Who Watches the Watchmen (Our Chit Chat Thread)

"No attempt to disguise that or obfuscate it TBH. Rather a hope that it'd swerve the desk 😉 naive I know but then I can rely on luck rather than overt tax evasion for saving me a few quid."

You are a good citizen!

Lads, I am surprised and a honestly amazed at the madness at play in the market for blue watches! I honestly expected this back with me in a week or 2 unsold.

Bloody hell. The market is crazy but those lads know how to sell! It seems whatever price tag they put on a watch (within some reason), the very presence of the watch in their shop / vault / website is enough to sell it!

I've a nice piece incoming myself. Be a few days before I have it though. And yes, it's a Rolex 😁

Well after much toing and froing 😉 I agree, it's not a watch for a chunky wrist. Whomever bought it? Has my gratitude 😁 and a little pity too. It is a stunning watch IMO. The integrated bracelet and the faceted surfaces are a masterful piece of design. It's a watch I spent a long time wearing and smiling at.

But that kinda money just could not be passed up.

Theirs a beer, or a small brewery 😉 owed 893's way and it is a shame to see it off the forum. The brightside? We can talk about the gammy size 🤣

On a small / skinny man maybe. For an average or bigger man, 36mm simply is far too small these days bordering on looking ridiculous.

My Astronaut is a 37mm watch but, it does wear larger. I think the combo of the narrow bracelet and bright bezel also tril the eye on that front. I do agree with 893 that the VC is small. It wears it too thanks to the integrated bracelet. His (formerly yours?)Gen 2 is a far better size, but I do think the Gen 1 is a prettier watch.

As for the price craziness? P&P have 2 VC dual-times up now 1 white priced at £16950 and 1 blue at £29950😲 £13k difference for just the dial colour! Utter lunacy!

It's been a busy few weeks, work and other stuff hasn't left much time for watches. Will be heading to Birmingham on the 28th of November to the watch fair which I'm really looking forward to. Also heard back from the British Horological Institute in Newark-On-Trent regarding courses, I am going to be attending two courses next year, the first will be in January, a day course giving an introduction to watchmaking. Here is a post by someone who attended to give an idea Link:https://bit.ly/3ogLy7R

Then in February, I am going to a 5 day course, Service and repair of manual wind watches, including 4 night B&B at the institute.

Trying to figure out what is the best route to take, fly to East Midlands and get a train from Nottingham or fly to London and get the train from there as I won't be driving and there is more choice regarding flights.

Thanks @banie01 given the hassle I've been having recently with shipping, along with vat and import charges from the USA along with Japan, buying anymore watches at the moment doesn't seem like a good idea so this seems like a good next step in enjoying this hobby.

I have never done any sort of course before, went straight to retail work, currently looking for a change and have always wanted to do one. Of course not expecting to get any sort of career out of it, but it will be a fun experience, after going to the fair back in July, getting chatting with others with the same interest was fantastic.

Would be great if I could service my own pieces someday, will document it along the way.

Still waiting to settle up and get the VC money in my account but, the search for the next horologically hefty piece is underway.

I keep coming back to tool watches and the Glasshutte SeaQ panorama date is an interesting one that seems to be available well below retail. Will probably wait until the new year on that front tho.

Not so hefty, but still in my radar. I'm also on the hunt for an Omega 2535.80 and there at least there is both some movement on a WTB I posted over on TZ and on prices with the sellers I've been talking to on Chrono.

Must actually do a SOTC at some point now too.

On the topic of P&P and their consignment service. They offer their buyers a 14day CoM return window (as per distance sales regs) so once the change of mind window passes, money is transferred.

Overall, very happy with their service and in particular Gavin and Tim are both great to talk to (exceptional salesmen 😉). I don't know if any other easily accessible dealer could have achieved the price they did, as quickly and with as reasonable a deal tbh. I'd have no issue recommending them but would caveat that with this.

Always remember what selling on consignment entails, yes you may achieve a higher price but, your watch is out of your hands and if the seller (any seller) goes bust? You are in for a long wait to see anything back, if at all.

Always with the very best question Fitz 😉 and in fairness the most pertinent and important.

Nope, but and it is an important but. The 14 days aren't up for my sale until the 22nd, and if they do the right thing and count it as "working" days? It could be little later yet.

If I'm back at the end of next week walking back my praise, I'll eat my premature praise. That said, I do hope that my comments are taken in the context of experience to date. Sure if they are late with the deposit to my account?

Wouldn't be the 1zt time a hotel in Belfast was bombed 🤔🤷

^^ last sentence is a joke, just in case some sensitive soul reads that and assumes I'd treat the Merchant or the P&P boys lovely office like a double decker in a loyalist estate 😉