Who Watches the Watchmen (Our Chit Chat Thread)

Cyclingtourist · 13-09-2021 3:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117884669#Comment_117884669

You cover pretty much what I posted before about having some knowledge, an informed taste. Brown furniture, Georgian/Regency, quality Victorian was big in my day but apparently has nose-dived since then. Certainly it's a good time to buy it if you have the knowledge to spot what's right from what isn't and it fits your home/lifestyle. Quality always sells over tat but you can buy quality now and in ten years if say the yanks have gone off it don't expect your money back.

Wibbs · 13-09-2021 3:44pm

The American market is a strange one. Usually massively inflated prices for a start. We see this in classic cars too. Yeah, brown furniture is pretty dead as a mainstream trend. Pine is in, as is modernist 50's and 60's stuff. Victorian stuff tends to be very heavy looking and can overpower a modern room. Scale can be a problem with older stuff anyway as the quality kit was made for big houses of richer people for the most part. That's a hard sale for your average suburban home, with increased appartment living it's an even harder sale.

micks_address · 14-09-2021 3:24pm

Just another an post whinge.. i sent two watches to the UK in last week.. one was marked 200 euro value, the second 50 euro value... neither attracted import charges on royal mail side.. they seem to be letting everything slip through... i wouldnt risk anything coming this way...

banie01 · 14-09-2021 3:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117890366#Comment_117890366

There are zero in bound checks in place in the UK on goods from the EU as of yet.

It was meant to begin in October, but is now put off until January, when no doubt it will be postponed again. It's nowt to do with anpost and everything to do with the Brit's not implementing the Brexit deal they signed, despite it hammering their exports.

micks_address · 14-09-2021 3:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117890386#Comment_117890386

You'd wonder why An Post had to be so effective at it? They are returning a lot of items that are marked correctly though - i had a phone case sent back a few weeks ago.. they said it wasnt declared correctly.. id worry about getting anything of value sent this way really...

banie01 · 14-09-2021 3:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117890408#Comment_117890408

Because Ireland and the rest of the EU have implemented the agreement on our side of the border.

It's not quite flicking a switch but the switch from CN22 to CN23 has been a long time coming and not to denigrate the British...

But, they have repeatedly shown they couldn't manage a piss up in a brewery. When the Brexit deal became effective, all goods entering the EU from GB are subject to the use of correct commercial paperwork and the EU is ensuring that it's all either correct or returned. It is a pain in the hole, but it's the 1st step in acquainting UK exporters with what they have voted for.

The backlog in the UK for goods out is huge and growing. Suppliers reliant on the UK are all shifting their sources and it is going to get far worse for UK exports in the near and medium term. Trade deals with NZ and Aus both have lower standards than agreed in the withdrawal deal and as such, the UK is going to find less and less of its goods exported to the EU. GB started a trade war with itself, and surrendered with signature of the WA and forgetting that whilst trying to join TPP.

Stupidity is far too polite a term for the bolloxology that Johnson and Truss are trying to pass off as everyone else's fault.

PS.

**Rant Concluded**😂😂😂

banie01 · 16-09-2021 2:20pm

In a slightly watch related rant insofar as it's the account I buy via 😉

Have my 3rd AML compliance audit ongoing at present. The poor lad who asked for source of funds is currently wading through @750 crypto transactions.

He asked for last 10 trades if less than 10 per year, or the last 3 months if more than 10 per year.

