Never Trust Photographs

[Mick P]

Chaps

Before I retired, I ran the Purchasing Department for the UK Post Office (Royal Mail) that bought postage stamps. One of the biggest problems we had was that mock ups for stamps that looked good on normal sized paper, looked less good when shrunk down to the size of a postage stamp. The lesson I learnt, or rather I thought I had learnt, was never ever in a million years trust a photograph to evaluate any product.

Today I had to travel up to London as I had arranged to buy a 16710 in a private deal. After the deal was done and we shook hands and departed, I decided to pop down to Burlington Arcade which is the best place to buy vintage watches in the UK as long as you are prepared to pay well over the odds. The more honest truth is that you will be completely screwed.

I spent an hour gawping at beautiful old watches at prices that would give any sane person either an heart attack or fits of laugher, when all of a sudden I spotted a brand new black ceramic Daytona, a 116500.

I have seen hundreds of pics of this model and fell in love with it immediately. I think we have all extolled its virues because it looks plain bloody sexy.

However, and here is the word of warning, it does not look anywhere as near as good in the flesh. In fact I actually preferred the 116520 model with the steel bezel. The old steel bezel looked far more classy and just plain better.

Now I appreciate that this is all subjective and only my opinion, however the point I am trying to make is that none of us should proclaim love or dislike for any watch based on a photograph alone. Until you see it in front of you with your own eyes, you are effectively blind.

Oh the price was £16,950 or in American money, about $20,675.

I did not buy it.

Regards

Mick

[THC]

A member since 2014 and over 1400 posts, so you know we need pics with every thread right? Cmon Mick...

[behardt]

I get it. Tried on a DaytonaC and a PP 5711 on the same day and was heartbroken. Neither did anything for me, but I love some of the pics on here...

[LuminousMaximus]

Originally Posted by THC

A member since 2014 and over 1400 posts, so you know we need pics with every thread right? Cmon Mick...

Cmon' Mick, you're slacking...!

But i totally agree with you on photo's...Maybe not the subject matter but that's left for another discussion...

[Cerachrom12]

Another interesting and profound lesson in life Mr. Mick. Thank you sir. BTW, I have a friend in London with your first name. Mick Smith. Radio DJ

[hoanghung45]

Same with dating

[Ryuden]

Originally Posted by hoanghung45

Same with dating

[Martin_Taylor]

Originally Posted by hoanghung45

Same with dating

[BristolCavendish]

The same could probably be said of 'picture brides' back in the old days as lens resolution, lighting and color saturation (gray scale if B/W) have a lot to do with one's perception of an image. On the other hand, a skilled fashion photographer (along with a good make-up artist) can greatly enhance the overall appearance of a model who in real life is somewhat 'plain'.

As far as watches are concerned, there are countless photographs of them out there, some quite appealing in their catalog appearances. Outside of the importance of an actual and tangible reference point, I suspect that this visual variance is primarily based on photographic and reprographic skill.

[mjclark32]

Mick,
I think there are going to be plenty who disagree with your opinion on the Daytona C, and that's OK.
Congrats on the 16710, let see some pics.

[rollee1]

Very true. Beauty have its ways of deceiving light.

Same for the 116520 white, in real watch I was underwhelmed.
I saw a Patrk Philippe 5167 and was hooked, that watch is unreal in real life but boring in any other photos or video.

[Juantxo]

Dear Mick, I agree with you 100%. Jagger sends his best wishes. Cheers.

[speedmaster73]

crazy thing is that in 14 years rolex will re-release the ss bezel daytona and people will 'flip out'

meanwhile it will still have the 4130 chrono!!!!!

im not joking

[LuminousMaximus]

Mick! You weren't supposed to say anything until the Hype Died down...!

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

[ejvette]

That's what happened when I bought my Daytona.... never saw one in the flesh or tried one on bought it based on the beautiful photos ... my most expensive watch mistake lol live and learn

[subtona]

Originally Posted by speedmaster73

crazy thing is that in 14 years rolex will re-release the ss bezel daytona and people will 'flip out'

meanwhile it will still have the 4130 chrono!!!!!

im not joking

The 4130 movement is a baby compared to the most of the line-up, I will fully agree that it will be being used in 20 years.

Always thought the SS bezel looked great though it was quite a scratch magnet and difficult to photograph and read. The ceramic bezel I found looks great in pics and recently seen it in person which has prompted an incoming early next week.

[superstarmar]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
Mick !!! You are 100% correct sir...

[jagwap]

Interesting, and helpful to all of us that would be tempted if we didn't have to wait for one after a light frost has formed over beelzebub's ornamental fishpond.

[Etschell]

I can tell you I prefer the 116520.

[FTX I]

At least the price was reasonable.

[bdex75]

Congrats Mick. Have to admit I have had that happen several times. Fell in Internet love with a watch then when I put it on was like, meh. Bad feeling.


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[GFONG]

Even looking at the real watch is not enough, you have to try it. A lot of watches look great, when trying it you get different feelings.

My advice is go to the shop to try it before buying.

[S.C]

I don't blame mick for not taking any photos of Burlington arcades vintage Rolex store. While I was outside one of the Rolex stores I took one picture to find a sales manager glaring at me wagging his finger through the window. If I had the money to pay for the mad prices I'd probably look elsewhere.

[Hodog16]

Yes goes both ways. I thought the blue YM was just ok in pictures but when I saw one in person it looked so much better!

[Bigsykedaddy]

Originally Posted by Hodog16

Yes goes both ways. I thought the blue YM was just ok in pictures but when I saw one in person it looked so much better!

Yeah I completely agree. It has happened to me a few times now (so far)

First was when I saw pictures of the Rhodium Yacht Master with the baby blue second hand. I thought it was absolutely stunning, until I saw it in person. In person (IMO) I thought there wasn't enough contrast and it was too washed out.

Second was the LV sub. I saw it in pictures and thought it looked cool, that was until I saw one at the AD. It blew me away in person.

Lastly (so far) was the BLNR. While I still absolutely love it, and it's on my short list, to me I think it looks better in pictures. It's still beautiful in person but man does it look amazing in pictures.

I've definitely learned to try before you buy. Too bad you can't rent for a few weeks, because you never really get an idea of how comfortable a watch will be until you wear it for a while.

[VinnieVegas]

I understand! It most recently worked the other way for me. I never cared for pics of the Sky Dweller, but when I saw it in the flesh I became a devotee.

[Glidelock]

Have to agree with this line of thought on pretty much all subject matters. You have to see and feel in person. This is why you take cars out for a test drive. I have fallen in love with many cars, watches, woman etc., only to take the car out for a test drive and find out...as much as I like the looks, can't stand the way it drives or handles. Same with watches, once you see it in the metal, you may not care for it as much. Or it may be just as beautiful until you get it on your wrist...and you find it just doesn't look good or fit right on you!

[fishingbear]

I had quite the opposite reaction.
I went down to my AD when he got his first white dial 116500 (as I was not "first" on the list to purchase it) and after taking a look at the new SS Daytona I literally went home and arranged the sale of my 116520.
Different tastes and opinion makes the world more interesting.
Now I eagerly still await mine to come in.

[Ally9]

Wait..... did you just say..... like something negative about ROLEX. Holy crap!!! Dont you remember everything is perfect in rolexland - the fan boys will flame you so best run for the hills

[Old Expat Beast]

Ironically, someone just posted about having much the same experience/disappointment with your 16710. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=524459