Fitz's Youtube Channel

redlead · 15-05-2021 11:32am

Watch comparisons of mid tier brands is fairly difficult because comparing specs on paper is usually a load of nonsense in my view. For instance, I was arguing about this the other day with a friend who rolled out the usual "Omegas are technically superior to Rolex" line that you usually hear from lads that have seamasters and don't have subs. If having a more complex Co axial movement makes it technically superior, then I just don't agree. It is more technical but not superior in my view. The benefit of a Co axial movement is theoretically less wear and tear . If that is the case, then why does a seamaster have a 5 year service interval and a sub has 10? Modern lubricants just make having a Co axial movement unnecessary. Both watches have excellent movements that keep great time so something like a greater power reserve might actually be more useful.

This is a long winded way of saying how can you really compare watches in the same bracket when they are almost guaranteed to have a similar standard of finish and movement etc. I like seeing watches assessed on their own merits.

Fitz II · 15-05-2021 11:36am

unkel wrote: »

Another quality review there Fitz II. Well researched, well presented, not shy to give your own view on it, good and bad.

Weird to see my own watch on Youtube I like the pic with my hand in my pocket, you can see the watch doesn't look particularly big on me at all (in my view)

One question, you state that you can get this watch for in or around detail (€12,450) and normally you do your research thoroughly into this. I've just checked chrono and the cheapest one in the EU is €13,700. And average is a bit over €15,000. That's fairly significantly over retail? Of course not the twice retail as we have seen on some popular Rolex like the OP fancy colours and the Daytona.

Thanks again for the watch Unkle, and certainly you wear to watch well and are totally used to it, looks very well on you. But you were laser focused on this watch for a long time and knew exactly what you were getting into. Its a total beast.

12450 is retail and the chrono graph I put in is the worldwide selling prices, not the asking prices. Average at the moment is around 14100, minus the chrono 6% which is not value in the watch thats dealer or platform profit so around 13250 in the watch, so 750 profit on a totally average sale. For me thats in an around retail. Its not until you have 3 or 4 thousand in profit in a watch that it becomes (for me) an "investment" proposition with 13k tied up in it. But this is Rolex we are talking so any watch that you buy today and sell tomorrow for the same money is a total win, and I know you bought this watch well. If you want the watch as a watch, then the resale price is mostly unimportant.

I like a comparison myself, and at this stage I have had a lot of watches to compare against. I also tend to buy the usually benchmarks so its a good standard candle.

Cyclingtourist · 15-05-2021 11:46am

Fifty subscribers, time for a watch-giveaway?

Wibbs · 15-05-2021 11:53am

As 89 notes Chrono24 is not a good way to judge values. It's chock full of dealers and their notions. The rest of the private types tend to be serial flippers looking to get back something. That's new and current stuff, their vintage offerings "values" are even worse and almost always beyond daft. Again, dealers smoking the wacky baccy.

unkel · 15-05-2021 2:14pm

Wibbs wrote: »

It doesn't look too huge on Fitz' wrist either.

No it didn't. But with the glidelock fully closed, it was still a few mm too big for Fitz and that makes this top heavy watch wobble around and topple over. You really need to wear it without too much play or it gets annoying. For the same reason I'm also very glad that I did not end up with the 116660 - I don't think I would have kept that one long

Fitz II wrote: »

the chrono graph I put in is the worldwide selling prices

That's a bit of an issue. Any Rolex can be bought substantially cheaper in China, Russia, Japan or the USA. Now if you do a lot of international travel you could probably get away with going over without a watch, buy one and bring it back (without box or papers) and not declare it. This particular watch was bought in the EU in an airport AD by someone travelling outside, so the buyer avoided the VAT

But for most people that's not an option or not a risk they would be willing to take and only EU prices are relevant

Therefore as an easy benchmark, I usually take the cheapest one for sale in the EU (and deduct something for negotiation)

unkel · 15-05-2021 2:23pm

Wibbs wrote: »

As 89 notes Chrono24 is not a good way to judge values. It's chock full of dealers and their notions.

