Who Watches the Watchmen (Our Chit Chat Thread)

blue5000 wrote: »

Keeping the Seiko Sunday theme going, Irishplayer's bellmatic might like to see it's gmt brother

Spencer Klein's latest video, Lovely watch.

shutup wrote: »

Apologies if this was discussed before.
Any opinions on Watchgang? I saw a review on Facebook yesterday and was very impressed by the watches the reviewer had received. Almost too good to be true!

Plenty of threads on Reddit regarding watchgang and an interesting article here

Personally, I'd much rather sign up to a decent watch website such as TZ or watchuseek and follow their bargain threads. Even Reddit has r/watches and r/chinatime

You get to pick your own cheapo's there, rather than hope for a decent random pick.

If quantity over choice, or sometimes quality is what your after?
It would seem watchgang and similar would be an option.

I'd rather either pick my own watch or buy a better one.

shutup wrote: »

Yeah I agree. It’s not something I’m thinking of. However, the reviewer claims to have got €4500 worth of watches for €1200 paid. I was shocked at how many of the watches I liked.
I’m wondering if everyone is sent the same watch or did they send him the best ones and pay for the review.
I would definitely pay 1200 for the collection he received

The reviews are paid for in most cases and I'd expect that any "known" reviewer gets a far more curated selection.

Getting a watch or service reviewed by anyone with a little bit of traction is an expensive thing to accomplish.
As Thirdfox will attest when he was getting ready to send out a watch of his own design for review.

I'd put a lot less store in published advertorials, than I would in user reviews via watch sites and forums.

After 10 minutes of researching watch gang I can't believe anyone would actually sign up for it. Fitzgeme hit the nail on the head.

Research microbrands yourself and buy watches you pick yourself instead

banie01 wrote: »

Getting a watch or service reviewed by anyone with a little bit of traction is an expensive thing to accomplish.
As Thirdfox will attest when he was getting ready to send out a watch of his own design for review.

The big online blogs/sites do charge through the nose for advertorials but it's a business decision for people to make.

For smaller Youtube channels it's a lot murkier - I found that many "reviews" may be "paid reviews" - not necessarily expensive either but just something I didn't want to get involved in. In the end I still managed to line up 3 reviewers who were interested in reviewing for the cost of postage being paid when returning the watch so there definitely are genuine reviewers out there still.

And as to OP's question - I agree with fitzgeme - get what you want rather than "lucky dip".

I’m not moaning or even arguing. I’m just asking a simple question about thoughts on those above mentioned watches.
I actually agree with everyone who has posted on the subject in that it’s not something I would sign up to however I do feel that there is some negativity for negativities sake.

OmegaGene wrote: »

I bet you wish you never said anything now
Some people gave you an awful hammering considering this is a chat thread, I guess people like to feel superior with a bunch of strangers online
The madness may have kicked in after two weeks of lockdown lol

Thanks for the support!
I don’t t mind though. I find boards a bit like watch gang. You can be really lucky with a gem of a reply or you can go a load of crap. I like to take the chance!

He has already dropped his price......

Same fella always has some strange watches. He has strurling moon phase up for years as a super rare watch. I think he started at like 6k? (Maybe a moderator can see the add history?)

He is down to 900 and still over priced by 800 I think.

https://www.adverts.ie/5902589

Sky Helpful Fencer wrote: »

To be honest they have been at that 12k euro level for a good while now and verified dealers on chrono24 around the 12500 mark. its what makes the adverts dreamer so interesting. Although he did drop it 600 euro yesterday. Its the watchfinders of this world that put them up for 17gbp that amaze me more. There are going to be a good few perceived bargains out there. 896bet always knows the TZ.uk selling prices, what are they going for on there?

That hulk on adverts give me the heebee jeebees for some reason, I dont know why exactly

Not been one in a while but I think the last one sold was around 11k. But that was a few months back.

Ive just cleaned out the toaster with an air compressor.

blue5000 wrote: »

Are you going to have to repeat the year?

No, it's only 1st yr for me and we'd moved online in early March.

All the assessments were switched over to online and there is a "no detriment" marking policy in place so taking my qca into account I'll be grand this year unless I royally screw up.

I do have an i-grade repeat due in August tho so that could knock the QCA overall but I will pass the year if things go to plan with a 3.4-3.5 and a recognition that I need to stop cruising

TheRepentent wrote: »

How was that your responsibility ? Sounds like a chancer

Paypal is notoriously buyer friendly - good for buyers of course. I've experienced quite a few dodgy sellers too when buying from ebay - if it wasn't for paypal I probably would avoid the bay for a lot more purchases.

Though even I didn't know you could return something after 3 months for wear and tear damage - sounds crazy.

I'd been looking at various Tags over the last few weeks. I'll probably put off a purchase for a few months until there's some certainly around work but I spotted this and really like it! Any thoughts?

https://www.fields.ie/tag-heuerAxl Nice Meteoroidgulf-chrono-43mm-men-s-watch

Love the colors of the strap and the dial. Completely different to anything I'd been looking at previously which was a bit more plain with a blue dial, like these:

https://www.fields.ie/tag-heuer-formula-1-men-s-blue-dial-and-bezel-stainless-steel-watch

https://www.fields.ie/tag-heuerAxl Nice Meteoroidblue-dial-steel-bracelet-men-s-watch

Oh wow! I was looking at spending €1400/1500 for a new one. I hadn't thought of second hand till I bought one here that's in excellent condition.

