There are many more differences between the el cheapo $125 watch and the rest of your mechanical timepieces in that picture.
Manufacturing tolerances of all components, and the quality of their construction. Those other watches are made to last and be serviced well into the future, not to mention designed and engineered with movements designed for accuracy and precision. It may last a while if you're lucky but long term service potential is limited to doubtful. It would be cheaper to just buy another one if it breaks. And for service it likely has cheap stamped parts, if serviced they'd likely just replace the entire movement, the same as is done with cheaper quartz watches whenever they are serviced.
Most watches have become overpriced imo in the past 5-10years. There are still pockets of relative value in the used market and micro-brands but even less than 5 years ago. Your 3970 has a collector premium built in to its current value but you bring up an age-old question of function versus value, and then quality. It's like comparing a Yugo to a Toyota Camry. Both can get you from point A to point B but there really is not much comparison.
Where the quality comes in is comparing that same Camry to an equivalent Toyota Lexus. Nicer finish, smoother ride, etc. Maybe the Camry is 80% of the Lexus, but enough people are willing to pay more for that extra level of engineering and detail which makes Lexus a successful luxury brand since it was introduced. Those extras are not of value to everyone but that's what great about a market with many choices at many tiers. The same is true with watches, furniture, home finishing, knives, firearms, luggage, airplane seating, and many other things many people enjoy at various strata. |
