Something to look forward to… the comfy fit not the blood

My journey to XHS has been interesting.

I made the pilgrimage to Gosport a while back to grab a pair and they didn't have my size. I toyed with the 777 but on my body type (dad bod) it was like a scouring pad to back of the knee.

I grabbed a pair of 21oz instead which became my go to work jeans. I then plotted and saved and patiently waited for a restock.

Whilst this was happening the 16oz slubs were released and the plot thickened as I grabbed some of those too. (Discipline has never been my strong point and cash was burning a whole, very slowly due to the thickness and build quality, in my 21oz pocket)

Whilst at IH HQ they hemmed my jeans, grabbed me a coffee and I even got to met Giles. I will say to anyone within striking distance, thw journey to IH is worth it. Great guys and so cool to see, touch and feel the jeans in person.

After some more waiting I finally picked up my 666 XHS. After almost breaking a thumb trying to do them up they went in to the wardrobe never to be seen again.

Until Jan 2023… My NY resolution is to break in this bastards before they break me! (Famous last words)

I do however have a question for the IH army and those brave souls that have conquered the 25oz beast. Does it get less painful? Two days in and I have a red line across my stomach where they have dug in. Full disclosure: I had a good Christmas so I am assuming the festive gain is part of it.

Anything I can do to lessen the pain?

Thanks man

Thanks @Heavy_blue much appreciated and thanks for the additional stretch info. I picked up a few cheaper waffle jumpers in the past but it's a false economy as I am always lusting after IH quality. I can def see how the grey would be  versatile but with the stretch will prob go black. I usually wear XL in IH shirts. I tried a L and it was a bit tight in the shoulders. I am an awkward shape #dadbod. Did you stick to your normal size or size down like others suggested? Conscious of the stretch. Thanks

Trying to decide between black and grey (funds don't allow both). Anyone have both and prefer one vs the other? My go to used to be black everything but recently I have tried to look at oer colours. Thanks

Makes sense @alex and @Giles and agree it's pretty much covered. Maybe the other reason for the slow down is having a brand with such awesome build quality. It lasts so bloody long you only need to buy a couple of items 

@goosehd:

I love reading these responses!!

Agree with scarcity, rarity, and exclusivity comments and how they drive sales.  Look at Rolex over the last 4 or 5 years and how everyone was going nuts for them.  Individuals spending 3 or 4 times msrp at grey market dealers just to own a Rolex.

If Rolex increased production or even just published their production numbers, the market would plummet when people realized there are 1000, 10000, 100000 watches just like theirs.  The magic and mystery behind the brand would be gone…

I love your quote G., about predicting the future and often think about it.  Let me know when you figure it out 

Interesting point here on Rolex. I follow the rolex prices/news regularly. They have just announced a CPO (certified pre-owned) arrangement. So you can now buy certified watches from stores that stock Rolex versus worrying you may get scammed with a fake from Joe Bloggs on the street.

I'd imagine fake IHs are much less prevalent and this may be covered by the 'pre-loved' section but perhaps there is a way that can be extended and IH become more involved in the re-selling aspect.

Having purchased a few items on the for sale boards here I have been lucky enough to deal with some great people including IH's own Olly but can't say my heart doesn't skip a beat as  I push send on transferring money to an unknown.

Perhaps if we knew the products sold were 100% legit it may boost sales on the forum. I do however suspect, it would be a logistical nightmare and that the sales section is not the main driver for joining the IH forum.

@ddtrash I am definitely in your camp. I wear my watches but definitely wouldn't want the scratched up look. My current trio is the batman, starbucks (green sub) and SD43. My daily for a while was the 16600 seadweller on a James Bond nato. Grail for me is a daydate platinum but not sure if I can justify the uplift vs gold/wg/rg.

Also, when you get into the upper echelons of Rolex pricing you are spoilt for choice with PP, AP etc.

I considered a speedy as a daily but it is one of those watches that looks amazing in photos and on others but never made my heart sing.

@ddtrash:

@Kingsselvedge The Nautilus is a lovely watch to wear, the bracelet is very comfortable despite lacking any micro adjustment.  It does feel more delicate than an Oyster bracelet though.

The dial can look quite different in different types of light from black through to a silver blue gradient.

I have since taken some better pictures of the watch.  I still find the workmanship and details on the movement mesmerising.

Thanks @ddtrash for the extra pics. It really is stunning. Love the open case back and the integrated bracelet. Had my head turned recently by the new Vacheron with the integrated bracelet. Does the Nautilus become a scratch magnet? I tend not to baby my warches but had a steel bezel Daytona for a while and even just grabbing some chamge from my jean pocket would leave micro scratches. I seem to have setteld on ceramic bezels as my sweet spot.

Currently own:
IH 666 OD 21oz
IH 666 25oz
IH 666 slub
IH 666 21oz
Kersey Blue shirt

I tend to wear the OD and slub most often. I want to wear the 25oz but they are murder to break-in (partly due to weight gain)

The shirt is thick enough to be a jacket.

Targets:

Black waffle thermal
Duck CPO