At the request of @Mr.Cairo - here's a simple flow chart for the newer vintage collector to memorize:




Maybe we should add it to this thread:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/condition-condition-condition-and-other-pieces-of-advice.1716/

The Watch Gods know we've sorely needed it recently.

 

Great start, definitely useful.

How about adding things like movement/dial condition, generic/orignal crystals and crowns, etc?

And a key to explain terms?

 

Like the concept, but don't think it works well. Too many variables excluded, which is why people come here in the first place. For instance, what if someone wants a daily wearer, and the price is right, but the dial is refinished? Or what if a watch has a killer dial, but the case has been polished, and again, the price is right?

I get your idea, but maybe rather than the algorithm nixing a purchase, why not just suggest to the beginner that these three things make a purchase doubtful, unless there are other mitigating circumstances that can be sorted out by the collective wisdom here?

 

My experience after 4+ years collecting....

I have owned over polished watches, I no longer own over polished watches.

I have owned a redial watch, I no longer own a redial watch.

I do own a couple of watches with service dials, I am planning to list them on eBay this month.

Sure there are exceptions, and new collectors don't know what they don't know.

I wish that flow chart was required reading in May 2012 when I joined OF.

 

How about building into the forum software that when a new person joins they have to take a short lesson and pass a short written exam before being allowed to start a thread?

 

The rare exceptions are for experienced collectors to know, not for n00bs. When's the last time we had a thread by a newish member asking about a watch that fits one or more of the covered circumstances yet we told them to buy because something was rare or it worth the money despite the flaw(s)?

I'll wait for you to link me to any thread that proves to be an exception to the chart.

...............

Let me know if/when you find one, and then I'll take an hour or so loading links to all the Fails that n00bs have inquired about.

 

@ulackfocus I think you should take your flow chart and adapt it as a video. This way, you can add much more content.

Here is an example that was done (and shared here in other threads). It's the famous wife zone chart video.

 

...we need additional sequence lines to every decision point...

 

No way man. I've answered enough PMs in 10 years. Hell, I even get n00bs sending me messages about Speedmasters of all things! You know they're totally new to ΩF if they send me a question about a Speedmaster!

Well, okay....... maybe I'd answer a question about a Longines now & again.

No Speedmasters though! And no Breitlings either! I don't know sheeyat about either!

 

For a noob, your chart looks like this..
.

 

Okay then: I once held a Conquest with a colorful case back. Are those painted, or vitreous enamel? Any chart I need to follow?

 

I like this but what makes you think they'll read it? Hell, they can't even understand what "not for questions" or "not inquiries" means.

 

Like I say to my boss when we commiserate that half the employees don't bother to even open our instructional emails, and half of the ones that do only skim them: We can only do our job. We can't control anything more than that.

 

I just think I work with idiots, but you're much kinder than I am.

 

I don't believe you Dennis after seeing you participate in hundreds of Speedy threads, you surely must have picked up alot of knowledge regarding them. In my book you are a Speedy authority on the Forum

OK, you don't like them, but that's totally another story.

 

Oh man that video is funny! Especially at the end. It's like it has its own "Crying Game" moment there at the end.

At my work we just say "You can't fix stupid."

 

The definitive word on stupid is here: http://www.zoon.cc/stupid/. Note in particular Point 1B.

 

Great idea.....

Make it a sticky after the 200 post rule ( that will get it read by noobs )

 

okay, please hold on for a minute, need to change my pants after 10 minutes read