Made more progress in my playthrough of L.A. Noire, after finding the empty watch box,found the watch:D



Reminded me of my Grandmothers watch that i have i never shared







Speaking of Ladies watches, Mrs Wibbs ???;):D

adam88 wrote: »

Wow that’s a really nice watch (first link). Anyone any idea where I can pick one up handy money

BNIB, you should be able to negotiate a direct deal outside c24 for sub 1000

https://www.chrono24.com/tagheuer/formula-1-caz101nfc8243--id9112539.htm

adam88 wrote: »

My first expensive watch. Bought this in Vegas in the pawn shop where Pawn Stars is filmed. Probably made a little too much for it but I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. Don’t wear it often but when I do it always attracts attention

That is really cool,another case of hobbies crossing over. In November 2017 as I was sitting at at home in Dublin at 3am,frantically waiting for the auction to end for my Bell-Matic,my Mother was in Las Vegas in the Gold and Silver Pawn shop.

I always wanted to buy a watch from there,even asked them on Facebook what they had,was told of a "Thanksgiving Sale",also rang them,but hung up on me. Didn't have a smart phone with her and wasn't allowed to take pictures. Apparently the only watch near my budget was $600 Calvin Klein...... NO!

Also was looking at a Hamilton Khaki King in a shop called Tourneau [Link],but too expensive for me.

Worked out for the best as after I knew there was nothing of interest in Las Vegas and getting nowhere with an Omega for €250,that night is when I typed "Seiko Bell-Matic 27 Jewels" into Ebay and the rest was history.Some pictures of the "Unboxing" back in 2017 i never shared [Link]

My Mother also loving the show, didn't leave empty handed,brought me back some treats











Another shop she went to that features on the show was Toy Shack



Johnny Jimenez the owner is one if the expert's who comes in and looks over the Toys. She didn't see him or anyone in Pawn shop, believe they are rarely seen.When she was there she picked up this for me





Really cool from one of my favorite movies. Very unusual piece to make a model giving the obvious star car.Also getting back to watches,in the movie,Steve McQueen wears a really cool Benrus also used by the U.S Military [Link]



Not related to watches,one of my favourite parts of the movie is when during the chase at the airport,Frank (McQueen) lying under a Boeing 707 as it takes off



My dream would be to get a chance to hear those 4 Pratt & Whitney JT3D engines spool up (Headphones are a must,volume max) https://youtu.be/OElCeEAzATk?t=585 One of the best sounds i ever heard,always puts a big smile on my face.Even had a mad idea to travel to Iran back in 2013 to go on the last passenger Boeing 707 Saha Air,have since been retired.Lovely PSA 727 also seen during the chase.

Heading back to watches, if anyone is interest in watches featured in movies there is a great site dedicated to it [Link],post some you spot or help identify ones already posted,here is 2 I added that haven't gone up yet,from the Pilot episode of Knight Rider "Knight of the Phoenix" [Pictures] and the movie The Lovely Bones (2009) [Pictures].

Apologize for rambling on too much and going off topic.

What's the vat on a watch in ireland? 23% or 13%? I am non resident so can claim it back. If I do get home for summer that is..

This is it wrote: »

What's the craic with Chrono 24? Have many here used it? I presume I'm best off ordering from the EU to avoid VAT? Any other advice for buying from there or other suggested sites?

I bought three watches off there - TZ-UK is normally my first port of call, but it can be hard to get people to ship outside the UK. All 3 transactions were smooth, but I've not read great things about their buyer protection. Perhaps it's improved since.

I googled reviews for the sellers - I went for ones with a brick & mortar presence, tried to see what their after sales service was like (turns out I had to return one that developed an issue, and they arranged and paid for the courier both ways).

Not familiar with too many other sites. I see Watchfinder mentioned a bit here, but their prices seem steep, and I got a derisory trade in offer from them (and sold it easily for over 50% more than their offer), so not sure what the appeal there is - maybe there's room for haggling / I was just trying to sell a less popular watch.

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Tell me about it.. I was home for Christmas and spent about a €2/3k on stuff and only found out I could have claimed the vat back after we came back. Was kicking myself. What is the best way to claim it in your experience?

Good overview of the scheme here.
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_to_ireland/tax_free_purchases_for_non_eu_travellers.html

Always carry your foreign issued I.D always be sure to ask for your cashback receipts and then hit the kiosk at the airport before you fly home.

Be sure to use a credit or debit card from your new "home" for the purchases.

C0N0R wrote: »

Non resident here too, I don’t fly direct from Dublin though, fly through Heathrow, is it still possible to claim tax back in the republic?

My reading of it that you need to have a through ticket. I normally fly via Frankfurt but on a through ticket. I may have just text my jeweler contact in Ireland... if I get something for the wife, maybe I can slip something for myself too.