What's the next big brand?

[Enzo954]

In your opinion, what's the next watch brand that will start taking off? A brand that just isn't known to the masses or even the casual collector.

[raclaims]

Problem is it has to have scale to really “take off” vs just a small number of pieces going sky high

For casual collectors that means lots of watches available
One not really known that’s tough

Zenith ?

[rag5178]

Not that it’s not a well known brand, but I think GP is going to deservedly receive a lot more attention.

[_speedmaster_]

None. The masses and run of the mill watch enthusiast sticks to established brand names for numerous reasons (value retention, prestige, lack of awareness of alternatives, etc). Sure, brands like Zenith, Vacheron and Lange can gain market share, but nobody is touching Patek and AP in the high end space. Nobody is touching Rolex and Omega in the mid tier.

[Stranger]

Moser and Czapek seem to have a lot of momentum right now.

[GB-man]

As far as companies that the mainstream still doesn’t know just look to the best run Independents. Mainstream is focused on PP, AP, Rolex.

The companies that will thrive have a unique aesthetic and a star at the helm. To me that’s FPJ and MB&F.

As far as brands not known by causal collectors man that’s a lot harder

Micro

Remy cools. He’s a long way from the above names but I just like his stuff so far.

Peterman Bedat

Then larger

Urban Jurgensen now that KV is at the wheel.

Urwerk unless that’s too well known to qualify

[enjoythemusic]

Moser, Czapek, MB&F...


Ones to look for...
Laine, JN Shapiro, Greubel Forsey, Greenfield, Moritz Grossmann... Whatever new piece Kari makes...

[uniqueMR]

No one is touching: Patek and Rolex. Period.
Every brand can try but again...

[gretch6364]

Vacheron seems to have some momentum right now.

[MostlyCloudy]

rolex PP and AP are still far ahead in terms of brand equity and their offerings

high end independents like mb&f and fpj are too out of reach for most folks

thinking lange and moser are moving along in the right direction (but these are mostly dress watches, while most folks are still into sports models)

[PBJ1925]

Known - Vacheron - particularly VCOs are starting to get a bit out of control, especially any blue dials.

Lesser known - Ming

Micro - Kurono Tokyo or Anordain

[DoraTheExplorerII]

Curious why no one talks about Ressence

[startrolexendrolex]

Gronfield

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[Amateur]

Don't fuel the independent's hype please

[Moondoggy]

Moser and GS.

[youthagainsttt]

Bulgari

[huydoan]

theo auffret and remy cools can potentially be the new FPJ in the long run.

[charger_vital]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

Bulgari

I actually might agree with you on that one.

Someone said Zenith earlier. But while vintage Zeniths are an absolute treasure, modern Zenith is too busy following others to be the next market leader (... and before the Zenith lovers out there protest, "what about Zenith innovating the 1/100th of a second... or the silicone oscillator replacing the spring balance!?..." that's more solving engineering "problems" that nobody else perceives to be all that important, than being a market leader...)

The Octo Finissimo is an interesting piece because its entirely distinct in design with real watchmaking chops to back it.

If only their marketing department were as innovative as their design department. I would love to see them get a couple of brand ambassadors to represent through a grassroots social media campaign... no ads, no commercials, no promos.... just straight product placement. It would be interesting to see what would happen.

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by charger_vital

I actually might agree with you on that one.

Someone said Zenith earlier. But while vintage Zeniths are an absolute treasure, modern Zenith is too busy following others to be the next market leader (... and before the Zenith lovers out there protest, "what about Zenith innovating the 1/100th of a second... or the silicone oscillator replacing the spring balance!?..." that's more solving engineering "problems" that nobody else perceives to be all that important, than being a market leader...)

The Octo Finissimo is an interesting piece because its entirely distinct in design with real watchmaking chops to back it.

If only their marketing department were as innovative as their design department. I would love to see them get a couple of brand ambassadors to represent through a grassroots social media campaign... no ads, no commercials, no promos.... just straight product placement. It would be interesting to see what would happen.

Good point, what pushed me over the edge to getting my Piaget polo 45 was seeing the watch in the film Focus. Although prior to the film I already was considering it but seeing it worn with different outfits/settings

[RobHK]

I think if Vacheron releases a ultra thin steel Overseas in 41 or 40mm, with exchangeable straps and 8 year warranty at an attractive price point - Lets call it a VCO Jumbo. Then they are going to give AP a run for their money.

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by RobHK

I think if Vacheron releases a ultra thin steel Overseas in 41 or 40mm, with exchangeable straps and 8 year warranty at an attractive price point - Lets call it a VCO Jumbo. Then they are going to give AP a run for their money.

Don’t think so. They will poach those waiting for a Jumbo though, but AP is on a different strata in terms of demand. AP and Patek demand has lifted VC. Pure watchmaking, VC is excellent. Solely speaking to demand.

[salnuaimi]

Moser
GP
GS

[charger_vital]

Originally Posted by illiguy

Don’t think so. They will poach those waiting for a Jumbo though, but AP is on a different strata in terms of demand. AP and Patek demand has lifted VC. Pure watchmaking, VC is excellent. Solely speaking to demand.

True... for now.

[RobHK]

Originally Posted by illiguy

Don’t think so. They will poach those waiting for a Jumbo though, but AP is on a different strata in terms of demand. AP and Patek demand has lifted VC. Pure watchmaking, VC is excellent. Solely speaking to demand.

Obviously thats true today and even true tomorrow if the VCO Jumbo would be released. What Im saying is if that watch was released over time, say in 3/4 years the public would become aware of VCO in a way similar to AP, probably still not AP level, since VC produces less watches, but still pretty darn close.

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by RobHK

Obviously thats true today and even true tomorrow if the VCO Jumbo would be released. What Im saying is if that watch was released over time, say in 3/4 years the public would become aware of VCO in a way similar to AP, probably still not AP level, since VC produces less watches, but still pretty darn close.

I think there'll still be some distance between the 2 brands - for the Overseas I feel it's an understated and versatile elegance in a sports watch whereas when you wear a Royal Oak the bracelet shines & glitters almost like diamonds even in low light, it really grabs the attention. Even when I'm at a watch event with people wearing Nautilus, gold Subs Pateks the RO can hold its own with all of them

[raclaims]

Vacheron has already taken off
Multi year wait lists

I thought the question was which is next ?
To me that brand has to make at least 10k watches a year or more otherwise it’s not taking off its just price inflation To me taking off means lots of people actually buying watches

[italiafan]

I recently looked into VC Overseas....multi year waits and was told explicitly that by the time I get one it likely won’t have a blue dial.

[illiguy]

My understanding is that collectors in Asia are really starting to amplify interest in Lange, for what it’s worth.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Enzo954

In your opinion, what's the next watch brand that will start taking off? A brand that just isn't known to the masses or even the casual collector.

I do not believe anyone can predict this.

It become organic and can fade just as quickly (Minerva)

In some cases a manufacture cannot keep up with demand (Groenfeld)

People will chase trends like they always do. Sadly, those of us who enjoy watches get caught up.

[RobHK]

Originally Posted by raclaims

Vacheron has already taken off
Multi year wait lists

I thought the question was which is next ?
To me that brand has to make at least 10k watches a year or more otherwise it’s not taking off its just price inflation To me taking off means lots of people actually buying watches

Ok if defined that way, next one would be the GP Laureato. Seems the skeleton is leading the pack.