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