Last Updated on March 21, 2021 by swisswatchreview
A watch should be more than a functional piece. However, too many watches with a fashion flair lack certain horological sophistication. The question persists. Can a blinged-out watch be worth buying? Are all fashion watches all flash and no substance? A closer look at JBW watches might reveal the answers to these questions and more.
The History of JBW Watches
JBW is a relatively young watch brand. Founded in 2008, the company has only been operating for a decade. JBW is the brainchild of Amir Meghani. Meghani is an entrepreneur by trade, but he comes from a family tradition of watchmaking. The family has been making watches since the 1950s, and Meghani’s father and grandfather are credited with jumpstarting the watch industry in Dubai and throughout the Middle East.
Meghani’s family moved to the United States and quickly pursued their horology passions here in the 1990s. Meghani’s family set up shop in Dallas, and Meghani spent his early professional years working at the family business. While selling wholesale watches, Meghani worked with many clients in the rap industry. These high-end clients consistently wanted diamond-studded watches. With the store’s selection low on such offerings, Meghani started offering custom solutions.
To cater to these clients, Meghani bought watch designs from other companies. Then, he ordered those designs on watches from his manufacturer. This allowed him to create a unique blend of watches with a spectacular blinged-out style that was hard to find elsewhere.
With enough established success, Meghani decided to make it official. With 300 specialized diamond watches made, he started Just Bling Watches.
While there was plenty of demand, Meghani faced numerous challenges early on. The manufacturer tried to take the JBW trademark, and the company was bogged down in legal proceedings for nearly two years. To market the watches, Meghani relied heavily on grassroots efforts, and he set up shop at many local concerts to build his client base.
However, the watches did take off. Now, JBW watches are available across the United States with new inroads being made in the Middle East. The company just recently found traction in Saudi Arabia. Today, a third of the company’s sales are based out of this region.
Overall, JBW is doing well. The company has produced 250 unique watches to date. It has sales outlets in 40 countries.
Defined by Style
As the company’s background suggests, style is very important for JBW. The entire concept behind the brand is to deliver a very specific look for its customers. To that end, the feel of these watches is quite distinctive. JBW products are best characterized as flashy. There would be some who would call the look over-the-top. However, it is exactly the amount of bling that defines what this brand is all about.
The defining feature of all JBW watches is the diamonds. Each piece is encrusted with diamonds or Swarovski crystals. In many cases, the exterior is gold plated to enhance the overall ambiance. In order to properly showcase this bling, JBW does not go for an understated silhouette. These watches tend to be quite large. More often than not, a JBW watch will measure 50 millimeters in diameter.
Other than that, the styling can be called modern. It is a look that is frequently seen among rappers, and that is still where the JBW client base is strongest. Other flourishes will differentiate each watch from one another. Some are rounded. Others are squared with multiple faces. The variety ensures that these pieces can be worn like jewelry and changed out for fashion reasons. Meghani often talks about taking inspiration from major fashion houses like Louis Vuitton or Gucci when he designs his watches.
The Sparkling Question – Are the Diamonds Real?
The irony of JBW watches is that the price point is relatively affordable compared to other fashion brands. In fact, in this context, JBW watches can seem downright affordable. This leads people to question whether or not the diamonds are real.
To this end, the brand is very transparent. JBW uses real diamonds on all its watches. Its diamonds are sourced from India, and most of the watches from JBW use melee diamonds. These are small diamonds that are normally passed over for other jewelry pieces. However, when put together, they can still create a blinged-out look. Each diamond is only worth a few dollars, which is why JBW can use real diamonds without prices skyrocketing. Moreover, JBW keeps costs lower by using lower-grade diamonds that have reduced clarity. In diamonds this small, the difference in clarity is hard to spot with the naked eye.
Diamonds are often used alongside other gemstones. While each watch will be covered in bling, the typical timepiece will only have between 10 and 80 actual diamonds. JBW is upfront in the marketing of its pieces, but the buyer should read the specifications of each watch to see just how many actual diamonds are being used.
Manufacturing Considerations
Like the vast majority of watches on the market, JBW now manufacturers its products in China. It is always worth remembering that the quality of manufacturing in China can vary widely. There certainly are poor quality manufacturing facilities out there. However, there are also plenty of manufacturers that do good work and produce good products. Overall, JBW watches are made with higher quality than many other watches on the market.
The Substance of Quality
Ultimately, it comes down to a question of quality. The flashy side of JBW has been established. Therefore, now it is a good idea to look at the substance. In truth, there is good news. JBW may not be a top-tier brand, but it is far from poor. The quality is surprisingly good for a fashion brand.
Many fashion brands are scant on details when it comes to the horological makeup of their timepieces. This is not the case for JBW. JBW is very explicit about how its watches are constructed. JBW relies on both Japanese and Swiss quartz movements. While specific movements will vary from piece to piece, the most common quartz movements are Miyota or non-branded Seiko. This ensures good accuracy, and the battery life is about three years. Some JBW watches also use Swiss Ronda and ISA calibers. These offer even better reliability.
Beyond the bling, JBW uses stainless steel and mineral crystal. In particular, most of its timepieces use premium-class sapphire crystal. Considering that these watches typically cost less than $500, this is a pretty good value. JBW watch straps are made from quality genuine leather.
The main complaint people have with JBW watches is that they do not perform well in water. Although JBW watches come with water-resistant ratings, customers have consistently reported that these watches fail to live up to the demand. Therefore, it is best to keep these watches away from water whenever possible. JBW offers a standard international warranty for two years. Extra protection is available for an additional fee.
The Verdict on JBW Watches
Finally, JBW is a surprising brand that does not fit neatly into a box. While it is clearly a fashion brand with its distinctive styling, the brand also shows an unusual commitment to quality and horology at large. This is likely due to the brand’s unique origins, and Meghani’s family history has undoubtedly influenced the quality of the watchmaking.
Therefore, JBW is a brand that may surprise you. For a quality watch at a reasonable price, JBW is a worthwhile choice. You just have to decide if the over-the-top styling is the look you crave.
