Why buy gens?

[leonduchateau]

Interesting topic tho, I’m still not sure what I think of it. When I was younger I used to feel excited when wearing a good rep. Now I don’t even have that feeling anymore when wearing gen, sad enough. Will need to buy some more watches to figure things out I think

 

[big_polarbear]

Interesting topic tho, I’m still not sure what I think of it. When I was younger I used to feel excited when wearing a good rep. Now I don’t even have that feeling anymore when wearing gen, sad enough. Will need to buy some more watches to figure things out I think

You can buy mine, I am selling an incredible superfranken build !

 

[John Williams]

I felt this when I got my first brand-new gen Grand Seiko at an AD over the weekend. The boutique experience of them walking me over to the safe to get the box and papers, sizing the bracelet for me, and walking out with the watch on my wrist gave me a feeling of satisfaction to which the rep can’t come close. I guess it appeals to the human need to feel important or valued. The additional sentimental value ascribed to the watch if it’s a gift or a celebration of a milestone is a significant factor for sure.

Absolutely right.

 

[John Williams]

You are completely wrong though, yes.

 

[Kalev007]

I know I know I completely deserved that

I honestly know so little about GS and their Spring Drive technology.

 

[John Williams]

I know I know I completely deserved that

I honestly know so little about GS and their Spring Drive technology.

That's no shame. I'm not familiar with GS either.

 

[Kcnminus]

Credit to thewatchbox.com for this quick breakdown on the spring drive technology:

"How does the Spring Drive work? What makes it different from a normal mechanical watch? To simplify the answer to the questions, the Spring Drive is an automatic movement but with the escapement replaced by a Tri-synchro regulator... Acting as a control to manage the speed [at which] the mainspring unwinds, the Tri-synchro regulator is comprised of an Integrated Circuit (IC), electronic brake, and quartz crystal. It uses three types of energy to regulate speed:

1. Mechanical power from the mainspring
2. Electrical power from an IC/quartz oscillator
3. Electromagnetic power to apply a brake through a rotor

The Tri-synchro regulator also allows for a longer-lasting power reserve of 72-hours, even if the chronograph is running. It works at the end of the gear train with a glide wheel and uses electromagnets to slow the energy without friction. In contrast, a normal escapement starts and stops. The integrated circuit has the ability to sense if the glide wheel is moving too fast and will slow it down as needed."

 

[big_polarbear]

Credit to thewatchbox.com for this quick breakdown on the spring drive technology:

"How does the Spring Drive work? What makes it different from a normal mechanical watch? To simplify the answer to the questions, the Spring Drive is an automatic movement but with the escapement replaced by a Tri-synchro regulator... Acting as a control to manage the speed [at which] the mainspring unwinds, the Tri-synchro regulator is comprised of an Integrated Circuit (IC), electronic brake, and quartz crystal. It uses three types of energy to regulate speed:

1. Mechanical power from the mainspring
2. Electrical power from an IC/quartz oscillator
3. Electromagnetic power to apply a brake through a rotor

The Tri-synchro regulator also allows for a longer-lasting power reserve of 72-hours, even if the chronograph is running. It works at the end of the gear train with a glide wheel and uses electromagnets to slow the energy without friction. In contrast, a normal escapement starts and stops. The integrated circuit has the ability to sense if the glide wheel is moving too fast and will slow it down as needed."

And it’s absolutely genius. I encourage all of you guys to look at GS watches… they are magnificent

 

[leonduchateau]

You can buy mine, I am selling an incredible superfranken build !

Will have a look but the point of a rep for me is that it’s inexpensive

 

[big_polarbear]

Credit to thewatchbox.com for this quick breakdown on the spring drive technology:

"How does the Spring Drive work? What makes it different from a normal mechanical watch? To simplify the answer to the questions, the Spring Drive is an automatic movement but with the escapement replaced by a Tri-synchro regulator... Acting as a control to manage the speed [at which] the mainspring unwinds, the Tri-synchro regulator is comprised of an Integrated Circuit (IC), electronic brake, and quartz crystal. It uses three types of energy to regulate speed:

1. Mechanical power from the mainspring
2. Electrical power from an IC/quartz oscillator
3. Electromagnetic power to apply a brake through a rotor

The Tri-synchro regulator also allows for a longer-lasting power reserve of 72-hours, even if the chronograph is running. It works at the end of the gear train with a glide wheel and uses electromagnets to slow the energy without friction. In contrast, a normal escapement starts and stops. The integrated circuit has the ability to sense if the glide wheel is moving too fast and will slow it down as needed."