Luckily I had most of the paperwork generated for up to August for income tax return. Just in case anyone wants to know the trigger for 3rd level KYC with Revolut? It's 30k in 6months.

scwazrh · 16-09-2021 5:13pm

“the last 3 months if more than 10 per year”

and he gets stuck with 750 transactions!!Love it.

i know it’s needed and audits are for the overall good and all that but I do like when you get that feeling that they are sorry they asked .And even more so when it turns up nothing major .

micks_address · 17-09-2021 8:33am

Picked this up from tz forums. Interesting if not obviously biased view of panerai

https://perezcope.com/2021/08/08/panerai-in-house-movements-a-pam-of-worms/comment-page-1/?unapproved=9741&moderation-hash=097e64c5282e98b888f535bd0181e4c6#comment-9741

banie01 · 17-09-2021 2:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117727928#Comment_117727928

We had a chat about it a month or so ago here Mick 😁 Our little corner is clearly better than TZ and faster on the uptake 😮

micks_address · 17-09-2021 2:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117904201#Comment_117904201

must have been shortly after the site relaunch and i missed it.. interesting all the same.. i didnt realise rolex supplied the italian navy all that time..

banie01 · 17-09-2021 2:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117904280#Comment_117904280

I think it was in the midst of that disaster alright. It really is an eye-opener but as the chat at the time laid out. Not something that's out of the ordinary for many of the high end. It's a conversation that's still worth having tho IMO.

It's not so long ago that Tudor and I think even some IWC and many others were ETA, the question then comes down to the grade of movement, eg elaboré and actual watch finishing and quality.

How much value should we assign or remove to a watch for ETA/Sellita rather than in-house?

micks_address · 17-09-2021 3:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117904358#Comment_117904358

In his article he says a lot of parts are not made in house... but they are made by companies owned by the same company that owns panerai - eta excluded... wouldnt that still be considered in house?

also spotted this on tz... kinda want one :) friend mentioned the brand to me in a pub last night and id no idea they existed..

https://luxurywatches635.wordpress.com/2021/05/29/review-of-ebel-1911-chronograph-ref-1134901/

micks_address · 17-09-2021 3:44pm

a big plus with Eta in Tudor etc.. a lot of reviewers always commented that servicing cost would be way lower and easier to source rather than an in house movement.

Thirdfox · 17-09-2021 6:48pm

Oh btw - I was in the post office today posting off some straggler watches and confirmed with the post office that the countries that have expanded custom declaration requirements are the US, UK and Switzerland (I was sending a watch off to Japan so was double checking that it wouldn't get turned around or if I needed to fill in any additional forms I would).

banie01 · 19-09-2021 2:18pm

Oh Irish watch hive mind, help me I beseech thee 😂

I've a couple of irons in the fire regarding a potential 2535:80 purchase.

Both watches in good condition but, no box/papers and no recent service. Not too much of an issue for me as when the time comes to service I'll send it on to Omega and reconstitute the paperwork that way.

My issue is price. Both that I'm looking at currently are in the €2600 range asking. I'm thinking they are more €2100 value currently although if I go via Chrono24 and Japan I can get fullset for the €2600 range and Chrono24 EU pricing has me pitching a price in the €2300 range (Using my totally unscientific Chrono price minus 30% method 😂).

So, what do ye reckon? Pitch an offer at 2k with room to rise?

banie01 · 20-09-2021 12:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117911001#Comment_117911001

Answering myself here, but went in at 2100 and we'll see what develops 😉

micks_address · 20-09-2021 4:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117911001#Comment_117911001

Are they autos? I sold my quartz for 1400 here last year... criminally low...

banie01 · 20-09-2021 4:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117916150#Comment_117916150

Yep, they are co-axial escapement autos I think they were Omega's original crop of the escapement.

micks_address · 20-09-2021 4:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117916158#Comment_117916158

Chrono24 is interesting... when i look at watches i see a certain price.. but when i list the same model it will suggest a price to list at.. thats obviously a price the average sells for.. its usually a good few hundred less than the cheapest listing in the 2 - 3k price range

Fitz II · 21-09-2021 2:15pm

In the last 2 weeks I think I have gone stage 8 and onto stage 9. Major cull has happened. Never passed stage 7. Am I loosing interest...other things just seem more interesting to me at the moment and finding it difficult to motivate myself to do my youtube which I quite enjoy.

fulladapipes · 21-09-2021 2:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117919584#Comment_117919584

