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Horological hobby pet-peeves:

pennsyl936
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asrnj77 asrnj77
Sellers who have no idea what size their watch is...(Or falsely enlarge/shrink it to attract buyers)

...and when sellers describe a vintage 30mm women's' watch as "boys" or "mid-size".
 
michael e
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wagudc wagudc
How about every 1940s watch is: WW2 era military style. Just enough to be arguably honest, but also makes it a PITA to search for an WW2 military watch.

Guilty 😁
 
Deafboy
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When auctioneers describe a watch as "rare and important".
 
M'Bob
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Deafboy Deafboy
When auctioneers describe a watch as "rare and important".
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Important- to whom?

I always found the "important" thing incredibly pretentious. Is it only for VIPs? What if a relatively unimportant person ponies up and buys it - is there some sort of cosmic disturbance?
 
MRC
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M'Bob M'Bob
I always found the "important" thing incredibly pretentious. Is it only for VIPs? What if a relatively unimportant person ponies up and buys it - is there some sort of cosmic disturbance?

Look at it as a standard marketing phrase, like:

"all new" -- new paint colours for a car
"exciting new development" -- little boxes made of ticky-tacky
"inspired by" -- ripped off 'cos we have no ideas of our own
"revolutionary" -- in 1880, which is when the magazine we found it in was published
"the Rolls-Royce of" -- oversized, overweight and overpriced
and that eBay favourite "buy with confidence" -- I haven't offered any other reason for the punter to be confident the goods are as described, or even exist
 
ConElPueblo
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27,692
Deafboy Deafboy
When auctioneers describe a watch as "rare and important".

It's getting more and more common to see sellers use the term "legendary" about the movements in their watch, when all you really want to read is "serviced".
 
dennisthemenace
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Obviously it's not just on this forum, but it really pisses me off when someone says " I could care less"
Isn't that the same as saying "I couldn't care more"?
 
SkunkPrince
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dennisthemenace dennisthemenace
Obviously it's not just on this forum, but it really pisses me off when someone says " I could care less"
Isn't that the same as saying "I couldn't care more"?

I believe it's an elision of "I could care less... but I don't."
 
Larry S
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Going down a bunny hole like this ..... “I doubt you could find a better example of this model.“
 
STANDY
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The newer member with “Found this Can you have a look if all looks good and what’s it worth”

1) It has a price on it how about you friggen tell us what they want first......
2) If it’s from a dealer it’s always overpriced
 
JwRosenthal
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STANDY STANDY
The newer member with “Found this Can you have a look if all looks good and what’s it worth”

1) It has a price on it how about you friggen tell us what they want first......
2) If it’s from a dealer it’s always overpriced
This always mystifies me- when the person won’t share the price, or the source, or the auction, for fear someone here may jump their claim if they reveal where it is. Trust me dude, if you are just seeing it- we saw it already and passed.
 
mzinski
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1,718
I have to say two things bother me the most:

1. "Rare" - Everything is described as rare. Every possible nuance is a special snowflake never before seen and therefore commands high prices.

2. Price Opacity - Why is this hobby so similar to healthcare in the United States? No prices listed, different prices for different people on different platforms, no consistency, and what I speculate as price fixing. I forget which Hodinkee video I was watching but the vintage dealers (Eric Wind I think it was but not totally sure) openly admitted it was their job to withhold supply to maintain values (for their clients of course).

EDIT: H10 Video: https://www.windvintage.com/press/2...ow-vintage-watches-are-really-bought-and-sold
Edited:
 
asrnj77
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2,369
I’ve been having a “conversation” with a seller on eBay. Keep in mind this watch is going for thousands of dollars. He apparently doesn’t reply with more than 2 words to any question. So far consisting of “I’m watchmaker” and “original”. I know this is a sign to flee but that little devil on my shoulder is picturing some old crusty watchmaker who is selling off pieces that were left at his shop after 30 years.
 
8B741DE4-E47B-4A28-94D4-FCA5F5DAC04C.jpeg
watch3s
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"Look this up and tell me if this watch is real" usually seen in the rolex section
 
lillatroll
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4,359
People who insist on deployant being the ‘ correct’ term. Plenty of people use deployment and everyone knows what is being referred to. Its like insisting that elevator is the the only correct term even thought many people use lift.
 
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