John Mayer & Ed Sheeran RUINED The Watch World...AGAIN!

[@Sid00077]

There's something poetic about waiting 12 yrs for a watch just for people to confuse it with Baltic😂

[@theiastcowboy]

Imagine getting on your private plane after flying to Japan to get this watch, and the pilot looks at your watch and says "I've got a Baltic also." 🤣😂

[@moneymikz]

Nice I’ve had my Baltic for a decade, had it serviced twice and still wear it, how do you like yours??

[@SuLu_XD]

​​@@theiastcowboyI'm opening the door mid flight and making an unscheduled skydive. Undecided if the pilot is coming with me or not

[@bngr_bngr]

@@moneymikzI’ve had my Rolex Submariner 31 years and only serviced it once.

[@Tobi_1957]

😂😂😂

[@susanhopkins6702]

Michael's intelligence, wit, and overall appeal are irreplaceable. The difference is profound, and this channel needs his presence. Not to mention his actual breadth of knowledge about watches, which is informative and creates interesting banter. What a relief.

[@nathanthebe6497]

Said it was too soon

[@JaydonTobler]

One thing that kills companies are when they become too popular, too fast. It gives the illusion of success, but your actual measure of success is whether you can actually deliver the product. Hearing the story that someone’s watch was delayed 10 times means they’re already experiencing major issues. They either have to scale to meet their customers’ expectations or they need to issue refunds. Moreover, how do I even know this company will be around in 12 years?

[@mdinhlam]

Prior to the Ed Sheeran and John Mayer video - the waitlist was at 10 years. I believe John had mentioned it prior to that video as well.

[@golfinguru11]

96 months (8 years) he said, which is ridiculous. However, they stopped taking orders soon after the video.

[@golfinguru11]

“A larger Patek 96 would be perfect”. Yea, it’s called the 570 and they made it for like 30 years (1940s-1960s) alongside the 96.

[@DizzyDigsDeeper]

Theo and Harris back together again !

[@steelsteez6118]

That's Christian and Michael bro....

[@DizzyDigsDeeper]

@@steelsteez6118 Theo and Harris forever !

[@TomasBruzzo]

Theo and Harris at last!

[@nathanthebe6497]

This is the last yt vid they dropped together

[@DizzyDigsDeeper]

@@nathanthebe6497 why’d they break up?

[@nvpg100]

So they’re committing to 12 years running a company that makes less than 200k in annual sales? That’s insanity.

[@geeleung5108]

Thank God, Michael is back.

[@VectorSearch]

Good to see Theo back

[@mate.herner]

Yay, Michael’s back! 👏🥳

[@fabulousfab_ffm]

A Longines Master Collection for USD100k? Meeeh...

[@TomasBruzzo]

Machine vs hand finished 😊

[@s7rfullthrottle2]

Nothing like seeing Theo & Harris! Instead of Theo and Ferris!

[@Oakley5100]

Same sort of thing happened with Anordain. I got on the waitlist when it was about a year, which for the price range and what they offer I think is perfectly fine. Well a recent email just went out and a buddy of mine wanted to get on it but it is out to 2028..... and they are still asking for a down payment to reserve a slot. To me that is insane and I see people turning away and putting their money elsewhere, not to mention prices have crept up and continue to creep up. Model 3s being $4k and Hodinkee special ones being $6k for a sellita inside and a pretty simple case is absolutely crazy to me.

[@watcheswithabdullah]

But these aren't even fully in-house. They're getting movements from Vaucher, along with cases, hands, etc. made from other suppliers. I would love to understand why it takes them as long as it does to make each watch.

[@golfinguru11]

Because it’s mainly one guy (with a bit of help) making them all. Also, “fully in-house” doesn’t really exist for smaller brands unless you’re willing to pay $100k-500k for a time-only (think RW Smith, Voutilainen, Dufour). Heck, Patek didn’t even make an in house chronograph until 2005.

