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What do you guys think of this first piece 'Viking' from Tempest Watches  Rating:  Rating
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 Posted: Mon Jul 11th, 2011 12:02 pm
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oagaspar
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TempestBen wrote: Here are all the points the watch gets QC.

1. Watch blanks machined in China, QC before they are shipped to Swiss
2. Watch blanks arrive in Swiss, QC once before assembly
3. Then QC again after assembly before they are sent back
4. QC once they get back to Hong Kong and we start the WR testing
5. QC again before they get shipped to the end customers

We want to make sure we offer a quality product.


I will see what I can do to offer a stap only option.

Ben
sounds like the cart is in front of the horse?...
if it was so important to have your watches Swiss Made,why not contract a Swiss manufacturer who outsources components to China?...why not use Fricker...they have a outsource service to fit the budget of the client if you wanted to have a watch with Asian components?
...wouldn't it have been simpler and more cost effective to just have a Made in HK production?...we could have all saved...  by what is being produced by your competition,and those of us who own them,I would say we are very satisfied with the end results.

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 Posted: Mon Jul 11th, 2011 12:19 pm
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stew77
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oagaspar wrote: TempestBen wrote: Here are all the points the watch gets QC.

1. Watch blanks machined in China, QC before they are shipped to Swiss
2. Watch blanks arrive in Swiss, QC once before assembly
3. Then QC again after assembly before they are sent back
4. QC once they get back to Hong Kong and we start the WR testing
5. QC again before they get shipped to the end customers

We want to make sure we offer a quality product.


I will see what I can do to offer a stap only option.

Ben
sounds like the cart is in front of the horse?...
if it was so important to have your watches Swiss Made,why not contract a Swiss manufacturer who outsources components to China?...why not use Fricker...they have a outsource service to fit the budget of the client if you wanted to have a watch with Asian components?
...wouldn't it have been simpler and more cost effective to just have a Made in HK production?...we could have all saved...  by what is being produced by your competition,and those of us who own them,I would say we are very satisfied with the end results.



I have to agree with Oscar's comments here.

I don't doubt that these QC gates will result in a quality piece Ben (especially since you are personally driven to make sure everything is done with excellence on the final product).

But, these type of production and final inspection steps have me scratching my head a bit at the 'Swiss Made' stamp, and the true value that the end customer is getting by manufacturing this way...

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 Posted: Mon Jul 11th, 2011 12:24 pm
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TempestBen
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oagaspar wrote:
TempestBen wrote: Here are all the points the watch gets QC.

1. Watch blanks machined in China, QC before they are shipped to Swiss
2. Watch blanks arrive in Swiss, QC once before assembly
3. Then QC again after assembly before they are sent back
4. QC once they get back to Hong Kong and we start the WR testing
5. QC again before they get shipped to the end customers

We want to make sure we offer a quality product.


I will see what I can do to offer a stap only option.

Ben
sounds like the cart is in front of the horse?...
if it was so important to have your watches Swiss Made,why not contract a Swiss manufacturer who outsources components to China?...why not use Fricker...they have a outsource service to fit the budget of the client if you wanted to have a watch with Asian components?
...wouldn't it have been simpler and more cost effective to just have a Made in HK production?...we could have all saved...  by what is being produced by your competition,and those of us who own them,I would say we are very satisfied with the end results.



Oscar, we have it this way so we have control over who actually makes our cases and ultimately we can have better control of the production. I have lived here long enough to hear horror stories of China production (not only watches) that have gone totally wrong. Why not pay a little bit more but sleep better at night knowing it gets assembled by the Swiss who are known for their watches and understands them.

Anyways if you have any further questions please email me.

