Fears Brunswick Champagne Review: Disappointing

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 87

  • @ugabrew
    @ugabrew ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Damn, as a big fan of Fears, those QC failures were painful to watch! I truly appreciate your honesty though, and I hope Fears will continue to improve.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you and I agree if fears can improve it can be a fantastic product but we’ll see what happens

  • @arcadevampire
    @arcadevampire ปีที่แล้ว +10

    The QC, especially on their seconds hand, most dissapointing. I'd look to Farers cushion case watches (i believe you have reviewed already), which are less than half the price with none of the qc issues. Btw, enjoy your honest reviewing style. It keeps the watch brands in check!

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Appreciate it and I agree the farer is a must better option

  • @Perfa-Pik
    @Perfa-Pik 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Important to note that you admitted in one of your replies in the comments below, that Fears had reached out to you unsolicited to rectify any issues that you had with the watch, but unfortunately you had sold it on in the meantime. If we all bought watches (or anything else) based on macro photography, I'm sure many folks would be sorely disappointed. This video review would appear to be more focused 'on the chalkmark rather than the blackboard'. An overly harsh review, and not indicative of the overall quality of Fears watches, which is based on other social media reviews, that I've seen.
    I look forward to seeing your critiques on other luxury watch brands out there.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yes to be fair they offered to rectify, but I have owned a fears before with similar issues, actually even worse qc than this model here. It was sent away to fears under warranty, they went through 2 or 3 dials each still having qc issues and in the end they said they can’t produce one without scratches and refunded me the money

  • @matthewdavis8199
    @matthewdavis8199 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    I'm surprised, but pleased you're giving Fears a chance. Lovely overall look, but upon closer examination quite disappointing given the price. I like the idea of Fears' revival, but a lot of the premium talk is unfortunately more talk than actual execution. Well done my friend.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Exactly. It is unfortunate to see because it is a brand that seems easy to get behind but I don’t think there are many objective reviews out there

    • @andresfg6788
      @andresfg6788 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@theknightswatch objective as in negative?

    • @ugabrew
      @ugabrew ปีที่แล้ว

      @@andresfg6788 Objective as in honest and unbiased. Personally, my familiarity with Fears is largely based on interviews I've heard/seen with Fears' managing director. He is an interesting and thoughtful guy, reviving a family company that has real history behind it. That said, those conversations are often conducted by people who are obviously friends or fans and they rarely subject the watches themselves to any scrutiny. I appreciate that someone actually put the watch under a microscope and gave us an unbiased look at the product itself. I'm still a fan of Fears and hope that they will continue to improve their product.

    • @andresfg6788
      @andresfg6788 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@ugabrew what I don't appreciate is that the review is very negative and that he didn't care to contact the company and ask them to fix it as they would do for sure. There are QC issues in all brands, personally I've had it in JLC, IWC and Omega.. but I did contact them and most fix it. That's something that this review doesn't take into account and being negative is not equal to being objective. I've held Fears watches in person and have tag this guy in macro photos without this QC issues. So what I say also is one example can't lead to generalizations of a brand

  • @JimLecinski
    @JimLecinski ปีที่แล้ว +5

    another great review, thanks. I had been eyeing this one but just don't think blue hands match (wish they were dark gray like the markers). But man such poor QC for $3k make it a pass.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you and ya I agree, not quite as good as you’d expect

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@mybrainlikesthings it’s just a large watch and aesthetically it’s not quite for me.

  • @michaelfierman3256
    @michaelfierman3256 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This was disappointing! And as you know I fall into the category of someone who does want to support Nicholas and the brand itself. I think I could live with the tiny marks on the numerals; especially given that they are kinda gunmetal and that implies to me maybe a roughness…but does that go with gold? Not to me. But here’s the thing. I seem to recall right from the beginning of the Brunswicks that they have a guy who makes those hands by hand for the most part and it just seems his skill level does not meet up with a macro ( or loupe) scrutinization. A better example is that platinum one they make. We know platinum is harder to work with but my goodness you can see how rough they look from wrist distance. No macro needed. A re-think is definitely in order. I liked your point about the logo, though I hadn’t thought about it before. Slightly larger would be better. Great presentation. Your eye for detail really shone through today with the small issue with the straps. Excellent review today with an unfortunate conclusion

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It is unfortunate because as a collector who sways toward the odd and new “independent-ish” brands I would love to have a fears. But every experience I’ve had was sub par to the price they offer and the story they claim for the piece. Maybe one day everything will equalize but that remains to be seen. And yes the hand finished hands aren’t well finished.

