AllenCTN
Well-known member
Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop
I found this video very intresting. Thanks for sharing it
I found this video very intresting. Thanks for sharing it
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\"THE\" Watch Shop
- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
Makapuu
Well-known member
Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop
I love watches and loved the video! I could never "ignore the watch stuff".
For those of you who know your wife would be an obstacle to buying the expensive watch you really want, here is my story of how you pull it off. I collected Invicta watches that I was buying on Shop NBC and wanted to go to the next level. I got my wife to agree that I can buy a higher quality watch because we do occasionally attend black tie events, and I felt I should have a decent watch on my wrist when I was hanging out with a bunch of financial gurus. I think Invicta makes quality timepieces with some of the best designs and provide great value, but they are looked down at by true watch collectors because too much of their components come from China (sound familiar) and they are pushing the limits of the "Swiss Made" designation, and I agree with the criticism. Invicta is also considered a bargain brand because of the Shop NBC marketing. At the time it was the best I could afford, and again great watch designs and value for the buck, so I am not trashing Invicta.
We went to Torneau and into the Breitling store inside and I started to look at the watches. The first one I looked at was beautiful and the salesperson told me it was $42,000.00 (18k is partially why). I tried on several watches in that price range, and my wife sat there quietly but I could tell she was getting seriously stressed out. I am sorta wide and have a larger wrist so I like a large watch, and I finally fell in love with a white/gold face Super Avenger which is their largest watch at 48mm in diameter. I told the salesperson I wanted it and asked the price. My wife could tell I was going to buy it. The sales person said "56", and I said ring it up. My wife looks at me obviously freaked out with her eyes bugged out and said "thousand????". After a dramatic pause the salesperson said "oh no-56 hundred!" My wife was completely relieved and said "ok- good!". And I bought the watch. It is now the only watch I wear; the rest just sit in a case. I didn't plan ahead of time to be shown the 50K range watches first, but in the end the process made it soooo much easier for my wife to swallow me spending over 6K on a watch (with taxes and premium warranty). Believe me, if I had started with watches that cost 1-2K, it would have been a real hard sell for my wife to let me spend 6K+ on a watch! It was much more than she thought I would spend. But the way things played out, she was happy I spent only that much!
So now you know the trick. Go to the watch store ahead of time and scout things out. Then bring the wife and only look at watches 10X more expensive than the watch you really want, and when you finally choose your watch she will be happy and relieved. Great strategy - and this might work for tools too!
I love watches and loved the video! I could never "ignore the watch stuff".
For those of you who know your wife would be an obstacle to buying the expensive watch you really want, here is my story of how you pull it off. I collected Invicta watches that I was buying on Shop NBC and wanted to go to the next level. I got my wife to agree that I can buy a higher quality watch because we do occasionally attend black tie events, and I felt I should have a decent watch on my wrist when I was hanging out with a bunch of financial gurus. I think Invicta makes quality timepieces with some of the best designs and provide great value, but they are looked down at by true watch collectors because too much of their components come from China (sound familiar) and they are pushing the limits of the "Swiss Made" designation, and I agree with the criticism. Invicta is also considered a bargain brand because of the Shop NBC marketing. At the time it was the best I could afford, and again great watch designs and value for the buck, so I am not trashing Invicta.
We went to Torneau and into the Breitling store inside and I started to look at the watches. The first one I looked at was beautiful and the salesperson told me it was $42,000.00 (18k is partially why). I tried on several watches in that price range, and my wife sat there quietly but I could tell she was getting seriously stressed out. I am sorta wide and have a larger wrist so I like a large watch, and I finally fell in love with a white/gold face Super Avenger which is their largest watch at 48mm in diameter. I told the salesperson I wanted it and asked the price. My wife could tell I was going to buy it. The sales person said "56", and I said ring it up. My wife looks at me obviously freaked out with her eyes bugged out and said "thousand????". After a dramatic pause the salesperson said "oh no-56 hundred!" My wife was completely relieved and said "ok- good!". And I bought the watch. It is now the only watch I wear; the rest just sit in a case. I didn't plan ahead of time to be shown the 50K range watches first, but in the end the process made it soooo much easier for my wife to swallow me spending over 6K on a watch (with taxes and premium warranty). Believe me, if I had started with watches that cost 1-2K, it would have been a real hard sell for my wife to let me spend 6K+ on a watch! It was much more than she thought I would spend. But the way things played out, she was happy I spent only that much!