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 Posted: Mon Jul 11th, 2011 12:28 pm
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Hammerfjord
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Well Ben, I would say that you answered to most of it: Thanks for you time!
Too bad that DEMO didn't get through this process by himself, seems like he's only interested by the surface of things...
As Brice said, breaking the 1000 buks wall makes it less interesting for many...
You approach the 1500$ range and it get very close to the 100% inhouse German production with top standards such as Kazimon.
You should also considerate Brice's idea without bracelet and lower price.
There's a lot of watches to get at this price and we don't need it specialy to be rated with so high water-resistance. Anyway, the Viking looks good and massive: This I like.
But personnaly, I prefer to go for a great deal like I did for the Edox named earlyer(housing a chrono-grade 2892-2) instead of paying full price from the very start for a micro-brand...Just my choice.
Good luck!

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 Posted: Mon Jul 11th, 2011 12:36 pm
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Hammerfjord
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stew77 wrote:
oagaspar wrote: TempestBen wrote: Here are all the points the watch gets QC.

1. Watch blanks machined in China, QC before they are shipped to Swiss
2. Watch blanks arrive in Swiss, QC once before assembly
3. Then QC again after assembly before they are sent back
4. QC once they get back to Hong Kong and we start the WR testing
5. QC again before they get shipped to the end customers

We want to make sure we offer a quality product.


I will see what I can do to offer a stap only option.

Ben
sounds like the cart is in front of the horse?...
if it was so important to have your watches Swiss Made,why not contract a Swiss manufacturer who outsources components to China?...why not use Fricker...they have a outsource service to fit the budget of the client if you wanted to have a watch with Asian components?
...wouldn't it have been simpler and more cost effective to just have a Made in HK production?...we could have all saved...  by what is being produced by your competition,and those of us who own them,I would say we are very satisfied with the end results.



I have to agree with Oscar's comments here.

I don't doubt that these QC gates will result in a quality piece Ben (especially since you are personally driven to make sure everything is done with excellence on the final product).

But, these type of production and final inspection steps have me scratching my head a bit at the 'Swiss Made' stamp, and the true value that the end customer is getting by manufacturing this way...

I can agree on that but on another way, if Ben feels better this way as he maybe get a sharper control by beeing in close contact and in person around the factory in Hong-Kong...Why not.
But as you say guys, then the price can get higher than expected and repulse some WIS like me for exemple...
Maybe Ben will change strategy next time, who knows...

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 Posted: Mon Jul 11th, 2011 01:23 pm
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oagaspar
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TempestBen wrote: oagaspar wrote:
TempestBen wrote: Here are all the points the watch gets QC.

1. Watch blanks machined in China, QC before they are shipped to Swiss
2. Watch blanks arrive in Swiss, QC once before assembly
3. Then QC again after assembly before they are sent back
4. QC once they get back to Hong Kong and we start the WR testing
5. QC again before they get shipped to the end customers

We want to make sure we offer a quality product.


I will see what I can do to offer a stap only option.

Ben
sounds like the cart is in front of the horse?...
if it was so important to have your watches Swiss Made,why not contract a Swiss manufacturer who outsources components to China?...why not use Fricker...they have a outsource service to fit the budget of the client if you wanted to have a watch with Asian components?
...wouldn't it have been simpler and more cost effective to just have a Made in HK production?...we could have all saved...  by what is being produced by your competition,and those of us who own them,I would say we are very satisfied with the end results.



Oscar, we have it this way so we have control over who actually makes our cases and ultimately we can have better control of the production. I have lived here long enough to hear horror stories of China production (not only watches) that have gone totally wrong. Why not pay a little bit more but sleep better at night knowing it gets assembled by the Swiss who are known for their watches and understands them.

Anyways if you have any further questions please email me.
my final questions Ben: if you are so confident in the Swiss assembly and QC...then why ship them back to China for final QC and WR Testing, knowing all these horror stories?...are all the components of your watch made in China...bracelet etc., did your prototype go through the entire process you named above,are you even sure you can source eta movements,as I have heard you can not?...and finally were all these services provided through the Chinese manufacturer.

