Clearly written and depicts the situation perfectly. I won't apply to the GPHG. Hopefully some real Award Competition will be created with another organisation
On an interesting note, I’ve been purchasing Hermès straps (albeit sparingly) since 2016. Last year something peculiar happened. In four different stores in three different countries.
Most sales associates have no idea what “lug size” is, let alone buckle size. On the two Hermès stores in Brazil, I’ve had to kindly ask for the SA to bring out the strap tray so I could physically see what they had, and figure out myself what size they were.
They are trained to match the straps to their existing watches, not to other brands in general.
After some back and forth I was able to identify a number in the strap’s inner lining that showed the lug size as well as the buckle size. Funnily enough, for Hermès the buckle size for their 19mm and 20mm straps is 17mm — quite an unusual size, and their buckles are sold separately. And, to make it even better, they hardly ever have these buckles in store. Each buckle is around €80.
The particularity of the SAs not knowing about the strap size didn’t only happen in Brazil, but in Amsterdam and Vienna as well. In Amsterdam, I also taught the SA how to figure out the sizing, and in Vienna, the same happened again (although one other SA joined us later and he knew what he was talking about).
It’s worth checking out every now and then, but honestly the hassle in general (with knowledge and limited stock) and with the buckle in particular makes it ever so slightly jarring.
As of now, my favorite strap maker is Atelier Tamago (@ataliertamago) from Japan — immaculate quality and impeccable customer service. Best I’ve seen so far.
This is exactly the problem I was telling Faheem. Something most watch enthusiast would find basic (identifying lug and buckle width) may not be that easy to the layperson / salesperson.
The look on their faces when I told them that the straps were to be put on “non-Hermès” watches was priceless. Multiple times they told me it wouldn’t fit… until they saw that it did fit indeed they were genuinely surprised. (Minus the goddamn buckle naturally).
It’s not the hardest thing to train them to do, but for someone who isn’t particularly versed in this like we are, it can be a bit mind-boggling.
Clearly written and depicts the situation perfectly. I won't apply to the GPHG. Hopefully some real Award Competition will be created with another organisation
I’m glad to see someone speaking the truth about Wei Kohs appointment to the joke entity of GPHG.
As someone who owns multiple straps per watch, I found this analysis fascinating!!
On an interesting note, I’ve been purchasing Hermès straps (albeit sparingly) since 2016. Last year something peculiar happened. In four different stores in three different countries.
Most sales associates have no idea what “lug size” is, let alone buckle size. On the two Hermès stores in Brazil, I’ve had to kindly ask for the SA to bring out the strap tray so I could physically see what they had, and figure out myself what size they were.
They are trained to match the straps to their existing watches, not to other brands in general.
After some back and forth I was able to identify a number in the strap’s inner lining that showed the lug size as well as the buckle size. Funnily enough, for Hermès the buckle size for their 19mm and 20mm straps is 17mm — quite an unusual size, and their buckles are sold separately. And, to make it even better, they hardly ever have these buckles in store. Each buckle is around €80.
The particularity of the SAs not knowing about the strap size didn’t only happen in Brazil, but in Amsterdam and Vienna as well. In Amsterdam, I also taught the SA how to figure out the sizing, and in Vienna, the same happened again (although one other SA joined us later and he knew what he was talking about).
It’s worth checking out every now and then, but honestly the hassle in general (with knowledge and limited stock) and with the buckle in particular makes it ever so slightly jarring.
As of now, my favorite strap maker is Atelier Tamago (@ataliertamago) from Japan — immaculate quality and impeccable customer service. Best I’ve seen so far.
This is exactly the problem I was telling Faheem. Something most watch enthusiast would find basic (identifying lug and buckle width) may not be that easy to the layperson / salesperson.
The look on their faces when I told them that the straps were to be put on “non-Hermès” watches was priceless. Multiple times they told me it wouldn’t fit… until they saw that it did fit indeed they were genuinely surprised. (Minus the goddamn buckle naturally).
It’s not the hardest thing to train them to do, but for someone who isn’t particularly versed in this like we are, it can be a bit mind-boggling.