Made in China

[Paulinmalaga]

Rolex Watches are most definitely NOT made in China.

[El Cid]

Yes, but Apple watches are made in China and they are the most worn watch in the world. They outsell all the Swiss watches put together in terms of volume and value.

I’m not sure what that means but it is an interesting statistic.

Sid

[olive]

It means we can disregard that piece of information to fit the narrative!

For arguments sake we will say Apple watches are made in California.

[elusive]

Frankly i dont buy any expensive branded item regardless but even more so if its made in some third world factory where the workers live on pennies and across the room they are making the same item to be sold at half the price cause it doesnt have a label on it! First thing i do if im in a slighty expensive shop is to see where its made and you can guess between vietnam,bangledesh,china etc. Then have a good chunter about the mugs with more money than sense.

[markwilding]

sorry wrong thread

[costakid]

With watches it all depends if you want a fashion watch or a Swiss made investment. Apple watch will be in the bin in 4 years or so because they will update the operating system so you have to buy another new watch. If you buy a Rolex it will out live you and your kids will have something to sell for a massive profit.
Apple watches may be the most worn but they take probably 10 minutes to make. A Rolex or Patek takes a year.

[BENIDORM]

My first good watch was a Longines, probably still in the mud in Gibraltar, .....long story...

I do have a 'good watch' 70 + years old, but I rarely wear it, every year I select 4 watches direct from China usually less than 10 euros including postage...for all of them..
So I change them regularly, don't worry about losing them or having them stolen and when they 'conk out' , usually just need a new battery,but I make them into pictures with my little craft classes...so good value and I buy from the 'smaller' traders in China.
I recycle just about everything ..
Regards,
Gordon the Womble...

[Manchesteral]

My brother has a Rolex which he inherited from our uncle ( I got something else) he has the original bill of sale showing that it cost less than $100.00 in 1953 in Germany, it was valued two years ago at around £1900.00 so indeed a good investment, on the other hand I have seen a Roleks for sale in Chatuchak for $10.00 !!

[costakid]

My brother has a Rolex which he inherited from our uncle ( I got something else) he has the original bill of sale showing that it cost less than $100.00 in 1953 in Germany, it was valued two years ago at around £1900.00 so indeed a good investment, on the other hand I have seen a Roleks for sale in Chatuchak for $10.00 !!

\\

A 100 dollar Rolex in 1953 is worth a lot more than 1900 for sure

[El Cid]

Since Swiss watches are not made in China please can we get back on topic.

Sid

[Benal Pirate]

I was involved in imports - one aspect of the trade is that it is so cheap to transport from China. The cost of transporting a container say from Felixstowe to the UK destination by lorry is greater than the shipping cost from China!

[Lavanda]

That's an interesting statistic, Benal Pirate. I never knew that. Have you got the stats for the pollution transportation from China creates? I think saving the planet is still on the agenda and China's manufacturing base is one of the most polluting in the world.

[costakid]

I used to ship to Hong Kong in the 90s. The reason the shipping is cheap from UK to Asia is because the boats are full coming into the UK and EU but empty in those days going back. They earn there money on the outbound leg and anything like cars, plant or trucks is all a bonus on the return leg. When I used to go to Sheerness docks there was always lots of old Mercedes all lined up waiting to be shipped to Asia.

[peteroldracer]

The next Chinese export looks like it will be 200,000 Hong Kong Chinese coming to live in the UK...

[Wicksey]

Managed to get some mens' sports socks in Carrefour yesterday with a 'Made in the EU' sticker on them (made in Portugal). That's a rarity. Perhaps we'll see it more often now?

[olive]

That's an interesting statistic, Benal Pirate. I never knew that. Have you got the stats for the pollution transportation from China creates? I think saving the planet is still on the agenda and China's manufacturing base is one of the most polluting in the world.

Pollution from shipping. No one is interested as it happens out at sea. Lots of very heavy polluters out there. Cars are an easy target as they are highly visible and owned by individuals.

Anyone remember Walker Wingsail from maybe 40 years ago. There idea was a large computer controlled sail on ships to reduce fuel use. They went bust, I think, as the price of fuel plummeted due to a world glut. Maybe time for a sail comeback.!