Funnily enough, my interest levels have waned a bit recently. I've gone from 4-5 stright to 8. It's partly to do with this new boards format - too many notifications, and then tons going into spam repeatedly. And I have to say I'm getting tired of the YouTubers, especially The Timeless Watch guy who I used to enjoy, but who recently seems to have bought into his own hype. He will no doubt get his game back again as he is very talented. And Paul Thorpe and Archie...all tiring me these days. (I'm also in the middle of building works which are distracting me.)

banie01 · 21-09-2021 2:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117916197#Comment_117916197

I've not sold there yet, but I do have my watches added to their "collection" tool and it's part of what led me to my use as Chrono24 minus 30% for realistic prices and tbh I'd put private trades a touch lower again.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117919584#Comment_117919584

Hope it's just a momentary lull in interest? But it may well be something to do with reopening gathering pace maybe? We had a good 18 months of bear zero real social outlet and you channeled that into watches in a large way? Maybe the lifting of restrictions and more recreational outlets is just pulling you away from the watches and lowering the intensity temporarily?

Fitz II · 21-09-2021 3:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117919699#Comment_117919699

I think that you hit the nail on the head there, just want to do things that get me out, and do new things. I do love my watches but might just get off the merry-go-round for a bit. Having said that, I have a new project on the go, and I could liquidate watches in a flash to finance, so I had the watches for free basically. Agree with Fulladapipes also, watch youtube is a toxic sludge pit for narcisists, cretans and bullies and all the latest sh1t going on has me questioning if I can share a common hobby with these tools.

NIMAN · 21-09-2021 3:51pm

I think for some (not saying it's definitely people on here as I don't know them) its perhaps that once you get a top quality watch you're overjoyed, then the next thing seems to be that you want the next one up, then the next one up etc...and deep down you aren't ever happy until you buy the one that you're happy with, irrespectiveof the price of it, or the hype that surrounds it. Of course some may have 8 or 10 they are happy with, but perhaps the same principle applies.

As for me, I have kinda reached that point too. I'm not even in the same ball park as some of the owners on here, in fact I'm not even in the same country!

I would buy and buy, and then sell the odd one, the buy another ....But nothing more than £200 odd. I'm small fry stuff. Of course I still look around, at the odd Sinn or Stowa. Have even been eyeing up a midsize Bond Seamaster, but it's probably just window shopping for now.

I now have kinda settled with my SKX013, my Boldr Venture, a Casio edifice, a Traser P59 Type 3, and my dad's watch. They suit all my needs and I like the watches I own now. Also have a couple of Casio digital for playing football was.

So I have jumped from the bottom of the curve to the end and not been anywhere in between.

scwazrh · 21-09-2021 6:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117919584#Comment_117919584

Ive said a few times here that I think COVID lockdown has caused a lot of the boom in watches recently.We’ve all had so much time to look at pretty pictures of watches, research them and have them delivered to the house .I know there is watches I’ve convinced myself I want and have to have and it’s mainly due to not being able to fill my time with other activities.Add in no financial boundaries for most pieces under €30k or so and I can see why you’re feeling done or slowing down .

I suppose how interesting the new project is might have something to do with it as well. There’s only so much time and attention we each have to devote to our pastimes.

Cyclingtourist · 21-09-2021 6:49pm

I collect off piste.

dinorebel · 21-09-2021 7:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117920943#Comment_117920943

For me it's more "Collect when pissed"

Wibbs · 21-09-2021 8:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117920974#Comment_117920974

I dunno, pretty much all my best buys were two glasses of vino in, usually more. My worst were mostly when I was stone cold sober. 😂

