C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

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robinbarke
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by robinbarke »

Tetlee wrote:Colour me suspitious but this isn't the first time these C9 FLE's have appeared in a NN sale the past couple of years. I would say between NN and the End of Line sales I've seen them at least 3 times, possibly more. I know because I can remember being very tempted by it in the past and I've only got into these sales the past couple of years.

Were these others numbered, or similar prototypes also? Can only speculate as obviusly far more watches are sold than members are posting about them here.

Good outcome for Gaf, better than being told it's effectively a frankenwatch, but I still don't agree with the prinicipal. How about the recently released Single Pusher with gold bezel, limited to 25 pieces Worldwide, that's pretty exclusive for those that can afford. But will it always be 25/25, or will it later be 25+/25+?

I have the Mk.1 Jump Hour, and am happy to own #200/200. It wouldn't be a deal breaker but I'd rather not think there are 200+ out there, that just brings uncertainty about just HOW exclusive your own model is. I like honesty & transparency, especially when spending such money.
I agree with you. However, relating to the 2013FLE, in defence of CW I think I am right in saying that (quite remarkably) the watch did not sell out to Forum members. The remaining examples were subsequently sold in sales and as NN.

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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by Tooks »

I don't think that defends much to be honest, otherwise maybe the next forum watch should be marked FE, and drop the L?
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by asqwerth »

I don't think the 2011 FLE sold out for some time.

Also, I seem to recall reading that there were a few members who bought it then returned it for various reasons. And there are quite a few blanks in the thread with the owners' list. So in terms of NN 2011 FLE, there could have been a few.

Yours isn't NN, though, but a prototype. I think there's no harm selling it, but it should have been clearly described as a prototype rather than one of the actual FLE watches.
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by 7ee »

asqwerth wrote:Yours isn't NN, though, but a prototype. I think there's no harm selling it, but it should have been clearly described as a prototype rather than one of the actual FLE watches.
I still don't think it should even prototypes should be sold. if anything they should remain in the CW Towers for historys sake(I would expect them to keep the prototype of every model ever released).

I come back to my point about the C900 Mono Pusher gold bezel, limited to 25/25. Now I'm not suggesting it's overpriced for what it is, but if I was spending £3,250.00 I'm pretty sure the exclusivity of the watch would certainly be part of the appeal. To be able to say there are only 24 others out there on peoples wrists would be really something, but can you say that with certainty? You certainly SHOULD be able to.
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by gaf1958 »

asqwerth wrote:Yours isn't NN, though, but a prototype. I think there's no harm selling it, but it should have been clearly described as a prototype rather than one of the actual FLE watches.
I agree, it should have been described as a prototype, not as NN - although as a prototype, it probably qualifies as NN, as I would expect it to have been handled more than a new watch would normally be. This begs the following questions:

Would I have bought it had it been described as a prototype? I don't know. I probably would have hesitated longer than I did when I saw it and I may have missed out on the watch as a result...

Do I regret the purchase now that I have some idea of its history? Not at all, in fact owning a prototype is a little different. I'm definitely not returning it.

Will I keep it long term? It's always hard to answer that question (particularly for a bit of a flipper like me!), but I think so. I'd say there's a better than even chance that I'll keep the watch until the warranty has expired, I like the feel of the watch - as I mentioned earlier in the thread, this watch appeals to me in much the same way that my Speedy moon watches do. And a real bonus is that it's super easy for tired old eyes to read. :D
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by 7ee »

gaf1958 wrote:And a real bonus is that it's super easy for tired old eyes to read. :D
Certainly no hand modifications required with this one :)
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by gaf1958 »

Tetlee wrote:
gaf1958 wrote:And a real bonus is that it's super easy for tired old eyes to read. :D
Certainly no hand modifications required with this one :)
Touché :lol:
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by MiniMpi »

gaf1958 wrote:Well, the other purchase arrived from CW today for this watch - a 20mm Alligator strap. I often prefer black faced watches on tan/brown straps and this one is no exception for me. Regardless of the provenance of the watch, I think it looks good on the 'gator. I have some other alligator straps for the C4 & C7 and the reddish-brown colour (like this one) is just amazingly rich.

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That is a great combo Gary ;)
I also thought of doing the very same thing recently.
I'm glad you are happy with the watch now, it is very fast becoming one of my go to watches.
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by Kip »

I agree that it probably should have been identified as a prototype even though it was sold through the NN sale.

Selling prototypes is nothing new. CWL has been doing it for years. I have many of them myself, including the C2(20)FLE and the original C70 Grand Prix Series. I have never felt that this takes away from the specialty of the limited editions. I ahve always looked at it that I was fortunate to have acquired the prototype versions.
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by gaf1958 »

Kip wrote:Selling prototypes is nothing new. CWL has been doing it for years. I have many of them myself, including the C2(20)FLE and the original C70 Grand Prix Series. I have never felt that this takes away from the specialty of the limited editions. I ahve always looked at it that I was fortunate to have acquired the prototype versions.
Kip, are your prototype versions missing the serial numbers as well?
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by scooter »

I have no problems whatsoever with CW selling off prototypes as long as they are clearly identified as such to any prospective purchaser.

The fact that this one was sold as NN has no bearing on how it should have been described, in my opinion. I cannot find the advertisement but would imagine that it left the purchaser believing that they were purchasing one of the eighty that had been made. This however is now known not to be the case.

We should not forget what exclusivity we place on owning a Limited Edition. Likewise, looking at the website this is how CW describes, for example, the C30 Malvern Chronometer Limited Edition:

"There will only ever be 500 pieces of this version of the C30 Malvern Chronometer which adds highly valued exclusivity to this very special watch."

Gary, enjoy your watch. It is a lovely watch and a one off.

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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by jtc »

Get it engraved with the word "prototype" on the rear casing, ask Wera nicely for something on CWL headed paper confirming your discussion around it being the 0th FLE, then sit back and enjoy a valuable watch :)
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by Kip »

gaf1958 wrote:
Kip wrote:Selling prototypes is nothing new. CWL has been doing it for years. I have many of them myself, including the C2(20)FLE and the original C70 Grand Prix Series. I have never felt that this takes away from the specialty of the limited editions. I ahve always looked at it that I was fortunate to have acquired the prototype versions.
Kip, are your prototype versions missing the serial numbers as well?
Some have mo number and some are production prototypes with 00 or 000.
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by gatehealing »

I want a C1 prototype!!
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Re: C9 FLE With NO Serial Number

Post by Kip »

Like one of these?

Image


Sorry, but not for sale.
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