As a seasoned watch collector with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must admit that I find Donald Trump’s latest retail endeavor – the gold-emblazoned watches – rather lackluster. With a keen eye for quality and a deep understanding of the intricacies of the horology world, it doesn’t take an expert to spot the cobbled-together nature of these timepieces.
In the past few months, it’s not surprising that Donald Trump has been involved in selling items like gold sneakers, commemorative coins, and even a cryptocurrency project. So, it’s no wonder that his latest retail venture – offering an expensive gold watch adorned with his name – comes as no shock. However, watch experts seem to be underwhelmed by this new product.
On Thursdays, I got word that old Trump dropped a couple of timepieces for purchase: a rugged “Fighter” dive style limited to just 1,000 units, priced at $499 or $799 based on design, and an extravagant tourbillon model, boasting a golden construction with diamond-studded bezels. Only 147 of these luxury pieces are up for grabs at an eye-watering $100,000 each. Each watch proudly bears Trump’s name on the face, while the pricier edition showcases his signature through a sapphire back case.
News of this watch spread rapidly within the circle of watch connoisseurs, who were generally underwhelmed by it. “It’s sloppily assembled, blatantly unoriginal and excessively overpriced,” remarks Ariel Adams, founder and editor of A Blog to Watch, one of the most visited sites in the industry for timepiece knowledge and insights. “It’s quite evident that this person is collaborating with a white label manufacturer, a common practice. You simply approach a white labeler and specify your desired case, bracelet, and other features, and they assemble it, slap your name on it, and sell it to you. The price at which you sell it is up to you. However, the fact that the inflated cost originates from someone associated with Trump’s team is evident in this case. Even a $500 watch from another brand would typically cost around $200.
A marketing director of a well-known Swiss brand, who asked not to be named to keep his opinion separate from the company that employs him, agreed. “I belong to a collector group that maintains an ongoing group chat, and the initial reaction was that it had to be fake. After that, everyone was laughing,” he said of the more expensive piece. “When you look at all of them, they scream Chinese-made watch. None of them is worth the asking price.”
As a watch enthusiast, I’ve come to understand that the term “Swiss-made” on some watch websites might not always be as straightforward as it seems. It’s quite prevalent among cost-effective designs for manufacturers to label their watches as Swiss-made while only using Swiss components and assembling them elsewhere. By late Thursday, several knowledgeable voices across social media began to question the authenticity of a high-end watch, particularly its tourbillon mechanism. This intricate device, usually found in pricier timepieces and intended to boost accuracy, appeared to have components sourced from both Switzerland and China. The marketing director even pointed out the telltale signs, such as the blue screws on the tourbillon cage, which are rarely seen in Swiss-made tourbillons. In fact, he mentioned that a Chinese tourbillon can be purchased for just $100.
Back in the day, if I was yearning for a Swiss-crafted tourbillon watch, it would’ve set me back a cool $50,000. However, the game-changer arrived from China, offering a more affordable option for tourbillon watches, making them available today for around $6,000. But remember, just because it’s priced lower doesn’t mean it’s a fully Swiss-made design.
Beyond a few other aspects, there seems to be an overall lack of craftsmanship. The gem-setting appears quite crude, and the numbers on the dial seem embedded within the markers instead of standing out, both giving off a distinctly unprofessional vibe. To top it off, if you watch the video, you’ll notice dust on every screw, which is regrettable indeed.
As a watch enthusiast, I’d say that just like some individuals, these tourbillon watches may not be as authentic as they appear. Despite their claims on their website, collectors have discerned that they are essentially hybrid, half-Swiss and half-Chinese models available off the shelf. The worth of this watch would only stem from its gold and diamond components if melted down for resale.
Beyond potentially eye-rolling language for discerning watch aficionados such as “You’ll be making a bold statement of success,” the tourbillon descriptions lack essential information commonly found on genuine watch websites. For instance, the tourbillon model fails to disclose the watch’s case size, which is crucial for buyers to determine if the case fits comfortably on their wrists. Moreover, the total carat weight of the 122 diamonds adorning the bezel is also unspecified. Adams suggests that both these absences might be deliberate, a notion bolstered by a disclaimer identical to one used when Trump marketed his gold sneakers: “The images displayed are merely illustrative and may not accurately represent the product.
Adams stated that by not providing exact details, they can still modify things before production and maintain the diamond’s description on their website. Furthermore, he noted that these diamonds could potentially range in price from around $10 to $30 apiece.
It doesn’t matter if consumers are considering the less expensive dive model or the six-figure tourbillon watch. They should always review the fine print on the website. Similar to the gold sneakers Trump was offering in February, these watches are available for pre-order. This means that neither Trump nor his team will be responsible for paying for the items upfront. However, it also means that buyers will have to wait to receive their orders, with delivery dates estimated between October and December, as stated in the FAQ section. Please note that these shipping and delivery dates are only estimates and cannot be guaranteed.
Craniotes commented, “It’s more or less like a Kickstarter project, lacking originality. They’ve borrowed design elements from existing watches and simply added his name to them. The red dial on the diver style watch might be an allusion to MAGA red, but overall, it seems generic and shows a lack of creativity in the entire endeavor.
The Craniotes argue that the value obtained from selling the gold and diamonds can be defended, since there’s a notice at the bottom of their website stating, “Trump Watches are meant to be collected items for personal pleasure, not as investments.
Adds Adams: “This is a fundraising scheme that we’ll be joking about in the future.”
A message we sent through the site, asking for details like the maker and location of the watches, went unanswered.
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2024-09-27 23:25