A matter of taste

BIG T LI Senior Member

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A matter of taste

I love Renato... I really do...

I think Daniel Mink is a brilliant guy, I enjoy the Renato shows and the designs, and the

quality of their watches.

I only own one, but it is a stand out in my collection and a delight every time it's on my

wrist! I feel great wearing my T-Rex.

I would certainly own more Renatos if it weren't for 2 things...

1) price point:

Seems like every time my jaw drops and my tongue is hanging over a Renato... it's just way

too expensive. Alternatively, when I see one that I can afford, I'm usually not head-over-

heels.

2) small accents that spoil the watch for me

examples....

I probably would have bought the recent Beast X TTV... even though it is only 46mm and I

would never need that international city voyager function... still a VERY cool interchangeable

bad boy! Green/black was killer!

Then I saw something that I really did not like... I feel it is just kind of unnecessary and a

bit tacky... the name BEAST on the end of the rubber strap nearest the case.

It's just RIGHT THERE... not subtle at all.... I don't know, maybe I'm the only one, but I don't like that. I want the watch to be clean and somewhat "anonymous". Let the watch

speak for itself, after all I know what I bought, I know what it's called, and I'll gladly tell

anyone that asks!!

Another issue I have is with some of Renato's bezels... here's one that says "Limited

Edition" ...

That turns me right off. Really?? Right on the bezel?? I believe all or most Renatos are limited editions or limited production and that is awesome, but I can find that out by

reading the caseback where the watch is numbered. Why does it have to be so prominently

featured on the bezel where only numbers or markers should be? And in such an

unappealing generic-looking script font?

Again... maybe I'm the only one... but it's little accents like this that have kept me away

from certain models.

It's like getting great service at a high-end car dealer and then when you pick your car up

you see they've put on that plastic license plate frame on the back with the company name

and phone number. It obstructs the natural beauty, for the sake of promotion or informing

the public. Almost "pimping" the product.

Thanks for reading... matter of taste??? Your thoughts???

T

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#2

08-02-2010, 07:05 PM

desert rex Senior Member

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I would pick up the ones you do like,forget about the price,you can always make more money.what can you buy in retail that comes close to a Renato for Daniels price.Forget

about what you can get on line.your still getting a better value than all the people who do

buy in the Retail world.

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#3

08-02-2010, 07:13 PM

Z4MC Senior Member

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I agree with the OP- I have 17 Renatos and I love them all and from time to time Daniel

does these things that either I don't like if I own it or keeps me from owning it. BUt hey it

comes with the brand- NEVER a problem with the Vulcans however or the Wilde Beast Divers

for instance. But sometimes the diamonds just don't work on his designs but he puts them in

there anyway... But I have seen this with other brands too. __________________

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public with the public's money. ...Alexis de Tocqueville after travelling to America 1834

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#4

08-02-2010, 07:24 PM

BG Senior Member Super Geek

Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 1,679

Real Name: Barry

I don't mind the Beast on the ends of the Interchangeable.. Looks good and balanced to me.. I don't do a lot of traveling, but do like the traveler function, the nice blue led backlit

with an easy way to access it (pusher at the 10:00), and the secondary time zone that is

easy to set too.

Not crazy about putting the limited edition on the bezel on the Trex you showed. Drives me

a little nuts when they do something like that, or when they put the word Date by the date

window, like we don't know what it is...

There are always things that will bother you about some watches, so you just have to choose what you really like.

My Beasts (black and blue) will arrive on Wednesday... Just about the fastest shipping ever

for me from a purchase on Shop. Can't wait.. A renato with a new case design, a curved sapphire crystal and bezel, a solid SS bracelet and the rubber strap for $165.00... Can't beat

that deal, which is why they sold over 3,000 of them in 1 day..

Thought the price on the Sporgenza was really good too at under $300.00,. and a great looking 50mm watch! They even had some T-REX's under $300.00 that had beautiful MOP

dials and some diamonds... Would be all over those if I had the $$$..

