Community Stories

Laughable ‘For Sale’ threads recently

airansun
Posts
2,520
Likes
17,831
padders padders
Does he at least return old parts?

Yes, he does. I usually bin them when I get home.

padders padders
the disadvantages of having ... presumably no idea what work has been done.

When I first bring him a watch for service, he measures it on a timegrapher and then opens it while I wait. Then, he tells me the condition of the movement (how worn it is) and any problems he sees. I tell him what I saw when I put it on the timegrapher I have. We discuss what he’ll do. He gives me a numbered store receipt. All this takes place when I leave it with him. About fifteen, twenty minutes.

If he has a problem or something major comes up, he calls me to talk. Frequently, I’ll stop by his shop to discuss the problem face to face.

When I arrive to pick up a watch, he tells me at length what was wrong and what he did. We talk more about the condition of the movement. And he answers all my questions. I pay with a credit card.

In the instances where I needed to bring a watch he’d serviced back to him, it’s always done at no charge.

padders padders
I do see your point but I would suggest that in one important respect he is not a really good watchmaker.

I concede this, you’re right.
 
janice&fred
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,801
Archer Archer
A simple invoice with basic information is hardly "fancy"...

Well I suppose if John Goldberger and the likes seek out Julio for those special jobs then he probably doesn't much care either. Probably just relieved to have the watch in the best hands possible.
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,977
I think we are all on the same page here Gentlemen- a service does add "value" to the price we are willing to pay- maybe not value added to the watch itself in terms of market value.
My original intent for input on this thread was to highlight a topic not often discussed here- which is the sometimes arbitrary pricing we see in our own FS section (and in the watch world in general it seems). Yes, there are some very unique watches out there for which comparable examples are either seldom or never seen- some of these are incredibly rare and there is truly no reasonable way to find an exact value (only an open auction can yield a market value)- but we aren't taking about those- are we?
When a watch has known extant examples, or is of a type that has known extant examples, there is no reason other than hubris, laziness or greed to price so far outside the parameters of reality that it can generate an entire thread on the topic.
I love the concept of the Speedy price guide. Wether you like it or not, it applies a logic to collecting in a market with so many variables. Nobody has to follow the system, but the concept applies rules of order to collecting a specific type of watch. Many other collectibles have price guides and rules for condition assesment- but watch collecting seems to be one of the few where anything goes- just take my word- this one is special.
 
airansun
Posts
2,520
Likes
17,831
padders padders
if you find you can’t ever recoup servicing costs on watches you buy and then sell on then you are possibly paying too much for them in the first place.

True if you’re running a business.

I’m enjoying a hobby.

Owning a watch is consuming it, whether you wind it or not. Servicing is part of the price of consuming and not a major method to build equity.

Be grateful you don’t collect wine. Consuming there can be much more destructive.
 
janice&fred
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,801
airansun airansun
Be grateful you don’t collect wine. Consuming there can be much more destructive.

Fitting end of discussion! 😁
 
airansun
Posts
2,520
Likes
17,831
I am getting tired of all those hobbyist watch collectors who are pretending they are running a business and not enjoying a hobby.

janice&fred janice&fred
Fitting end of discussion! 😁

Oops!
 
Larry S
Posts
13,434
Likes
52,871
airansun airansun
I am getting tired of all those hobbyist watch collectors who are pretending they are running a business and not enjoying a hobby.



Oops!
Amen brotha!
 
Archer
Posts
29,075
Likes
75,135
janice&fred janice&fred
Well I suppose if John Goldberger and the likes seek out Julio for those special jobs then he probably doesn't much care either. Probably just relieved to have the watch in the best hands possible.

The quality of work is not the issue. If you and whoever John Goldberger is are happy with not getting even the most basic paperwork, that's fine with me. I would certainly not be happy with it as a customer, and if all someone had told me was "It was serviced by Julio" then I would consider it as needing a service...because proof...
 
janice&fred
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,801
Archer Archer
The quality of work is not the issue.

Well obviously that is not an opinion held by all. However it's yours and it's all good.
 
Redwes25
Posts
592
Likes
1,518
Archer Archer
The quality of work is not the issue. If you and whoever John Goldberger is are happy with not getting even the most basic paperwork, that's fine with me. I would certainly not be happy with it as a customer, and if all someone had told me was "It was serviced by Julio" then I would consider it as needing a service...because proof...

