Post pics of your watches Part II

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118678260#Comment_118678260

its grand.. i can slide my finger under it at the buckle and it has a little stretch to it.. its a fickle thing.. id be complaining if it was to long as well... about one more cm would have probably been perfect.. but the shortness doesnt detract from the comfort.. for reference im about 7.25 inch wrist give or take

micks_address

just checking dimensions and the zealande is 11.5 and 8.3cm The Omega oem is 12 and 8.5 so .7cm more on the omega which would just look a bit better on my wrist size but not significantly longer.. ah well... i might be tempted to get the omega at some point if i seen a deal on one

scwazrh

I’m on a bit of a Tudor buzz at the moment .Got offered this pre owned but unworn and from an AD .Black bay chrono dark 79360DK .Its a limited edition in conjunction with the all blacks rugby team , on release there was 1181 pieces in 2019 and another piece will be released each time another player is capped , so as of today there are no more than 1199 pieces in the world.Needless to say the few pieces that are released each year for each new player aren’t going to be sitting in the shop windows.

Im trying to research this but I’m told it is also the first limited edition range from the Tudor / Rolex group for general sale .All the other limited editions have been commissions for a group or organisation .Not 100% certain about that yet but suffice to say theres a far higher chance of getting a Rolex at retail than there is of getting this at retail so there was no way I was passing it up.

it’s the same as a standard black bay chrono except it is finished in black pvd and the bracelet doesn’t have the faux rivets .A Tudor bracelet without the rivets is near exactly the same as the Rolex oyster bracelet so maybe that’s the main reason for the so unliked fake rivets being on the bracelet.It seems to wear smaller than the panda .My photo doesn’t do it justice , it’s much nicer on the wrist .

Pablo_Flox

I like!

IrishPlayer

My first set of tools arrived today! I was like a kid at Christmas :) I ended up buying tools from Cousins in the UK, thankfully didn't get hit with customs. Tried to replicate what I used at the week course at the BHI.

Didn't cheap out on tweezers, went with Dumont No 3 which are a joy to use, definitely worth the extra, couldn't step up to Bergeon screwdrivers, but the cousins branded are every bit as good!

The movement holder is a bit too big, but I didn't know what sizes I would need if working on pocket watches so better to have the size.

The watch I used was a Chinese nock off Rolex ( hope it's okay to post, don't support fakes) I got from a friend who gave it to me to practice, I know I shouldn't have a fake, but the Timex that @NIMAN kindly gave me, Richard Askham explained to me that the movement is riveted together

wasn't designed to be taken apart so will wait until I get more practice before tackling, better to risk destroying something I don't care about!

I have a lot of Russian watches on there way from Bulgaria to get practice on!

Here's some pictures of the disambley

The dial, rather than using screws and clips, was just glued onto the movement!

Will attempt to reassemble it tomorrow, absolutely fantastic to be finally practicing!

Cienciano

Really cool @IrishPlayer I'm sure people here could have donated cheap autos for you to practice on

somebody_else

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118688320#Comment_118688320

Hi man !

I have fake chronometer with issues with movement - PM me if interested, I could post it to you to practice.

Tom

unkel

PXL_20220224_175709713.jpg

unkel

In Belfast again today. Had no plans to go look at watches, just came across Lunn's in the Victoria centre. Glad to get the yachtmaster finally out of my system. As you can see, it's far too small for me

unkel

PXL_20220224_175808126.jpg

unkel

The submariner is perfect. So much better than the old smaller one with the fat belly case. Best sub ever by far. Unfortunately, it is still an entry level Rolex. It doesn't stand a chance compared to the JC

kostal2093

New arrival and first ever bronze - Zenith Pilot Type 20 ES with El Primero. Size-wise at 45mm, it is at my very limit but it is very light and much more wearable than I thought it ever would be. I know it will not be to everyones taste but was one that I had on my radar for quite a while.

