MKII Kingston

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gwells
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Re: MKII Kingston

Post by gwells »

it's this kind of stuff that would scare me away from buying anything from bill yao.

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f325/key-w ... 64-33.html
I got the apology email as well.

Keep getting apologies for my 2 LRRP's that have been in service for over 1 year....can't wait to sell those when they get back to me.

MKII makes amazing watches, no f*cking doubt about that, but they need to speed up the damn process.
or things like this:
Just got this email today. I'm devastated.


"Project GMT: Sorry...

Dear Customer,

Sorry but you were not selected for this round. We will keep your email on file and continue to include you in the selection process for future rounds.

Best,

Bill Yao"

It was so long ago I forgot I had even signed up.
the "g" is for Greg...
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DEV.Woulf
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Re: MKII Kingston

Post by DEV.Woulf »

I planned on purchasing a Key West for a while. My mother thought I was insane for buying from a one man watch company, especially one with such a long and unguaranteed wait time. "What if he dies?", she said. Really, my money would be long gone if something happened to him and that's scary. She also didn't like him taking half the money right upfront, which he really does to keep his company afloat. It is what it is. Don't like it, don't order.

It got me a bit worried but I got over it and planned to order anyway but the two month delay in me ordering due to him only taking 25 orders a month (which are selling out within minutes) led to me honestly being disgusted by the whole homage thing. I read so much about Rolex during this last year due to the development of the Key West that I honestly fell in love with the company and it's history. I no longer want to wear a watch that copies it's whole design from something else, made from someone who has nothing to do with the company the original watch is based on. The real GMT-Master is still around and still uses the same design. Watches like the new Trident, elegant dressy divers, are the real homages IMO. MK II just do copies. High quality copies, but copies nonetheless. Besides, I think the new Tridents are better looking than what he offers.

The price of the KW went up by $200 recently along with a possible delivery estimate as late as 2017. That, with the very long wait times now being expected if your watch should have a problem was it for me. I don't want to support a company like this anyway. What if my watch has a problem? I don't want to deal with the headaches. Bill needs to hire some people to help him get stuff done quicker, pronto. I'll send him luck, but not money.
Christopher Ward | LORIER | MONTA | SEIKO

Joseph.
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gwells
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Re: MKII Kingston

Post by gwells »

honestly, i really do believe it's just a ponzi scheme.
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andyg
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Re: MKII Kingston

Post by andyg »

i can understand all of the points made.

Mr Yao's business model is hugely frustrating and not a little alarming when you consider that the first payments for the SM300 project were made 7 years ago (YES 7!) and we are yet to see a prototype. I understand that everyone who has lost patience has received a full refund though. This is why i had a row with him myself over the wait time on my Nassau with literally no communication after making payment.

I think his product is good value when you handle it, and buy it at original price. But the lack of production volume drives the preowned price up to ridiculous levels. The price rise on the Key West has put me off considering a purchase also.

MKII really do need to decide what they want to be. Either, they seek the funding to be able to recruit and then produce enough quality product without having to hold customers to ransom, or they raise prices and become a very small curiosity in the watch market. As their products are straight homages (or copies DV), the second option really doesn't work as their current prices are getting too close to some of the big players (Longines, Oris, Tissot etc).

I am very happy with both my Kingston and Nassau, with my Kingston being my most worn watch, the quality is there for anyone to see. The styling isn't available at the same level of quality unless you purchase the original either. But, they are niche products and not to everyones taste. I would call MKII a marmite brand for all of the reasons mentioned.

Mr Yao has clearly made a decision on how he wants to do business. It may well be a ponzi scheme, the SM300 fiasco certainly points that way. But in the Kingston, i really do think he made a WIS classic.
Andy

Each of us will face this question at least once in a year.

"Why do you have so many watches? You can only wear one at a time!"
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DEV.Woulf
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Re: MKII Kingston

Post by DEV.Woulf »

This post started a suggestion that he may sell the company sometime soon and disappear out of the mess he has created. I'd be shocked but what a scary thought! :shock:

This review of the Kingston sort of turned me off of it. Not so much because of it's quality because it was originally sold for less than $1000, but just the fact that the real thing (well, close enough) is higher quality. I feel if you're gonna homage a famous watch, at least make it similar quality. If you can't do it, stay away from the design. I know the Kingston is probably better quality than the 6538 it copies but that Submariner was best amongst the pack back in 1957. The Kingston can't even currently compete with Tudor, let alone Rolex. I'm not knocking any one who enjoys the watch but I think knowing it's playing pretend would spoil it for me. I'd prefer if someone made a gilt-dialed watch but with an all original design. I doubt we will ever see that.
Christopher Ward | LORIER | MONTA | SEIKO

Joseph.
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