[@HalfFatButter]

A Collected Man sold one recently for £32,500…

[@requiemk3898]

After Kikuchi Nakagawa, Naoya Hida has decided to temporarily suspended production for 3 out of their 4 models.

[@golfinguru11]

Naoya Hida is a joke though. A modified ETA movement finished to Rolex standards for $25k is highway robbery.

[@silvestrocrino3256]

@@golfinguru11 ...tell that to IWC.

[@bobo-dz6eu]

⁠@@golfinguru11 while I do agree they’re a bit expensive you’ve neglected to mention a few things that make naoya hida “special” compared to mass market brands. They CNC cases and buckles, where most brands use stamping. Hand engraved dials. 3 dimensional hands vs mass market stamped hands. plus they’re low production so don’t benefit from economies of scale. It’s literally 3 guys in a workshop, so yeah it’s bound to cost more than a Rolex sub.

[@jompfish]

Make no sense at all “ Highly black polishing techniques on the back case “ The watch maker intended just for a showpiece to be admired without wearing “ Lolz 😜

[@obiwan4934]

Mayer has no. 3 ( 3rd ever watch Kikuchi Nakagawa made) so he knew about the watches way before people talked about it. That's an insane example of influence and impeccable taste if anything.

[@lexusuk7901]

Only watch youtubers that actually make amusing videos that are kind of self-deprecating. Like I love watches but I hate myself for it. And this channel represents this perfectly. Most days i'm Micheal. I want a Daytona but i'm happy with my Explorer. But other days i'm Christian. I want to make a bitchy comment about someones Patek because it's the non precious metal non complicated variant. Feel like you two really cover off both of those mindsets and I think that resonates with your standard issue watch fancier.

[@golfinguru11]

The deeper into the weeds you get the more you lean towards Michael’s pov. Also, steel pateks are (mostly) more expensive than precious metals due to rarity. The nautilus is the exception.

[@renngretsch]

0:51 I would say Bee-dale, not B'dale. I could be wrong, but North Sea fisherman are not posh folks.

[@Arc1517]

The deposit is likely their costs. If someone doesn’t deliver on the rest, they would benefit if they filled the order elsewhere

[@nikr1d3r32]

12 years waiting! How old is mister Kikuchi again? 😂

[@julioerodriguez6097]

Maybe Kikuchi Nakagawa start selling merch to make their business sustainable. 😆

[@affegorilla1299]

If I hear 12 years it’s like so boring to me. There is no thing in the world I would ever wanting to skip 12 years for! It’s insane!

[@danielsoto_toronto]

Lol you are not skipping anything 😂, I’m on the rolex waitlist and I still enjoy other watches and purchases

[@affegorilla1299]

@@danielsoto_toronto I don’t buy Rolex anymore to lol sold all my 4 Rolex watches in 2021/22 for good money 👍🏻

[@danielsoto_toronto]

@@affegorilla1299 nice flip 👍

[@Sid00077]

12 yrs is 12% of a person's lifetime (given that they live upto 100yrs, which many don't). In that time you can get an undergrad degree, master's degree and a PhD. Waiting 12 yrs for a watch is quite stupid.

[@ande5460]

People buying these watches aren't just waiting around for 12 years for delivery. They get on the list, forget about it, and move on buying other watches. Your life doesn't just stop when you get on the list for a watch.

[@danielsoto_toronto]

Lol you are the type of guy that calls customer service and just looks at the phone while they put on hold for an hour 😂😂😂

[@Johnwis-gp9yy]

And after this video all watches with 38.6 mm diameter will have 20 year waitlist

[@jeffdj1975]

GS’s Zaratsu polishing is the same as black polish.

[@LogicalNimbus]

I would take orders 3 years out. And open it for people once or twice a year to build the pipeline.

[@jethrojacinto2798]

I'd rather have a Baltic. I'm done with all these overhyped brands that gatekeep their supply.