Blanchy90

I have this beauty in for review at the minute

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118692449#Comment_118692449

I very much like that one! I'd imagine it will only improve with patina 👍

Wibbs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118692449#Comment_118692449

I have its great grand daddy so I defo approve K. 😁 I think they look so much better as chronos compared to the basic three handers at that size.

unkel

Was posting from my phone last night, so kept it brief. For anyone visiting Belfast, I'd recommend going into Lunn's. Genuinely friendly staff (as seems to be the case with customer facing staff everywhere in Belfast), was told it would be about 5 minutes before someone could get the YM out of the display for me. And would I like tea or coffee or champagne. I go "no thanks..........eh..did you say champagne?" 😁

Had a nice chat with the salesperson and she then offered for me to take the thick catalogue with me (that you see in the background in my pics). Nice touch, those yokes aren't cheap. Cool reference book of all current Rolex watches

She gave me a slightly different story about the waiting list. Basically they don't even take down names for all popular steel sports watches. But they do for the precious metal and even bi-metal ones. I guess the retail prices of these and the margins on them are far higher than the steel ones, and also the grey price as an expression of the retail price is much smaller, sometimes they are even worth less grey than retail, so it's much less of a favour to sell you one of them?

scwazrh

“She gave me a slightly different story about the waiting list. Basically they don't even take down names for all popular steel sports watches.”

That doesn’t sound right . Names are on lists , doesn’t mean you’ll get one but there is lists . I suppose if there’s hundred of names they might stop adding to it .If lunns stopped passing their watches into Pride & pinion they would have a few to fulfill the lists .

I got an email today from weirs saying that the “Register of interest “ is starting to move and regular stock is starting to come in again but still will be a while until a watch is available for me …

unkel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118694230#Comment_118694230

Only telling you what they told me in Lunn's.

Weirs told me recently that because the sub changed model last year, anyone on the list for the old one will have to go onto a new list for the new one, so start from scratch basically. He told me with a straight face, but also told me there are no waiting lists any more for anyone who doesn't have substantial purchasing history.

What's the story about Lunn's passing watches to P&P presumably you mean also over RRP? That's a fairly serious slanderous accusation. I guess you can't back that up?

scwazrh

I think they must just say whatever they feel like saying on a particular day. As I said I got an email today from weirs regarding the register of interest so I can only assume it’s true.

re pride and pinion - Nico had it on one of his stories saying thanks to lunns for the watches when he was going through one of his new deliveries. I didn’t record it though so no I don’t have proof as such , but I don’t bull sh*t so believe it or don’t.

unkel

Thanks, maybe someone has a link to that. I can only imagine it must have been a tongue in cheek comment though? Surely an AD selling directly to a grey dealer (again presumably done above RRP - why else would they do it), is a sackable offence, they'd lose their authorisation from Rolex?

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118694483#Comment_118694483

I think with weirs it really depends who you deal with I've put my name down for 4 or 5 different watches but the only I have any confidence that I am actually on a list for is the patek aquanaut GMT because I was speaking to the manager and I have emailed her since, the rest I doubt.

Maybe the Lunns reference was people buying watches there and bringing them straight into p&p?

unkel

That would make a lot more sense alright, Cyrus.

scwazrh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118694569#Comment_118694569

How else do you think the watches get on the grey market ? Do you really think that each watch is sold to an individual and then flipped into a grey dealer ? Every watch is trackable if the manufacturer actually wanted to see which retail point they are coming from .

unkel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118694960#Comment_118694960

No doubt there are some "dirty" ADs out there in the world doing just that. But my guess would indeed be that the overwhelming majority of Rolex steel sports getting on the grey market would be directly from flippers who bought the watch in an AD. Do you not think this is the case? So you really think it is very common for ADs to sell watches to the greys? Even in respectable countries like Ireland?

