of Swiss watches). I hope they do get some sense. Swatch have a nice design language that does translate well into metal and leather.
Interesting take - Really like it, because it's a "how the tables have turned" scenario. Cheers 😀😀
Have you ever considered that when sales of the brand being homaged by Swatch increase other brands outside of the Swatch group may be open to a collaboration?
It's possible. I'm not sure Swatch Group would be interested - but it could get interesting 😀😀
Breguet Type 20 is a great contender
I'm surprised they went with the Fifty Fathoms as a mashup instead of something with more pop culture relevance like the Hamilton Khaki or Ventura. Imagine a Swatch x Hamilton x Elvis model Ventura. Blancpain is a watch nerd's watch; not a Joe Sixpack "I know Omega 'cause James Bond wears one" watch, so I don't know who the actual audience is for this was aside from flippers and hoarders. Honestly the most surprising part of this video was when you said Fifty Fathoms is constantly sold out and in high demand. I've never seen anyone outside of typical internet r/watchcirclejerkers wearing one that wasn't a hand-me-down from their grandfather.
I think certain limited release versions of the Fifty Fathoms sell out. Especially the tribute to vintage models. Hodinkee have done a few in 40mm case size that I really liked but they're as rare as hen's teeth and collectors refuse to sell them. Swatch would never do a collab with Hamilton, Tissot or Longines. They are already established well known brands that have no collector value. i.e 'Mall watches'. I would love to see other brands follow the plastic watch trend. How about a plastic Tudor Snowflake, even a Panerai or Navitimer. Watches I wouldn't normally buy but in plastic and with an affordable price, I'm all in.
Yeah - The fifty fathoms is super desirable on the limited editions, but I think it's a really niche kind of customer that goes bananas about them - I'd like a no-rad of course because of the story. The main models. You can get them on the secondary market at below retail, but at my local AD they're typically not just "grab it off the shelf". There is a wait for them - but it may be an artificial wait. Biggest problem: 45mm....😀 Really great thoughts - thanks for sharing 😀
Brand recognition planted at a young age is powerful. Experiencing the toy product works marvels wanting the real deal further down the line. It goes back to recognizing (iconic) shapes: Porsche 911, the Coca Cola bottle, RayBan Wayfarer etc. I just have my doubts these collaborations will land on the wrists of kids, as much as on young adults with a bit of spare cash. Also short term revenue is a strong factor for releases like these, as well as keeping foot traffic at the stores alive, on that I fully agree. As far as damaging the brands goes, I don’t see an issue here. These can rather be considered homages and don’t have the same effect as a real luxury good and the associated status it gives the consumer.
I’ve recently met up with a very good friend of mine that I haven’t seen in years and he had mission to the sun on.. he said to me “I’m wearing an Omega branded watch for less than 300 $ while there “fools” out there buying the real Speedy for 7 grand”. He comes from a rich family mind you. I don’t agree with this way of thinking and I know not everyone thinks this way but that’s one way to look at it and it’s not all pros for Swatch. As for Blancpain, it’s even more exclusive and upmarket compared to Omega, therefore fewer “young people” will be to afford it or have it on their radar in the first place. Also, the fact they’re plastic and break down easily will have a negative association in the minds of these young buyers. Only time will tell what sort of effects it’ll have on Blancpain on the long run, but I’ve no doubt Swatch and the investors will be super delighted on the short term.
Not many people view heritage, quality and luxury associated with watches as desirable.
Well put 😀
As long as they own the mainstream watch brands
Which they very much do 😀
I have the speedmaster professional, and I went and bought the moonswatch purely out of curiosity. It’s a terrible watch. Gave it to my son. He now however,has taken an interest in my speedy. So I’m pleased he’s taken an interest in watches. Furthermore, I would never have bought a swatch under any other circumstances. But, long term future of swatch, who knows, feels very popcorn. Kids nowadays want an Apple Watch. Maybe a cheap google based colourful swatch is the future?
Getting the boy in early. Wise choice 😀😀😀
Thanks for the video - not even tempted at that price. Simple solution for this footfall madness, close a few SWATCH shops. I could buy something much more fun, quirky more durable, with a splash of style . . . for much less. Take for instance the wooden watch, or a yellow Casio G-Shock B2100 . . . there must be dozens of others. Very sad, CONsumers lack the ability to think for themselves, they are being asked to behave like sheep (cf just rattle a food bucket).
Thx!!!!! 😀
Blancpain is relatively unknown to most casual people.They can keep this up for long time so as long there are market for both Omega and Blancpain which they own.If they do the 007 Spectre Omega 300 you would be watching news of people stabbing each other for the watch.They need to do this as the 90s moved on and Swatch retail shops are mostly empty if not for this.
Where can I sign up for that 007 and how big of a knife do we have to bring?
@@Oceans_ai hahaha currently I dun think Omega would allow Swatch to do another collab but we all can hope right?
I would likely stab someone for a Bond Swatch 😂😂😂 Legal disclaimer: I wouldn't. 😎
This is the type of idea that comes from an influential C-level exec or an outside consultant.
