Wow, someone over there must've had a rough day... This is kind of pathetic. All you've done so far is provide them with the best Speedmaster assessment guide in the world, and then actually got extra attention onto their auction by posting about it...
As a solicitor, I feel comfortable in stating that the individual at WoK that sent that message has a fundamental lack of understanding of the legal concept of defamation.
So this is what their 20% buyers' premium goes towards! Yet another reason why even if I could afford to buy from an auction house, I probably wouldn't.
If anybody goes and cares to snap photos of the speedmasters to insert into the blog post that would be great!
So, if I, in next months Time 4A Pint news wrap up cover their behaviour towards @Spacefruit, is that defamation? Equally... is every post that any of us has ever made about the "less than good lots" that sneak into every auction catalogue defamation? The thought does spring to mind, that if you don't want "derogatory comments" about the things you are selling, then you should be doing everything within your power to make it impossible for people to make "derogatory comments" - by, for example, not making stuff up in your listings... or consigning pieces of questionable value or originality and then hyping the hell out of them? And whilst I'm up here on this high horse (god the ground is a long way down), what on earth is a "Special Projects" Speedmaster WoK? You've told multiple people that it's a term "collectors" use... which "collectors"? As one of my old tutors used to say: "Bullshit Baffles Brains". *adds to the list of places I'm banned from*
I guess omitting facts and turning a blind eye to deficiencies for personal (suction house) gain is OK though?
I could possibly go down there tomorrow.. But am not sure I want to be party to promoting their (Insert appropriate adjective) watches
I bet they are afraid that a reasoned analysis and objective critique allows people to better evaluate these and decreases the probability of a bidding war. “Defamation” and copyright are just the only excuses they were able to conjure to justify their requests. Unfortunate, but it’s your fault for making a respected and influential popular website
For their last auction Fratello did a nice piece on the Yema's that came up for auction. Also using WOK stock photos and also highlighting factual information on the timepieces, pros and cons. Article was informative and fair. Very much in the same vein as was used by @Spacefruit in his blog to cover the Omega pieces. https://www.fratellowatches.com/yemas-at-watches-of-knightsbridge/ I wonder if Fratello also faced the same wrath?
