So I bought five Rolex SS models after a day of start stop start negotiation

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by toneafficianado

Beautiful collection. Do you have a favourite to wear out of them? How does the Explorer 2 fare in that department?
I had one and regretted selling it as it was so damn comfortable on the wrist. Great size! I still have a Blnr but the Explorer was more “invisible “ when worn.


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I thought the blue Sky Dweller would be the hands down favourite. I love it (it’s a big piece and ot won’t fit under some of my French cuffs) but what’s really surprised me is the under-loved Explorer. Clean, white and simple. That’s the other thing about the white Dweller - photos don’t do it justice.

I also think that for eye candy value, ruggedness and the timezone capability, my original BLRO packs a lot of punch.

[Monte Cristo]

Originally Posted by InitialAndPitch

In Australia we have a strange phenomenon called 'the tall poppy syndrome

You beat me to it.

[Spartacus]

The pictures are sketchy.

[dxbtousa]

Came back in wondering why this post continues to garner so much attention and now know.

All watch forums are all about "look at me" its a high value item and people have a passion for it - so why are people hating on him posting? Get real people.

Re the authenticity of the group buy or not - if OP doesnt want to post more - so be it, if forum readers don't trust - then so be it as well.

People on their high horse spending too much time focusing on the wrong things.

We love watches - we like to look at them in pictures and in real life //end of story

[Daytonaman799]

Nice grouping!!!

[Bryanli88]

Wow. All in 1 shot. Impressive!


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[Tringer]

Haven’t read the entire thread (am a lazy SOB - not really just always busy) - but you da man cool guy!
Was this in HK. If so, I may try to replicate the approach. Been scoping around for a while and generally know the focus here but haven’t pounced.

[Gtecko]

not sure why ppl are hating or being negative ... if you can afford it ( sounds like you absolutely can !) then why not ... do you !! Even if you are planning on flipping some modes... who cares. Amazing buy !! and kudos to you for sending those kids to school, pay it forward !

[HappyFish]

What's the next level of this topic?! Maybe we should make public our bank statements!? Ridiculous!

[Watch This]

You lost me at Centurion card. Lame flex post at best. Perhaps total fiction. Not impressed.

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by dxbtousa

Came back in wondering why this post continues to garner so much attention and now know.

All watch forums are all about "look at me" its a high value item and people have a passion for it - so why are people hating on him posting? Get real people.

Re the authenticity of the group buy or not - if OP doesnt want to post more - so be it, if forum readers don't trust - then so be it as well.

People on their high horse spending too much time focusing on the wrong things.

We love watches - we like to look at them in pictures and in real life //end of story

Thanks dxbtousa. Well said!

You might have noticed that I tend to write long form reviews. After I bought these watches, I thought I’d do a quick post from the airline lounge and wrote a few lines and grabbed whatever pics I had available. Most pics from watch scoping afternoon last trip to HK topped up with google. I intended to post the long form article on how not to lose your shirt in a group buy from a grey. It turned into Watergate.

The long form article and pics are done but I’ve left the article in notes app on my phone. I’ve been approached by direct message for a copy and those members will get it in due course. I tried through long form articles to gently add to the flavour of this place and the feedback has been very kind. And most people are the same well intentioned readers.

I appreciate your post. I think that Supreme Court hearings are less adversarial than some of the nonsense that goes on here. I too came here for watches so I bought a bunch. I’m headed to Davos with GMT on wrist.

Cheers IAP

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by Tringer

Haven’t read the entire thread (am a lazy SOB - not really just always busy) - but you da man cool guy!
Was this in HK. If so, I may try to replicate the approach. Been scoping around for a while and generally know the focus here but haven’t pounced.

Feel free to PM me for the best dealers.

[HappyFish]

The WEF is in january-maybe present there your "fresh flowers cut" strategy/tactics! :-)))

[superdog]

Congrats. Great pick up.

I personally think the white dial SD is extremely underrated. Put that on a rubberb and you’ve got a perfect watch imho. Maybe a tad big. But I’m getting into bigger watches again.

Read through the thread. It was entertaining.

[Spartacus]

Originally Posted by dxbtousa

Came back in wondering why this post continues to garner so much attention and now know.

All watch forums are all about "look at me" its a high value item and people have a passion for it - so why are people hating on him posting? Get real people.

Re the authenticity of the group buy or not - if OP doesnt want to post more - so be it, if forum readers don't trust - then so be it as well.

People on their high horse spending too much time focusing on the wrong things.

