Ask An Insider - Round 2

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by The D

old bond street?

Brent Cross

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Rags

Congrats on the new job Chris. It's not often that people get to work at what they love doing.
All the best!!!

Thanks Chuck, I'm a lucky chap!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

Chris, does the Planet Ocean have a quickset date, or is it's movement equivalent to an Aqua Terra, in terms of the GMT-like motion of the hour hand?

I should know the answer to this, but you will save a me a trip to the Omega Boutique to find out. Thanks in advance, as always!

Assuming we're talking about the cal. 8500 based ones, it's the semi quickset date dealt with by the hour jump hand

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by hdrazor251

Congrats Chris.

Something tells me Omega is about to see an increase in sales.

I certainly hope so Jeff!

[Boothroyd]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Assuming we're talking about the cal. 8500 based ones, it's the semi quickset date dealt with by the hour jump hand

Thanks for confirming, Chris!

[terrywoods]

Good luck with the new job. Are you allowed to wear your rolex to work?

[The GMT Master]

As far as I know, no, I don't think it would be appropriate. Saying that, though, the other new guy was wearing a JLC Reverso, very nice piece

[T. Ferguson]

This question may be a bit before your time but with the intro of the new Black/Blue GMT it got me wondering about just how popular the previous bi-colors were compared to the regular black bezel GMT.

Do you have any feel for how well the bi-colors sold compared to the standard black version?

[The GMT Master]

When I started, the GMT IIc in steel was just arriving for the first time - however, as we're both heading to Basel, I have my old boss with me, so I can rely on his wisdom

He says that the black bezel was always the one that sold the least, it was always Pepsi and coke that tended to sell.

Hope this helps!

Chris

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

When I started, the GMT IIc in steel was just arriving for the first time - however, as we're both heading to Basel, I have my old boss with me, so I can rely on his wisdom

He says that the black bezel was always the one that sold the least, it was always Pepsi and coke that tended to sell.

Hope this helps!

Chris

Thanks, Chris. From the sound of it, the new BB is bound to be a big hit for Rolex.

[The GMT Master]

It's certainly had a good reception so far, I'm looking forward to trying it on tomorrow :)

[ciang63]

Hi Chris,
Quick question about the 41 mm aqua terra 8500. I've tried it in grey and the black golf version. Is it available in plain black, i.e. without the green accents of the golf version? I know it's available in 38.5mm in black but can't find any sign of a 41mm.
What's your opinion of the aqua terra?
Thanks

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

It's certainly had a good reception so far, I'm looking forward to trying it on tomorrow :)

Chris, if you read this before then please do me a favor and look at the black on the bezel. In the pictures I've seen so far it looks like a deeper, darker black than the single color bezel that can give off a greyish tinge. I'm curious to know if it is different or if it's just lighting /contrast that is making it look so jet black in the photos I've seen.

Also the numerals appear very white rather than the silvery platinum. The website says they are platinum but they sure look white. I'd be curious to know if they do look different than the 116710 and if so, are they indeed some kind of platinum.

Thanks.

[Suzy Cruisy]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Well folks, I have some news - I'm back in the biz! However, I have gone over to the "dark side" and will be working at an Omega Boutique in London. It's a great opportunity, and it's going to be brilliant to be doing what I do best - selling watches, and being a watch geek

Congrats to you! Its great to love your work!

If we ever go to London in our travels, we'll put your boutique in our list of must see sights!

And I've got more Omegas now than Rolexes, so maybe you've started a thread there? I'll have to check the Omega board. :)


I did have a Rolex question - you may have seen it already - how soon will the ADs have the new catalog showing all the dials and we'll know what can eventually be ordered from an AD? The Rolex site shows only a select few new things and not every combination.

Cheers!

Suzy

[lland]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Well folks, I have some news - I'm back in the biz! However, I have gone over to the "dark side" and will be working at an Omega Boutique in London. It's a great opportunity, and it's going to be brilliant to be doing what I do best - selling watches, and being a watch geek

Great news. If I'm ever in London...

While all boutiques have a number of nice watches shining under the lights in the front windows, the Omega Boutiques (at least the ones I've been to) are the only ones where the watches were all running and set to the correct time. Nice touch.

LL

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by ciang63

Hi Chris,
Quick question about the 41 mm aqua terra 8500. I've tried it in grey and the black golf version. Is it available in plain black, i.e. without the green accents of the golf version? I know it's available in 38.5mm in black but can't find any sign of a 41mm.
What's your opinion of the aqua terra?
Thanks

Not 100% sure on the black being in the 41mm size, I would have to double check the master catalogue when I next get chance. I'm pretty sure it'd be available in both sizes though

I think the AT is a lovely watch - nice proportions, I like the textured dial, and the movement is my absolute favourite. It's a bit more understated than the current generation Datejust, although I would say the bracelet isn't quite as refined as that of the Rolex. Overall, I think it's a very good watch for the money

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Chris, if you read this before then please do me a favor and look at the black on the bezel. In the pictures I've seen so far it looks like a deeper, darker black than the single color bezel that can give off a greyish tinge. I'm curious to know if it is different or if it's just lighting /contrast that is making it look so jet black in the photos I've seen.

Also the numerals appear very white rather than the silvery platinum. The website says they are platinum but they sure look white. I'd be curious to know if they do look different than the 116710 and if so, are they indeed some kind of platinum.

Thanks.

It's hard to tell, but I think it is the same shade - the lighting in the cabinets on the stand did make some of the colours look a little off. The platinum Daytona, for example, looked completely different out of the cabinet. The numerals are definitely the regular PVD applied platinum ones, look the same as the regular 116710

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Suzy Cruisy

Congrats to you! Its great to love your work!