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#5

08-02-2010, 08:50 PM

BigBully Senior Member

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i like the BEAST on the strap, i think it gives a nice ID to the watch and sport look. afterall, look @ yur TREX it most likely does say TREX on the end of the end link.

limtd edition-like that too, it shows others what yur wearing..not everyone turns yur

caseback over.

far as price point-easily solved. you may just need to be a yr or so behind the currnt

models...

i have now 14 Renatos...good # of them from EBAY. some discontinued models that i had to

pay a premium for and then some others that i won and was suprised i wasnt outbid. i just saw a TREX GEN II sell for $194. ya just gotta be right place @ right time BUT dont bid on

what i am bidding on. i hate losing. haha

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#6

08-02-2010, 08:52 PM

WatchYaThink Senior Member Master WatchGeek

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I have 10 Renatos, and I like them a lot, one of my favorite brands .... but, nodoby bats a

hundred, and I do agree with the two specific examples you gave. I also did not go for the

ttv, but more because it's ana-digi. I did pick up a new Mostro though during the last

rotation, and can't wait to get it. Yeah, the price point is a little bit higher, I "build up" a justification for it by saving up my watch budget .... the Mostro for example was $400 ....

Yeah, I could have bought two $200 "other" watches ..... but, I will enjoy the Mostro twice

as much. I'm kind of at the point where I appreciate having fewer watches that I enjoy more

rather than lots of watches that I could easilly afford. __________________ "He who marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, for him a spinal cord would fully suffice" - Albert Einstein

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#7

08-02-2010, 09:16 PM

kix1in Senior Member Senior Geek

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Real Name: Joseph

I agree fully with your observation Tommy. I was excited about this affordable price and was

going to purchase the interchangeable in black. This would be my first Renato until they

aired it. All of your notes were what kept me from buying it. I loved the Wildebeasts and the Vulcans but not at the price, even the VPs were too high I thought. Renatos are great

watches, but just too much.

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#8

08-02-2010, 10:19 PM

MamboKing Senior Member Veteran Geek

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You make some good points, especially the limited ed on the bezel. The beast I can live with.

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#9

08-02-2010, 10:46 PM

CharlieB Senior Member True WatchGeek

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Location: On the Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,432

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I agree with what you said, but I've found what turns off one person, turns on another...lots

of different tastes out there.

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#10

08-02-2010, 11:18 PM

watch addict Member

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I have an older titanium with rubber strap that has beast stamped in the same place and my T rex also is stamped with it vertical. I tend to like them that way but whatever floats your

boat.

WA

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#11

08-02-2010, 11:34 PM

heronmark Senior Member

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For me it's the diamonds that are a deal-breaker. Don't care for the writing on the bezel the

more I look at it though. __________________

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#12

08-02-2010, 11:45 PM

TheMatrix Senior Member Master WatchGeek

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Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 2,993

I like the Ana-Digi Renatos. However, some are a bit too high for my liking. The Beast X TTV

was a great price and I just had to pickup a few. hehe There are a couple of models that I don't own yet, but would like to in the future. For example, Vulcan, Mostro, and new

Sporgenza 50mm.

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#13

08-03-2010, 02:00 AM

watchwarlord711 Senior Member Senior Geek

Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toledo,Ohio Posts: 130

Real Name: Shayne

im a big time renato fan,,owning over 30 of them...but on your two main points especially

the printing on the bezel,,i do agree with you!!! as far as the price points well sometimes

they are a little high compared to some of the others,,however with renato you really due get alot less watches produced ,,and if i like the watch im always willing to pay a little more

for having a limited edition!!! my only complaint about renato is sometimes they in my

opinion go over board with diaomonds every where,,its toooo much,for me sometimes less is

more!!!! __________________

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#14

08-03-2010, 04:24 AM

Zeithalter Senior Member

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Posts: 790 Real Name: John Hajny

Hey;

You will always find things about each piece that may not fit your personal taste puzzle. The

name on the strap end plate does not bother me, but I concede your personal preference.

That's a simple thing. Take it to a good jeweler and have it buffed away. Easy, as it is in the stainless, and easy to alter without a trace. I agree about the LE on the bezel. That REALLY

turned me off. Exceptionally tacky, I thought, but it would not have kept me from buying

that piece if it sang to me. It is rather silly to call ANY Renato anything other than limited,

given their fairly small market presence, and I couldn't care less anyway. Anyone thinking 46mm is small needs some perspective. So too will the flash and high style of a Renato

overcome any thought that a piece will disappear on the wrist. Renatos stand out no matter

the size! As for price, well... I think you get what you pay for with a Renato. They are not

WalMart watches, like others here, and I hope they never become so. They are high style, high concept, VERY high execution pieces. No, I am not made of money either, and I've

swallowed hard when hitting the "buy it" button on many occasions, but I feel it has been

worth it.

Somewhere, even in the small Renato universe, there must be one that deserves your

companionship.