[@vdbdg]

8 watches a year when they don’t make the movement? Is that just a hobby on the side? What happens if one of the guys has an accident? A lot of enthusiasts, myself included, get into micro-production watches only really people who don’t really care about losing a 5-figure deposit normally got into. In one year lots can happen, let alone twelve. Not to mention how erratic many watchmakers are. A real indie watchmaker is rarely interested in making the same watch for that long.

[@basura5678]

Could you please move the computers off to the side. They take up almost 1/4 of the frame. Other than that keep up the great content!

[@theRealMcG]

C’mon guys, you can’t think of the ways they could manage the deposits? Ways to invest the deposits, borrow against it, obtain a favorable interest rate on a line of credit. And you’re not even considering the capital the company already has already banked, the cost of materials vs labor? PLEASE stop talking about this until/unless you understand it.

[@DrIstoris]

It had a wait list of 7 years before the john mayer video.

[@TheReyj89]

Where's Christian's sweater from?

[@dicer0075]

I’ve. Been in a waitlist for an explorer for more than a year, what would you do? i really wanna live the boutique experience, should I go grey market or just buy another watch

[@Johnwis-gp9yy]

You will get it soon…. They are becoming available more and more

[@mikemurphy8996]

Explorer is not worth waiting a week. And that’s coming from a guy who has 2 Rolexes. Buy a day date Rolex from the late 90’s. You should get a really good price.

[@Johnwis-gp9yy]

@@mikemurphy8996 really, well I have 6 so I say it is worth the wait if he really wants to wear it. It is a great watch. And you are suggesting DD to a guy who is targeting the most basic rolex. LOL might as well told him to go all in on a 5517

[@dicer0075]

@@mikemurphy8996 I already own a daydate and a submariner 14060m 2 liner (bond vibes) , the day date is awesome right? Very cool watch.. I’m a big don draper fan and I’ve been crabing that explorer for a long time….i was thinking of buying an omega no time to ddie instead.. thoughts

[@dicer0075]

@@Johnwis-gp9yy hopefully man, I don’t want to pay more than retail thats for sure

[@johnjohnsson9903]

great episode!

[@melondoc]

This is the whole deal with hype watches. The 12 year waitlist is the point, the USP of the watch. If anyone could get one, no one would want one.

[@jonathanlawrence1401]

This conversation about orders reminds me of the Tesla Cybertruck hype. The difference is Tesla stacked two millions, $100 orders (allegedly), and Nakagawa has a hundred orders with $12,000 each.

[@davidhunternyc1]

I agree that the Murakumo would be better if it were smaller. 34mm would fit my 6 1/2" wrist better. I wrote to Kikuchi Nakagawa during Covid, before Ed Sheeran promoted them. Back then, Yusuki Kikuchi and Tomonari Nakagawa were working out their garage. The wait was 7 years and I was sweating. That was too long and I did not place a pre-order. Now it's 12 years. There's no guarantee that I would get a watch, either in 7 years or 12 years. The dial design, finish, even the Vaucher Fleurier VMF 5401 movement on the Murakumo is flawless. I've written love poems about this watch and posted my thoughts everywhere I could. Ed Sheeran buys them for his kids. I've got none.

[@johnnyvieira1740]

Guys this guy is making 8 watches a year is this story really that important

[@chriselley2261]

I just happen to be in Japan today. Turns out the Japanese DO use English numbers! As Michael would say, How ODD…

[@victorfernandesvieira7883]

Theo is back!!!

[@silvestrocrino3256]

"Black Polish" is the same as Zaratsu polishing ... Grand Seiko does it by hand using a Sallaz polishing machine on nearly every model. Takes years to master the technique.

[@ivanvelarde1092]

Where did you get those sweters?

[@ashleyg6479]

Nice to have Stan back !

[@LordTRight]

39:00 anybody identifies name of the artist or the song?

[@ijaz429]

Real question... What makes this better than a $6,500 grand seiko with zaratsu polishing?

[@xada2397]

nothing

[@Quijoteb]

Would they be getting another 12k x 8 per year? It seems the cost of the watch might be less than 12k

[@lefroy1]

Lug width seems way too big on the Nakigawa

[@kofiofosu9051]

I’d rather get a 5196 now than wait 12 years for that!