Highly likely 😀😀
It introduces a generation of kids with i watches to the joy of watch collecting or as an attempt to keep the conventional watch relevant among the 90 percent of people that ditched the watch or use a smart watch
1- What I don’t get is that a giant global group gets away with selling plastic disposable things in the times we’re living jn. 2- Launching a summer watch when summer is over? this must have been the worst timing Swatch could have chosen for a summer watch. Great video.
Did not think of the second point. I think they'll be fine, but thematically I agree. As for the first point. I don't care if it's made of castor beans - It's a plastic and it's not from a sustainable resource 😀
Speaking from my experience of standing in line to get a moon-swatch, and 6 months later actually getting one, I can tell you I won't be doing this same for this, it has no appeal other than a 91 power reserve and it being an automatic, that for me is were the fascination ends. It is a novelty watch, nothing more. As for the story of it being a divers watch, it may look like one but I don't believe it lives up to the hype? But that's not saying it's all bad, the 6 options look very good, plus it draws attention to the endangered sea slugs (which most of us had never heard of?) and it's a "Plastic bio ceramic case", which will add to land fill when it finally outlives its usefulness. Although I like the idea of expensive watches made into cheaper versions, I just wish Swatch had nothing to do with it, as the way they sell these products sucks big time. I would also love to say that I look forward to the next one down the line, but let's face facts you either pay some flippers price to get one or you find the only Swatch shop in town and stand like a prune getting one, no thank you.
You say it so eloquently. Especially the point about bioceramic landfill really hits home. Thanks for sharing 😀
thanks for the kind words, I would also add that in case your wondering if I miscounted, there are 5 watches showing and there is supposed to be a special edition coming soon according to Swatch@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch
I'm more of a Certina guy who have rarely watched any new movies the last ten years, but likes to consume documentaries
Avengers didn't hook you? 😀
Sorry but there aren’t Swatch Stores everywhere I happen to live in a city of 100k were the nearest Swatch Store is 200+ miles away.
Everywhere is of course not meant to be taken literally. Rolex sells their wares in 2.000 stores globally. Swatch has over 3000 branded outlets. Nobody else comes close in terms of accessibility. (Except maybe Casio - I'm not sure, but they're not branded stores all of them)😀
Swatch x Vacheron would probably be interesting
😊
There alright, and kind of good looking watches. There way to expensive in the country currency I live in. I bought a sistem 51 metal case a few years back for a few hundred bucks.
Yup - there's a big premium on these Blancpain sistem51s 😀😀
I love your channel. The problem with Swatch group is your video had purier motives than they had on creating this watch. That is the problem with a lot of these bigger brands. They want the money but non of the risk. That is the reason people are running to mircobrands like Serial, Christopher Ward, Lorier etc. Hype is not enough to keep people to purchase those brands.
Only a niche of watch enthusiasts buy the likes of Christopher Ward. Majority of people still want a Rolex and the ladies are after Cartier.
@@omarion07 you are missing my point. They do not want to take the risk. They don't want to really mess with the established brands and models. It is driving people to the mircosbrands because they are taking the risks.
Thanks! - Agree on this driving people to micro brands. There's more an more value there these days 😀😀😀
Of course this won't be the last collaboration. There are plenty of brands under the Swatch group. They can pick and choose, and the brands take turns. 😂
That's true but most of the brands and models aren't iconic or premium enough. Omega Seamaster and Breguet are the two obvious candidates. I can't really see too many other options. Glashutte is premium but not really iconic and Longines and Tissot are simply not premium enough.
That's my thinking - A Tissot PRX comes in at 695 and a Hamilton is 6-7 dollars or thereabouts. That's hard to do cheaper, when you know that want at least 250 for a quartz version.... 😀
James Bond + they can enter movies with others
SWatch X Bond - Would love that 😀
I watched a video where a woman stopped wearing an expensive gold Cartier Ballon Bleu after having people say it was the same as their steel version of the watch.
Sounds like an insecure idiot.
Wild. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that's really an insecure person that does something like that 😀😀
In truth, it’s more shotgun wedding than ‘colab’. The Group motivation is to make the Swatch brand relevant again and get footfall in those expensive deserted Swatch outlets (as you said). The brands are all in the same Group after all, so really it’s a legal homage! I think Swatch Group *does* benefit from scalpers because they feed the hype Swatch needs. Has Omega *really* sold loads more Speedies? Where is the actual hard evidence (rather than hearsay and assumption)? Blancpain must benefit at least a bit from increased brand awareness, but the price gap across which the brand is now required to stretch is a stretch too far. So, I think you’re right about Swatch Group treating Blancpain as a popcorn brand, a brand it’s left sitting in the corner in the three decades since it bought it back. The tactics to support the Swatch brand are clear. The strategy for Blancpain stretching into the future is decidedly absent. Thanks for a thought-provoking upload 👍
So I am casually into watches, Middle-class, early career. I had no clue what a Blancpain was. Now, if I get to the place in my career where I can afford a watch of that caliber, it is on my radar. Anyone with sense should understand the difference between the swatch and the authentic. It's the people that buy watches to make themselves feel better than everyone else who might feel affected, but in my mind those people are the ones being short sighted. Now, if I see a real Blancpain I will know what it is, how prestigious it is, etc whereas before I would have thought nothing of it.
