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

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by 5nit

I have to say this original post just seems arrogant. Hey everyone I just bought all these hard to get models at once! Many people struggle to even get one of these pieces.

I’m in the group picture or it didn’t happen camp.

Arrogant? People don't retain my services because I'm a shy retiring wallflower. I'm betting that there's more than one person on this forum who would engage in a multi buy if circumstances permitted. If you thought it was arrogant, that's a perception problem - not a problem tied to my intention.

You don't seem to have listed any watches in your profile. Maybe you'll find one while living at the "it didn't happen camp"

[5nit]

Originally Posted by InitialAndPitch

Arrogant? People don't retain my services because I'm a shy retiring wallflower. I'm betting that there's more than one person on this forum who would engage in a multi buy if circumstances permitted. If you thought it was arrogant, that's a perception problem - not a problem tied to my intention.

You don't seem to have listed any watches in your profile. Maybe you'll find one while living at the "it didn't happen camp"

Indeed, people could perceive you as arrogant. I hope to one day buy a watch.

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by 5nit

Indeed, people could perceive you as arrogant. I hope to one day buy a watch.

I hope you get the watch you want.

Let's make this forum a place where people can talk about what they've done. The reality is that somebody would find reason to object to something I wrote or something that you wrote.

Let's enjoy the watch bit. Cheers.

[multimedia]

For everyone concerned with the plastic wrapping, I say; welcome to Hong Kong. Here, this is as common as the sun rising in the east. Nothing strange with this at all. Last time I tried on a RO at the official AP boutique, the whole watch was wrapped in plastic. And so on.

To the OP. Big CONGRATS! Wear them in good health. The two Sky-Dweller’s are stunning :)

Cheers,
Joe

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by multimedia

For everyone concerned with the plastic wrapping, I say; welcome to Hong Kong. Here, this is as common as the sun rising in the east. Nothing strange with this at all. Last time I tried on a RO at the official AP boutique, the whole watch was wrapped in plastic. And so on.

To the OP. Big CONGRATS! Wear them in good health. The two Sky-Dweller’s are stunning :)

Cheers,
Joe

This is true in New York City, also, both at boutiques and at secondary market dealers. Prevents scratches.

[k1gordon]

Job well done..

[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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[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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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.

[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

[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

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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 !

[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

[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

[ALF61]

Originally Posted by 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

And this is essentially what is wrong with this opening post. Is it truthful ? or misleading.

I have seen Paul Thorpe come back to Youtube he says profit margins of grey dealers are maybe 10%. Should we believe the OP or Paul Thorpe ? see the BS is floating around somewhere and I for one would like to know where.

Because, I know a little of what grey dealers pay for some of those hot pieces. Bragging about special skillsets negociating which resulted in huge discounts denotes some greys are indeed trying to make a killing on the watches and thrashes away with the 10% profit margin deal on greys.

You see it is not just a thread sharing enthusiasm it goes as far a a bit of bragging in pedantic form some sort of negociating power most of us don´t have or where room for huge discounts does not exist. And irritated folks have a right to call bluff if all pieces of the story don´t quite fit properly.

[markseattle]

Originally Posted by 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

Ditto, I've seen these types of posts on various watch forums in the past. Someone comes on and starts posting with lot of self-importance. Often times the "truths" start getting exaggerated and then there is the "exposure" of lies and half-truths.

Usually takes the same course as this is taking, makes for an interesting read regarding self-importance and insecurity.


Mark

[Watch This]

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

[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.

[HappyFish]

Dont forget to pay the swiss import taxes!

[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.

[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 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.