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#15

08-03-2010, 05:12 AM

Sirbey Member Member Geek

Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 87

To each his own, my brother. I own a lot of watches, at least 30 are Renatos. For the

money, you cannot beat the quality. Shop wisely, and of course buy what you like.

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#16

08-03-2010, 06:01 AM

[email protected] Senior Member Senior Geek

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I had to get at least 1 Renato. I bought the interchangeable strap T-Rex with the purple dial.

I think it's a bit over the top in being flashy but looks and wears well as a summer just for

fun watch.

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#17

08-03-2010, 06:27 AM

wvuguy Senior Member Senior Geek

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Posts: 164 Real Name: Donn

Like others, I fully acknowledge/support your right to feel however you choose about the design aspects in question.

For the record, I myself don't care two cents for this obsession Daniel seems to have with

diamond numerals. They strike me personally as a complete waste of time, effort, and

money while adding nothing more than irrelevant bling. However, I felt the sheer value of

the two Renatos I now own.....the T-Rex and Beast LE interchangeables.....far exceeded any

design issues I may have had with them. I think John Hajny makes a good point in that Renato is a comparatively high-style proposition, and doesn't try to hide it. By definition,

that both broadens.....and limits.....its appeal.

As for your pricing issues, I don't know what to say about them. I myself simply know what I'm willing to pay.....and not to pay.....for any watch. Frankly, it took the promo pricing on

both the T-Rex and Beast to get me into Renato; without them, I wouldn't own either. That's

particularly true of the Beast; I wouldn't have touched it at $240. However, I found it much

more financially-compelling at an almost 1/3 discount from that price point. Regardless of how it looks, it's a helluva lot of watch at $170 (as is/was the T-Rex at $200).

In the final analysis, perhaps Renato simply isn't a good fit versus other lines more suited to

your personal needs and tastes.

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#18

08-03-2010, 07:08 AM

BigBully Senior Member

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guys, if you put into perspective the price points on Renatos arent that bad, especially for

what you get... i mean 1st compare to other shopnbc brands or brands we see on here... 1st

let's say the Mostro or new vulcan @ $400 or so... ok, the new invictas...Arsenal, Sea

hunter, SAN IV, etc are near that price point. Deep blue close to it. you cant touch a Ritmo

under $400, nor can you get near a NFW for much under that. the new Viperfish that everyone is waiting for will be near $500 i'm sure.

then go to your local mall or jewelry store and find heck not even a Tag or high end, just

look @ a Movado, Bulova, Seiko...you're gonna be near or over $400.

so Renatos on SHOPNBC arent really that high in price....

sure they more than most of the Invicta line and Android but compare items and you'll realize all is pretty much in line, actually i think you'll find that if we werent so "spoiled" with

great pricing that Renatos are actually under priced.

if we the average person that bought a watch every now and then and went into jewelry

store or Macys we'd easily pay $600+ for the likes of a TREX, or Vulcan.

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#19

08-03-2010, 07:30 AM

ItsDavo Senior Member Super Geek

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Hand Made = $$$

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#20

08-03-2010, 05:17 PM

bigdial Senior Member

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Agree with you on the Limited Edition all over the bezel. I do not agree with the BEAST on

the rubber strap. I am not wild about it but it is alright. Different. I see you point about it.

That being said it is an interchangeable strap. Toss out the rubber and put the bracelet on it....it's only $165. Beside you will be able to by another type of strap for it in the future. I

was not wild about the movement but I still purchased the black/green. It was worth it for

me. Also will make a great gift for someone. Hey there is always Android's new design's

coming up. It's okay to save your money!

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#21

08-03-2010, 05:58 PM

heavyjumbo Senior Member

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I agree with both observations.

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#22

08-03-2010, 06:10 PM

Neil Senior Member Senior Geek

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Renato watches were never designed to be subtle. Daniel strives to keep them exclusive but

is finding it hard in a hard economy. I have 8 of his watches now and love them all for

different reasons. I picked up the New beast the other day, I don't especially like Ani-digi

watches, but the overall look of the watch was very appealing. I especially liked the new knurled Basel and the luggs on the Strap.

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#23

08-03-2010, 06:22 PM

Koz123 Senior Member Senior Geek

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I love Renato's and don't mind paying more for them, I love knowing I can walk out of the

house rocking my Renato and see other people with the same cookie cutter watches on. My

only complaint is please enough with the Black IP and Diamonds.

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#24

08-03-2010, 08:24 PM

watchobs Senior Member

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It's being delivered on Thurs.