So now you know the trick. Go to the watch store ahead of time and scout things out. Then bring the wife and only look at watches 10X more expensive than the watch you really want, and when you finally choose your watch she will be happy and relieved. Great strategy - and this might work for tools too!
Last edited:
Zeke
Well-known member
Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop
I have my dad's old 'expensive' watch. The band has worn to the point of being unreliable and that's certainly not from my wearing it. The band costs half a house payment so it isn't happening. No kids that want it either. I'd sell it but I'd get raped so it will end up in an estate sale and I won't have to deal with how much.
The point being that most Rolexes and that ilk are not all that good of an investment. Some old Rolexes go for many 1000's but that isn't the norm. Meanwhile, you need to have these serviced regularly, get new crystals now and then, buy replacement bands (they are model specific and can cost hundreds) and then there's insurance unless you don't care or leave it in a safe deposit box. Add that up for 30 years against the cost vs. current value. Also consider the purchase price left in a blue chip stock for 30 years.
Yeah, you're either a watch guy or not.
I have my dad's old 'expensive' watch. The band has worn to the point of being unreliable and that's certainly not from my wearing it. The band costs half a house payment so it isn't happening. No kids that want it either. I'd sell it but I'd get raped so it will end up in an estate sale and I won't have to deal with how much.
The point being that most Rolexes and that ilk are not all that good of an investment. Some old Rolexes go for many 1000's but that isn't the norm. Meanwhile, you need to have these serviced regularly, get new crystals now and then, buy replacement bands (they are model specific and can cost hundreds) and then there's insurance unless you don't care or leave it in a safe deposit box. Add that up for 30 years against the cost vs. current value. Also consider the purchase price left in a blue chip stock for 30 years.
Yeah, you're either a watch guy or not.
Makapuu
Well-known member
Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop
You should never buy a watch as an investment. Yes there are a few exceptions where a certain model has gone up in value due to demand and rarity but that is only one watch here or there out of thousands of models. The value of a watch comes from wearing it and enjoying it. In this day and age of technology where cell phones are used to tell time, wearing a watch has become more of a fashion statement than a utilitarian necessity. Still the real joy for me comes from appreciating the workmanship and mechanics that I carry around on my wrist.
The point being that most Rolexes and that ilk are not all that good of an investment.
Yeah, you're either a watch guy or not.
You should never buy a watch as an investment. Yes there are a few exceptions where a certain model has gone up in value due to demand and rarity but that is only one watch here or there out of thousands of models. The value of a watch comes from wearing it and enjoying it. In this day and age of technology where cell phones are used to tell time, wearing a watch has become more of a fashion statement than a utilitarian necessity. Still the real joy for me comes from appreciating the workmanship and mechanics that I carry around on my wrist.
Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop
Thanks for posting that link, Russ G.
The world needs more practical artistry like this.
I got a lot of ideas from the photos of his workshop, too. Good design, well executed.
- Mounting each bench machine on its own wooden pedestal to allow them to be moved, stored or anchored to the bench. The bench becomes the platform for multiple tools or just a select set of tools, as the project requires.
- Wonderful watchmaker's bench with ARM RESTS (!) My aching shoulders can use that.
- The importance of considering work height when fabricating a work surface.
- Including illumination at each work station/tool set
- High ceilings with matched ambient lighting to diffuse light throughout the entire work area
The work is done within inches and everything is scaled to allow it to happen - like surgery. I'm sure careful thinking for an auto or metal shop, wood working or cabinet shop is what makes it work well.
Great subject and a great fit for a workshop blog.
Thanks for posting that link, Russ G.
The world needs more practical artistry like this.
I got a lot of ideas from the photos of his workshop, too. Good design, well executed.
- Mounting each bench machine on its own wooden pedestal to allow them to be moved, stored or anchored to the bench. The bench becomes the platform for multiple tools or just a select set of tools, as the project requires.
- Wonderful watchmaker's bench with ARM RESTS (!) My aching shoulders can use that.
- The importance of considering work height when fabricating a work surface.
- Including illumination at each work station/tool set
- High ceilings with matched ambient lighting to diffuse light throughout the entire work area
The work is done within inches and everything is scaled to allow it to happen - like surgery. I'm sure careful thinking for an auto or metal shop, wood working or cabinet shop is what makes it work well.
Great subject and a great fit for a workshop blog.
Carl B
Well-known member
Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop
I needed a wrist watch about 40 years ago.
Did a lot of research before buying.
