JoshTheCanadian
341
My 2c
Mar 27, 2024,15:31 PM
The Fleming is a fine looking watch. I wish the eponymous founder and his team the best of luck, and I look forward to seeing the next offering. A solid first entry that is not divisive - to me, it reminds me of the Biver watch. I am sure it looks lovely in person.
But - come on, you knew there had to be a "but" - I am not putting my name down for this one. And I hope that, going forward, we see some more chutzpah from the brand. I have said this before, but the first offering from Fleming is completely lacking in personality. I have not seen anything, in any interview, where the founder has articulated his vision for the brand or why he started the brand or really anything. "I have been an enthusiast for a few years and thought it would be cool to create a watch" is not a story that I find particularly compelling - although I do respect that he got his behind off the couch and made something.
I think that some have complained about the price of the watch, and I think the complaints are fair. For a watch that is $50,000, I expect some intangibles to go along with the watch. The Fleming watch seems like less of a brand, and more of a made to order project. Like something that a retailer might do. Compare that to, say, a JN Shapiro, where the dude created his own U.S. manufacture.
In my view, an interesting counter to the Fleming watch is the Berneron Mirage - which I have personally purchased, and thus carry some bias. The Fleming and Berneron are about the same price. With the latter, you are getting a solid gold movement, a movement built from the ground up, input from a plainly talented designer, a clear brand philosophy, and a unique, shaped watch and movement - and I am sure that I am missing something. With the former... well, I am not sure what you are getting aside from a well-made watch. That might be enough for some - but it is not enough for me.