What is and isn't a watch review

ABTW remains one of very very few serious trustworthy players in the watch media space. These days it is almost unheard of... watch media that dares to also point out negative things about a watch or a watch brand 😱

https://www.ablogtowatch.com/ariels-thoughts-what-is-and-isnt-a-watch-review/

[...] watch retailers who publish “watch reviews” about the watches they are selling. You clearly cannot offer an objective opinion about the merits or worthiness of a watch when at the same time you are hoping someone will hand over top dollar for it. It is a clear conflict of interest for anyone selling a timepiece to be publishing a review about it.

Love ABTW’s podcast. Always entertaining but honest at the same time.

I wonder who that article is aimed at… 😂

LOL yes one can wonder but most of the mainstream watch media will fit the description.

Agree 100% about their podcast.

A credible watch review site, unlike say..... Time & Tide who love everything.

I bought a watch magazine a couple of years ago, I think it was called 'Watch Time' or something like that. It was bloody expensive but I wanted something to read on a train journey. It was so boring I never even got to the end of it. Every bloody article was just a word for word rehash of the press release for each watch, right down to the number of patents applied for....... but ultimately it was unreadable because it was just like being sat in front of someone shouting facts at you.

THIS ONE HAS AN IN HOUSE MOVEMENT
THIS ONE HAS A ROTATING BEZEL
THIS ONE HAS A CARBON PINION WHEEL
THIS ONE HAS FORTY SEVEN PATENTS

But you know what it didn't have? One single 'opinion'. Why is the watch industry so afraid of people having different opinions? We know they do. We see it on forums and comments sections every day, but the 'official' line is everything is brilliant and everyone loves everything.

At least Philip Stern knows what's up. But he doesn't care because those people will never own a Patek anyway!

Because the industry, like Philip Stern, like to surround themselves with Yes people!

Personally, I see nothing wrong with giving an honest opinion. It is literally that one persons opinion and not fact. Nobody believes it’s fact either, so no idea why the industry isn’t bold enough to accept opinion on that basis. This would only bolster their sales as they wouldn’t then have warehouses of stock that they have to drip feed as limited editions, as they wouldn’t have pieces that people genuinely want to buy.

It would, of course, require some effort on their part to keep up with what people want…albeit that there is potential not to innovate as they are scared of genuine opinion. When I say innovate, I don’t mean waiting decades and then introducing a different shaped case of the exact same watch.

I mean you can give an honest opinion without rubbishing anyone, at the end of the day.

Perhaps this is too much like hard work!?! This applies to both the watch brands AND those reporting on them.

There's a place for sales videos. I think I'm not the only one who enjoys the odd Watch on Wrist, WatchBox or Brent Miller videos

Just as long as marketers don't pretend to be journalists and vice-versa

Definitely agree with those three examples. The first being impartial as they keep the watch do the talking, with the other two not hiding the fact that they are selling them.

If reviewers were allowed to mention negatives, or even things they were on the fence with, their enthusiasm for good watches would carry more weight. But as it is, if you just say everything is 'brilliant' then your words are just empty. Isn't that Irish guy a watch seller though? The gobby one? He doesn't seem to mind slagging watches off, although I noticed he's completely changed his tune about TAG in recent times..

Oddly I like the Brent Miller versus videos, Brad produce short/ sharp videos which don’t seem to be sales, also he has a great name 😬

Agree, whilst most online platforms seem to be against negative opinions, ‘dink we all know had/ has its issue. (But I still hold James Stacey in high regards and will enjoy most of his reviews). Fratello is slightly Omega heavy with is reviews - you can’t blame them, but feel they do give some negativity. Monochrome give good reviews without opinions, ABTW I used to frequent a lot, but feel there was point many years ago they turned their back in mainstream watches and focused on micros/ indies & I just don’t an appeal to read about them.

Worn & Word seem to be in-depth and obviously go more micro brand heavy.

Generally speaking if the colab is to do with the website you’re not getting an unbiased review.