I've had periods of not bothered too. I was gung ho in the late 80's when it was hard to be gung ho, lost interest in the early 90's then the early interwebs reignited it in a big way, what with all the cool new info and watches suddenly available. Lost interest around 2005 for a good while too and other periods where I was a one or two watch man. The explosion of the high end luxury market didn't impact my interest as it never was anyway. Latterly the youtube thing didn't really affect me as the vast majority is about new stuff which again I was never in the market for anyway. What vintage stuff does show up is 90% cheap and cheerful. Guys like Archie I can't watch for more than a minute without gagging. The slicker sales types leave me completely cold with their (mostly) BS. Well they're salesmen and they wind me up in general. The Oisin lad I can watch for Venice and some of his ramblings, but it's much less about the watches, again because they wouldn't be in my wheelhouse anyway. Funny enough if anything the pox pandemic has cooled my jets. I have no idea why, though business has been slack and money tighter so there's that. Now in fairness I have a shedload of watches so I'm not cured by any means. 😁

micks_address · 21-09-2021 8:30pm

Hi folks,

taking a spin up to Belfast Thursday and wanted to check out pride and pinnion watches. Any suggestions on parking any dos or don’t? Are they ok letting you try on watches etc? Also any places close by that would do a nice lunch?

cheers,

mick

893bet · 21-09-2021 8:58pm

I have been mildly bored for a while. Not bought a watch in 12 months and struggling to identify my next piece.

The YouTube “community” is also a little nauseating at the moment. The back slapping and faux comradery is turning me off.

When behind it it’s all about subs, adds and superchats.

At least you can pick and choose what to watch! And there is a lot of choice.

scwazrh · 21-09-2021 9:12pm

prior to COVID the only watch you tubers I seemed to notice were Watchfinder , teddy baldassarre , time&tide and Hodinkee .It has exploded since then ,surely some of them will die off over the coming months

Fitz II · 21-09-2021 9:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117921351#Comment_117921351

The shop is in the Merchant and there is parking on street round there (have some english coins) There is a multistory round there too. They are dead sound about trying on watches. The merchant itself has excellent food.

banie01 · 22-09-2021 3:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117921547#Comment_117921547

Apart from our own crop of YTrs and an American lad I posted previously, I have zero YT watch channels on sub. I'll dip in and out, watch videos posted on here and TZ to see what's up, but, in particular the lifestyle bolloxology that some YTrs ascribe to their watches just doesn't float my boat.

One crop of videos I did enjoy were always the fake comparison videos but then they started getting copyright strikes. Still out there but no longer as prominent and I think even Watchfinder's were taken down?

I do follow a lot of manufacturers, sellers and watchmakers on insta. Just another step in convincing myself I have ADHD 😂 I don't need to watch a diatribe, photos are nice, reels are short and I can always click if I want to know more 😉

Actually my own insta ticked over 1k followers today 😁

It won't last long tho, as I need to cull fake accounts and fecking fake sellers!

unkel · 22-09-2021 5:18pm

Linky to your insta? I'm new to all that stuff 😂

banie01 · 22-09-2021 9:34pm

https://www.instagram.com/bryans_gear_and_collectibles/

It's far calmer than than YT 😂

My own insta is a mix of watches and models. The models are generally of the aviation kind tho rather than brassers!😂😂

https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1rkbysjkrym9z&utm_content=lvvcqi4

micks_address · 24-09-2021 11:10am

Took a spin up to Belfast yesterday watch browsing. First stop was pride & pinion. Took us a while to figure out it was actually inside the Merchant hotel. Its a good setup in fairness as you have a lot more privacy than just walking in from the street. The lads there are sound as Fitz mentioned. They had some nice Rolex, a very high end Patek piece for .5 a million. No trying on that one.. no problem with anything else. I tried on a mark 1 39mm explorer and i have to say i really liked it. Its not nearly as noticeable as my Datejust but there was just something about it that drew me in. Tried on a millgaus which i thought was surprisingly chunky. They had a 321 speedmaster and a few nice Omega as well. They had 1 of the first 50 kermits produced at 50k and a Rolex with a meteorite dial that was some mad money. Happy to chat away and spent about 30/40 minutes with them.