Wibbs

A few months back I was reading on another forum about watch buying/selling in Hong Kong and the AD's windows were empty, but the grey dealers were chock a block with sports Rolex(and APs). There seemed to be an open conduit from one to the other.

unkel

That's the case for all Rolex ADs worldwide. At least now they have the "for exhibition only" pieces that you can try on. And they seem to change quite frequently too.

scwazrh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118695118#Comment_118695118

But it’s not dirty ADs , it’s just an ADs selling practice . Rolex don’t sell to the public , they sell to the AD . If an AD has one customer come in and want a dozen non desirable watches and two hype watches, the AD is going to make the sale.Is that customer a flipper or buyer on behalf of a grey dealer ? In a recent video from watch trader in the UK they are on about how a saleswoman got someone to buy 11 datejust to get an gold olive dial day date.The AD hardly thought he was buying all that for himself ..I’ve heard many a man try to justify an extreme quantity as “ for personal consumption “ but 11 datejusts and a day date in one purchase cant be for one persons collection .

Look at the amount of Rolex available with full stickers , Rolex policy is to size the bracelet and remove all main stickers before giving it to the customer.The fact any make it out the shop unsized with stickers on means the AD is not doing as Rolex says .And the sheer volume of stickered Rolex available means it’s not just one or two dirty ADs doing it .

Now so as to avoid slanderous accusations as you called it I won’t name the shop but you know who I mean . Have you noticed the number of Tag Heuer a particular grey market seller has been listing on their website recently. I doubt they are coming in from individual flippers and as they are not an AD would it be to far a stretch of the imagination to think that a ball of Tag Heuer have to be bought to get one or two Rolex ?

unkel

You'd wonder why Rolex don't just withdraw the authorisation from the dealers and sell directly themselves. They could double the RRP for most steel watches no bother and make treble the profit per watch. Are these legal contracts that are hard to end?

Neilw

New purchase for me today, the Guinness tastes better than it looks btw :)

Simon5834

Awesome thread. Lovely seeing all the pictures of the tear down.

Northern Monkey

Nico hates lunns so i’d say that comment was about lunns customers flipping them to him.

micks_address

Congrats Neil. How do you find it versus the older seamaster? Think you had one?

Neilw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118701452#Comment_118701452

I still have the blue one, I’m in two minds whether to sell or keep it.

The new one is nice, the ceramic is much sharper looking than aluminium on the older one.

It does feel heavier but I’m sure I’ll get used to that, I’m liking the rubber strap, very comfortable.

micks_address

Yeah I've mine on the Zealande at the moment and it's super comfy.

scwazrh

I may have found a solution to the comfort issues of the speedmaster bracelet. I got an uncleseiko half link and it’s a near perfect match to the bracelet.Havent worn it much yet but it seems like a decent fix for a small price

Lorddrakul

@scwazrh That is a very good match. Well played.

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118693950#Comment_118693950

had completely different experience in Lunns rolex few months ago.. nothing on display and they were a bit stand off ish and didnt really want to talk to us.. was before christmas back in november... the omega side were very helpful... no bother trying on anything and offering tea/coffee to beat the band..

unkel

The for exhibition only watches is a relatively new feature. Perhaps they weren't in yet when you were there?

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118707231#Comment_118707231

id say you are right. They had nothing only empty display cases when we were up... literally looked like the store was robbed

unkel

It's the same in every Rolex AD around the world. At least now we can go in and try an exhibition only watch on and have a slightly more meaningful chat with the sales staff 😂

Nobody has answered my question though. Why would Rolex not just stop selling watches through ADs? They could double the price of the entire steel sports range and sell through their own boutiques while making 3-4 times as much profit per watch.

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118707864#Comment_118707864

is it a less luxurious experience buying something from a website than going into an AD?

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118707231#Comment_118707231

They have a lovely range of them in Keane's Limerick now too. Still no actual stock tho and even the list is a guessing game as varying stock is supplied it seems.

