Ali Express Copies — Which ones will be made in perpetuity? And which not?

I am always a bit surprised when a particular model – copied from a more famous precedent – is suddenly discontinued.

It’s not like they cost so much to make that they cannot keep making them even if at a lower volume, when they sell them for so low anyway. It seems to me, that there is ALWAYS a market for copies of well-known “iconic” models. So why not keep them all going?

On a tangent, I still cannot figure out why Seiko discontinued the SPORK, but then,
Seiko have a weird and…

Ali Express Copies — Which ones will be made in perpetuity? And which not?

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HANDS: Any logic-based rationale behind their design? Or all about visual appeal?

There are some handsets that are canonic, and have their own nicknames. Mercedes, Plongeur, etc.
And Seiko have a few “iconic” designs that they use for their Turtle andTuna; What are they called, “Harpoons”? Fugly little things.

But given that many famous hand designs are found inside diver watches, one would think they have primarily, if not solely, one function that MIGHT over-ride all other concerns.
Which is NOT to say that ‘looking good’ is not also their primary concern.

Anyway…

HANDS: Any logic-based rationale behind their design? Or all about visual appeal?

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REGULATOR Watches: Are they an anachronistic affectation?

Some regulators popped up in my feed.

There was a time years ago, when I thought I wanted one.
And then, after reading about their origin — and their subsequent irrelevance in terms of the very function for which they were invented– I said “Meh.”

I’d still wear one if I got one as a gift, but I don’t think I’d spend my own $ to buy one.
It seems like an affectation at best, and an irrelevant anachronism.

Your take?

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DAY + DATE. DATE only, or NO DATE

Ya, I looked but couldn’t find any thread about it. So here it is.

Choose your preference(s), not what you will “accept.”

Ya, I know “it depends on the dial” : the overall design of it; where the date window is located, “but it’s a Glashutte Big Date so STFU!” etc.

But what I am looking for is general aesthetic preference all things being more or less equal.
I think almost nobody is on the fence about whether…

DAY + DATE. DATE only, or NO DATE

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DUAL CROWN Archive – All Kinds welcome Post them here

I searched, and was VERY surprised to see that we don’t have one — unless I missed it. I only saw a lot of threads for ‘sale’ and about specific models, types, etc.

So, here it is.
DUAL CROWN EXTRAVAGANZA — for all reasons, seasons, and functions.

AND!! At all price ranges.

If you own it, it was obviously “affordable” to you.

No need to justify, or ratify. Just be a Superfly. And post ’em. :cool:

I’ll kick this off with some of mine:
Coupla Seiko SSA models that I modified. The…

DUAL CROWN Archive – All Kinds welcome Post them here

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Thought Experiment: 2 watches IDENTICAL in appearance. Same maker. HUGE price disparity

The premise is as follows:

1. The watch is “OMG IT’S BEAUTIFUL !” (to you) – so don’t bring in that “it all depends on what you like” baggage

2. Made by the SAME “respectable” brand that you admire – so don’t bring in that “homage” / clone / knockoff baggage here.

3. TWO watches are identical in every way — in appearance and in performance, including the way the seconds hand sweeps.

4. Price difference: 10 x more for the automatic version. (Example: USD $300 (quartz) vs $3,000…

Thought Experiment: 2 watches IDENTICAL in appearance. Same maker. HUGE price disparity

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