He is the guy who opened his million dollar rolex with a cheese knife on one of those Hodinkee videos.
 
airansun
Posts
2,520
Likes
17,831
Archer Archer
The quality of work is not the issue. If you and whoever John Goldberger is are happy with not getting even the most basic paperwork, that's fine with me. I would certainly not be happy with it as a customer, and if all someone had told me was "It was serviced by Julio" then I would consider it as needing a service...because proof...

I live with my wife’s shortcomings and she lives with mine.

I live with my watchmaker’s shortcomings and he lives with my weakness for old chronographs.
 
Archer
Posts
29,075
Likes
75,135
janice&fred janice&fred
Well obviously that is not an opinion held by all. However it's yours and it's all good.

Yep, I prefer high quality work, and a proper invoice.
 
Archer
Posts
29,075
Likes
75,135
Redwes25 Redwes25
He is the guy who opened his million dollar rolex with a cheese knife on one of those Hodinkee videos.

Since I don’t watch Hodonkey videos, name dropping people who appear there isn’t terribly relevant tome, but thanks for letting me know! 😀
 
Archer
Posts
29,075
Likes
75,135
airansun airansun
I live with my wife’s shortcomings and she lives with mine.

I live with my watchmaker’s shortcomings and he lives with my weakness for old chronographs.

As I’ve already said, you do you man...
 
Walrus
Posts
10,586
Likes
51,511
Not that I can add much here but I notice if I don’t request a detailed invoice I don’t get one from my watchmaker unless I ask. It’s usually just a receipt but it’s never a problem if I ask for more detail I guess it’s just not his sop
 
64Wing
Posts
1,316
Likes
2,462
Dan S Dan S
A string of listings by the same seller for the same model watch sounds like the dealer sales forum; here we are talking about the private sales forum.

You might try using Google to search instead of the internal search engine. Just restrict the search to omegaforums.net by using the "site:" command.
@Dan S
Coming in clutch! The thought did not occur to this millennial to try it that way.

Cheers, good sir!
 
Dan S
Posts
23,036
Likes
51,494
My watchmaker will give me detailed paperwork if I ask for it, including work done and timing results, and he will even put a transferable warranty in writing on his letterhead. But if I'm not expecting to sell the watch, I don't ask, and I just get a simple invoice with a handwritten description of the watch and the amount paid, sometimes with the cost for special parts or work called out.
 
janice&fred
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,801
Ok now that we have discussed the various styles of watchmakers' paperwork, or lack thereof, can we get back to some fun in this thread like it started out? 😁
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,977
So this is a fun one to make fun of and luckily not on our FS section otherwise is would totally shame this schmuck:

EACB63F8-87F8-4A57-888C-9D7882F0E29C.png


And the description:


ZODIAC VINTAGE 1970S SEA WOLF 70-72 AUTOMATIC MEN'S DIVE WATCH - $10K APPRAISAL VALUE!

ITEM DESCRIPTION
Not many watches on the market can match the simple but unique look of the incredibly coveted Zodiac Sea Wolf Diver's Wristwatch. This stunning vintage timepiece features a beautiful Stainless Steel case that measures approximately 39mm (from end of case to end of crown) x 12mm (high) with a base metal black colored rotating bezel. Behind the raised crystal is a superb black dial. It features luminous silver-tone hour markers and matching hour, minute, and second hands. This watch also has a decorative Zodiac Stainless Steel crown and a solid Stainless Steel caseback that contains a model name, and water resistance engraving. This Automatic Movement powered watch is complete with a Custom Aftermarket Crocodile Two-Piece Strap that measures approximately 17mm (wide) and can fit up to a 9-inch wrist, as well a Stainless Steel Tang Buckle. This beautiful timepiece is dated circa the 1970s, yet it remains in pristine Excellent, Like New Collector's Condition. This incredibly rare timepiece is guaranteed to please any collector!Please note that we can resize virtually any watch to your exact size specifications prior to shipping.

This timeless piece will ship exactly as photographed in Excellent, Like New Collector's Condition. This watch also comes with:FREE $10,000.00 Certified Insurance Appraisal,FREE Certificate of Authenticity, &FREE 2-year International Guarantee!

This watch can be viewed and tried on at our brand new gallery APR57 at 200 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019. We ship anywhere around the world!