Found that NASA had tested several of the worlds best Chronographs for use in outer space for trips to the moon.
Figured they spent serious money on the tests - and had no real personal interest in the outcome.
Bought an Omega Speedmaster Professional - as Flight Qualified for Space Missions - circa 1974.
Yep - you have to wind it up.
Has always kept time to within a minute per month checked against the Atomic Clock.
It has been on my wrist daily since 1974. With the exceptions of the two times it has been sent back to the Omega factory for restoration.
Melted the crystal when a blob of molten metal dripped off - as I was using cutting torch..
A slip when using a die grinder - ground the crystal another time..
In my opinion Rolex makes jewelry and Omega makes watches. I love the jewelry but wear a watch.
FWIW,
Carl B.
I needed a wrist watch about 40 years ago.
Did a lot of research before buying.
Found that NASA had tested several of the worlds best Chronographs for use in outer space for trips to the moon.
Figured they spent serious money on the tests - and had no real personal interest in the outcome.
Bought an Omega Speedmaster Professional - as Flight Qualified for Space Missions - circa 1974.
Yep - you have to wind it up.
Has always kept time to within a minute per month checked against the Atomic Clock.
It has been on my wrist daily since 1974. With the exceptions of the two times it has been sent back to the Omega factory for restoration.
Melted the crystal when a blob of molten metal dripped off - as I was using cutting torch..
A slip when using a die grinder - ground the crystal another time..
In my opinion Rolex makes jewelry and Omega makes watches. I love the jewelry but wear a watch.
FWIW,
Carl B.
gipraw
Well-known member
Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop
If you want to wear it, there are several high quality but not expensive places to buy a strap for it. Panatime is one off the top of my head.
If you want to sell it there are several options that are pain free and easy. Govberg Jewelers buy Swiss made watches. Their online system is easy, they send you an offer, if you accept it the turn around is quick and they mail payment within 24 hours of receiving the watch.. they also send a pre paid shipping label for you to send the watch to them.
I have done business with them for years, both buying and selling.
I have my dad's old 'expensive' watch. The band has worn to the point of being unreliable and that's certainly not from my wearing it. The band costs half a house payment so it isn't happening. No kids that want it either. I'd sell it but I'd get raped so it will end up in an estate sale and I won't have to deal with how much.
The point being that most Rolexes and that ilk are not all that good of an investment. Some old Rolexes go for many 1000's but that isn't the norm. Meanwhile, you need to have these serviced regularly, get new crystals now and then, buy replacement bands (they are model specific and can cost hundreds) and then there's insurance unless you don't care or leave it in a safe deposit box. Add that up for 30 years against the cost vs. current value. Also consider the purchase price left in a blue chip stock for 30 years.
Yeah, you're either a watch guy or not.
If you want to wear it, there are several high quality but not expensive places to buy a strap for it. Panatime is one off the top of my head.
If you want to sell it there are several options that are pain free and easy. Govberg Jewelers buy Swiss made watches. Their online system is easy, they send you an offer, if you accept it the turn around is quick and they mail payment within 24 hours of receiving the watch.. they also send a pre paid shipping label for you to send the watch to them.
I have done business with them for years, both buying and selling.
rubberrodder
Well-known member
Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop
The nicer and more expensive a watch, the faster I seem to kill them. I would never even get a Rolex out of the store before it stopped!
The nicer and more expensive a watch, the faster I seem to kill them. I would never even get a Rolex out of the store before it stopped!
Bigplum
Well-known member
Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop
I've got the Omega seamaster ( the James Bond one) cost about £1100 , wear it every day unless I'm doing grunt work ,
Wanted that watch for years and I'm still happy with it 14 years later
I did look at the Rolex but didn't like the fit of the bracelet , Omega's are comfy
I've got the Omega seamaster ( the James Bond one) cost about £1100 , wear it every day unless I'm doing grunt work ,
Wanted that watch for years and I'm still happy with it 14 years later
I did look at the Rolex but didn't like the fit of the bracelet , Omega's are comfy
TLR-NUT
Member
Re: \"THE\" Watch Shop
I just bought for my 19 year old daughter a Shinola brand watch last week while shopping in Detroit. It is hand crafted right in Detroit. Hopefully she"ll have it for the rest of her life.
I just bought for my 19 year old daughter a Shinola brand watch last week while shopping in Detroit. It is hand crafted right in Detroit. Hopefully she"ll have it for the rest of her life.