No doubt you're right there for most watches. But here we are talking current Rolex steel sport watches and I'm not so sure if your point stands.

I did a lot of looking and contacting dealers directly (after spotting their Rolex for sale on Chrono) in the last year and there really was very little in it. Often nothing, zero. Price is the price. A good comparison also is to check all EU entries for a certain reference on Chrono and then do the rounds on many grey market dealer websites in the EU. Often the prices on their websites are the same or higher and nearly without exception, there was little to zero room for negotiation (over the phone or via email). Perhaps if you showed up in the store with a bundle of cash, you'd get more. I haven't tried that.

Wibbs · 15-05-2021 2:52pm

I know a chap who bought a Sub a few years ago in Las Vegas of all places(and it was still cheaper than here even with the drunk tourist markup) and got an American mate of his to send the box and papers by post a few months later. Maybe that would raise flags these days?

Fitz II · 15-05-2021 2:56pm

unkel wrote: »

That's a bit of an issue. Any Rolex can be bought substantially cheaper in China, Russia, Japan or the USA. Now if you do a lot of international travel you could probably get away with going over without a watch, buy one and bring it back (without box or papers) and not declare it. This particular watch was bought in the EU in an airport AD by someone travelling outside, so the buyer avoided the VAT

Hey man I am an international youtuber....YouTube knows not borders.

unkel wrote: »

Therefore as an easy benchmark, I usually take the cheapest one for sale in the EU (and deduct something for negotiation)

Just remember to do the opposite when selling

unkel · 15-05-2021 3:03pm

Wibbs wrote: »

Maybe that would raise flags these days?

I don't think so. What can they do?

Customs officer: "Have you proof you already owned that watch when you left Ireland, have you proof of purchase"

Dude who bought Rolex cheaply in Vegas: "no, I have no proof and no, I bought it off a mate"

End of story. And if ever questioned why he received an empty box and some papers (without his name on it obviously) he'd just say he collects boxes

Obviously if you do carry evidence on you that you bought it outside the EU and brought it in, without declaring it, you could be in serious trouble. For a €500 Seiko you'd probably just get a fine. For a €13000 Rolex, you'd be lucky to get away without a criminal conviction. And we all know about the dude who imported some garlic into Ireland without paying VAT / duties and he is now serving a 6 year jail sentence.

Cyrus · 15-05-2021 3:24pm

unkel wrote: »

No doubt you're right there for most watches. But here we are talking current Rolex steel sport watches and I'm not so sure if your point stands.

I did a lot of looking and contacting dealers directly (after spotting their Rolex for sale on Chrono) in the last year and there really was very little in it. Often nothing, zero. Price is the price. A good comparison also is to check all EU entries for a certain reference on Chrono and then do the rounds on many grey market dealer websites in the EU. Often the prices on their websites are the same or higher and nearly without exception, there was little to zero room for negotiation (over the phone or via email). Perhaps if you showed up in the store with a bundle of cash, you'd get more. I haven't tried that.

I think if you try the Cameron is achievable at retail mainly because its too big for most people!

893bet · 15-05-2021 3:24pm

All this talk about making profit from watches makes me a little sad. But I do accept it’s hard to ignore as a factor. Me included.

Fitz II · 15-05-2021 4:12pm

893bet wrote: »

All this talk about making profit from watches makes me a little sad. But I do accept it’s hard to ignore as a factor. Me included.

I hear ya, but it does make the justification of having these watches easier. And it's made the market far more active and liquid.

unkel · 15-05-2021 4:24pm

Fitz II wrote: »

I hear ya, but it does make the justification of having these watches easier.

I couldn't justify putting thousands in a watch if there was a chance I would lose significantly on it. It's nice if I can sell a watch for more than I bought it for (=profit) but that's not my reason for buying this watch as you have pointed out yourself: many other Rolex steel sports watches would be a better bet as an investment

I've worn this watch pretty much 24/7 since I got it nearly 5 months ago, I am not careful with it. As anyone can witness from your video. Maybe that's the reason you shifted it a bit quickly in your hands to make the scratches on the clasp less noticeable?

