Honestly, after digging around (thanks to the snippets you provided, which, let’s be real, look like a Google search gone wild), I’m still kinda on the fence. Like, I’m leaning towards “proceed with caution,” but not a definite “RUN AWAY SCREAMING.”
First off, the “black tier being about $100 per watch” thing? That’s a red flag right there. I mean, think about it. A watch, even a “microbrand” one, has to *cost* something to make. Are they REALLY giving you a deal, or are they just inflating the “value” of some cheap watches to make you think you’re getting a steal? I suspect the latter, tbh.
And then there’s the Duxot connection. Apparently, they’re tied to the same group that owns Spinnaker and other microbrands. Now, I’m not saying Spinnaker is *bad*, per se. But it definitely feels… manufactured, like a watch brand dreamed up in a boardroom rather than born from genuine passion. And, well, if Watch Gang is pushing *those* kind of brands, are you really getting quality? Or just paying for marketing hype?
I peeped some YouTube unboxing videos too, like the article suggested. And frankly, the watches I saw weren’t blowing my mind. Sure, some *looked* okay, but did they *feel* okay? Were they using quality movements? Or some generic Chinese movement slapped in a fancy case? The devil’s in the details, people!
The ScamMinder thing claiming “nothing confirming it to be a scam” but hinting at “questionable marketing practices”? That’s corporate speak for “We can’t prove they’re ripping you off, but something feels off.” Which, frankly, is how I feel too.
Look, maybe you’ll get lucky and snag a hidden gem. Maybe you’ll get a watch you actually love. But honestly, it feels like a gamble. You’re basically paying $100 (or more!) for a mystery box of watches. And knowing my luck, I’d probably end up with a bunch of watches I wouldn’t wear to walk the dog.
My personal opinion? If you’re serious about watches, save that money and put it towards a *specific* watch you actually want. Do your research, read reviews, and buy something you know you’ll cherish. You’ll probably be happier in the long run.