893bet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118707864#Comment_118707864

There is 1500+ ADs in the world. That’s a lot of new boutiques to open….I am sure there are contracts in place also ie it’s cost many 100s of K to fit out the Rolex section of an AD so I am sure they have contracts in place to guarantee a minimum of X years as a dealer etc.

If they doubled the price of a steel sports do you really think demand would maintain? Not so sure.

I suspect they are pretty happy to allow the ADs take all the flake from the public while upselling two tone Datejust and other less desirable models to be considered for a sports model.

Not sure of the breakdown but I recall reading that Datejust sales out number all the sales added together for the whole sports range before. Not sure if true.

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708089#Comment_118708089

ive heard that about Datejusts which is a little odd. You can basically get one in less than 6 months from an AD whereas its who knows for anything else.. it makes sense its the most sales as its the most available... but if it was most in demand wouldn't it hold true its less available like the other models? or is it just easier to make datejusts?

Wibbs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708155#Comment_118708155

Because flippers, investors and grey dealers aren't interested in them so aren't constraining supply?

scwazrh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118707864#Comment_118707864

The amount of work involved in selling 5billion of watches would be staggering .Patek & AP do boutique only but they make approx 50k pieces year , Rolex are rumoured to be up to 1.2 - 1.4 million pieces a year now .Only viable option for a sales channel direct to consumer at that level is to use local a sales AD .Rolex are selling everything they've got and they've already said its not them choking supply , its the ADs. A drastic price rise of 50-100% would in the long term have a negative affect on their brand so understandable that they nudge it up 5 -10% instead.

scwazrh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708180#Comment_118708180

Tudor have less than 300 staff so you can expect shortages but Rolex have over 4000 staff .As we've said before theres no shortage of watches , its the grey market thats getting them and hoarding them.

Fitz II

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118707864#Comment_118707864

Few reasons.

1. Rolex is set up as a charity and this means their annual price increases are limited by the articles or their incorporation. It give them other advantages they would not want to give up (tax mostly). This mean they could not jump to retail quickly enough to make it worth their while. A penny saved is a penny erarned and at the moment they do what they are good at and leave the front facing stuff to AD's.
2. That a lot of property to buy or rent and fit out. Would need to be premium high street a lot of places. And they only have one product to sell and AD will have jewellery etc to fall back on also.
3. That a lot of staff to pay.
4. Lot of fixed overheads they currently dont have
5. If they went online everyone would just want Stainless sports. These are Rolex's least profitable watches.
6. The system as is, seems to be working pretty good for them. What's the impetus to change?
7. At the moment Rolex have only AD's as customers maybe 2000 round the world. If they set up their own they would have to deal will millions of customers every year and all the ball ache that goes with that.
8. AD are contracted to buy a certain number of watches a year, this has seen Rolex good in hard times. Direct sales means they have to take the rough times with the smooth.
9. AD are contracted to take bundled stock, they get various watches and no choice in what they get. If direct sale the production system would have to shift to a made to order system loosing a lot of the economy of sale of batch production. Other solution would be to hold stock but that again is expensive to do.
10. Rolex at the moment go a lot on that back of the ADs marketing and advertising....without they would have to increase their already massive marketing spend to get that all persuasive penetration they have at the moment. They would also create competition with they ex customers the AD's who would now have high street shops selling competing products.

Its a old and complex system and I am well sure that Rolex have run the numbers every which way many years ago. The AD system works for them, they produce a lot of watches and have a lot of stock to sell. AD's get 35% as far as I know. It would not take long for Rolex to soak up that extra profit in expenses (give point 1 above). Sure AP and VC and ALS have boutiques but they make a fraction of the watches, and only a handfull around the world.

Exhibition watches are better than nothing if you like blue balls.

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118708269#Comment_118708269

Are the exhibition watches real? I wonder how long before the odd one gets sold...

scwazrh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118709731#Comment_118709731

Real externals but no working movement .The weight is the same though