Thanks for doing the video and sharing it with all of us here, and an ever widening fan base no doubt! I particularly like this photo, it's in the video but I might as well stick it up here:

For reference, I'm a bit over 6'1, 100kg and my wrist is about 7.6". By no means a big lad. On a guy say like Jeremy Clarkson (6'4, 150kg, wrist over 8"?) it would probably look too small.

gameoverdude · 15-05-2021 4:28pm

unkel wrote:

For reference, I'm a bit over 6'1, 100kg and my wrist is about 7.6". By no means a big lad. On a guy say like Jeremy Clarkson (6'4, 150kg, wrist well over 8"?) it would probably look too small.

Sure just a slip of a lad(no insult intended). The watch looks well on you.

banie01 · 15-05-2021 4:41pm

unkel wrote: »

For reference, I'm a bit over 6'1, 100kg and my wrist is about 7.6". By no means a big lad. On a guy say like Jeremy Clarkson (6'4, 150kg, wrist over 8"?) it would probably look too small.

You'll have to lend it to me for a thorough assessment of size and proportion on 6'4"+ male

I'm not as chunky as JC :P but at 100-102kg and a similar sized wrist as yourself it's the only way to be certain

@Fitz, another enjoyable video. There is certainly a growth in confidence and engagement on every video so far.
No punches pulled in terms of who the watch would suit either.
It's refreshing to get a definite opinion without its being shouted at you on YT vid.

Fitz II · 15-05-2021 5:01pm

banie01 wrote: »

No punches pulled in terms of who the watch would suit either.
It's refreshing to get a definite opinion without its being shouted at you on YT vid.

I am trying to be fair and not ignore elephants. Every watch has a market. I have a vid planned on the Rootbeer wondering if two tone is for sketchy ould fellas? Is the Daytona the most illegible watch in history? Does the Casio Duro make all cheap watch redundant? Is a vostock a POS or not? I think when you take a love or hate approach you miss the all the nice nuisance that make the hobby interesting.

Cyrus · 15-05-2021 6:37pm

unkel wrote: »

I couldn't justify putting thousands in a watch if there was a chance I would lose significantly on it. It's nice if I can sell a watch for more than I bought it for (=profit) but that's not my reason for buying this watch as you have pointed out yourself: many other Rolex steel sports watches would be a better bet as an investment

I've worn this watch pretty much 24/7 since I got it nearly 5 months ago, I am not careful with it. As anyone can witness from your video. Maybe that's the reason you shifted it a bit quickly in your hands to make the scratches on the clasp less noticeable?

Thanks for doing the video and sharing it with all of us here, and an ever widening fan base no doubt! I particularly like this photo, it's in the video but I might as well stick it up here:

For reference, I'm a bit over 6'1, 100kg and my wrist is about 7.6". By no means a big lad. On a guy say like Jeremy Clarkson (6'4, 150kg, wrist over 8"?) it would probably look too small.

Looks good on you to be fair!

How are you bonding with the panerai?

unkel · 15-05-2021 6:50pm

Cyrus wrote: »

How are you bonding with the panerai?

Liking it very much. Well not so much the model that I have in particular as it's a chrono. But the whole look and feel and size of the Panerai is just right. Already looking at what Panerai I will get next. Would have to sell this one though, and some other watches too.

unkel · 15-05-2021 6:52pm

Ha! There's a 126660 just come up for for sale on ichrono. €14,500 non-negotiable.

Linky

scwazrh · 15-05-2021 6:55pm

unkel wrote: »

Ha! There's a 126660 just come up for for sale on ichrono. €14,500 non-negotiable.