[@golfinguru11]

Kikuchi is basically getting a bunch of 12-year interest-free loans. The grift is incredible.

[@captain6368]

Czapek had a long wait time for the Antartique…now no one wants it and value has plummeted

[@Ricklopez1979]

Miss this combo

[@Jay-vt2so]

*Looks over at Baltic* 👀 👀 👀 😁

[@Milofchg]

John Mayer and Ed fucked over this company inadvertently. The only way for this company to move forward with production is 1) get investors to help hire more staff 2) stop orders and raise prices significantly. If this company sticks to its current schedule at the same prices for each watch? There will be no growth. Just steady income and work. These clowns put that watchmaker in a tough position. Shit! I think you can get one of these watches before you get a call for a Pepsi or Daytona LOL

[@josephgschwartz]

Baltic already sells this watch. Maybe I'll buy one of those for 450 or $500 whatever they sell for

[@snookeredinbc6017]

Finally Michael is back. Always do videos with him, just reduce the “wows”

[@Sabrermk42]

I remember people had gripes with Michael when he first started. Let's not jump on the bandwagon of "hating the new guy". I'm sure Sam will find his form, he's already improved from his first appearances. He has quality and is a justified variable.

[@letmebe79]

Naoya Hida should be on your radar next if you are talking about Japanese microbrands

[@frankpentangeli7945]

Twelve years is a hell of a long time to NOT change your mind, or to find something else to buy, or to go bankrupt, or to not be alive anymore. Waiting twelve years for a watch is fucking stupid.

[@masterwatch]

very good guys.. For the last 10 years during the Oversizing era I was thinking watches would return back to the 36mm - 40mm case size range that has happened... But... Now I think it is time to crank up the larger sizing 🤓 that I now subscribe too 😎

[@kyledriscollmusic]

black polishing on the whole case? yes please spend way more time to make a fingerprint magnet

[@jessepiro7075]

You guys are the best 😂 they use the same numbers in japan has got me laughing too!

[@Ilikeavocados822]

from their website: "We temporarily stop taking any order."....

[@KeepingWatchUK]

Would much rather have a Rolex 1908.

[@gajoaleatorio]

lol not you with your "vintage rolex for life" bs, ed sheeran did it

[@jordank.6179]

I see you KN and I raise you one Baltic and 12 yrs back 😂

[@princemarko]

I despise those two. Sheeran and Mayer do not get some sort of amplified opinion on watches

[@TheGrenadier97]

Sheeran and Meyer feel like the average paid celebrity, but with extra steps.

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

Anordain runs this same risk now with many years wait.

[@LaFritePerreGoat]

Why not auction the production slot to the best offer. If you really want it first you pay to play.

[@realrockrolla]

Imagine the wait for 5157A

[@carreralicious]

Which one of you is Theo and which is Harris?

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

All this proves is that marketing sells. 😂 Hype over reality 😊

[@ulmen24]

I’ve been on the waitlist for 2.5yrs for a $300 HELM Vanuatu Ti 😂

[@UltraDoug]

25 years from now, Christian is as old as I am now. Yes…..arthritis is an issue 😂

[@andrew_owens7680]

I'm teaching myself how to black polish so that I can polish my scuba guy.

[@watchbydesign6214]

Christian, I'm older than your dad and we have the same taste. Not only was my Pepsi 16750 my one watch for 30+ years ['83-'15] my dress watch of choice is not a PP, but rather a white gold, white dial PF Tonda 1950 that I purchased [full set, factory warranty] new old stock for one quarter the price of an equivalent Calatrava.😙 No wait for either watch!

[@randys766]

If 100 people want your watch and you can only make 10, you have to increase your price until the demand for your 10 watches is ~15 , or ramp up to make 100. This business can’t work.

[@Dugger1991]

Grand SEIKO also does it with inhouse movements!

[@silvestrocrino3256]

Yep, on the case and indices and hands... on Steel, Titanium and Platinum... not sure if on Gold too.

