Lum-Tec Tungsten Calendar GMT New Watch

good question Tim. I'm guessing what people think, at least I do for the most part is when a micro brand approaches the cost of a watch like an established brand people are thinking why spend that much on a watch with very little history and track record. They usually say,"for that kind of money you could of had a________", whatever brand they like in the blank..

My 2 cents and it probably isn't worth squat but being relatively new to this interest. I spent $1000 on a old Breitling Super Ocean. I was lead to the seller buy a person that I trusted 100%. I PM'd back and forth with the seller numerous times before purchasing. So I didn't just buy blind. Breitling is a tried and true brand. Been around for a very long time. Also the watch had received a complete service and pressure test...which I also received the papers for...less than 2 years prior to my buying. Came with bracelet and rubber strap. So for me, to spend $1600 on a brand that hasn't been around nearly as long is touch and go. I'm not saying that Lum-Tec isn't a great watch. I don't know first hand. But for $1600, until I become more watch savvy and can go and hold one in my hand, like I can a Breitling or Omega or high-end Seiko, etc...I'll stick with companies that have been around a couple hundred years.....lol. I'm sure not knocking ANYONE or ANY BRAND. Again, just my take on the subject.

I do like Lum-Tec's designs, but IMO they are a little overpriced. Here is an example of what I would think would be a $350 - 450 watch...

Click the images for details, pricing, and ordering.
M9 $595

M9 $595

$595.00


(Availability: In stock.)

44mm 316l Stainless steel bead blasted hard PVD coated case. Double side anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal. OS20 quartz chronograph movement with free lifetime battery replacement. Black dial with orange LUM-TEC GX3 MDV lume. Includes Rubber strap, leather strap, and brushed stainless steel bracelet. Limited to 399 units. Very limited supply left!

porschefan wrote:

I'm curious, and not pointing this at anyone in particular, I've seen it on other sites as well. I'm just looking for an explanation of the thought that $1600 is an ass-load of money for a well made limited edition micro-brand, yet some saying that's too much will/have dropped 3-5 times that on one or more of a mass-produced, tens-of-thousands of the exact same watch available around the world.
What am I missing? I know I'm stoopid, so I'm missing some thought process in regards to this.

The reason the 1695.00 price is to high regardless of what people say about the brand is because this company is new. It started as Weigand, did luming,
sold cases,hands dials,crystals, also sold assembled watches.Now they are lumtec. This company is to young to demand this high of a price for a watch
using these materials.Tungston isn't new for watches.Rado has been making them for years. Most Tungston cases are mass produced in Asia.
Also this is using the 2836 which is a day/date movement thats modified for the gmt. Had they used the 2893, then the price is almost right
since thats a dedicated gmt complication movement.You've seen what limited edition means by seeing renatos screw up and all of the le versions
of invictas that don't mean a thing.

Some folks got introduced to forums by watching shopping channels.Those salesmen told them that this watch will get you noticed.
When they join the forums,they will always say that the watch they are wearing gets compliments everytime they wear it.
Well thats just plain bullshit.A salesman got that ingrained into some peoples heads.
If you wear these to be noticed, you might just have small dick syndrome.

Back on topic.Why do we spend thousands on brands that make thousands of the same models? because we know that the quality is there.
That the company owns there own factory.Has service centers.Makes parts for 20 years after the model run ends.
The best in materials.The best in movements.Real history. Theres no micro brand thats made today that can even hold omegas shorts.


The big brands got that way by making the best watches in the world from the early 1800's to today.Thats why we will spend the
big bucks for those brands that has been making watches for over 150 years.
These watches tend to hold their value because of the name they carry. Very few micro brands holds their value.

You really think I give a shit that 20,000 people wear the same Seamaster that I do? I could care less.
If you've been watching the micro brands over the year,one thing is constant.Flat sales, almost zero posting in their own forums.
Thats for the brands like korsbek and Kremke. They priced them in Sinn,breitling,tag and omega territory.They lost.
New startup companies fail when pricing themselves in the midrange brands pricing.
So when I see this lumtec priced this high,I'm pretty sure that not many will be buying them.

I think Sean put it VERY well...

No one is questioning the quality of many micro brands...

...it's more like, hey, you are new to the market, you kinda need to earn the trust of people to put your price up their with the big boys. IMO, KOBOLD is way overpriced too. They haven't been around that long and price themselves with Breitling, Rolex, Panerai?

Look at the new ARTEGO watches...they came out at $350...PERFECT price
point for a new brand if you ask me!

Again...this isn't a KNOCK on a brand, more just thinking out loud and discussing our PERSONAL opinions; no one right, no one wrong. That's the BEAUTY of XMT!

I have to say this is a great thread. All points of view and its great to get input from everyone. I am always learning something new and does help me make good decisions. Thanks guys...

Alan,The Kobold as the example is pretty good.Way over priced and got screwed when another company used the same case and movement
and sold them for 780.00.kobold is still trying to sell the very same thing for 4.5k.Thats alot of coin for a name thats not well known off
the forums.And while I really don't like ocean7's business practices,they do make some watches using exotic materials and price them right.
Theres a company that understands about pricing in this poor economy.The newer brands should stay below 1k for at least the 1st year or
two of being in business.Halios,Artego,nfw, bali hai,etc, play in the right range,at least in my opinion.

But over the past year, Citizen and Seiko have been steadily making bigger watches with better materials and movements
and pricing them from 400 to 800.00.That starts to cut into the micro brands selling point.
No micro brand offers eco,atomic,kinetic in this range.

More good points Sean...

Interesting - Thanks guys.

Sounds like the micros think high price is a way to fast track "perceived" brand quality, reputation, etc. These virtues are not won by price alone for long - you have to earn it.