newly aquired

[eal15]

Well, I actually wrote a long ass post which got deleted while trying to add bad iPhone photos : (. So this one is going to be much shorter since I'm at work. I've been a long time watch lover. Previously owing several Panerai's and Omega's. My last three pieces were Panerai 351 which I loved but sold for a more complicated Panerai 311, which was my second 311. I also had an Omega PO chrono 9300. I sold that because it was too heavy and sold the Panerai because both of my 311's were problematic in the reliability department even after several complete services! So I wanted an Audemars Piguet which I admired from a distance for a few years. I've been dealing with a watch seller as his career went from location to location. We've had several good deals together as he travelled from Boston to Florida and back to Boston. I had planned to buy from him. Then, SIHH came and I heard that the diver was going to get a display back. So many choices and decisions to make. I preferred stick indices to numerals. I loved the ss case and ceramic bezel on the 26400. So many other things and choices and going back and forth in my head. I went to RDV in Toronto to check them out. I have no relationship with them and didn't want to feel weird. But my experience was pleasant there. I was surprised. They didn't have a diver but my girlfriend choose the black and grey chrono. I like it too but the black lume isn't very good. In May I went to Las Vegas and the boutique experience was great. It was Sunday night and we were the only people there. I asked to see some watches and the two men (I'm guessing security but I don't know because they were welcoming when we came into the store. I only realized they were sales reps when I turned to speak to them and they were closing and locking the door. a female sales rep came out and spent the last 40 minutes they were open with us. I tried on the ceramic diver, the new ss diver the 26400 ss and ceramic chrono. I believed I settled on the diver. Now this year the CAD has taken a hit. I only have $11K US and the rest I was going to exchange at the bank. Even with a good rate I was going to get hosed. And then While browsing the sales ads I saw Thomaspp's ad for a three week old 15710. For about $1200 more than a good condition 15703. Many thousand less that the discount I was going to get. I contact Thomas and the communication seemed good. I requested a reference check and received glowing reports regarding Thomas. I committed to the deal. Due to his vacation and then my vacation the deal took about three weeks longer than a bang bang deal but Thomas was very good. I scheduled a work trip to the US and had Thomas send it to a coworker. I actually worked the whole day before leaving and opening the box in the rental car, lol. I was amazed by the quality. The finishing. I found it quite heavy to hold yet when I put it on it is so comfortable. This was a week ago and still I find the watch very comfy. I now understand what many here have said about the rubber strap. I never really liked the rubber straps before. Only the deployant rubber on my Panerai 104 was comfortable but the watch was top heavy and moved a lot. This watch must be heavier but it doesn't move. I believe from the very flat watch case back and the lugs kind of come out of the case from the middle and not the extreme back of the watch back (if that makes sense). I can't wait to order an ABP strap like I usually do. But my initial impressions and one week impressions are extremely positive. I'd like to thank Thomas for being an awesome seller and thank all of you who gave him references! It is very much appreciated!!