  • @Nefville
    @Nefville ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I don't want to be too harsh on this watch or brand but I think with a 2.5mm thick movement the overall watch should be thinner, the QC should definitely be better and I wish they would back off the British made angle and just focus on making good watches. There is no reason this watch should cost $3600 with VAT, and absolutely not with QC like that.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I agree with ya. The thickness isn’t so much an issue for me because the rounded nature to the case is visually interesting but it could be sleeker and much better executed

    • @dparis2172
      @dparis2172 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      What do you mean by back off the British made angle? Pretend it’s made in some generic space?
      I think the British made angle is a positive. I don’t see where it’s being overdone. 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • @melo11n
    @melo11n ปีที่แล้ว +2

    wow this is disappointing. I've been following the brand for a few years now and they always talk about their top notch QC. However, lately I have been very annoyed on their social media. They have an annual post during black Friday sale that they don't do sales since their watches are top notch-to which was very annoying, like cmon give the spotlight to brand that offer sales you know. And now this? and you said this you you've handled two of them? They need to step it up.

  • @PizzaHomie
    @PizzaHomie ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Argh! Such a disappointment that Fears has these quality control issues. I've been considering the Brunswick as a bit of a grail piece as I absolutely love the design. I really hope they address these problems because after this revealing video, I'm unfortunately out until changes are made.

  • @sabeaniebaby
    @sabeaniebaby ปีที่แล้ว +3

    No one scrutinizes watches like you do. I think your analyses are very fair.

  • @BonDijon
    @BonDijon ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Damn... Sucks there is so many issues, esp. for that price point, bc I do like the design :/

  • @DavidCosmos1
    @DavidCosmos1 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I want to support Fears but i do feel Nicholas is being less than honest with pics of him QC’ing with his loop, personally qc’ing every watch until recently and selling himself as a former Rolex employee focused on quality. At this price point the quality is not acceptable when compared to other brands at same or lower price. I want a salmon dial but right now it’s PR talk and style over substance. Hopefully improvements come and more honest reviews. Well done amazing video and channel keep up the good work. PS. I have been told by others that this not a one off issue with Fears but could not factually confirm

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว

      Completely agree. I can only go off personal experience I’ve handled two fears watches and the last one was been more badly finished than this one. So I would assume it’s not a one off issue

  • @AlphaConde-qy7vi
    @AlphaConde-qy7vi ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Interesting dial and hands... but 3000€+ for that package is absolutely bonkers ! 😐
    This couldn't realistically be more expensive than a Farer - and that's assuming the finish were perfect to boot.

  • @jaredstephenson6468
    @jaredstephenson6468 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow the quality issue pretty much permanently damaged how I felt about the brand. I considered a Fears Redcliff my next larger purchase and this pretty much verified that it won't be something I'm going to spend my money on. Yikes. Really, really bad for $4k.

  • @ihopetowin
    @ihopetowin 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    With regard to the sizing of the font: "I've long admired Laurent Ferrier - he is able to do what I think all good watch brands should be able to, and that is cover up the name on the dial and have the hands tell you who made the watch"
    - NICHOLAS BOWMAN-SCARGILL

    • @dultanur
      @dultanur 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Another favorite of mine, Serica, don't even put it up there... You still know what it is immediately. I agree with Nicholas on this.

  • @miguelmal
    @miguelmal 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great review. I like the design, but for the money, those hands are awful and I would return it and probably never buy from them again. Odd of them to rave about quality control and then they give you a watch with hands that rough for $3.5k. Disappointing indeed.

  • @drewski5150
    @drewski5150 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Would be interesting to see this compared directly to Farer. Also a British microbrand using ETAs and Sellitas, but roughly around a third of the price.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      From experience the farer is better I reviewed the Lethbridge recently and hardly a qc issue about and wore very well too

  • @xdeth68
    @xdeth68 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    was considering this exact dial but looking elsewhere now for a premium time only unqiue dial watch.

  • @allthingsgood156
    @allthingsgood156 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Beautiful watch, I have a Duckworth Prestex, same case, orange dial. I think part of same family. I love it and its much cheaper, Miyota 9 series, the case shape makes it a strap monster. If Fears want to exist at that price they need to heed your words

  • @MegaRich7
    @MegaRich7 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    If I think of overpriced watches, this brand would definately rate very high.

