[LUW]

Just went online: Artego Watches

If you ask me, that's pretty nice for $350 shipped ($400 for the PVD versions). It would be perfect if there was a second option for a more high-end movement - currently all models come with a Miyota 8215. The 8215 ain't bad, far from that, but I would rather have a hacking movement.

 

[Chris Galbraith]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

Ultra cool if you ask me. The orange version is sweeeeeeet...... :-* !

Thanks a lot for refering it, Lu.

Do you have any insights on who produce the watch? What's the story behind it?
Thanx once again, buddy!
CHRIS

 

[sharkfinDave]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

Yeah, diggin the blueberry and orange.
But I gotta admit, don't like that blasted look. IMO, its a bad look.
Price point is really good. Miyota movement, some don't like these.
I'm on the fence. Hmmmmmm.


Dave.

 

[LUW]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

Do you have any insights on who produce the watch? What's the story behind it?

You, me and everyone else wants to know : . Funny that they basically came out of the blue without an iota about who they are. Not really smart in terms of sales IMO, but if the product is good...

Price point is really good. Miyota movement, some don't like these.

If it was something fancier then a 8215 I for one would be VERY interested in this watch .
Charge more and why not make a version with a 6R15? Or even the ubiquitous 2824 :-[ ? I'm sure their fan base would increase.

 

[water70proof]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

Whenever I read complaints about Miyotas I have to wonder if there is a bit of bias. After all, the current 8215 is as good or better a movement than found in many of the vintage Japanese and Swiss watches that collectors prize. More small watchmakers (watch designers, really) are using Miyota, as ETA movements become scarce and more expensive. The new Miyota 9015 will be a more direct competitor to the ETA 2824. I posted a picture here today of a Caravelle with a 40 yr. old Citizen movement in it, that still runs within about 15 sec/day, even though to my knowledge it has never been serviced. You would think that on a Japanese watch board you might find less unfounded bias towards a Japanese movement. You guys sound like the Time Zoners who can't accept that Seiko produces anything worthwhile since it isn't Swiss....

 

[LUW]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

So its wrong to like hacking and hand-winding capabilities on a modern watch? :-[

 

[nhoj]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

Seems like a good value to me. I don't keep up on the boutique brands, but I seem to remeber there is a lot of competition in the mid-price tier. Perhaps keeping the price down is better for business in the long run, especially with a new entry to the market.

 

[LUW]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

I don't know if it's just my impression, but for about a year now the competition has been specially tough in this market. You can easily find good divers with a Miyota for less then $400 and less then $700 if you want an ETA. For us watch geeks I think that's fantastic, just look at Noah's prices, for around $500 you can get a 300 m 6R15 with outstanding quality. And how would I be able to find a 1000 m ETA 2824 dive watch like the Cave Dweller II for less then $1000 a year ago?
I really hope they all have success.

 

[Isthmus]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

The watches seem handsome enough, and the price is attractive. However, as it seems to be the case with most dive watch boutique manufacturers (IMHO), they suffer from a fair amount of what I call "Me Too Syndrome". They look nice, but there is little original about them. The major design elements are derivatives of major design elements from popular wathes from other companies. The end result of combining them is nice, but a number of other companies are doing similar combinations. It leaves me, as a consumer, appreciating the watch, but not caring for the brand. IMHO boutique makers benefit from offering what the large manufacturers don't: Either modern interpretations of famous watches no longer in production, or completely unique designs readily identifiable as their own. This piece (and many others) do neither.

Good looking watches though

So its wrong to like hacking and hand-winding capabilities on a modern watch? :-[

Not wrong, but I think Paul's point is that lacking them does not make the movement any lesser - as attested that they've been around for decades virtually unchanged and still remain a very solid and popular movement choice. BTW, the 8200 caliber series does have hand winding. ;D

 

[MartinCRC]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

... just look at Noah's prices, for around $500 you can get a 300 m 6R15 with outstanding quality.

I think it's more like $750 for Noah's watch. The Halios Bluering is available though, also with the 6R15, for $499.

Martin

 

[TakesALickin]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

You would think that on a Japanese watch board you might find less unfounded bias towards a Japanese movement. You guys sound like the Time Zoners who can't accept that Seiko produces anything worthwhile since it isn't Swiss....

I'm not completely opposed to a Miyota movement in a watch - I've had a few and they're certainly adequate. But I try to be objective about them. I've been collecting watches for ten years now. I've seen most of the common movements. I like that the Miyota handwinds, even if it doesn't hack. That gives it a slight advantage over the 7S26. It still has the "Miyota stutter" though, and it has one of the most unattractive finishes of any movement outside of Chistopol, Russia. So, it gives up that slight advantage, and leaves me preferring the 7S26 if I have to choose.

My chief problem with Miyotas is that I have owned too many $100 watches powered by them for me to see what the financial upside is in a Miyota powered watch that costs $350 or more. It's the same thing that keeps me from buying Vostok Europe watches for $200 - they're powered by the same 2416 movements that I could buy in $35 Amphibians for years. Maybe the case finish is a little better on the VE watches (and on the new boutique Miyota watches), but does it justify a four to six times increase in the final price? I'm not convinced.

 

[LUW]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

BTW, the 8200 caliber series does have hand winding. ;D

True, my mistake - I have a 8203 but forgot it does hand-wind.

I think it's more like $750 for Noah's watch.

Depending on the options you ask for it's less then that, only the Tsunami with all the bells and whistles goes for $750. But the Halios is another good example.

But as Gabe said, you do see a LOT of over-lapping in terms of styles in all these micro brands. In regards to price and bang-for-the-buck they're a very solid option, but if you want something truly new or outstanding style-wise you will have to look to Switzerland. Even though I'm not a diver, I personally don't think that form can ever come ahead of function, but I know that for many people it does, so these watches may not be the best out there.

 

[water70proof]

Re: New boutique brand: Artego

That's what I was thinking, Gabe. Also, if your non-hacking watch runs pretty accurately and you often cross a time zone or two, it's easy to set it an hour or two forward or back without having to check the seconds hand accuracy (for those of us fanatics who like their old mechanical watches to be within a few seconds of atomic time ... ;D )

I think Paul's point is that lacking them does not make the movement any lesser - as attested that they've been around for decades virtually unchanged and still remain a very solid and popular movement choice.