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 Posted: Mon Jul 11th, 2011 05:31 pm
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joecb
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all I have to say is; This has been a very enlightening thread.... some great exchanges here, and some real watch knowledge being displayed buy 3T, Oscar and Will. I would give great credit to Ben of Tempest to come on 3T to defend his product and he obviously show great passion for what he is doing, and I think it will come through in his product.

As for his design, I do like it very much. the case design as Stew pointed out does have similarities to others, but when you see the profile, it has some very unique curves and the dial and bezel look fantastic. But I have to agree on the price being steep for an HK watch, even though you are using Swiss assembly, it is and will be an Asian built watch.
There are many, as stated, like Deep Blue that are making similar and cheaper versions, Deep blue just released a 3000m Wr with a sapphire bezel for around $660.00 .
I also really like the Kalmer, design, and had seen them before, but fell off my radar, (quickly distracted by all the new watches) and have a new interest again in them as the price is right, especially for a Ti design, and alot of custom offerings..

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing your finished product.

Last edited on Mon Jul 11th, 2011 05:32 pm by joecb

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 Posted: Mon Jul 11th, 2011 07:48 pm
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Paxman
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I have a couple points beyond going the route of putting the watch into a shill's hands to start the hype and get some quality pix... I never do understand these superficial reviews. I understand they are meant to bolster sales but they are usually rather vapid and applicable from one watch to the other.

As stated by others given the somewhat convoluted origins of the watch (frankly I couldn't bother to follow the trail) I would contend the asking price is a tad on the high side.  Of course we see other micor brands with more obvious HK origins asking this type of money so I guess all is fair. However, given a choice between paying a few hundred dollars more for a true Swiss watch with verifiable provenance, I would almost always go for the sure thing unless the design just blew my mind. Which brings me to my next point.

This appears to be another of what I call the HEAVY DIVERS, albeit with some interesting machining on the case sides and a different crown guard. The lumed ceramic bezel is a nice touch but beyond that the dial design and hands set don't speak to me personally.

And then I wonder why Ben would even care what anyone at 3T would think of his venture. Just ask anyone on the other watch forums. We're nothing more than a bunch of crackpots. So rest assured our opinions means nothing. I mean really, many of us actually like Orsa watches!crap.gif

Rather be a free thinking crackpot than a sheep or kool-aid drinker.

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 Posted: Mon Jul 11th, 2011 08:14 pm
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Hammerfjord
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Paxman wrote:
I have a couple points beyond going the route of putting the watch into a shill's hands to start the hype and get some quality pix... I never do understand these superficial reviews. I understand they are meant to bolster sales but they are usually rather vapid and applicable from one watch to the other.

As stated by others given the somewhat convoluted origins of the watch (frankly I couldn't bother to follow the trail) I would contend the asking price is a tad on the high side.  Of course we see other micor brands with more obvious HK origins asking this type of money so I guess all is fair. However, given a choice between paying a few hundred dollars more for a true Swiss watch with verifiable provenance, I would almost always go for the sure thing unless the design just blew my mind. Which brings me to my next point.

This appears to be another of what I call the HEAVY DIVERS, albeit with some interesting machining on the case sides and a different crown guard. The lumed ceramic bezel is a nice touch but beyond that the dial design and hands set don't speak to me personally.

And then I wonder why Ben would even care what anyone at 3T would think of his venture. Just ask anyone on the other watch forums. We're nothing more than a bunch of crackpots. So rest assured our opinions means nothing. I mean really, many of us actually like Orsa watches!crap.gif

Rather be a free thinking crackpot than a sheep or kool-aid drinker.



I couldn't piss more on those sorry asses who would call me a crackpot because I hang around here instead of growing slowly crack-hairs on the most visited watch-forum...
I see so much butt-licking on those places that I never felt like even beeing a member under another nick...
Most of them could buy a seagull-crap mounted on bracelet just because it's written a popular name on it, so how could they give any lesson on wise economic choices in watches?
Oh, maybe because them own friends are allways there to pay a good price for those used seagull-craps...That must be it.

PS: Excuse my vulgarity but I don't work in offices so I never learned how to speak under my elbow...