  • @lambertsimnel100
    @lambertsimnel100 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As a Brit I can be honest and say that whilst we make watches that look good they aren’t very good under the bonnet. No idea if this applies to Fears but other brands have poor reliability.

  • @PizzaHomie
    @PizzaHomie ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for the honest and fair review. I'm curious if Fears will contact you (The Knight's Watch) directly. I'm sure they will have seen this video by now and it doesn't paint them in the best light, justifiably so.

  • @zHumanfactor
    @zHumanfactor ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A very thoughtful review, especially regarding the cons.

  • @brucebush5744
    @brucebush5744 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    The QC issues are very disappointing - but even without them, it’d be difficult to justify spending 3x more on this than the Farer cushion range.

  • @chia-mingyang5804
    @chia-mingyang5804 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Now I understand what you meant before. Yes these defects are not acceptable regarding the price.

  • @markotoole7937
    @markotoole7937 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That's honestly shocking at the price of their watches.

  • @chrishennemeyer7276
    @chrishennemeyer7276 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Sad. As you point out, it's a lovely design and the dial is superb, but those QC issues are inexcusable.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว

      Agreed, unfortunate it multiple ways but we’ll see what happens in the future. It would take a lot for me to go back to a fears though

  • @rizzobjones7548
    @rizzobjones7548 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You seem to get a lot of sleepers.. I always like the watches you show..So is it good taste or just getting lucky?

    • @rizzobjones7548
      @rizzobjones7548 ปีที่แล้ว

      Damn I liked that watch.. The roughness is bad.. They do brag aboout the quility control

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I have terrible taste so must just be getting lucky at the moment haha

  • @roycedot
    @roycedot ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Even without QC issues, I was having a hard time seeing the value, especially with an ETA movement

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว

      It’s fair, I wouldn’t mind the eta if the rest of the watch was fantastic but it’s not the case here

  • @tockingwatches2377
    @tockingwatches2377 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Fair review.

  • @UltraDoug
    @UltraDoug 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Oooof, makes you really appreciate the finishing on more popular brands. I hope that Fears can get the QC under control. Great designs, ideas and history.

  • @chowyeung
    @chowyeung 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The poor finishing of the markers and hands is a deal breaker. I’ll buy other watches with good QC.

  • @sugondesenuts69
    @sugondesenuts69 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for the review. Briefly considered the Brunswick 40. I really wanna see more reviews on Fears watches on TH-cam.

  • @WparuSlowach
    @WparuSlowach ปีที่แล้ว

    Farer outperforms this watch in every angle. Every.

  • @melo11n
    @melo11n ปีที่แล้ว

    great review btw. I saw your Versa review and you do good work.

  • @paultokeley
    @paultokeley ปีที่แล้ว

    Shame i was about to buy this watch until i saw the imperfections.

  • @johndoe-ep7qk
    @johndoe-ep7qk 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    WAY overpriced

  • @morgan97475
    @morgan97475 ปีที่แล้ว

    Has anyone from Fears reached out to you regarding these QC issues you've highlighted?

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ya they did reach out and offer to fix it but I had already sold the watch by that point. It’s nice to see they would reach out without me even coming to them. I’ve had a watch sent back to them in the past and they couldn’t qc it well enough so they offered a refund

  • @adlzag1290
    @adlzag1290 ปีที่แล้ว

    Besides the “heritage”, there isn’t really an reason to spend the extra cash for a Fears vs. Farer. I made that mistake and I truly regret it. Never again will I get a Fears.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Not much to disagree with there. I’m sure the watch is expensive to make but it seems that some of those decisions are for the sake of it rather than making an ultimately amazing end product

  • @akmaster001
    @akmaster001 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Your reviews are the best and most realistic, where can I get the Time not wasted poster behind you, i'd like to have one on my wall too.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you, I got the poster randomly off of Etsy. I couldn’t seem to find it again after a quick browse unfortunately

  • @luminthenight2120
    @luminthenight2120 ปีที่แล้ว

    Well that’s disappointing. Thanks for the in depth look at this watch.

  • @stoic900
    @stoic900 ปีที่แล้ว

    Have you contacted Fears about these issues?

