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2013 Best watch competition
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Author:  Roffensian [ Thu Oct 31, 2013 10:47 am ]
Post subject:  2013 Best watch competition
During discussions for the 2013 best Breitling competition some suggestions came up for a 'best watch' competition along the same lines as that competition, but not restricted to just Breitling.

For those not familiar with the format of the Breitling competition we start with 64 participants and randomly match watches up in a head to head competition with voting proceeding for a week. Watch with the most votes in the head to head moves on to the next round, the other one is out. After 6 rounds we have one watch left as the winner.

By opening this up to all brands we need to add a bit more structure to things, and in the earlier discussions we have already said that:

1) We will limit to a maximum of four watches per brand (the final four in this year's Breitling competition will represent Breitling - Navitimer 01, Transocean Chronograph 1461, Lemania Cosmonaute LE, 769 Chronomat)
2) We will impose a price limit on current models - $25,000 was suggested as an approximate level to avoid trying to match a G-Shock up with a PP Sun and Moon Tourbillon and to try and keep things at least vaguely realistic.

Other things that occur to me:

- Maybe avoid same brand matchups in the first round? I use random.org to randomize the list of watches for the matchups so can simply regenerate that list until we end up with no same brand pairings if the general consensus is that this is a good idea.
- How do we come up with the 64? With Breitling first come first served works because there is enough opportunity for all, but with only four spots we may need some kind of preliminary - choose your favourite 4 Rolexes from 7 nominees for example??
- How do we define models? With Breitling I try to follow the model guide on this site where I can, avoiding LE and regular versions of the same watch, but what about general watches? Do we have an Omega Speedmaster or multiple versions? Either way I am going to insist on nominations including model numbers and links to the watch - it's the only way to avoid misunderstanding and will also help me in the early rounds (which are a huge amount of work) by providing the links to the watches for reference.

I don't want nominations for watches yet, we'll get to that, but do want everyone's input on how you want to see this work, so - thoughts??????
Author:  dams-r-us [ Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
What about keeping mechanical and quartz watches apart in separate categories?



dams-r-us
Author:  WatchFred [ Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
not sure if we'd get 60 relevant non-Breitling contenders in that price bracket if we restrict to 4 per brand ?
might be better to go with 8 per brand max ?
Author:  sharkman [ Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
What about iterations. Obvious example- just one Sub, generically "Submariner." That would be my vote.
Author:  Roffensian [ Thu Oct 31, 2013 2:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
dams-r-us wrote:
What about keeping mechanical and quartz watches apart in separate categories?

Then we double the number of watches and double my work, and not sure that we are going to get 64 quartz pieces. And we still need to get down to 1 winner at the end of the day or it's not really complete.

WatchFred wrote:
not sure if we'd get 60 relevant non-Breitling contenders in that price bracket if we restrict to 4 per brand ?
might be better to go with 8 per brand max ?

I'm happy to expand, but I think you might be surprised how many we can get - Rolex, Omega, Panerai, IWC and JLC will likely be no brainers for 4 each and then we have things like Zenith, Breguet and maybe half a dozen others that will likely have multiple representatives. Add in the single brand submissions, some independents, some vintage classics, a few niche pieces and we'll be pretty close.

sharkman wrote:
What about iterations. Obvious example- just one Sub, generically "Submariner." That would be my vote.

I think that I would agree with that as well - effectively the Navitimer 01 becomes 'Navitimer', but I think that it's the only option if we do restrict entries per brand.
Author:  Driver8 [ Thu Oct 31, 2013 2:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
WatchFred wrote:
not sure if we'd get 60 relevant non-Breitling contenders in that price bracket if we restrict to 4 per brand ?
might be better to go with 8 per brand max ?

:yeahthat That's a very good point Fred. With only a 4 model max limit, we'd still need 15 other brands even if every brand had 4 models selected. I think at least 6 (or 8 as you say) would be more reasonable.

I also think LE's would need special consideration. I think only very specific and significantly different LE's should be considered as separate models. In other words, special edition dial colours shouldn't be considered differently to the standard model. Likewise I don't think gold or two-tone models should be consider differently to the SS version.

EDIT - Roff's reply beat me to it.
Author:  jnelson3097 [ Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
I like the 4 watch limit by brand, but you could almost make some exceptions for some of the bigger brands if there is a chance we can't get 64.
Author:  Tim S [ Fri Nov 01, 2013 6:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
jnelson3097 wrote:
I like the 4 watch limit by brand, but you could almost make some exceptions for some of the bigger brands if there is a chance we can't get 64.

Agreed.