Took a walk over to McNeelys then. They had quite a bit of stock and mad for chat. Tried on two submariners - a newer one and slightly older.. very similar.. they had a VC blue dial overseas? Priced at 30k.. bracelet and strap included.. tried it on... substantial watch. Also tried on a royal oak chrono that looked like something out of the lego movie. They had a panerai and few other nice watches there. Ended up buying a wolf watch winder that someone had left in for sale. More for the craic than anything else. They run draws where you can buy a ticket for 15 pounds and enter a draw to win a sub or daytona etc.. sell about 2k tickets and one lucky person gets the watch.. i guess its way for them to sell a watch and get the money while someone ends up with a 20k watch for 15 pounds. Sound sales guy there and would definitely go back.

We went onto Lunns then for a look at the Omega's first. Tried on the No time to die seamaster. On mesh and nato. Its a lovely watch on. Seriously light. No date on it which seemed odd... do they make a date version? I tried on the new speedmaster and i like it. The bracelet seems more delicate than the older models but i can imagine another speedy will be in my future at some stage. Asked about potential discount on sales - zero was the answer.

Lastly we went into the rolex side of Lunns... hardly any rolex on display and they have stopped taking names for any submariner. Just seemed very empty. Didn't get a warm and welcoming feeling from them at all.

Anyway it was a nice day out. Belfast is a grand spot and easy walking around most of it. Probably the new speedy and explorer left most of an impression on me... well the VC to.. but out of my league..

Cheers,

Mick

unkel · 24-09-2021 12:41pm

Nice write up, Mick!

Going myself tomorrow, booked in with P&P too, which will be my first stop over there around lunch time. Is there parking in the hotel? Free or paid and did you notice is there any car charging? Normally don't need to bother as a 10 minute stop on the way back at the Supercharger would do the trick but we will be leaving late tomorrow night, prefer not to stop on the way home. Any recommended spots for a decent dinner?

micks_address · 24-09-2021 12:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932921#Comment_117932921

We parked in the donegal street car park... we just spotted it on way in and its close to the center of the town - like 10 minutes away. Fitz might be able to speak better to parking etc.. around the hotel. We paid 12 pounds for 3.5 hours parking or so. Re dinner - we popped into a bar on the same street as hmv/sports direct and they had a half decent steak sandwich (apologies can't remember name) it was a pretty casual day out so didn't want anything to heavy. Popped into the Boulevard in banbridge for a look around on the way home.. was pretty much empty. I'd imagine be more around it at weekends.

micks_address · 24-09-2021 12:48pm

didnt see anything on the charger front but wasnt looking... im still burning petrol

Fitz II · 24-09-2021 1:36pm

Any time I was there I was there at the crack of dawn so got spots on street, but you need some of the queens money to operate the machines.

C0N0R · 24-09-2021 2:06pm

Victoria square is handy for parking but pricey but not a bad location if you’re watch shopping. Other options would be castle court or the car park at the Europa hotel. Got a nice lunch in Avoca the last time I was up, plenty of options around the centre - Victoria square area.

To be honest the handiest way to get into Belfast is to use the park and ride from spruce field which is about £3 and drops you at the europa.

893bet · 24-09-2021 6:17pm

Well well well….another speedmaster. Another mess.

https://www.fratellowatches.com/hot-take-the-new-omega-speedmaster-chronoscope/

This new version….comes in six different versions.