Apreciated - Like the term "legal homage". I'm going to steal that 😎😎
100%
-😎
i see them doubling back to omega to a seamaster 300 or aqua terra
It's a risk.... I'm putting my money on a field watch or a pilots watch next though 😀
swatch rado diastar!!!
not a bad idea 😀
What if they made it into limited editions? 🤔
the horror.... .😂😂
What next Rolex Swatch? PP Swatch?
We can only dream 😀😀😂
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch And there will the usual artificial waiting..
Very interesting discussion. You make an excellent point; these plastic "popcorn" watches are ultimately forgetable. My intuition is that they won't have a huge impact generating interest in mechanical watches...looking at the lines of people waiting to pick one up, I suspect many, if not most, are hoping to flip them and make a quick buck. Personally, there are many other watches I'd rather spend $400 on. Thank you!
The CEO of Swatch Group told Bloomberg that sales of Omega Speedmaster watches have increased significantly since the Moonswatch. Seems that people are buying real Omega watches because of the collaboration despite what critics like you predicted. Businesses can't afford to cater to negative people like you otherwise they would go bankrupt.
@@almac9203I wonder if it's because of the Moon Swatch or because of Rolex shitting on their potential customers
Give me a good G-shock any day of the week 😀😀
You need a variety of different ways to drum up interest Better still, get this curious to oay for thier curiosity,,,like candy cigarettes, you do not need everyone to get hooked , only 10 - 15%. Besides the short term interest will build brand awareness,,,we all know Rolls Royce and Bentleys, how many will actually buy one...Its the branding
Fair perspective - Marketing is after all, all about exposure 😀
The thing is normies will look at you like you are insane if you buy a real Blancpain and your only argument is pretty much will be: well the real one is made out of steel and has hacking seconds. Because pretty much after that you have run out of arguments and that can damage the brand like Blancpain (because we watch lovers deep inside know that nearly no one cares about that the real one has a much more special movement with more jewels and stuff since they could not tell the difference).
"You spent 15K because of a 400 dollar watch! Are you mad?" I can totally see that scenario happening 😀
I've purchased one Swatch in my entire life. I eventually gave it away. Not my thing.
Happens to a lot of swatches 😀
Let s hope swatch group buy RM and makes a 15 000 euros RMX 😂
To me a RM sometimes feels like a swatch at a distance.... 😂😂
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch true!
These watches are as "repairable" as any other mechanical watch below a particular price point, wherein the movement can be replaced with a newer one.
To me that's not repairable, but fair enough. It can be popped out and exchanged in stead of just binning the entire watch 😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Your argument that this watch is not repairable, while technically true, isn't particularly convincing, as it also applies to ALL watches below a (very, very high) particular price point. In addition to material replacement, part of the idea of repairability for non-specialists, like the average consumer, is the skilled labour involved in the repair. The "hobby" of watch consumption coincides with expendable income, which means "richer" parts of the world, where the cost of labour exceeds the cost of replacing whole parts or even whole movements. (The move by companies that manufacture expensive goods toward linking warranties to "approved" service centres is significant; it allows an economic streamlining that also reinforces the consumers to stay within the "moat" of their ecosystem. It also disincentivises repairs through "unauthorised" channels.) The phrase "reduce, reuse, recycle" is telling; "reduce" appears first for a reason. Nobody needs more than one watch, and arguably not even one watch given technological redundancy from mobile devices. This watch is no more unnecessary than any other.
I reckon they may make a Swatch Reverso.
Richemont and JLC are banging their heads really hard after reading your comment 🤦🏻♂️
😎😂
Not for nothing I don't see someone buying a swatch Blancpain fifty fathoms for 400$. Will all of a sudden go drop 15k on the real thing. It's unrealistic the gap is way too big. I only see Swatch making $ on this deal
Yup 😀
Exploiting the serious environmental issue of plastics in the ocean to market a piece of disposable plastic junk. Unforgivable.
It is kind of wierd.... -😀
People that "Already' own a Speedy or Fathoms won't say much, but Noooooooooone in their right mind, will ever buy those watches because of these knock offs. You all know any upticks in their sales is manufactured. Why would anyone spend so much money to buy something that looks exactly like a plastic watch? For that price, I stick with a Seiko, Tissot, etc.
Agree 😀
Its a disaster
So wrong. The moonswatch was a bad idea , this is a P*** take.
Fair enough. 😀
For a watch expert you need to work on your pronunciation.
Never! 😀
Same shit different name on the dial. This trashy creation by Swatch only degrade the name of the brand and to pay $400.00 for this trash made out of plastic with a movement that can't be serviced is crazy, but I guess there are plenty of people out there who doesn't care about money; 5 years from now that piece of garbage will end up where it belongs, the trash can.
I've got 13 watches. A mixture of high-end and £1k entry level pieces. I've never serviced any of them and don't plan to any time soon. I'll see how many decades it takes until I notice any sort of time deviances.
Tend to agree that it will ve largely forgotten in 5 years 😀😀