Linky

Was just going to post that .Maybe fitz’s review has started some Irish hype for the deep sea

banie01 · 15-05-2021 6:58pm

scwazrh wrote: »

Was just going to post that .Maybe fitz’s review has started some Irish hype for the deep sea

So Fitz is an influencer!?
That's a sign!
It's time for me to release my sex tape and hoover up the reality TV deals

unkel · 15-05-2021 6:59pm

scwazrh wrote: »

Maybe fitz’s review has started some Irish hype for the deep sea

Somehow I doubt that

I can't see much hype starting for the JC myself, unless it is discontinued. I have heard the watch talked up by certain Rolex heads though. Who knows and who cares. I won't get any more or any less sleep over it either way. It's a class watch though. I love it.

banie01 · 15-05-2021 7:01pm

unkel wrote: »

Somehow I doubt that

I can't see much hype starting for the JC myself, unless it is discontinued. I have heard the watch talked up by certain Rolex heads though. Who knows and who cares. I won't get any more or any less sleep over it either way. It's a class watch though. I love it.

I really like it too, it's a substantial piece that is the epitome of its type IMO.
A lump of tool that will do the job even after the user breaks

Blanchy90 · 16-05-2021 1:03pm

Fitz II wrote: »

Yep pre recorded the video and voiced over...I think it works better to do the voice over with the watch in hand. it slows you down and makes you more deliberate. This means if people are giving me a watch for an hour I need to be prepared with my points ahead of time, again thats difficult on a watch you have not handled before, your points are then somebody else's points really.

I'd say it's very tough to do it in just an hour.

So far I've just done the voice over with the watch in hand, I try to shoot b roll from different angles incase I miss something and need to add in something at a later stage. It can also be handy for comparison videos in the future if you have extra footage you haven't used.

I'm completely new to YouTube but I've done videos in work ( and worked with people far more talented than me haha) it can be helpful to time out the voice over in advance to get an idea of timings for recording

banie01 · 16-05-2021 2:28pm

It's great to see Fitz and Blanchy's reviews and channels in action.
I have very, very few YT subs and when I say that I mean despite years of using that platform I still have single digit numbers of creators I'll sub too.
Happy to say of the 3 watch folks I have clicked sub on

Ye are all regulars here, Fitz, TF and Blanchy.
All power to ye lads, may the pleasure of a thumbs up bring ye joy.

I can't see myself going down the YT route, I have taken a leaf out of TF's book with buying a lightbox tho!
I'm thinking that I may learn to take a decent photo and share my own shots of models, collectibles, comic art and meagre watches in insta properly at some stage.

Also!
Not got a lot in the way of watches, but happy to lend a piece to the review cause when I'm next up in the smoke and more than an hour could surely be arranged too.

Keep up the good, improving and interesting bids!

Thirdfox · 16-05-2021 11:03pm

Btw Fitz - I'm just wondering is it just myself or are there a few artefacts in the video at the beginning?

What editing software are you using? I'm cheapening out and using the free Hitfilm Express (you can choose to buy add-ons if/when you need it rather than buying the whole package straight off) rather than the standard Adobe AfterEffects - hey it renders even up to 4k fine for my purposes and it's free so a few hundred euro saved on annual subscriptions I guess...

Oh and I use Gimp 2.0 instead of Adobe Illustrator too - freeware alternative that is akin to photoshop 6.0 - powerful enough for my purposes and bonus that it comes with the funny name :P

Fitz II · 16-05-2021 11:36pm

No artefacts on my side :)I am using Powerdirector, its not bad once you get over the funny interface and not too expensive, most important thing is it has limited access to a stock vid, photo and music library. Supports all formats up toe 8k but I only have a HD camera at the moment but it does 60 FPS which I think is more beneficial than the higher pixel count. Constantly tweaking the setting to try get out nice output, have a vid tomorrow that I think looks great. I use gimp too but dont do much image manipulation.

unkel · 17-05-2021 12:32am

Fitz II wrote: »

have a vid tomorrow that I think looks great

You tease! What watch?

Wibbs · 17-05-2021 8:33am

There's an 80's vibe to the opening.

Fitz II · 17-05-2021 8:50am

Wibbs wrote: »

There's an 80's vibe to the opening.

https://youtu.be/HwUOpyM-Muo

Fitz's Youtube Channel

Comments