Cyrus · 24-09-2021 7:18pm

That's not a handsome watch

That new speedy clasp isn't to my taste either

Fitz II · 24-09-2021 7:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117934513#Comment_117934513

Pure gash

Good news on the Rolex front see here

https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2019/05/23/cab-to-open-2nd-hand-rolex-store-in-dublin/

Wibbs · 24-09-2021 9:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117934714#Comment_117934714

Those circular scales look cool enough on the original vintage cases and were a popular dial type with a few brands, but for me anyway that dial looks odd in the Speedy's much heftier case.

unkel · 24-09-2021 10:03pm

The Criminal Assets Boutique, LOL!

unkel · 26-09-2021 1:52am

In Belfast today to drop my daughter to the MK gig. Parked at the Q park Victoria square, bang in the middle of the city centre, easy peasy no need for any English money (I had none and wasn't planning to go get some). Bit early for my appointment at P&P but went in anyway and had a good time with the lads, who are super friendly, not pushy and very professional. With just a glance Tim could tell my watch was the 126660 and not the 116660. Tried on a good few watches, the polar explorer 42 is a great allrounder, really like it, but it can never be a match for the James Cameron, this time last year it was still the "poor man's Rolex" - well it ain't that now in terms of money. I was smitten with the Z-blue Milgauss, a gorgeous watch. I was wearing a shirt so that helped too. The watch I had hoped to try on, the blue Yachtmaster 40, was sold a few days ago (but ichrono in Dublin have one too, going to see it next week)

They have all sorts of drinks there, offered me one a few times, but alas I was driving back this evening so zero alcohol. Had a jolly good time in there, said my thanks and went out. Just out, guess who was coming up? Indeed. Nico himself. So I said hi, he couldn't be more friendly, straight away pointed us to some comfy chairs and we had a good chat. He couldn't be more sound. Told me a good bit about his background and what he was at. The watch shop is now only a small part of his business / income and he is about to sign some pretty big deals for US TV corporations. I pointed at the watch he seems to wear a lot, the green Daytona, for me to try it on. And of course, Nico took it off his wrist straight away and handed it to me. Now the Daytona is far too small for me, but it sure is a glorious watch. Interesting that Nico was extremely bullish about the Rolex brand and the value of the sports watches for the next few years. More so than anyone in this forum has expressed in recent times, myself included.

Had a very good late lunch in Coppi Italian restaurant, busy place, great food, decent value for money

After we dropped my daughter and her friend off at the concert, we drove back into the city centre. Parked at the central train station (flat £3 fee for the whole evening, even on a Saturday and free 23kW charging). So we left the car charging to 100%, went back for some food / drinks and a stroll about until it was time to pick the teenagers up from the concert at Ormeau Park. Flew back home then

Was my first proper visit to Belfast (work trips there and going to the airport don't count) and I was struck with how friendly and helpful people are. We sure will be back

893bet · 26-09-2021 9:06am

I am extremely jealous of people getting to try on watches. This country is a disaster for that. So **** small. Keanes in Limerick is the collect place to me for any kind of variety. And it’s not a welcoming shop. Very small. You stand in the centre and you are 3 metres from the walls in each direction and can make eye contact direct on with every sales assurance.

A lot of the YouTube dealers are bullish. TPG and Marco are king of saying “it will cost more next week”. I guess that’s their business. I would be bullish enough on them myself. Best case is a temporary stagnation in the short to medium term I think. Drop 5 percent and then surge 10.

When you put the demand, brand recognisability and desire and small numbers produced against a growing wealthy population. Plus prices rises. Plus the rate at which they are printing money means assets are wanted. Rolex have weathers storms well in the past.

The question is can all their watches be in the demand. They are going to refresh another like this year, maybe Milgauss or Cellini. Will they they be 50 percent over RRP?

893bet · 26-09-2021 9:15am

Another thing I have noticed is the move to small high end independents which I watch closely to see if some thing pops up that I like. It’s like people are buying these in the hope of finding the next FPJ. Think Fredrico did a video on this. Watch box just bought De bethune so that’s the end of them! Prices will soar through manipulation.

Think gronefeld just stopped taking orders as they are 3 years plus behind from a thread on TRF.

The crazy grey prices for Rolex are surely driving people this way also. When a steel sports is 16k grey you have to look at what else is available at the same price point. And when there is 25k watches that have depreciated to 16k already then they become attractive.

Who Watches the Watchmen (Our Chit Chat Thread)

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