UG Polerouter Sub for sale @ Hodinkee

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Thanks for the explanation— I wonder by a factor of how much? Are those bracelets worth several hundreds or several thousands?
As a fan of crafted leather straps, I must admit being a bit obtuse when it comes to all of the intensity about bracelets.

At least $1k for a decent one, and I am probably underestimating. Many of the brand-specific SS bracelets are in the $1k-$2k range these days. For the desirable and expensive watches, of course. And it's generally more expensive to buy the watch and bracelet separately.
 
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Shocking to me that they would put this terribly wrong catastrophe of a bracelet on this watch. Cobbled together train wreck.

 
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Thanks for the explanation— I wonder by a factor of how much? Are those bracelets worth several hundreds or several thousands?
As a fan of crafted leather straps, I must admit being a bit obtuse when it comes to all of the intensity about bracelets.
As a bracelet guy it’s an imperative with some watches that have unobtanium bracelets. I too love leather straps, but in the hot & humid summer months I go with steel or fabric- I have trashed too many $$$ leather straps over a single summer from sweat and flash rains.
With some brands like Omega or Rolex, vintage bracelets are abundant for almost any reference and can be had for a price, so that wouldn’t hold me back. But for some watches, the bracelet was a far rarer option so they are hard to source. The Holzer style (brick link) zodiac bracelet is an example (was made by JB Champion)- the Seawolf’s and GMT’s are abundant, but finding a complete bracelet with endlinks on its own could take months or years- and then you get into a bidding war. Same goes for the rivet stretch bracelet on the early Seawolf- the value of the watch can double with that bracelet (I’m lucky enough to have one). It’s not so much about price as it is about scarcity.
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I think the collectability and wanting to have a "correct" set of bracelet matching the watch head seems to be the standard in collecting vintage watches.
 
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When I see something like this from a dealer, it screams deception. 😒 They should note in the description that the bracelet is not correct.
 
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When I see something like this from a dealer, it screams deception. 😒 They should note in the description that the bracelet is not correct.

Hi @redpcar

I have to disagree... with your statement " When I see something like this from a dealer, it screams deception. 😒 They should note in the description that the bracelet is not correct"

There is no ALL -knowing dealer....

In defense of of this seller.. They did provide more then enough hi res photos for everyone to clearly see what the status of the bracelet. To state that its screams of deception, I disagree with. IF that was the case then lower res , softer pices might have been used.

I have seen other "watch sellers" over the years use old mavicas ( sony digital camera that used 3.5 micro dics) photos were " soft" and what you got was always a surprise.

Good Hunting
Bill Sohne
 
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I think the collectability and wanting to have a "correct" set of bracelet matching the watch head seems to be the standard in collecting vintage watches.

Hi @sdre

Of course it would be great to get a correct bracelet , a correct Box , correct papers ... heck how about the mailer that the watch came in from the factory....

@sdre ... I find it kind of sad that collecting has moved to a level of ocd.... For me I loved " worn" watches.... and that I can wear with no fear of " a scratch " I have watches is really nice condition but due to the really nice condition , I dont wear them....

Like my A386 , did not have a bracelet... I spent time finding an appropriate bracelet and ends pieces... well after I got it on my bench ,... I stopped myself from putting it on due to the fact the case dose not have any marks from the end links... So I never put the bracelet on the watch.... CRAZY ?

End of story I buy what i find ....

Good Hunting

Bill
 
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Shocking to me that they would put this terribly wrong catastrophe of a bracelet on this watch. Cobbled together train wreck.



Hi @redpcar

Can I ask how do you know " They" put this bracelet on the watch ? Maybe the watch was purchased with that bracelet already attached. It could have been added years past when the original band clasp failed and a watch maker was able to " repair" it for the owner at the time....

Nothing underhanded... these were tool watches... needed to be used , worn . IT was fixed and the owner could have been fine with it...

I had an issue with my dad Seiko speedtimer 6138-0030 that he bought in Japan JDM , He broke the folding clasp... he took a straight pin to fix it and was like that for years... and then he lost an end piece and then a watch maker cut an end link to make it fit a generic end piece.... and to this day its a mess .... Uncle Steve made a great replica that is now on the watch ! all I am saying things happen in the life of a watch....

Good Hunting

bill
 
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Hi @sdre

Of course it would be great to get a correct bracelet , a correct Box , correct papers ... heck how about the mailer that the watch came in from the factory....

@sdre ... I find it kind of sad that collecting has moved to a level of ocd.... For me I loved " worn" watches.... and that I can wear with no fear of " a scratch " I have watches is really nice condition but due to the really nice condition , I dont wear them....

Like my A386 , did not have a bracelet... I spent time finding an appropriate bracelet and ends pieces... well after I got it on my bench ,... I stopped myself from putting it on due to the fact the case dose not have any marks from the end links... So I never put the bracelet on the watch.... CRAZY ?

End of story I buy what i find ....

Good Hunting

Bill

Amen do that!

It's not stock market, they are just vintage watches!

Some people seem to be investing in bond or purchasing stocks, they pay too much attention to crazy details, like they were deciding what type of assets to buy.

You like a watch? then buy it, no matter of crowns, bracelets, endings or clasp code.
 
