A non-commercial version of a watch guide has surely been long awaited by many. Apart from the ratings and opinions (to each their own...) the sheer amount of the watch database supplied here is simply staggering. The initial release has over 600 watch models (dials and metals only count as one watch), over 30 brands and an estimate of over 3,000 high-quality pictures. Every several weeks a dozen brands with their complete collections (provided they are above a score of 50) will be added from here until sumer to roughly end up with well over 1,500 watches and 150 brands. Since only watches that rate over 50 overall score will be featured, what ever is on this guide can be considered as an "over average" product. There will be an estimate of about 10,000 high-quiality pictures in total considering different dial colors and case metals. All these watches can be filtered by aproximate price, complication, ratings, etc... Nothing in the watch world of this magnitude has reached the iPad yet.
Initially "The Watch Enthusiast" was meant to be only a printed hardcover book/guide to be issued annually in the pure "Michelin" guide tradition. The first printed issue will appear next year as "TWE's 888" and will feature only the best 888 watches of the year. The iPad application was created in response to the potentially overwhelming database of watches that would or could not be featured in the printed version.
Ratings are passed by panelists that are "specialized" on several brands. These ratings before being published can be vetoed by other panelists and once published the brands have the possibility themselves to veto these ratings by presenting allegations if they so desire. The criteria are transparent and as objective as possible. The ratings are subject to change if need be, nothing is for ever. For instance if a relatively new movement has "youth" issues in a negative manner or in a positive manner if these issues are resolved over time.
The ratings and database will only be available through the iPap application (iPhone and Android are on its way...) and the printed annual guide.
iTunes store...
The Watch Enthusiast...
Looks awesome. Can't wait to see it!
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