If we ever go to London in our travels, we'll put your boutique in our list of must see sights!

And I've got more Omegas now than Rolexes, so maybe you've started a thread there? I'll have to check the Omega board. :)


I did have a Rolex question - you may have seen it already - how soon will the ADs have the new catalog showing all the dials and we'll know what can eventually be ordered from an AD? The Rolex site shows only a select few new things and not every combination.

Cheers!

Suzy

Hi Suzy,

If you're ever in town, drop me a line, it'd be lovely to meet you!

I haven't started another thread over on the Omega boards here, but I see this thread as an "equal brand opportunity" thread

Usually the new master catalogue comes through in September/October, so quite a bit after the new models start appearing. However, I can tell you that there weren't many new dials this year - they did a chocolate floral with diamond 6 and 9 on the 36mm Datejust, a few new dials for the Day-Date 36mm (in addition to the ones on strap and the sertie dials - there was a MoP dial with "Oxford weave", ferrite, lapis lazuli and bull's eye), and there were the lotus flower MoP dials for the RG pearlmaster. So not a great deal of different dials available this year

All the best,

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by lland

Great news. If I'm ever in London...

While all boutiques have a number of nice watches shining under the lights in the front windows, the Omega Boutiques (at least the ones I've been to) are the only ones where the watches were all running and set to the correct time. Nice touch.

LL

Yes, that was something I noticed as well - looks like it'll be a good opportunity to handle the watches in the morning

[steveclocks]

Chris, that's wonderful news man!
Will be making a visit to your Omega store when I am in London next time.
The Omegas are always nice and brilliantly made (I have a seamaster, as you probably know, which is my daily beater) but it's nice to meet up with you aswell.
Congratulations

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by steveclocks

Chris, that's wonderful news man!
Will be making a visit to your Omega store when I am in London next time.
The Omegas are always nice and brilliantly made (I have a seamaster, as you probably know, which is my daily beater) but it's nice to meet up with you aswell.
Congratulations

Thanks Geert! Will be great to see you again, let me know when you're around and we'll sort something out!

Chris

[HL65]

Chris--My 71' 1680/8 blue dial turned brown due to Rolex using defective paint. Should I bring back and get blue dial?
Darn that defective paint!! Same thing happened to my MK2 DRSD!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Chris--My 71' 1680/8 blue dial turned brown due to Rolex using defective paint. Should I bring back and get blue dial?
Darn that defective paint!! Same thing happened to my MK2 DRSD!

Tch, terrible! Get it sent into your local RSC ASAP and get a nice shiny new service dial on it!

Great photos as always, Ken

[HL65]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Tch, terrible! Get it sent into your local RSC ASAP and get a nice shiny new service dial on it!

Great photos as always, Ken

[ciang63]

Chris,
Thanks for the reply. When you get a chance to check the master catalogue let me know if the 41mm comes in plain black. How soon do you think the 41mm blue will hit the shops?
On a separate note, reading your posts over a long period proves you are a gent. Good to see one of the good guys getting a job.

[Suzy Cruisy]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hi Suzy,
...
Usually the new master catalogue comes through in September/October, so quite a bit after the new models start appearing. However, I can tell you that there weren't many new dials this year - they did a chocolate floral with diamond 6 and 9 on the 36mm Datejust...
All the best,

Chris

Hmmm chocolate floral. I'll look forward to admiring one of those, although it won't be on my dream list. Not enough brown and beige in my wardrobe! Wonder if they're making it with contrasting hands of some sort? Love the floral dials, but hate that they all have hands that are exactly the same as the dial color, so I consider them challenging to read the time!

So, since ciang is asking more questions about the master catelog, I'll continue and be more specific.

I am not interested in a new dial, I'm interested in a rare old dial. Are they offering 36mm DJ "Blue Waves arabic diamond 6 & 9" dial in any combination for 2013-2014? Trying to decide if I can wait to order it in some combo later this year or strive harder to snare a used one I saw.

Thanks for your time, as always!

Suzy

[LightOnAHill]

I love this thread and these like it - serving other members in such a way is highly valuable and honorable, in my opinion. Thank you, I am very grateful.

[kultschar]

Hi Chris,

Congrats on the new job at Omega, enjoy reading your threads!!

Quick daft question (now your working for Omega) - do you ever get sick of the Bond / Omega connection??

I was over in the UK last Nov for a few weeks and Skyfall was plastered everywhere in the Omega boutiques and partner jewellers etc. Fast forward 6 months, I pop over for another visit and Daniel Craig is still in the window lol. Then again I guess it was the same with Brosnan.

Obviously the Bond thing is huge for Omega (poss more then we could imagine.) I guess a large amount of people walk into an Omega store every day purely on the back of Bond e.g. wanting to browse at or requesting a "Bond" watch etc. I guess its fair to say Bond did his fair share to get the Planet Ocean lineup launched / rolling back in 2005 (Casino Royale) and highlights how powerful product placement / endorsement is to a particular brand.

[steveclocks]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Thanks Geert! Will be great to see you again, let me know when you're around and we'll sort something out!

Chris

We will do indeed !

[AK797]

Well I decided asking an AD over the internet wasn't enough, so I walked into my local AD and guess who was there... only the man himself!

It was great to meet you Chris and have a little chat about watches and this forum, all while he was giving me the hard hard sell, haha joking of course, and all much to the amusement of his rather attractive blonde colleague, who I hope joins this forum too. Cheers, mate!