The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

[DLJr]

Make sure you look in to servicing costs for vintage VC so you know what you are getting in to.

 

[Kai]



Your Ferrari dealer example is quite interesting....but a tad off. First I'd say they don't always know how to deal with customers. An acquaintance who ones 2 Porsche 911s (each of which was about $120K), went into a Ferrari dealer with a few friend to look around. They pulled up in his Audi R8 V10. A sales person went over and asked the passenger "Oh is that your R8 and are you thinking of trading it toward a Ferrari?" When the guy said, "No its my friend's car." The sales person practically pushed him out of the watch to get over to the car owner and make and introduction. The R8 owner told me he was completely offended by how rudely his friend was treated that he said he didn't need any help ...He then promptly went bought an Aston Martin.

Also, although I think Ferrari owners are picky, they are not as picky as say a Lexus owner or Mercedes owner. Most people know exotic cars are a bit finicky and tend to be a bit forgiving and make excuses for them. Lexus and Mercedes owners tend to be very fussy as they expect perfection.

The Ferrari dealer I visited wasn't actually interested in selling (new) Ferraris. He just wanted to sell cars to people he knew, who would then trade them back in so he could flip them for big profits. I don't think I've been treated with less interest and less respect at any car dealer I've ever visited (or just about any retailer for that matter.) He didn't want my business and made that abundantly clear.

 

[Kai]

I've been playing around with my macro lens.

Lots of pictures.

 

[apropos]



I've been playing around with my macro lens.

Lots of pictures.

Whoa - a Reverso Art Deco, a Breguet, and a Seagull Tourby? Talk about an eclectic collection!

OT, but aren't the Breguet boxes the best?

And speaking of Reverso Art Decos, the other version of that model (RG case, WG dial) is on my hitlist, and has been so for a while - but I can't seem to find one to gawk at in person first, which is a must IMO before committing.

Again OT, but I wish that JLC had more Reverso models with blank solid (i.e. engraveable) casebacks - for example if I wanted one in RG but not the Tribute 1931 version, I would have to go all the way back to the white enamel dial one from 19-niety-something to find an alternative. There are way too many Reversos with display backs and unremarkable movements.

The Art Deco seen above, is of course not one of them.

I'm too damn curious NOT to ask for some examples please!

I've seen people bring kids who are completely out of control and then threaten sales staff who attempt to round them up, I've seen folk light up in the middle of a boutique, I've seen outright rude/dismissive language when a discount request is not met, best of all this last trip I saw someone actually chuck rubbish on the floor with the implied expectation that boutique staff should clean it up.

 

[Kid Nickels]

Kai... that Reverso is the sickness! Love it.

 

[Kai]

A few more:

 

[Kai]



OT, but aren't the Breguet boxes the best?

And speaking of Reverso Art Decos, the other version of that model (RG case, WG dial) is on my hitlist, and has been so for a while - but I can't seem to find one to gawk at in person first, which is a must IMO before committing.

Yes, the Breguet box is beautiful. Love the burl.

There's an Art Deco on Ebay right now.

Best price I've seen. (buy it now.)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261206864609?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[apropos]

Must... resist... Must... See... In... Person... First...

Cool serial number on your eBay Art Deco though.

I think I'll just keep saving for the platinum Reverso Moonphase. Now that is a bazinga watch... which I've seen/held in person. Very rare in the secondary market, for obvious reasons.

Silver powder numerals on a ruthenium dial... what else can I say right? Bazinga!!

 

[NonServiam]

Regarding customer service:

I used to work for a small familiy-owned AD while at university. Excellent part time job! And probably what turned on the WIS switch.

The very first thing I learned from the owner was to give every (potential) customer the same (good) treatment. The Norwegian saying is "dont judge a dog by its hair", and there would be several shaggy dogs by regularly. None of them dressed well, and the personal hygiene could be lacking. But they were enthusiastic watch afficionados, and bought several watches a year.

Talking to them was mostly a education for me, they knew it all, and just wanted to see the latest models with their fingers. But I did learn that every guy walking though the door was a potential sale, if I did my thing and gave him the very best experience I could.

Today I expect the same for myself. I am not a high roller, and don't play one on television. But anything less than knowledgable, courteous and attentive service will result in me taking my business elsewhere. And probably an angry note to the management (I have done that several times, and always received an apology and a thank you.)

An AD here in Oslo known for his very good service is Urmaker Tidemann! Visit him if you get the chance. He has an excellent selection of JLC, Glashutte, Vacheron Constantin, Breguet ++ I bought my rose gold JLC Master Chrono from him, and the experience was top notch. The regular strap was a bit too long for me, and he swapped it for a shorter one that they had express shipped from Switzerland. I had to wait a short while for the strap, and when I finally collected my watch with the new strap, they also had included a bottle of the shop cognac. If I were to buy a number of complicated Langes or Pateks, I would expect an effin parade every time I visited...

 

[ChicagoRon]

Got my Oris worldtimer back today. Gray market purchase, 1850 hkd for a full overhaul and new 1 yr warranty from the Oris boutique. I continue to be a big fan of Oris for entry level watches!

 

[RogerP]

Random thought for the day - I can't believe I don't own a Reverso.

 

[Belligero]



Must... resist... Must... See... In... Person... First...

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Cool serial number on your eBay Art Deco though.

I think I'll just keep saving for the platinum Reverso Moonphase. Now that is a bazinga watch... which I've seen/held in person. Very rare in the secondary market, for obvious reasons.

Silver powder numerals on a ruthenium dial... what else can I say right? Bazinga!!

Agreed; first prize.

That particular Reverso is one of my favourites, too. GDL owns that watch in rose gold and has posted it a few times, and it's absolutely gorgeous in either metal. I like the proportions of the GT case better than the XGT 8-day version of the Sun Moon, as well.

That one's well worth holding out for, and I'm looking forward to seeing it on your wrist someday.

 

[NonServiam]

I fellow forumite on another forum just dubbed the new platinum Daytona: the Fazermint

So you have the Hulk (LV Sub), the Smurf (white gold Sub) and now the Fazermint

 

[Belligero]

Something involving mint and chocolate seems appropriate enough. "Dessert at Tiffany's" could work, too.

What to call the new GMT is far from decided, but I'd rather have no nickname than something lame like "Bruiser" or (shudder) "Powerade". But if people insist on giving cutesy pet names to watches, I'm hoping that my humble contribution catches on...

Those shiny PCLs just seem too apt in this case.

 

[Newcomer]

I don't mind "batman." It fits in nicely with the hulk theme. Then again, I am pretty sure these nicknames are used only by WIS in forum land. If you approached a guy who was wearing a Submariner LV and said nice "hulk," I am pretty sure he would think you were insane.