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 Posted: Mon Jul 11th, 2011 08:56 pm
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joecb
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Hammerfjord wrote: Paxman wrote:
I have a couple points beyond going the route of putting the watch into a shill's hands to start the hype and get some quality pix... I never do understand these superficial reviews. I understand they are meant to bolster sales but they are usually rather vapid and applicable from one watch to the other.

As stated by others given the somewhat convoluted origins of the watch (frankly I couldn't bother to follow the trail) I would contend the asking price is a tad on the high side.  Of course we see other micor brands with more obvious HK origins asking this type of money so I guess all is fair. However, given a choice between paying a few hundred dollars more for a true Swiss watch with verifiable provenance, I would almost always go for the sure thing unless the design just blew my mind. Which brings me to my next point.

This appears to be another of what I call the HEAVY DIVERS, albeit with some interesting machining on the case sides and a different crown guard. The lumed ceramic bezel is a nice touch but beyond that the dial design and hands set don't speak to me personally.

And then I wonder why Ben would even care what anyone at 3T would think of his venture. Just ask anyone on the other watch forums. We're nothing more than a bunch of crackpots. So rest assured our opinions means nothing. I mean really, many of us actually like Orsa watches!crap.gif

Rather be a free thinking crackpot than a sheep or kool-aid drinker.



I couldn't piss more on those sorry asses who would call me a crackpot because I hang around here instead of growing slowly crack-hairs on the most visited watch-forum...
I see so much butt-licking on those places that I never felt like even beeing a member under another nick...
Most of them could buy a seagull-crap mounted on bracelet just because it's written a popular name on it, so how could they give any lesson on wise economic choices in watches?
Oh, maybe because them own friends are allways there to pay a good price for those used seagull-craps...That must be it.

PS: Excuse my vulgarity but I don't work in offices so I never learned how to speak under my elbow...

YEAH!!!! what he said!!!mini me.gifdog smile.gif

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 Posted: Tue Jul 12th, 2011 07:56 am
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Paxman
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Hammerfjord wrote: Paxman wrote:
I have a couple points beyond going the route of putting the watch into a shill's hands to start the hype and get some quality pix... I never do understand these superficial reviews. I understand they are meant to bolster sales but they are usually rather vapid and applicable from one watch to the other.

As stated by others given the somewhat convoluted origins of the watch (frankly I couldn't bother to follow the trail) I would contend the asking price is a tad on the high side.  Of course we see other micor brands with more obvious HK origins asking this type of money so I guess all is fair. However, given a choice between paying a few hundred dollars more for a true Swiss watch with verifiable provenance, I would almost always go for the sure thing unless the design just blew my mind. Which brings me to my next point.

This appears to be another of what I call the HEAVY DIVERS, albeit with some interesting machining on the case sides and a different crown guard. The lumed ceramic bezel is a nice touch but beyond that the dial design and hands set don't speak to me personally.

And then I wonder why Ben would even care what anyone at 3T would think of his venture. Just ask anyone on the other watch forums. We're nothing more than a bunch of crackpots. So rest assured our opinions means nothing. I mean really, many of us actually like Orsa watches!crap.gif

Rather be a free thinking crackpot than a sheep or kool-aid drinker.



I couldn't piss more on those sorry asses who would call me a crackpot because I hang around here instead of growing slowly crack-hairs on the most visited watch-forum...
I see so much butt-licking on those places that I never felt like even beeing a member under another nick...
Most of them could buy a seagull-crap mounted on bracelet just because it's written a popular name on it, so how could they give any lesson on wise economic choices in watches?
Oh, maybe because them own friends are allways there to pay a good price for those used seagull-craps...That must be it.

PS: Excuse my vulgarity but I don't work in offices so I never learned how to speak under my elbow...

Well put my friend. You are our true Viking sheriff!

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 Posted: Tue Jul 12th, 2011 08:03 am
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Hammerfjord
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thankyou.gifThank you guys! Just had to let it out...

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