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว

      Ya reached out to them before when I ordered my first blue dial Brunswick and they weren’t able to fix the issues. They did reach out and offer to try to fix this one but I didn’t bond with it enough to want to keep it

  • @gabrielscheer255
    @gabrielscheer255 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great unbiased review. Quite surprising to see such serious QC issues at this price point and with some well established premium brands in general. I would be intrigued to see you review some Aliexpress brands, particularly Escapement Time that seems to have a cult following. Thank you and I am looking forward to your continued work

  • @natsabbah91
    @natsabbah91 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Damn, you have got to be one of the most articulate and thorough watch reviewers i’ve ever watched! Great stuff.
    Shame about this watch. Instantly loved the design when I first saw it. Had always been skeptical about the price tag though. Looks like I had reason to be.

  • @mocha8232
    @mocha8232 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Absolutely a very good review.
    By first glance it looks only like a USD300 to $400 watch. I doubt it uses a lot of gold. At this price and with such a simple design, the workmanship is shitty and I think minimal QC is involved. The brand probably does not expect anyone to magnify its watch to the size of a pizza to reveal all these craps. The scratches and marks are found everywhere on indices and hands, indicating that the problems are more than just a QC but a manufacturing process issue.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Very fair point. I had one other fears in the past and it was the worst qcd watch I’d ever had in hand, so something does need to change

  • @joshuakaplan5726
    @joshuakaplan5726 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    No one would notice any of these QC issues on this or any other piece from the naked eye. Basically you'll find imperfections in watch (even rolex) besides GS. I wouldn't have qc issues you can't see without a lupe deter from you buying a watch

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I understand where your coming from but when you are paying for a luxury items, it’s the attention to the details that don’t matter, that make it worth the price. It shows a lack of care and appreciation for the product especially when they claim to qc them intently. Had they never included that statement it wouldn’t have been as bad of a thing but it still is unacceptable for a luxury product

  • @andresfg6788
    @andresfg6788 ปีที่แล้ว

    Ohh how much I disagree with this review. Very salty and negative not objective. Plenty of more pros that could be said. Most if not all the QC issues are visible on macro on much more expensive high street brands. You need to dig deeper (not with a loupe) but with the small details to appreciate this timepiece.
    I'm disappointed with this review.

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว

      Please let me know what you find valuable about this watch. I’m interested to hear. I’ve owned 2 fears at this point and the first was so badly qc’d the marks on the hand and indices were visible even without a loupe and even at arms length.

    • @andresfg6788
      @andresfg6788 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@theknightswatch a lot of what you say and what I'm going to say is subjective but... I like the case much better than the Farer for example. Looks much more refined in person. The balance of the dial design is also clear to me. The numerals are indeed designed for them and that is not too common. The short lugs makes it a joy to wear. The way the numerals play with the light is enticing to me, even compared with much more expensive watches. The added comfort of using true alcantara as an underlining for the strap. The degree and feel of the case polish. The hand brushing on the top surrounding of the case, so nice and subtle. I could go on...
      In regards to the macro QC issues, I've had several issues with JLC, IWC and Omega. Did you reached out to Fears? A lot of the value in luxury items is in how they would react in that situation. (IWC is the worst).
      Btw when something is handmade is not perfection that is expected but rather the contrary.
      Lastly, perhaps one of the most legitimate and compelling stories in the new wave of british watchmaking.

    • @andresfg6788
      @andresfg6788 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ahh and this could extend to the presentation box. There's not a lot of companies using real wood nowadays, let alone british made. The presentation and packaging in my case were impeccable

    • @theknightswatch
      @theknightswatch  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@andresfg6788 I see where your coming from and of course subjective as you say. I don’t agree on all your points as is clear in the video. A big thing to is I don’t think brand stories should play in at all into the watches “quality” it’s either well made or not or we’ll made and some areas and lacking in others and those lacking qualities aren’t made up for by having a good or romantic reason for existing.
      And I understand and agree with the point of hand finished watches looking hand finished( to a point) but if you try to make that a selling point, then I’ll show that there are plenty of watches at the price, not finished by hand, that look much better. So if there isn’t a over romanticization of the craft, there are much better offerings out there.

    • @andresfg6788
      @andresfg6788 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@theknightswatch I completely disagree with your point of view in many ways.
      These are unnecessary and very archaic items, the reason to purchase them does go in hand with the romanticism of the story they offer. Nobody needs them or really needs any type of mechanical timekeeping these days. These are emotional purchases and so the story has a LOT to do with it and how you evaluate the watch. Hmm "well made" 🤔 as in "well machined" ?, as I said a machine could have had a much better and exact finish to this piece. But I believe you might have done the wrong thing in buying this watch. Is not meant for you. And that's OK.
      Go on with your loupe and QC a G-Shock I guarantee it will be better.