Appraisal Value: $10,000.00 Our Price: $2,495.00

Specifications of Watch


Designer:

Zodiac

Model:

Sea Wolf Diver’s Watch

Year:

Circa 1970s

Case:

Stainless Steel

Dial:

Black Dial

Closure:

Custom Aftermarket Crocodile Strap w/
SS Tang Buckle

Case Dimensions:

Approx. 39 mm (end of case to end of crown)
Approx. 12 mm (high)

Strap Dimensions:

Up to Approx. 17 mm (wide)

Strap Size:

Up to Approx. 9 inches (around)

Movement:

Automatic Movement

Additional Details:

Water Resistant up to 200 Meters

Condition:


So let's pull this one apart:
I have a better Seawolf dial in my parts bin
A1C520AA-DD13-456C-B4D5-25C9C65FBB0E.jpeg

That's not a Zodiac bezel- it's actually from a cheap tier4 or 1-jeweled watch.
2842FF6F-0652-4703-8330-55DC330280BD.jpeg

Plain ol crown- not signed
9CDF8D48-B053-44C4-9A00-B438A9145D58.jpeg

A back cover- seriously? On this hunk of shit?
895D2729-E71F-4D4D-BD24-14A0791D7D35.jpeg


Now let's tear apart the description:

ZODIAC VINTAGE 1970S SEA WOLF 70-72 AUTOMATIC MEN'S DIVE WATCH - $10K APPRAISAL VALUE!

ITEM DESCRIPTION
Not many watches on the market can match the simple but unique look of the incredibly coveted Zodiac Sea Wolf Diver's Wristwatch (I agree with this so far ). This stunning vintage timepiece features a beautiful Stainless Steel case that measures approximately 39mm (from end of case to end of crown) x 12mm (high) (nope) with a base metal black colored rotating bezel (wrong bezel-not even Zodaic). Behind the raised crystal is a superb black dial (superb?!?!). It features luminous silver-tone hour markers and matching hour, minute, and second hands (can't even tell anymore- they are worn off) This watch also has a decorative Zodiac Stainless Steel crown (really? Where? That's not signed) and a solid Stainless Steel caseback that contains a model name, and water resistance engraving. This Automatic Movement powered watch is complete with a Custom Aftermarket Crocodile Two-Piece Strap that measures approximately 17mm (wide) and can fit up to a 9-inch wrist, as well a Stainless Steel Tang Buckle. This beautiful timepiece is dated circa the 1970s (nope agian), yet it remains in pristine Excellent 😀eek:🤨😡) Like New Collector's Condition (what the fυck are you smoking??) This incredibly rare timepiece is guaranteed to please any collector! (Who??)Please note that we can resize virtually any watch to your exact size specifications prior to shipping (oh, I'm glad to hear that!)

This timeless piece will ship exactly as photographed in Excellent, Like New Collector's Condition (Is is Hashish or Opium, I really want to know what he's smoking)This watch also comes with:FREE $10,000.00 Certified Insurance Appraisal,FREE Certificate of Authenticity, &FREE 2-year International Guarantee!
( Who appraised this hunk of shit for $10k??)

This watch can be viewed and tried on at our brand new gallery APR57 at 200 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019. We ship anywhere around the world!

Appraisal Value: $10,000.00 Our Price: $2,495.00


Specifications of Watch


Designer:

Zodiac

Model:

Sea Wolf Diver’s Watch

Year:

Circa 1970s

Case:

Stainless Steel

Dial:

Black Dial

Closure:

Custom Aftermarket Crocodile Strap w/
SS Tang Buckle

Case Dimensions:

Approx. 39 mm (end of case to end of crown)
Approx. 12 mm (high)

Strap Dimensions:

Up to Approx. 17 mm (wide)

Strap Size:

Up to Approx. 9 inches (around)

Movement:

Automatic Movement

Additional Details:

Water Resistant up to 200 Meters

Condition:

Now looking at comps....I just give up.
 
34 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

ALEXNC

Question about for sale threads

ALEXNC Open Discussion
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
7
Views
676
Amaury HR

How do I gain access to be able to list watches on the for sale thread?

Amaury HR Open Discussion
Amaury HR
Amaury HR
Posts
27
Views
3K
smitty190373

For sale threads.

smitty190373 Open Discussion
smitty190373
smitty190373
Posts
26
Views
3K