Not disagreeing with OP, but for me it works!

Will eventually post pict. and you can than

judge for yourself.

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#25

08-03-2010, 08:41 PM

wvuguy Senior Member

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Perhaps this isn't the case with face colors other than black, but I honestly think the Beast

looks better with the strap than with the typically well-done Renato bracelet. The barrels on either side perfectly complement the bracelet/strap release buttons, and the strap just

seems (to my eyes, at least) to offer the ideal look for this timepiece......which I realize is

sacrilege for the legions of folks around here that think bracelets are the only way to go.

Hotspur Senior Member Super Geek

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Don't particularly care for anything on the face of the watch telling me or anyone else how

"special" or expensive it is. Also don't care for brand names or model names inscribed on

the case, bracelet or strap. As to price, I think Daniel has actually backed 'em down a tad

since the projected prices of early spring. Didn't think they would "stick" in this economic climate.

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#27

Yesterday, 07:09 PM

sakura obata Senior Member

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotspur Don't particularly care for anything on the face of the watch telling me or anyone else how

"special" or expensive it is. Also don't care for brand names or model names inscribed on

the case, bracelet or strap.

I agree, Adding the name on the outside of a case or bracket is tacky and lowers the value

of a piece. IMO The inside of a case or strap is fine.

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#28

Yesterday, 07:26 PM

Governor Member Member Geek

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 32

I read your points .... But I took delivery today .... and Thank You Jesus ... what a sweeeeeeeeeeeet deal

I agree Renatos are expensive but for $167 or whatever ridiculous price with 4 VP's ...

This is the best deal i have ever had

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#29

Today, 05:17 AM

BobbyC Senior Member Veteran Geek

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As I wrote way back when that T-Rex Diver first came out the Limited Edition designation on

the bezel was done in extreme poor taste design-wise. It was a deal breaker for me and will

continue to be a deal breaker for me. That information belongs on the caseback or discretely

on the dial. I am also for eliminating all writing on dials except for Brand. logo, country of manufacture and water resistancy rating. The less writing on the dial the better.

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#30

Today, 06:18 AM

BIG T LI Senior Member Veteran Geek

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Location: Suffolk County, Long Island, NY Posts: 703

Real Name: Tommy

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobbyC As I wrote way back when that T-Rex Diver first came out the Limited Edition designation

on the bezel was done in extreme poor taste design-wise. It was a deal breaker for me and

will continue to be a deal breaker for me. That information belongs on the caseback or

discretely on the dial. I am also for eliminating all writing on dials except for Brand. logo,

country of manufacture and water resistancy rating. The less writing on the dial the better.

Absolutely... I still think it's a sweet watch, but for a piece like that with the 7750 movement, and diamond pave crown.... I don't want writing on the bezel!!

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#31

Today, 06:20 AM

CHRONOKEN Senior Member

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I feel the engraved "BEAST" is on the big side, and think it would look better smaller, or not at all.

I have several T-Rex models which have the T-Rex name engraved on the end link.

In the case of the T-Rex, the engraving is much smaller, so it's not a deal breaker for me.

However, you have touched on one thing that I feel degrades the appearance of a watch,

and that is the engraving of the company name on the side of the case.

I think it not only looks bad, but it's a shameful way to turn us into a walking advertisement.

I do a lot of custom work on my watches, changing everything from the movements, altering

dial elements,

making custom end links to attach a bracelet, in place of the straps, and anything that it

takes to make my watches my appealing to me.

When it comes to the engraved work, if it's not too deep, it can be easily removed, without

deforming the part.

On deeper engravings, I have to either alter the shape if there is sufficient material to work

with, or mill out the name, and install a filler block, or add a custom plate to cover it up. I know this may sound way over the top to most folks, but I would rather do the work, and

enjoy the watch, rather than pass on buying the watch because of the undesired elements.

As far as the "BEAST" engraving, there appears to be sufficient material to work with, so it can be removed, and the part polished so you would never know it was there.

If this watch is something that you really want, but just can't live with that engraved

"BEAST", at least you have an option.

I tell people all the time that if they don't like something about their watch, or what ever it

is, to not be afraid to work on it, and make it into something you will be happy with.

I have a couple of watches right now, that have the company name on the side that I want

to remove. Unfortunately, they will have to wait until I can replace my milling machine, that was destroyed a while back from a moving company. But you can bet once I get a new

mill, those names are the first projects.

Ken..