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Expensive chess set♟that are setup wrong, and for that amount of money you should know better: a thread...
First we have this $100 marble set for @CB2. Board is sideways, “white on the right”, black square should be in the lower left
For $99 you can also get this cute set from @CrateandBarrel, board set up sideways, but the white king/queen are also switched - “queen on her color”
Crystal isn’t my thing, but for $720 this board with @swarovski pieces can be yours. Board is sideways, white queen (I think) on black...
For a bit over $1k @Macys sells this whole setup. Board set sideways, white queen on black
@neimanmarcus sells this set for $1800. Board sideways, black queen on right
For $4200 you can get this table from “Oomph” w/ pieces, that I think are Man Ray knockoffs board set sideways in latter photo
At $10k you get this amazonite set with walnut board from @TiffanyAndCo, board set sideways
And for $75k @TiffanyAndCo have a 24 karat gold set, board is oriented correctly, but the silver queen is not on her color
And finally we arrive at - I think - the worst offenders: the chess sets sold by @RalphLauren ...
Here is the $2k “Fowler” set by @RalphLauren, sold by @saks. Board is BUILT sideways. Unlike most boards that can just be turned, those handles define the board wrong
Here’s another $2k board by @RalphLauren sold by @Bloomingdales, this one w/ carbon fiber. Board built wrong, black queen on wrong color
And the “Sutton” board by @RalphLauren sold for $2k by @Bergdorfs, which I think is the same as the “Bond” set from @Bloomingdales above. Again, built wrong.
I was going to close noting not all luxury brands got it wrong, e.g. Hermès for example, but A) most did (!), and B) these are luxury brands, they should get it right. You would laugh if Omega showed an upside down watch
If I were a professional I might string together some narrative about the economics of luxury goods, quality control, and the importance of paying your product photographers... but instead I have a radical theory
I think these boards, Especially the most expensive ones, are set up exactly like they’re supposed to be. You get to observe how people react to them. KnowItAlls will be proud of themselves for knowing it all. If they miss it, YOUR smug satisfaction will be magnificent
These boards/sets are built to be noticed, and if you spend $75k on a golden board you WANT to talk about it. Swap one Queen, and enjoy!
Except for the @RalphLauren boards. Those are just cheap junk
Except for the @RalphLauren boards. Those are just cheap junk