Roffensian wrote:
- Maybe avoid same brand matchups in the first round? I use random.org to randomize the list of watches for the matchups so can simply regenerate that list until we end up with no same brand pairings if the general consensus is that this is a good idea.
- How do we come up with the 64? With Breitling first come first served works because there is enough opportunity for all, but with only four spots we may need some kind of preliminary - choose your favourite 4 Rolexes from 7 nominees for example???

I like these two: avoiding brand matchups in the first round seems sensible; to give each brand a fair chance at least at the start.

I think we definitely vote on the best 4 if a particular brand has more offerings. I know its more work but seems the most logical idea.

Thanks again Roff for the work. This is definitely a great idea.
Author:  Roffensian [ Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
Anyone else care? Only 6 people with any thoughts at all, this doesn't bode well!
Author:  wessa [ Mon Nov 04, 2013 5:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
Roffensian wrote:
Anyone else care? Only 6 people with any thoughts at all, this doesn't bode well!


Would love to contribute but not sure if my squadron of Breitlings and a flock of Sea-Gulls is going to make the needed impact in this exercise ;-)
Author:  Roffensian [ Mon Nov 04, 2013 5:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
wessa wrote:
Roffensian wrote:
Anyone else care? Only 6 people with any thoughts at all, this doesn't bode well!


Would love to contribute but not sure if my squadron of Breitlings and a flock of Sea-Gulls is going to make the needed impact in this exercise ;-)


Ownership isn't a requirement for opinions! :lol:
Author:  wessa [ Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
jnelson3097 wrote:
I like the 4 watch limit by brand, but you could almost make some exceptions for some of the bigger brands if there is a chance we can't get 64.


64 candidates & 4 per brand then this is my prediction:

1. Breitling (4 already in by default)
2. Rolex (Datejust, DSSD, Daytona, Milgauss)
3. Omega (Speedmaster, Seamaster, PO, AT)
4. Panerai (Dont particularly care which one)
5. Glasshute Original
6. IWC
7. Audemars Piquet
8. Patek Philippe (although we may struggle to find 4 under $25K)
9. JLC ( as an add on extre)
10. Invicta :-) :-) :-)
Author:  Scott [ Mon Nov 04, 2013 11:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
Some thoughts on the competition:

Probably do have to go through the iteration, though probably the only Sub I would own is my bluesy, and not the standard stainless piece. Then we may get to qualification questions, such as Cossie separate from "Navitimer"?

I'd suggest we start with 4 per manufacturer, though Wes' Rolex projections make me wonder otherwise. (Can't imagine not doing Sub, DJ, GMT and Daytona) I think there are plenty of companies out there with solid nominees, though I could foresee an exception or two along the way. This may not be best suited as a first-named, first in pool of nominees but a time limited nominee pool with Roff retaining some discretion as needed.

I would prevent same-brand contests in at least the first couple of rounds.

Including special editions could make things a bit murky and, while I like the idea, may give Roff some discretionary decisions he won't want, though that's up to him.

I wouldn't think we'd need to addess this but....present day MSRP, right?


But that leads to a separate issue. What about pieces no longer in production? How do we want to handle vintage,if at all, or are we assessing as a line (Chronomat for me goes back to the 769) factoring in historical significance, or as just what's out there now?
Author:  Roffensian [ Mon Nov 04, 2013 11:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
Scott wrote:
I wouldn't think we'd need to addess this but....present day MSRP, right?

That's my assumption, although for vintage models we'll need to be a bit more creative - maybe current market price???


Scott wrote:
But that leads to a separate issue. What about pieces no longer in production? How do we want to handle vintage,if at all, or are we assessing as a line (Chronomat for me goes back to the 769) factoring in historical significance, or as just what's out there now?

I think that vintage pieces need to be seen as part of the heritage in most cases. I would actually separate the Chronomat into two - pre and post 1984 because they are totally different watches, but I would see Navitimer as a continuous heritage same as would be the case with Rolex and Omega as examples. Cossie vs. Navitimer is a little tougher - we said originally that the final four from the Breitling competition get promoted but we may need to be a little more flexible there - Transocean vs. Transocean Chronograph 1461 stands out.

Just my 0.02 which everyone is free to disagree with.
Author:  jlee5050 [ Tue Nov 05, 2013 11:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2013 Best watch competition
I love the idea of this, but I wouldn't know how to approach it.

You're a better man than me Roff.

Okay maybe one input. How about to start we nominate a list of manufactures first. I can already think of 20 companies on top of my head, from the mainstream to independent. Then we pick the four out of the companies that are in the competition.

I do like the price limit idea, that way even some of the pieces from the supposed big 3 don't have too much muscle to punk some of the other brands.
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