Brands that represent quality above all else

[voxsartoria]

I give kdaust credit for this concept.

What brands and makers pursue quality as they define it without compromise? And by "compromise," I don't mean at any cost, but simply, given the premise of what they sell, do they cut corners?

Here are three that I like, just to get things off to a start:

- Lange

- Steed

- The Flathead

- Alden

A few more that I like are now dead. There are also some that I think fit the bill, but I do not own personally yet. One example:

- April in Paris

What are yours?

- B

 

[stant62]

After watching that Top Gear series on the Toyota Hilux, I think Toyota would be the epitome of quality assurance.

 

[tlmusic]

Linn audio equipment

 

[tlmusic]

Also, if quality but not taste, is the issue, then I would vote for Hermes. In other words, even though Hermes makes things which I find of questionable taste, I have never seen any of their products that compromised quality.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by tlmusic

Linn audio equipment

Nice.

- B

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by stant62

After watching that Top Gear series on the Toyota Hilux, I think Toyota would be the epitome of quality assurance.

Interesting.

I would put Ferrari first when it comes to cars, though.


- B

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by tlmusic

Also, if quality but not taste, is the issue, then I would vote for Hermes. In other words, even though Hermes makes things which I find of questionable taste, I have never seen any of their products that compromised quality.

I can't think of a mass market brand that is as uncompromising.


- B

 

[manouche]

Dunhill

 

[TheFoo]

I like Lange, but I would put a company like Patek ahead of them. Lange's finishing is generally excellent, but they do not pay the same kind of attention to finishing parts that will not be viewable through the display back.

 

[unpainted huffheinz]

Sulka had that quality of seemingly effortless elegance which I don't really find amongst current brands. Ralph's Purple Label has some of that, but not everything measures up to the same level: shirts for example are a weak point.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

I like Lange, but I would put a company like Patek ahead of them. Lange's finishing is generally excellent, but they do not pay the same kind of attention to finishing parts that will not be viewable through the display back.

I disagree with you. Three reasons:

1. Their dial side finishing is not as showy as the display side, but it is entirely consistent with Germanic watchmaking tradition. In fact, I feel (and reasonable people disagree), their finishing is equalled but not exceeded by Patek.

2. I feel that Lange's calibre-to-case orientation is purer than Patek. Lange thinks very seriously about what goes into the case in a way that no other watchmaker does. Moreover, I feel that while Patek cannot be equaled in complications, Lange has become the leader in manual wind movements.

3. The service from the Lange manufactury is really beyond anything that I have heard of other makers providing. It is personal, excellent, and uncompromising.

That being said, overall, Patek is still the best watch brand since their breadth of command is not equalled.


- B

 

[tlmusic]

Charvet

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by manouche

Dunhill

I give you minus 5 points for that.


- B

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by tlmusic

Charvet

Yeah...but how do you deal with the RTW output into high end retailers? Don't you thing there is some compromise involved?


- B

 

[voxsartoria]

Lotus is close to uncompromising.


- B