Strange Encounter!

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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Strange Encounter!

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

I found this watch and clock shop last week. Lots of nice looking vintage in the window.

I went back today, thinking to trade 4 cheapies for something good. OK - he didn't want them - no problem.
I felt a bit uneasy...his prices seemed too good to be true - 1963 Rolex Oysterdate for £750? Looked fine, but I know nothing about them - what would you guys think?

We had an interesting chat, though, and he was quite dismissive of small new companies producing Swiss Made watches..."all they do is bang an ebauche ETA in them!" I mentioned I had two by Christopher Ward. "Never heard of them!"

We talked about modern watches. I showed him the Tangente and he said:
"Nomos? Is that Swiss?"
"No, German...Glashutte."
"Where's that? That's probably an ETA in there."
"No, it's manufacture. Take a look - it's a glass-back"
"Mmm, quite nice. How much are those?"
I told him the price range.
"Sounds about right. You obviously know what you're talking about."

I thanked him for his time and left.
Something makes me think I won't be going back! :shock:
Steve
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Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
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Jammy Devil
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by Jammy Devil »

Sounds NFN to me ! :lol:
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xtriple
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by xtriple »

Sounds like an old boy with an attitude. Sometimes, these old guys are worth making the effort with as they know shedloads and once they get to know you, words of wisdom (and discounts) flow easily!

Of course, he could just be a miserable old git that's trying it on with a load of hooky old watches... you're are in the best place to decide. Personally, I'd give him another chance.
CW C3 CWS, C13 GWT, 2012 FLE. Tag Heuer. Citizen. Tissot Tudor. Breitling Colt + SuperOcean. Orient SK. Deep Blue. Seiko X2. Steinhart Ocean 1. Timex X3. MuDu. Longines. Yema. Omega Speedmaster +Seamaster SMP. Roamer. Sully. Bulova. Ingersol.
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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

He wasn't old...early to mid 40s I'd say - his little girl (about 10) was in the shop with him.

NFN, Jammy Devil...I'll say! :lol:
Steve
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Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Leo David
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by Leo David »

I had a similar experience, Steve. Mine was on the high street in Ernest Jones when I was looking for a watch for my daughter and was told that it was impossible to buy women's watches with mechanical movements. Apparently the reason for this is that "women's watches are smaller than men's and that's why they're all quartz". When I asked the saleswoman what she thought women's watch design looked like before quartz movements she said "oh quite big". I thanked her for her time and left. I guess it is more difficult to be forgiving when the person sets themselves up as an horologist (of sorts).
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xtriple
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by xtriple »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote:He wasn't old...early to mid 40s I'd say - his little girl (about 10) was in the shop with him.

NFN, Jammy Devil...I'll say! :lol:
In that case, tell him to poke it where the sun don't shine!
CW C3 CWS, C13 GWT, 2012 FLE. Tag Heuer. Citizen. Tissot Tudor. Breitling Colt + SuperOcean. Orient SK. Deep Blue. Seiko X2. Steinhart Ocean 1. Timex X3. MuDu. Longines. Yema. Omega Speedmaster +Seamaster SMP. Roamer. Sully. Bulova. Ingersol.
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by Leo David »

xtriple wrote: In that case, tell him to poke it where the sun don't shine!
Sounds about right :lol:
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scooter
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by scooter »

NFN (Normal for Norfolk) - That's a bit disparaging isn't it?

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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Like your story, Leo. I heard about one spotty youth in a store who was trying to sell someone a "quartz mechanical"...he meant analogue, I suspect.
Steve
Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by Loddonite »

scooter wrote:NFN (Normal for Norfolk) - That's a bit disparaging isn't it?

scooter
No,no, it's a medical term. :D


On topic (for once)... I wouldn't worry about a sales person who doesn't know their subject if you know more. If neither of you know the subject then it's a problem.
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xtriple
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by xtriple »

Back in the dim and distant past when I used to sell cars, I came across quite a few car salesmen, who admitted they knew... nothing and just made up facts and figures regarding fuel consumption etc on the spot. Fortunately, things have changed in that regard and all cars have that information displayed on them nowadays.
CW C3 CWS, C13 GWT, 2012 FLE. Tag Heuer. Citizen. Tissot Tudor. Breitling Colt + SuperOcean. Orient SK. Deep Blue. Seiko X2. Steinhart Ocean 1. Timex X3. MuDu. Longines. Yema. Omega Speedmaster +Seamaster SMP. Roamer. Sully. Bulova. Ingersol.
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footycrazy
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by footycrazy »

You could also use his lack of knowledge to your advantage when bartering, just make sure there is some sort of warranty and ask to see movements if possible. Take some tools with you ( i would ).
After all, they are vintage and water resistancy is not really going to be an issue.
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by atnits »

Both my local watch chaps had never heard of CW. Both thought my C5 was a bargain, though, once they'd looked at it.
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by Dancematt »

Who cares what he knows if the watch looks legit, and you can comfirm it with serial numbers and a view of its movement - take it somewhere else and get it serviced, your still saving roughly £500 quid after all that.
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Jammy Devil
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Re: Strange Encounter!

Post by Jammy Devil »

scooter wrote:NFN (Normal for Norfolk) - That's a bit disparaging isn't it?
scooter
Other examples of disparaging medical slang:-
NFN
FLK
GROLIES
TTFO
TTR
LOBNH
CNS-QNS
PFO
PGT
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