[@HoroHigh369]

Homage of that watch will be on Aliexpress in a few months…wait for it. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@andrelousada]

The 12 year cap is probably to account for inflation. They also probably want to retire after that.

[@bryanryan4504]

Great video

[@Dinesh-Tiwari]

make independent watch brands tier list

[@StuntedSales]

10,000 x lets say 106. is 1 million dollars. Buy all the materials to make all the watches you have orders for take all the rest and hire more help.

[@joggle4321]

Harris

[@KohlieVarak]

what a nice video and how funny it is to see people try to understand the reasoning of a Japanese person/craftsman. Really funny to see. Kikuchi Nakagawa will not raise the prices, at least not much, and he won´t hire any more people that help with the craft. Has nothing to do with honor or whatever. Its just how they do business. Scaling is not of their concern when it comes to artisan work. He´s the master and he will execute piece by piece to the best of his ability and the highest standard possible, which takes time. He takes pride in his work and he wants to be compensated appropriately, but he won´t charge more, because orders are in till whenever, cause also customer is king. He serves the customer not the customer him through the deposited or money for instance. There won´t be scaling, there won´t be much higher prices but you have to spend the time, because that what it takes to become a master and that what it takes to produce a well rounded product of the highest quality. I am also pretty sure, even if you´d say "hey man I give you 10k more; can I have my watch next year instead of in 8 years?" he won´t do it. that would be a betrayal of other customers. and last, don´t try to come up with a reasoning for that, you won´t get it unless Nakagawa will explain it to you and even then it might not make sense. Having worked in a Japanese environment and having lived there, I speak from experience. ps: the prices are not necessary calculated to make him rich, but so he can make a decent living. If you ever have been in Japan you will notice that most prices (food/consumer products/appliances/ etc.) are calculated in a way that the company/craftsman makes money but also the customer does not fell overcharged and it represents the actual value. Speaking of a craftsman like nakagawa, he´ll have a decent house and workshop and 2 employees maybe but thats about it. He has to pay them and himself a bit thats it. There is no thinking of a career goals or a career in the western way involved. Japanese people esp. craftsman work for the works sake eg. Ikigai. Hard to wrap your head around if you come from a place where "cutthroat capitalism" is the norm and not harmony is the main driver of business/society (no offence intended).

[@luisdelaroca6314]

Just take a Vacheron 1921 , almost the same dial

[@mdinhlam]

I think there are better comparisons than a 1921

[@matthewgranger992]

12 years - their income is eaten away by inflation...

[@benwindbag]

Michael will end up looking like Wolverine when he's older!

[@ariantasariedimunthe4734]

Earlier you said it would be better for Ed and Mayer to talk about independent watchmakers. But when they are did that, an independent company get ruined. LoL

[@steelsteez6118]

11:17 Audio fuct

[@eu7435]

I'm amazed how long these guys can jabber on about a tiny Japanese watch company.

[@philiphurstmedia]

You guys crack me up

[@JJPanozzo1]

This couple is so much better. Great conversation

[@rajbasra8423]

Those watches are trash...why would you wait for that crap??? They did you a favor by making them unavailable. Go buy anything else that looks 10,000 times better.

[@waterfordrs22]

I don’t know what the laws are in Japan, but what is he able to do with the deposits in the interim? Is he required to put the money in a secure savings account of sometime at interest that will not keep up with inflation? Could he risk investing it somehow? Can the money received for goods not received be used to fund his operations today? When does this guy get to touch the money? It doesn’t add up in my mind.

[@nesster333]

I think the numbers are the same 😂😂😂

[@musicismotion]

Baltic released the watch today 😂😅😅

[@letmebe79]

Its a perfect watch for those in the hobby, the rest of the world doesnt care

[@Snakestube]

I’m not gonna lie. This is the most basic expensive watch I’ve ever seen in my entire life it’s almost laughable. There’s no way people are going crazy over this no way.

[@benparry9474]

Inflation?!!!