Watches - another OCD problem
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I had a recent conversation with a UK based AD I have used previously and have bought several Patek pieces from, so I am not exactly an unknown quantity to them.
I was told that the hot Rolex models were being personally allocated to their clients by the group chairman. This particular AD ran two interest lists, a paid deposit list and an "interest list". Deposits were non returnable also, this has made me steer clear of this AD.Tongue in cheek, I politely told them where to go unless they could get me membership to the chairman's golf club as without a personal connection with the bloke I would not have any chance of snagging one of the hot ticket items through this AD.
Not all AD's work like this I have to say. Another AD I have been in conversation with were much more pragmatic in their approach. They recognised I was an enthusiast and not out to sell the watch on at a profit. They asked me my thoughts on the AD's keeping the warranty cards for up to a year to prevent the watch being flipped ( warranty card retention is an increasingly common practice now at Rolex AD's ). I stated that I would have no problem with this. The salesman was simply gauging my reaction to his question as his store have not adopted this policy. I am hoping that this AD can find me the watch I am looking for in a reasonable timescale, hopefully within the next 12 months.
All of this for a mass produced Swiss watch, seems a bit daft? Having said that I am still sat on several waiting lists for the pieces I am looking to buy.
If you are looking for a modern Rolex and don't want to pay Grey prices, try and speak to as many AD's as possible and register interest with them. The UK is a fairly small place so personal visits to several AD's is achievable with relative ease. Doing this in the US might be more difficult due to distances between each AD, you may need to build these connections with the sales team via phone conversations.
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I was told that the hot Rolex models were being personally allocated to their clients by the group chairman. This particular AD ran two interest lists, a paid deposit list and an "interest list". Deposits were non returnable also.
They asked me my thoughts on the AD's keeping the warranty cards for up to a year to prevent the watch being flipped ( warranty card retention is an increasingly common practice now at Rolex AD's ).
All of this for a mass produced Swiss watch, seems a bit daft?
Yes. Yes, it does.
Though, since I'm a profane American, rather than a politely understated Brit, I'd substitute "fucking bullshit" for "a bit daft"…
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Who are they to withhold the warranty cards? They’ve created the flipping problem in the first place.
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I've heard a few anecdotes of Rolex watches coming through a lot quicker than dealers quote. People have got Submariners or GMTs within three or four weeks of ordering, rather than eighteen months plus, and even a steel Daytona is likely to arrive within a year.
That said, the only places that I've seen a Daytona, Sky-Dweller, or 50th Anniversary Sea-Dweller are grey market stores. One of the staff there said the dealers are passing these pieces out of the back door to them, as @ddtrash said, so I suspect that there is some bad behaviour in the retail chain.
I think that a lot of the problem is that the waiting lists are often at the dealer's prerogative. If it was strictly in order of deposit (sorry, local VIP, you have to wait in the queue), it'd be a lot more transparent. And if you're telling new customers that they can't even order a Rolex, you're not going to grow your client base, which could be a problem down the line.
@Anesthetist it's probably not the best solution, but if it helps, that'd be a good thing. But Rolex probably like their watches selling at a premium on the secondary market, as it increases their desirability.
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Thoughts on this Spring Drive Seiko GMT (SBDB015) at ~$2600?
https://www.seiko-watch.co.jp/collections/en/prospex/SBDB015
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Thoughts on this Spring Drive Seiko GMT at ~$2600?
I like it. I would probably not spend a lot on a Seiko if I were looking at it as an investment, but Spring Drive is accurate and with a long reserve (both good things for a travel watch), and that movement has the rare jumping hours feature that IMO makes a GMT a GMT. This seems to be Grand Seiko minus the level of internal and external finishing. I do fall on the side of thinking the power reserve indicator is unwelcome and unnecessary, but it wouldn't be enough to drive me off. If I were looking at that price range, I would be tempted to shell out a bit more for one of the quartz Grand Seiko GMTs @Graeme posted previously, or perhaps for the Tudor GMT.
For my GMT, I went with the fugly Seiko diver I posted earlier, which has a quartz (kinetic) movement and true GMT function. It is more casual but seemed like a good value for what I wanted.
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It's big and tall, but the titanium case will be light and relatively comfortable. The crown at 12 intrigues me, though I'm guessing you'll have to take it off to set it, which is probably annoying in a GMT. I usually think Seikos have ugly hands, but these are simple and attractive. And it's a personal thing, but I'm always annoyed when manufacturers don't match the dial and date wheel; the black on white in a black dial just bugs me. Spring Drive is just cool. For the price, it's probably a solid buy.
If I had a sexy Grand Seiko like you do, I wouldn't buy it, though…
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Here's the monstrosity that arrived today. I think I'm good on GMT now, this is what I wanted, and the ruggedness (including sapphire crystal, rare in Seiko divers) is more of a benefit than the dive readiness.
The dial has a lot of depth, including really deep lumes, and I dig the radial brush finish on the case–reminds me of the Omega Bullhead case.
I fitted a reversible rubber strap but really like the bracelet for most of my daily use. Very pleased with my first diver!
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Even after handling Tudors and Omegas these past few days, I was far from underwhelmed when my new 104 showed up today.
Enjoyable, professional experience going through watchbuys.com
Impressed with the smooth sweep of the seconds hand–I knew they tweaked the stock eta, but wasn't expecting to visually notice.
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Just found some more straps. I'll be putting these with the rest.
Still in the honeymoon phase with this one.
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^^
Great Sinn and Seiko guys
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Love that Mare Nostrum! MY only chronographs have been the 3 dial layout and I really have come to love a vertically symmetric two dial setup like yours.
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^ I hear you. I love divers and chrono’s, but I really love all watches. They’re like tiny little worlds unto themselves!
PAM 237 aka the ghost aka the Brad Pitt aka great watch. HAGWE! 2
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I've noticed my new Seiko's sapphire crystal picks up schmutz more than other sapphire crystals in my collection, including another flat one. Do they sometimes place oleophobic coatings on them or could therr be another reason for this?
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I've noticed the smudges and schtuff with bigger dials
I may try to put some Dr. Beasley Glass Waxx to see if it helps. Dr. Beasley products are great BTW. Now that I think of it I should use it on my glasses too.https://www.drbeasleys.com/glass-waxx.html
I've noticed my new Seiko's sapphire crystal picks up schmutz more than other sapphire crystals in my collection, including another flat one. Do they sometimes place oleophobic coatings on them or could therr be another reason for this?
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Since GMTs are the flavour of the month around here:
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Fratello Watches have a review of the Rolex and Tudor Pepsis.
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Worn and Wound review the Alpina Startimer, which is a neat looking piece in a cushion case.
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And the very clever Longines Conquest VHP GMT, a high precision quartz with an app to set the time.
The Fratello piece is interesting because it calls out Rolex for its failure to supply watches, and the associated behaviour of dealers that's a consequence of this. I'm not used to journalists criticising brands, particularly as I get the impression that their websites are funded by them.
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