Well, about 8 threads ago I announced that I had ordered my second new watch in the last two years. It was a "Swiss Legend" by SWI that was advertised during a 4th of July Clearance Sale on ShopNBC. I ordered the watch late Sunday afternoon.
This morning, Wednesday, the package arrived and I was tingling with anticipation...until I opened the box. My first reaction was "UGH...this does not look like what I saw on television!"
The watch, in person, had a dark, drabness to it. The oversized goldtone Roman numerals had a mirror finish to them and, unless one caught reflected light just right with them, where actually difficult to see. When one did catch the light right to see them, they were obscured by glare off of the flat sapphire crystal and the "sunburst" sheen from the highly textured dial!
At 43 mm, the case was almost too big for my wrist and the bracelet seemed stiff and "clunky"...certainly nothing like a metal bracelet with fewer links across would have felt like.
Anyway, IN PERSON, this timepiece had a cheap, gaudy look to it that really turned me off.
Fortunately, ShopNBC has one of the best return policies I've ever used and this Monday this Swiss "Legend" will be on its way back to them for a full refund. Later, when I get a chance, I am going to post my review of this crummy watch on their website listing for it so others can see the impression it made on me before they make the mistake of ordering one for themselves!
Do you think it is cheaply made also, or does it just look like it? Sometimes I get something like that and say "it's the most well made POS I have ever seen". It has some great qualities, but the style doesn't work for me.
cheaply made AND poorly designed. It might appeal to someone that knows nothing about truly classic vintage watches, but for anyone who has actually handled and worn fine timepieces, this one is a looser.
Yes, it contained a Swiss ETA quartz movement which is, technically, a high-end movement, but, after that, it was all downhill for this watch.
To be blunt, the shaping of the case and the bracelet was almost CRUDE as though they were designed by beginning designers who were using this watch for practice! The proportions on everything just seemed wrong to me and the watch just did not feel right on my wrist.
I've mentioned the problem with reading the time on the watch already. Mainly, any watch designer that uses flat, polished metal numerals on a dial under a FLAT crystal is automatically setting up a situation where there will be maximum glare in the time reader's eyes from glare when he attempts to read the time.
There is a reason that this watch was marked down so much. Most likely, the buyers for regular retail jewelry stores were not impressed by the samples they reviewed for exactly the same reasons I gave and would not order them.
Solution? The manufacturer dumps them on a home shopping channel at a big discount in the hope of moving as many as possible to recover his costs and further hopes that most of those getting the timepiece will be too lazy (I' not!) to repackage it and return it for a refund.
Well, I'm sure, based on the reviews I read on ShopNBC, that some of the people getting this watch think it is really beautiful. I certainly don't and on a scale of 0 to 10, I would, out of generosity, give it a 1.
In general, I am starting to realize that a lot of the "bargains" one sees on home shopping cable tv channels and even websites are really just troublesome products that can not make it into bricks and mortar retail stores because there the customer could actually see and touch the item in advance and would quickly realize it was not well made or attractive. This situation is eliminated during online shopping where PhotoShopped images are used or on tv programs where 1000 watt point light sources are used to make an item seem to glow with a rich glistening appearance.
So, I will continue to view the watches sold on ShopNBC, but this bitter experience will make me far more cautious in the future...
Save your money and maybe get a nice vintage watch. There are plenty of well made watches still in great shape out there. Omegas are getting ridiculus prices so I've looked at Seiko and no name swiss, not the run of the mill but some better grade. I have a few and they are wonderful watches for the bargain price. They probably wont have the bling effect but I like simple watches.
because, truth be told, I am slowly getting fed up with the "quality" and "styling" of "modern" watches. IMHO, the best designs in wristwatches came out approximately between about 1940 and 1980. Those watches could truly be described as elegant, innovative, inspiring, and imaginative. That is why they rightly deserve the description of being "classic".
That Swiss Legend watch I made the mistake of purchasing was presented as being classically inspired, but it takes a lot more than just putting some Roman numerals on a watch to do that!
A true "classic" watch design has a subtle balance of its proportions and symmetries. One actually has to study the watch to become aware of them. Such a watch's case, dial, and hands will actually create a pleasurable mood in the wearer as it conjures up scenes from literature or old movies where timekeeping played a role. A great watch design can mystically transport the wearer to other lands and times and make him never want to part with the watch or even take it off his wrist!
Sadly, aside from the hard to read "flat" Roman numerals, I found none of these qualities in that watch I ordered.
Yes, I know it was "only" $80 USD, but I've had $10 USD Timex's that DID inspire those feeling in me when I wore them! All I can say is thank God I did not pay the full MSRP of $495 USD for the thing and then find out I couldn't return it for a refund!
"In general, I am starting to realize that a lot of the "bargains" one sees on home shopping cable tv channels and even websites are really just troublesome products that can not make it into bricks and mortar retail stores because there the customer could actually see and touch the item in advance and would quickly realize it was not well made or attractive."
and some items on the shopping channels are definitely the equivalent of the phrase
"Straight to DVD"
as applied here in the UK to movies that are so c**p they don't make it onto the cinema circuit, but go onto DVD to be sold in cheap market outlets as so-called bargains.
a watch unless you see it in person and can try it on see how it looks on you, I've bought watches off the bay I thought look good but when I got the watch they were a POS, I usually just get mad at myself and give those away. It seems to me that every time you start looking for a watch you have allot of problems finding just what you want I would suggest going watch shopping that way you can see just what your buying and wouldn't have all the frustration of not liking it and having to send it back but that's just my very own opinion, It's your time and money.
Ray
there is a BIG advantage to shopping is stores for jewelry items. Unfortunately, one is then obliged to pay higher prices for them to compensate the seller for "overhead" expenses.
Well, this watch is not the first I've had to return and probably won't be the last. I just keep monitoring the watch scene to see what's available and for how much. Eventually, I'll find another "classicly inspired" watch and give it a try again. Maybe next time I'll find one that perfect for me.
...that your watch was not up to your expectations. I think the TV-Networks are clever when presenting things like watches ( or anything else for that matter ) for sale on TV. Looks superb and "flashy" with the right lighting etc., and it all goes very fast, if you know what I mean. And I suspect that the suggested retail price was a bit "off the top" as well - makes you feel you're getting the deal of the century. But nobody sells i.e. watches with a loss. So take your time, stay off the ShopNBC ( just kidding! ) and check out watches at the watchmaker. If you find one you really would like to buy then search the bay or other online sites.
I recently bought a large amount of brand new watches from an online discount site ( for resale over here ) and they sell beautiful Timex's, Wenger, Seiko's etc. at up to 80% off ( honest! ). The only "catch" is that you have to buy at least 10 pieces worth a minimum of $200. Still a great bargain. I got 3 Timex Indiglo,ss, bracelet; 3 Timex Indiglo Easy Reader; 3 Timex Expedition; and 1 Seiko Kinetic ( pictured below - retail $425 ) for a mere $241 - that's like getting the Seiko for free!