We love watches - we like to look at them in pictures and in real life //end of story

My favorite posts are from members that have been on TRF for all of 5 minutes “telling it how it is” ....

I’m not sure what to do here, thank the OP for posting somebody else’s pictures?

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by Gtecko

not sure why ppl are hating or being negative ... if you can afford it ( sounds like you absolutely can !) then why not ... do you !! Even if you are planning on flipping some modes... who cares. Amazing buy !! and kudos to you for sending those kids to school, pay it forward !

Despite a great deal by grey standards there wouldn’t be a cent to make in flipping any of them. These are watches I’ll wear. I know nothing about selling watches so I’m better off focusing on working at what I do know.

I’m giving the White Sky Dweller to our biggest client at a meeting in Davos. I thought I didn’t like it as much as the blue dial but I’ve half changed my mind. For all the work he gives us it’s the right thing to do. It’s in my carry on all wrapped up and paperwork in tow.

Cheers and thanks IAP

[dxbtousa]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

My favorite posts are from members that have been on TRF for all of 5 minutes “telling it how it is” ....

I’m not sure what to do here, thank the OP for posting somebody else’s pictures?

My favorite posts are the ones who think they have some sort of seniority of opinion because they have been here for all of 1800 posts?

Should spend less time being internet police and caring so much about what people post if you don't want to look at nice watches?

Seriously wasting your own time.

We're here for a common goal of watches.

[Spartacus]

Originally Posted by dxbtousa

My favorite posts are the ones who think they have some sort of seniority of opinion because they have been here for all of 1800 posts?

Should spend less time being internet police and caring so much about what people post if you don't want to look at nice watches?

Seriously wasting your own time.

We're here for a common goal of watches.

Posting Chrono24 watermarked pictures in a “just threw down my centurion card” thread is a party foul. I’d like to see more of the watches.

Two of my triggers:
1) People who pour out good liquor
2) People posting catalog pictures for incoming threads.

Seriously.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by InitialAndPitch

I’m CEO of my own firm, and occasionally we’ll help a client in difficult circumstances. Many are really grateful and relieved that I’ve extracted from their difficulties.



I had no inkling that the Chairman had proposed that they furnish me with s bonus. I bought my watches and wrote a cheque putting 400 kids through school for a year. Books supplied and a school motorbike.



The point being that we should enjoy our watches but if you hand resources to a good agency, schools are made better and kids get a decent start.

Good on ya! 400 kids getting an education. My compliments. Certainly keeps life in perspective, helping others.

This thread certainly got out of hand quickly. I saw your share as someone who was simply expressing your excitement to procure all those wonderful pieces (regardless of price or source). Did not strike me as flexing.

Cheers!

[HappyFish]

Dont forget to pay the swiss import taxes!

[Chiboy]

A few observations:

1) Gray dealers buy hot watches for way over MSRP. Unless they are going out of business (lol), it's hard to imagine getting a "deal" on them. Does anyone think, for instance, that if you offer to buy 5 SS white Daytonas from a gray that they are going to bend over backwards to dump this inventory for a low price just to rid themselves of this inventory overhang?

2) Similar to the above, the concept of buying a few watches from a gray dealer with the idea of reselling them for a profit is laughable. How does a retail buyer, no matter how sophisticated his negotiating technique, beat a gray dealer at his own game? Not gonna happen.

3) "Gifting" a $14,000 SkyD to a good customer is not a show of appreciation. It is a bribe, at least in the United States. I do understand that rules are different in other parts of the world.

4) A forum can't demand "proof of life" watch pictures on a forum. That's silly. I don't blame OP for not succumbing to group pressure to prove he bought those watches. Believe what you want to believe. If you really care, look through his posting history and see if you think he's a 12 year old living in mom's basement or a big hitter. I haven't done so as I don't really care either way.

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by HappyFish

Dont forget to pay the swiss import taxes!

We’ve been in touch with the Swiss Customs people. Some guys got charged big $ in duty when they took samples to BaselWorld. I have all the documentation but worst case, we pay the duty.

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

A few observations:

1) Gray dealers buy hot watches for way over MSRP. Unless they are going out of business (lol), it's hard to imagine getting a "deal" on them. Does anyone think, for instance, that if you offer to buy 5 SS white Daytonas from a gray that they are going to bend over backwards to dump this inventory for a low price just to rid themselves of this inventory overhang?

2) Similar to the above, the concept of buying a few watches from a gray dealer with the idea of reselling them for a profit is laughable. How does a retail buyer, no matter how sophisticated his negotiating technique, beat a gray dealer at his own game? Not gonna happen.

