dbane883 Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-iwc-from-john-mayer IMO, it could have been written to quite a few Swiss watchmakers, not just IWC (Panerai, AP, Hublot, Breitling...) But I guess it's all about sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 The author's premise that 'seemingly massive, distant watch companies' do not listen to us mere mortals is incorrect. At least, that has been my experience. I have had direct communication with the CEOs of both Rolex and Patek (Thierry Stern once sent me a very nice, hand-written apology letter for their delay in getting an item shipped to me in the time frame promised). Me thinks Meyer's letter is more self-marketing rather than an actual complaint. Either that, or he lacks the basic business/marketing skills and marketing acumen of a knowledgeable, long-time collector. I did like some of the pics though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted January 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 well I wouldnt put Patek in that group. They are in a class of their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 Mayer is a exceptional guitar player, but his music is utter crap. He is an exceptional watch collector, but his opinion is obnoxious and corny, like his music. He should stick to his goofy interviews and montana ranches. Way to go "Big Pilot", you actually douched up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 I'm not a fan of his at all, and his grammar/vocabulary could use a bit of work (e.g. "the materials and cosmetics"?), but I agree with many of the points he raises. Many recent releases from IWC (and as dbane notes, from other houses, too) are starting to resemble cheaper, showier, fashion watches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
508-Fanatic Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 Mayer is a exceptional guitar player, but his music is utter crap. He is an exceptional watch collector, but his opinion is obnoxious and corny, like his music. He should stick to his goofy interviews and montana ranches. Way to go "Big Pilot", you actually douched up. Agreed x1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulza Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 Interesting article. He does raise some valid points IMHO. Not familiar with his musical ability though . Sure agree IWC missed a trick with Keith Richards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 I'm not a fan of his at all, and his grammar/vocabulary could use a bit of work (e.g. "the materials and cosmetics"?), but I agree with many of the points he raises. Many recent releases from IWC (and as dbane notes, from other houses, too) are starting to resemble cheaper, showier, fashion watches. Reason - Because Asian markets prefer that. And, for the past several years, the Swiss watch industry has been turning their marketing sights towards Asia & away from the West. But now that the economic state in the east is beginning to slump, I expect sanity will return to the Swiss watch industry & we will begin to see more small, understated watches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwatch Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Consequences of every once family owned brand being swallowed up by the Richemont (Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, Panerai and Montblanc) and Swatch groups (Breguet/Blancpain/Glashütte/Omega/Longines/Rado/Tissot) and the remaining independents trying to catch up. 4me it was quite refreshing, to have a somewhat mediatized and well placed criticism instead of the usual glorification. Not a fan of his singing but I like his more down-to earth or "innocent simple-guy approach" as a user to the watchworld. There are too many haughtious and over-snobbish persons commenting in the haute horlogerie anyway. Other things I don´t mind: his Ex-GF and his watches, real or rep.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachcomber Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 He has bought many put together pieces of crap sold to him by a very "reputable"friend of VRF purest. They have taken advantage of him many times selling him frankins and charging him a premium. I need to find the post on VRF but if anyone remembers where it is is love to post it again. Very interesting for those purist snobs who believe everything their dealers tell them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigatron01 Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Whether you agree with his opinions or not, I appreciate the fact that he openly and constructively criticises IWC. No brand is perfect and it is refreshing to see someone not simply praising an iconic brand. It sparks debate, which can only be positive for IWC and should hopefully extend to other brands. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatico Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 Looks like he already has the IWC he likes so why not just stop there and call it quits on newer IWC models. Wait a minute! That makes too much sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpletiv Posted January 17, 2015 Report Share Posted January 17, 2015 ^Same reasons why many here have collections. Dir... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwatch Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 (edited) And the Richemont-Empire strikes back. This didn´t take long, to give back the criticism received: An Open Letter To John Mayer, From IWC http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-john-mayer-from-iwc Edited January 19, 2015 by Nightwatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted January 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Translation: "thanks for your comments Mr. Mayer, but we will continue to follow the money. " It is a business afterall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 "...to be seduced into chronic insincerity". Whomever wrote that gem deserves a bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraggle42 Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Meyers does have some valid points. IWCs reply does too, upto a point. They had to change to survive some time ago, but the modern dilution of the brand wasn't necessary to survive, but to expand to further profits for the shareholders. They could have stayed true to their core values, not bought out the minor variations and current customers would probably be a lot happier (and still buying), but IDK how much that would affect their profits. Is this current dilution a transitory phase? And once they have gone through it they'll have two ranges, the frequently changing range for the "stars" and fans who just want the name and don't give a fig about what's inside or IWCs history, and the original family of watches with tastefully done improvements to appeal to the old market? To do the latter they'll need a "cash cow" with would be the former, but they'll have to get to that position where they have those two ranges first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted January 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Well IWC just released a 75th anniversary watch of the Portuguese. But at 43mm it's way too big...even if the original was the same size I think it's ridiculously large. Not sure about the date. I think it might've been cleaner without it. I'll pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 IWC's reply contains no surprises. They are just sticking to the game plan that every high-end Swiss watch company must follow to remain profitable. That is, follow the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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