 

[RDRoss]

While I have a number of gens both modern and vintage, I seldom find much to love about modern watches as they seem mostly to be a rehash of the classics just less classic.

To enjoy a gen I sincerely believe you need to find it interesting and something that you bond with before even putting it on. I know my tastes lean towards vintage pieces (love my old Tudors, especially my air tiger, Rolex air lion l, air giant etc, omega seamaster memomatic and flightmaster ) and odd modern pieces like Geral Genta and Vincent calabrese. The last modern major brand pieces I found interesting was the original release of JL rêverso grande sport, the sky dweller, and the RMs just because the materials used are interesting and the tech behind them is pretty darn cool.

If want to test drive a modern Rolex model, or omega I would honestly buy rep. That being said if I did like what I saw I might consider buying a gen I just can’t get past the waiting 2-5 years for one to pop up at my AD so I can spend $10k. I can generally find some amazing vintage pieces in the meantime to fill up my watch boxes but to each their own.

 

[leonduchateau]

Well put! It’s all about bonding

 

[John Williams]

Well put! It’s all about bonding

I agree with that too!

 

[ian marsh]

I have a collection of 20-odd watches that fall into four classes:

1. Nice gens - eg a couple of Omegas and a vintage Breitling Cosmonaute
2. Bought replicas - eg a Tudor GMT and a Breitling Navitimer
3. Self-made "homages" - several Panerai-ish watches I put together made of vintage Russian/new Chinese movements, Chinese cases, and hand painted dials from specialist amateurs. My lock-down hobby
4. Cheap gens - eg a Seiko Pogue from 1970s, a Poljot Strela, and a Poljot Okean

As time goes by, I find myself reaching for the bought replicas less and less and I am much more likely to wear one of the cheap gens. There are so many nice watches out there to be had for decent money, new or used. I don't think I would consider another rep.

 

[fammo144]

They last

 

[big_polarbear]

Realised I never answered ! I go gen when there’s no rep of the watch I want, or when it’s not worth it to go gen (Rolex/Tudor for me).

 

[Flowskilled]

I felt this when I got my first brand-new gen Grand Seiko at an AD over the weekend. The boutique experience of them walking me over to the safe to get the box and papers, sizing the bracelet for me, and walking out with the watch on my wrist gave me a feeling of satisfaction to which the rep can’t come close. I guess it appeals to the human need to feel important or valued. The additional sentimental value ascribed to the watch if it’s a gift or a celebration of a milestone is a significant factor for sure.

I was at the grand seiko boutique and had a similar feeling at first, but did not buy at the same day because it is a heavy price. Saw the same Watch online for 2K less from Italy brand new, came back and asked for a discount. The Discount was not near 2K, so i bought it online. So at the end the feeling was not so important to buy it, but every time i wear the watch it feels different then a replica. Its hard to describe this feeling...

In the end i treated myself for a milestone, so it reminds me of it in addition. So i would love to get a gen as a gift with an engravement to, for marriage or something like that.

 

[Kcnminus]

I was at the grand seiko boutique and had a similar feeling at first, but did not buy at the same day because it is a heavy price. Saw the same Watch online for 2K less from Italy brand new, came back and asked for a discount. The Discount was not near 2K, so i bought it online. So at the end the feeling was not so important to buy it, but every time i wear the watch it feels different then a replica. Its hard to describe this feeling...

In the end i treated myself for a milestone, so it reminds me of it in addition. So i would love to get a gen as a gift with an engravement to, for marriage or something like that.

I love getting great deals online as well. I just bought last year's titanium G shock for a steal on ebay
My next Omega, likely an SMPO 39.5, is too affordable used to pass up.

One of my goals, though, is getting a quartz ladies' Overseas for my wife brand new at MSRP from a dealer. So I may have to get some other items from them in between. lol

 

[Bilko]

i buy gens at the right price including my 114060 as i know if i need to i can sell them again and not lose money and in the case of the Rolex i bought make a lot of money, not something i can do with my reps although i love them just as much, buy gens at the right price and your moneys safe, reps don’t tend to appreciate and are at the end of the day just reps!, still love a good franken project

 

[Merdydirty]

For me it has everything to do with self satisfaction and fulfillment. 95% of people around me would not even tell if the watch I am wearing is hundreds of dollars or tens of thousands of dollars (I probably need better entourage ) let alone telling a rep from a gen. But I know what's up and what it took me to get the Gen. Also, it could be a good to moderate investment depending on the market.