3) "Gifting" a $14,000 SkyD to a good customer is not a show of appreciation. It is a bribe, at least in the United States. I do understand that rules are different in other parts of the world.

4) A forum can't demand "proof of life" watch pictures on a forum. That's silly. I don't blame OP for not succumbing to group pressure to prove he bought those watches. Believe what you want to believe. If you really care, look through his posting history and see if you think he's a 12 year old living in mom's basement or a big hitter. I haven't done so as I don't really care either way.

I’m a keeper not a flipper. So making a profit is not on my radar. Sounds like you’ve not conducted business in Asia when it comes to gifting. With private companies gifting is no problem. For a listed/public company we ensure it’s listed it As part of their governance processes. You also can’t gift during a tender process.

I’ve seen uncut diamonds offered as gifts in Central Africa. Not my scene though.

[SlideRacker]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

2) Similar to the above, the concept of buying a few watches from a gray dealer with the idea of reselling them for a profit is laughable. How does a retail buyer, no matter how sophisticated his negotiating technique, beat a gray dealer at his own game? Not gonna happen.

I’m this market all you have to do is pick the hottest pieces, negotiate a decent price, and hold them a few months. No different than momentum stock picking. Will it last? That’s anyone’s guess. I can tell you I purchased a BLRO a few months ago from a grey and can now sell at a profit.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by SlideRacker

I’m this market all you have to do is pick the hottest pieces, negotiate a decent price, and hold them a few months. No different than momentum stock picking. Will it last? That’s anyone’s guess. I can tell you I purchased a BLRO a few months ago from a grey and can now sell at a profit.

If you're going to equate buying SS Rolexes to momentum stock trading, I would mention that the bid/asked spread is likely more than 5%, so you are counting on a pretty significant move if you think this is a "trade." Obviously in the current market, Daytonas and GMTs have been increasing at a rapid rate, but expecting that trend to continue indefinitely, or to give ample signs when the top is near may end up being painful.

But you got a great watch. Enjoy it! If you can wear it and make money or not lose money, so much the better. Or is it bettor? lol

[zengineer]

Bought a car last week, got a great deal. They tried to add paint protection but I grabbed the salesman by the throat, got them to throw in a free tank of gas and a pine tree air freshener.

Gave the freshener to a homeless guy.

So..same thing basically.

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[Springman]

Dear OP, it was quite an amazing thread until it went the wrong tangent. Would have loved to read in detail about how the whole process went, but in any case, enjoy those watches! We are all on this forum to share our appreciation for watches isn't it?

By the way, if you do have to choose, which would have been your daily watch?

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[Rodayyy]

This guy is hilarious...

“I have a fantastic set of skills”

“I’m a CEO!”

“I have a black card!”

I hate to break it to you buddy... most people who are as successful as you say you are, usually don’t have the time to flaunt to an online watch forum. As my father used to say - “the quietest man in the room, is the strongest man”

No one cares about your top notch negotiation skills or how great you think you are. We are here to connect over our love for watches. I don’t want to speak for anyone, but I get excited to see real life pictures of incomings. If you’re going to claim such expertise at least post real pictures along with the actual sale specifics - that way we can actually let you know how great you are

Originally Posted by InitialAndPitch

Despite a great deal by grey standards there wouldn’t be a cent to make in flipping any of them. These are watches I’ll wear. I know nothing about selling watches so I’m better off focusing on working at what I do know.

I’m giving the White Sky Dweller to our biggest client at a meeting in Davos. I thought I didn’t like it as much as the blue dial but I’ve half changed my mind. For all the work he gives us it’s the right thing to do. It’s in my carry on all wrapped up and paperwork in tow.

Cheers and thanks IAP

[zengineer]

It must get exhausting

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[ALF61]

Originally Posted by InitialAndPitch

You’re quite right and I downloaded my already posted images for this post.

I don’t feel the need to take photos every time I walk into a dealer. The day I bought wasn’t a fashion day, it was a buying day.

I posted a mix of images over wifi at HK Airport with a short version account before I boarded. I grabbed whatever pics I could get (over and above the ones I took on my wrist) until I was home next, as a write up supposedly needs images. If it was an academic paper, I’d have foot-noted but it’s a watch forum.

As far as people demanding that I stage a photo shoot for their edification, you’re kidding yourself. I choose what to post.

I’ve finished a long form write up, which many seem to enjoy. but I’m inclined to keep it. I have my watches and am thoroughly enjoying them.

Over and out.

What a lack of enthusiasm. Sure is not in sync with the long write up. I am still expecting the nice showcase.