What is in a name, or in a logo for that matter?

I find myself not liking full names (as the brand name) on watches. I don’t know why, it’s just weird to have some “random” persons name on a watch to me. Yes, I realize these aren’t random names but still. C Ward is a perfect example and the same applies to logos (think Islander watches).

On the other hand, I did end up buying a cheap Addiesdive…and that has to be one of the stupidest watch names I’ve ever seen. But the cheap price and it being a beater justified it lol.

So yea, for higher end watches, I’m going to need to be okay with the brand name/logo.

🙋I am an absolute SUCKER for words on the dial. If something has a cool name written on it ("EXPLORER") I am way more likely to consider. So glad I don't collect cars, I'd be purchasing every SUV in existence.

Interesting. So JLC, Cartier, A. Lange & Söhne, Breguet, Sinn (etc.) and almost all small independent watchmakers you don’t like because of the name on the dial?

Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier, Breguet, and A. Lange & Söhne all put me off with their names which sound more than a bit pretentious to me.

Patek Philippe, on the other hand, seems perfectly reasonable.

Many of those aren't full, spelled out names (first and last). I think that's where my hiccup lies. Heck, I don't even want my full name displayed on a watch. It could be as simple as how they sound when spoken (the amount of syllables) or the popularity/history of said name. I'm not 100% sure but I know it can play a role in my interest.

Out of that lineup, I honestly don't gravitate toward many of those...I'll take a Cartier and JLC in a heartbeat though.

I can certainly agree with you about the Islander logo and Addiesdive as branding that fails for me.

Ah alright, got you. The examples were just what came to me off the top of my head. Agree about Cartier and JLC though 😉

On my end anything homage with a crazy name. San Martin, Pagani, ADDIESDIVE, Militado, Pablo Raez lol. I think Seagull makes sense, Merkur is passable. Chinese have such nice characters why do they try to appeal with such an ugly wanna be western names.

Invicta

I'm with some above on the name thing. Are Jack Mason and Dan Henry even real people? Fears is another name with which I have problems.

Hublot is a terrible name but I'm able to overlook it.

I've never seen a logo or name that convinced me to buy a watch. There are some that put me off. As mentioned: "classics" like Christopher Ward (full spelling logo), addiesdive but my addition to the list is ROAMER. Irritates me for some reason.

Just bought a Timex whose dial many would take some getting past but the watch floats my boat despite having an over crowded face.

The Christopher Ward logo has prevented me from ever wanting one of their watches.

I'm not super fussed about this in general, but there is a point at which I have to go "yeah, no" - some of the Ali express brands with awful names and typography are just beyond what I can look past. And Geckota too, that one is just... no.

Aye, Fears. I don't really understand the branding decision behind that one. It's not a name that instills confidence, positivity, strength or sophistication.

If I woke up tomorrow and one of my watches said "Christopher Ward" I'd throw that shit in the trash

Swiss Watch Company. I’m super impressed by the excellent specs and finishing, and I would love to add an Ark or Hyper G to my collection —but I just can’t get past the name and the logo that resembles a cat walking away from you, tail up. Haha

In some ways, it’s worse than the Ali word jumble or Spaghetti Scametti brands, because (1) it’s a far better product, so passing on it because of the branding is a bummer for me as a consumer and (2) it gives the impression the company named itself just for the SEO. 🤦‍♂ It’s like opening a restaurant named “Best Restaurant Near Me”.

Great perspective and potential insight into the workings of a modern company. If it is SEO, I hope it's reaping some dividends for them, because the typography for SWC is just horrible.

CW logo and Orient name and logo immediately come to mind.

Rolex crown applied marker.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not Rolex hater. I own and love Explorer 2.

When it’s printed on dial, like on Explore 2, I am ok.

But when it’s used as an applied marker, with rounded edges, it pushes me away, or to be precise it scares me away. That’s why I can’t buy an OP although it’s gonna make a perfect daily.

I’m not going to explain why because I don’t want to cause anyone to have the same problem.

How dare you not mention Berny and Skmei! 😆

This is hilarious !, There is much pretentiousness around this hobby which I may also be guilty of to some degree, which is fine I guess as we are all different, personally I like to think I see the actual watch first regardless of what is on the dial, even if it looks like a cats bum!

I'd add tactical frog and tandorio, that sounds like it just came out from an Indian take away lol

Christopher Ward, as a name, has no brand history so I prefer the twin flags logo over the full brand name.

Addies Dive🤦🏻

‘Waiter, I’ll have a paneer Sea-Gull, and my friend Berny will have the Tandorio Frog’

Yeah, Tandorio brings that to mind right away.

I think the only ones guilty of pretentiousness are the brands themselves. How dare they put a cat's bum on a watch dial!

I forgot about Steinhart, this one is special. smh