Fratello Talks: What’s The Deal With Watch Prices?
In today’s episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, RJ, and Lex take a look at and try to make sense of watch prices today. It’s often a hot topic of discussion in the comments. In a world where price increases happen two or more times a year, it’s a challenge to keep up with where value lies. But is it a mistake to expect bang-for-buck in the world of luxury? Then, the matter of brands’ positioning within the world of watches comes into play. As watch enthusiasts, we are aware of the plate tectonics within the watch industry and can feel when something doesn’t sit quite right. So, how do we make sense of all of this? That’s the question. But before we attempt to answer it, let’s see what’s on our podcasters’ wrists this week.
Wrist check
This week, RJ is wearing a Breguet Classique Tourbillon 3357 from the current collection. This reference has been around since the ’90s in its current iteration. It was the evolution of the reference 3350 designed by Daniel Roth and introduced in 1988. He’s taking it for a spin ahead of an upcoming article. So keep an eye out for that one, coming soon to Fratello.
Lex is wearing his Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow 3594.50.00 from 2001. Today, he’s given it a new pair of shoes in the form of a classic perforated rally strap made by Atelier Romane for Fratello. These straps feature a combination of pigskin and goat leather for comfort and durability, and they will be coming soon to the Fratello Shop, so stay tuned! It’s a classic combination that has Lex honeymooning with his Speedy all over again.
Nacho is wearing his Omega Seamaster 300M reference 2254.50.00 from 2006 for the first time in this second season of Fratello Talks. It’s certainly not the first time he’s worn it this year, but he’s made a conscious effort to keep the wrist checks varied and interesting. However, you can rest assured that this will likely be the watch on his wrist most days in 2024.
What’s the deal with watch prices?
This is a question that leads to a lot more questions. It requires a broader understanding of the watch industry, and to truly get to the bottom of it would take the kind of insider information that watch journalists often seek to acquire. Perhaps it’s a question that takes more than a single episode of this short-form podcast. However, it’s also one that leads to an interesting discussion. The guys take a look at the prices of some recent offerings and compare them to both alternatives and past prices. They also discuss the paradoxical concept of value in luxury. In an ideal world, the ever-rising prices should come from the brand’s developments and aspirations to achieve a next-level product. In truth, however, a lot of it has to do with positioning, opportunity, and even the pre-owned market’s trends. It’s a topic that we’ll undoubtedly revisit in the not-too-distant future.
What do you think of current watch prices? Are they par for the course with luxury products, or can some of them truly be justified? As always, leave your thoughts in the comments down below. Tune in next week for another episode of Fratello Talks.
