Chopard

MTF
[PuristS]
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Choices and Consequence...an Opinion

Choices

I prefer the Chopard version even though it has a larger (sic) series of 100 pieces.

The Sincere LE ruthenium coating degrades the appreciation of the fine finishing that LUC does.

The Chopard version dial is also more elegant and without the redundant cut-out on the right side @ 3 o'clock that distracts from the 'star of the show' - the tourbillon and sapphire bridge.

Consequences

This is a more subtle discussion and about the strategy of making Ltd Edn repeatedly with one dealer. It is understandable to make a LE to commemorate or celebrate an event e.g. 30th anniversary of the dealer's foundation or number of years partnership between a manufacture and it's dealer e.g. Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co.

But, what are the consequences of annual issues of "limited editions" with the same dealer? Of course, that one dealer may be able to sell all it's LE pieces but maybe at the expense of sacrificing sales from the regular production.

For a small island like Singapore, the allocation of 18 pieces of a tourbillon takes away 20% of the production capacity for the 100 piece "standard" version for the world. It is actually more effort to make a small run of LE because it is different (albeit small differences in dial and the coating they slap on the movement).

There are...say...300 dealers globally, so even assuming Sincere gets a preferred dealer alllocation of 20% of the standard production i.e. 20 pieces, that leaves 80 pieces for the rest-of-the-world.

If there is no 'preferred allocation' status, then, there is 1:3 chance for a dealer to get a standard SLT, and assuming that Sincere 'outlucks' 2 other dealers for that 1 allocated watch, that means that the "limited edition" SLT actually outnumbers the standard SLT by 18:1.....not that limited after all. I'd like to be THAT one person owning that single standard SLT in Singapore rather than the 'common' Sincere version

I can understand Sincere wanting to make "Ltd Edn" because it guarantees them allocation of at least a fifth of the LUC production in a "desirable" colour of movement. There is no risk because more than half are "pre-sold"....as local people who collected previous ruthenium coloured movements will want to add to their hoard. The rest can be delivered anywhere in the world for those that "Must Have" every "Ltd Edn" or who can't get their standard production watches e.g. if a customer in Thailand cannot get a standard SLT because the 1 watch allocated to his country was sold, it's easier to get some sort of SLT from Sincere in Singapore.

Conclusion:

PuristS: Passion. Opinion. Information.

Limited Editions make business sense in current hot market conditions, as long as you...dear reader....continue to feed it's flames by talking about them and buying them

Regards,

MTF

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