They say never meet your heroes...
Discussion
I was in Barcelona for a few days there, and I spotted a watch I'd been coveting (from afar!) for a while - a JLC Reverso Squadra World Chronograph.
Talk about a disappointment
Firstly, the watch sat WAY too high on my wrist, I really didn't expect the case to have such depth to it. Secondly, it felt very light indeed. Admittedly, the case is titanium, but again I expected it to feel much more substantial than it did.
Phew, saved myself a good few grand there
I did, however, also try a Patek Philippe Nautilus Moonphase -
Really want this
Just a small matter of the requisite funds...... (!)
So, anyone else been disappointed with a grail in the flesh?
Talk about a disappointment
Firstly, the watch sat WAY too high on my wrist, I really didn't expect the case to have such depth to it. Secondly, it felt very light indeed. Admittedly, the case is titanium, but again I expected it to feel much more substantial than it did.
Phew, saved myself a good few grand there
I did, however, also try a Patek Philippe Nautilus Moonphase -
Really want this
Just a small matter of the requisite funds...... (!)So, anyone else been disappointed with a grail in the flesh?
I tried a black Monaco on around a year and a half ago whilst killing time at an airport. I'd always liked the look of them (didn't know anything about the brand then or watches in general come to think of it) and I managed to blag a quick try on the wrist. I remember thinking that it looked a lot better off the wrist than on and that it was a shame, not that they were in my price range then or now 
al1991 said:
At 20, I don't even bother asking them to let me try them on 
I'm 23 (although I look a lot younger!) and have never been refused to try anything on. I haven't tried on anything silly expensive though, just a Sub LV & an Exp II.
You should try it, the girls in high-end ADs are cute...
The last one was pretty knowledgeable as well!
I saw one of those in Selfridges I think and if it wasn't that particular one then it was a similar model. I was expecting it to be a good amount smaller than it was.
As for watches I've always wanted but no longer. The Monaco sort of falls into this category. It's a huge chunky watch on my wrist and as the sales assistant kindly stated out looked like a pillow strapped to my wrist. I'd probably still get one but it would have to be available at a couldn't say no price.
on the flipside I didn't really have any intention of buying my Explorer II. I was passing a shop and killing time decided to try one on. An hour later I'm walking out with it.
As for watches I've always wanted but no longer. The Monaco sort of falls into this category. It's a huge chunky watch on my wrist and as the sales assistant kindly stated out looked like a pillow strapped to my wrist. I'd probably still get one but it would have to be available at a couldn't say no price.
on the flipside I didn't really have any intention of buying my Explorer II. I was passing a shop and killing time decided to try one on. An hour later I'm walking out with it.
al1991 said:
At 20, I don't even bother asking them to let me try them on
My first TAG was a 21st Birthday present from my parents. I was given the cash to buy what I wanted. I was dealt with by some stores with a degree of "he's a kid wasting my time" - this changed when I asked for a cash discount and removed a wad of notes from my wallet. People should never judge a book by it's cover.LukeBird said:
I'm 23 (although I look a lot younger!) and have never been refused to try anything on.
I haven't tried on anything silly expensive though, just a Sub LV & an Exp II.
You should try it, the girls in high-end ADs are cute...
The last one was pretty knowledgeable as well!
This, especially the latter bit regarding AD girls! I haven't tried on anything silly expensive though, just a Sub LV & an Exp II.
You should try it, the girls in high-end ADs are cute...
The last one was pretty knowledgeable as well!
It reminds me of the time I went into Goldsmiths to have a look around. I spotted a rather nice limited edition Oris and asked to try it on. However the saleswoman said she was not knowledgeable on watches and passed me over to one of the salesmen ... He knew nothing. According to him, the bezel provided me with a chronograph readout (It wasn't a chronograph), he had no idea what metal the casing was made out of (Titanium, I think, but that is why I was asking!), and when he asked me what watches I already own, he had never heard of and had difficulty pronouncing 'Glycine'. He was their resident watch expert
I've never been turned down from an AD. I bought my PO and a TAG Link Calibre S at the age of 22 ... Although in comparison to others on here, I was a late starter!
About 15 years ago I lusted after a Cartier Tank Francais Chrono in solid gold-a rare and expensive watch of it's time.I saw one in Geneva airport coming home from a skiing holiday and I've never been so disappointed in a watch in my life-it was light and just didn't sit nice on my wrist.It just looked and felt all wrong.
MarsellusWallace said:
About 15 years ago I lusted after a Cartier Tank Francais Chrono in solid gold-a rare and expensive watch of it's time.I saw one in Geneva airport coming home from a skiing holiday and I've never been so disappointed in a watch in my life-it was light and just didn't sit nice on my wrist.It just looked and felt all wrong.
Sounds familiar!I still want a reverso, and I'm sure there are more slimline versions, so it's not all doom and gloom. Still, I really loved the squadra...
t and looked 'grimey'.Fun Bus said:
My first TAG was a 21st Birthday present from my parents. I was given the cash to buy what I wanted. I was dealt with by some stores with a degree of "he's a kid wasting my time" - this changed when I asked for a cash discount and removed a wad of notes from my wallet. People should never judge a book by it's cover.
Part of buying any sort of decent watch should be an enjoyable experience. Fortunately I've never had any snooty types, and I was surprised when I was about 19 and took my late grandfather's Constellation in for a new strap.The chap in Mappin & Webb couldn't have been nicer, and was mad keen to get it sent back to Omega for a service and valuation.
I had to come clean and tell him the strap was about as much as I could afford at the time!
Similarly when I went elsewhere to buy a Seamaster for my 21st the girl in the shop was great. Spent plenty time making sure I got the watch I wanted and made sure it was a perfect fit before letting me leave.
If I'm spending over a grand on a watch and someone turns their nose up at me, then I'm heading straight out the shop!
BigAlinEmbra said:
If I'm spending over a grand on a watch and someone turns their nose up at me, then I'm heading straight out the shop!
I would hope for decent service if I was spending a lot less than £1000!These stores know we don't "need" these watches, so they shouldn't be snooty at all, they should be trying to get your business!
ApexJimi said:
Secondly, it felt very light indeed. Admittedly, the case is titanium, but again I expected it to feel much more substantial than it did.
A friend of mine has a titanium watch. I was impressed because it felt so light.I find heavy watches, particularly those on bracelets a little annoying sometimes because they move around so much.
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