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The end links don't belong with the bracelet. The gap is too narrow. No manufacturer would ever ship a watch this bad. I have spent many hours fitting end links to bracelets (for my personal use) and I would never fit these together. Too far off.
I guess my problem is their asking price with an obvious fit issue and no mention. When you look at it from almost any distance, the lines don't match and it jumps out.
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The end links don't belong with the bracelet. The gap is too narrow. No manufacturer would ever ship a watch this bad. I have spent many hours fitting end links to bracelets (for my personal use) and I would never fit these together. Too far off.

Hi @redpcar

That is nice... that the ends on your watch is nice and neat. I think you put the bracelet fit rest.


But I am kind of put off with your previous comments about implying the seller had deceptive motives . I would have thought you would have replied to my previous post....

In the end you can vote with your $$$ and buy what you like ... but I think seller and buyer deserve to be given some latitude.


Good Hunting

Bill
 
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I would say that I would expect more from them but there have been many complaints on this list before. I could never buy from Hodinkee as their prices always are on the high end of retail. They dance around the bracelet by saying it is marked UG and from '71. Hoping for more honesty.
Just a rant, I guess. Carry on. Nothing to see here. Just one of my pet peeves. 😀
 
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I would say that I would expect more from them but there have been many complaints on this list before. I could never buy from Hodinkee as their prices always are on the high end of retail. They dance around the bracelet by saying it is marked UG and from '71. Hoping for more honesty.
Just a rant, I guess. Carry on. Nothing to see here. Just one of my pet peeves. 😀

I think we can probably agree that Hodinkee is not a particularly good or knowledgeable seller. Their blatant errors and omissions are legion, and their listings are significantly worse than almost every other top dealer. I am not making any implications about intentionality, but objectively speaking, their listings are often extremely poor.

Their prices seem too high to me, but they seem to sell their watches.
 
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I would say that I would expect more from them but there have been many complaints on this list before. I could never buy from Hodinkee as their prices always are on the high end of retail. They dance around the bracelet by saying it is marked UG and from '71. Hoping for more honesty.
Just a rant, I guess. Carry on. Nothing to see here. Just one of my pet peeves. 😀


Hi @redpcar

Its fine to be disappointed. All sellers have pricing strategies.... brick and mortar stores have costs that some online sellers dont have ..... ebay is now more costly due to the taxing situation.....

things change...

Good Hunting

BIll Sohne
 
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I think we can probably agree that Hodinkee is not a particularly good or knowledgeable seller. Their blatant errors and omissions are legion, and their listings are significantly worse than almost every other top dealer. I am not making any implications about intentionality, but objectively speaking, their listings are often extremely poor.

Hi @Dan S

As I said previously ... .everyone votes with there $$$$.... and you and I will vote accordingly ....


Good Hunting

Bill
 
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Hi @Dan S

As I said previously ... .everyone votes with there $$$$.... and you and I will vote accordingly ....


Good Hunting

Bill

I don't think Hodinkee needs our money. 😁

But more seriously, I don't think that a seller's ignorance or inaccuracy is such a big deal for you and me. For the most part, we know what we're looking at, so it's easier to tolerate bad descriptions. I'm so accustomed to it at this point that I don't even read the listing half the time.
 
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I don't think Hodinkee needs our money. 😁

But more seriously, I don't think that a seller's ignorance or inaccuracy is such a big deal for you and me. For the most part, we know what we're looking at, so it's easier to tolerate bad descriptions. I'm so accustomed to it at this point that I don't even read the listing half the time.

HI @Dan S

Your casting your vote !! good for you...

And not to be a H Fan boy... They do post lots of photos...

as you become more educated in the area of watches you collect you " BUY THE WATCH " Not the seller.... .. Please for the newer members you will come to this point in time... DONT RUSH IT.... if you do you might fall out of love of this hobby...

I have been collecting for a while...


Good Hunting

Bill


PS Full. disclosure I have not purchased from Hodinkee. I have met some of the reporters and knew someone for years before they took a job there ( non sales) ... but that is the extent of my contact...
 
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Be mindful, many to most watches are sold on consignment via Hodinkee. They are not buying watches to sell themselves.
Their vintage watch selling is more a added feature to their site than a profitable business.

Do know people that have sold a few watches via Hodinkee and it’s been profitable for the seller and for Hodinkee. So the price may have been set by the seller and Hodinkee will add their fee. It is definitely not the place for a bargain. It would be seen as a wonderland for a uneducated collector with $$$$
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Be mindful, many to most watches are sold on consignment via Hodinkee. They are not buying watches to sell themselves.
Their vintage watch selling is more a added feature to their site than a profitable business.

Do know people that have sold a few watches via Hodinkee and it’s been profitable for the seller and for Hodinkee. So the price may have been set by the seller and Hodinkee will add their fee. It is definitely not the place for a bargain. It would be wonderland for a uneducated collector with $$$$

Yes, I know a couple of people who have consigned watches with Hodinkee.

Edit: This also means that if the watch is no longer for sale, it doesn't necessarily mean that the watch sold. The consignor can take it back after a while. I recall a thread on another forum where someone talked about their experience, and that Hodinkee even listed the watch as SOLD after the consignor took it back. Of course, they are not the only dealer that does this.
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