Watches Of Knigtsbridge September Auction

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Honestly, there is always a sleeper. Perhaps I was not clear - I always used the term sleeper to denote a massively undervalued, unoticed lot that ends up sailing past the estimate.

There is also the one everyone misses that sells super cheap. I don't know whats that is called... we need a name. We always just called the bastard that we missed. (30 years as an auction buyer)
Well: what I have seen a couple of times is that the most expensive watch at a low end auction or the other way around is cheap but in general nothing I'm interested in sells at bargain prices.
 
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Honestly, there is always a sleeper. Perhaps I was not clear - I always used the term sleeper to denote a massively undervalued, unoticed lot that ends up sailing past the estimate.

There is also the one everyone misses that sells super cheap. I don't know whats that is called... we need a name. We always just called the bastard that we missed. (30 years as an auction buyer)

Is there a nickname for the obviously undervalued lot selling for 10x the high estimate?



😁
 
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Is there a nickname for the obviously undervalued lot selling for 10x the high estimate?



😁

Yes - "Lazy valuation syndrome"
 
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This whole thing is very sad. I volunteer to take speedmaster photos from any auctions in NYC for the speedmaster101.com website if needed
 
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Oh...it must be time for the Pub in UK:


To be followed by:



Nothing yet....
And interesting approach from WoK..be aware, the next thing they might ask you for is to kindly adjust your price charts to their Auctions.
 
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I have updated the page, removing the images, and adding in further comments to make up for the lack of images.

I urge any buyers to ignore the behavior of any auction staff - the important thing is at the end of the day we go home with the watch we want, at the right price. There are at least two interesting speedmasters there - depending of course on price! And remember this hobby is meant to be fun. All I have ever wanted to do is educate fellow collectors so that they know what they are buying (before they buy!).

http://speedmaster101.com/blog/watches-of-knightsbridge-sale-september-2017/
 
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And interesting approach from WoK..be aware, the next thing they might ask you for is to kindly adjust your price charts to their Auctions.

Well they would not be the first!
 
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Is there a nickname for the obviously undervalued lot selling for 10x the high estimate?



😁

That is the sleeper.
 
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This is quite the thread... I wasn't planning on buying anything from that auction, but now I don't plan on it for the future either.
 
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This is quite the thread... I wasn't planning on buying anything from that auction, but now I don't plan on it for the future either.

I don't think you should write them off over this, just, as always: caveat emptor
 
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I know it nice to see several similar references of a watch that you're looking for in one place, but unless it's an uber rare piece, most can be found after some sniffing around yourself for less than you will pay by the hammer. I have a few Speedies and all were sourced via forums and digging.
 
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for such a "prestigious" watch auction house... i find the lack of images for most lots a bit lacking
If you contact them they'll get more pictures for you. I've always found them helpful.
 
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Question about their premium on top of the hammer price:
is it 24% total including VAT, or am I reading this wrong?

Every sale will be subject to a buyer’s premium of 20% + VAT (24% inc. VAT) on the hammer price.
I think that's it. Certainly cheaper than Christies, Sothebys and Bonhams.
 
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This is quite the thread... I wasn't planning on buying anything from that auction, but now I don't plan on it for the future either.

Yes, pissing off watch collectors when you're in the business of selling watches is a great strategy 👍
 
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Yes, pissing off watch collectors when you're in the business of selling watches is a great strategy 👍

Probably 60% of the watch collectors I meet dont use forums... so...
 
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I've just read this all the way through and find the comments from WoK amazing. They get free publicity from both the 101 blog and our forum.
Maybe they've become successful enough to have promoted an accountant into a position of power and as usual it's gone to his head.
Silly behaviour.
 
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Away from the speedmasters I like lot 156. It seems from the pictures to be in good nick, has box, papers tags etc. and seems a lot of watch for the money if the estimates are correct. I also like the seamaster 321's available at lots 216,217,218 which appear cheap in comparison to speedmasters and are handsome watches, but I've seen none in the metal.
 
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I will repeat, don't let the actions of staff anywhere stop us buying. A watch is a watch.

We just have to be aware of what they do and do not know, how much they can be trusted in their due diligence, and who they work for. (I.e not you or me - they work for the seller)

The illusion an auction house spins, any house, is that they are experts, they want to help you, they want to be transparent. There are some very good people in auction houses, and as long as I remember who they work for, that they are human, and that a specialised collector will almost almost always know more than them in the narrow area we might focus on, we will be fine.

Go to WOK, look at their watches, oh.....and send me some photos!😀
 
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I don't know, but I'd have thought that, if you link to the pictures on their site (making it clear that they are their pictures) you are not infringing their copyright because you aren't copying them. The pictures are clearly in the public domain and you are allowed fair comment on them. If they think something you say is wrong, they should point it out to you and give you the opportunity to correct it.

If they sue for defamation, they'd have to prove you are defaming them (ie you are wrong) and they'd have to prove that your defamation had caused them damage which might be difficult to do.