• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

Status
Not open for further replies.

Dino944

Distinguished Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2011
Messages
7,703
Reaction score
8,667
regarding the ALS strap story that apropos related, i think it boils down to a few things. as a person who has worked most of my career in sales or sales related positions, in the jewelry industry and others, and both in sales and managerial roles, the onus in my opinion falls on a both parties a little bit.

the customer: i dont know the whole story, but this is what it seems to me. i know everyone wants to hope that because they are a baller people will insta-recognize them without them having to say a word. but i hate to break it to ya, thats not reality. even a-list celebrities sometimes get turned away because they are not recognized. sure, this guy bought a very significant amount of high figure pieces, but guess what, lange makes expensive watches, and i bet there are many customers that spend like he does. and if he did not buy them in that boutique, its highly unlikely that anyone would know that he is a major customer, for all they know he got the watch on ebay.

and lets be honest, the guy is not a fool, he knew he was asking for something a little special. what he should have done, imo, to avoid that, would be to politely walk over to a sales person and either right off ask for a manager, or just put all the cards on the table. hi, my name is so and so, i have been a customer for a long time and have purchased x,y,z.... watches from ADs. i recently bought this strap here and i realize i dont really love it, it was only worn a few times, would it be possible to swap it out for another? i can almost assure you, had he done that, the outcome would have been significantly different.

now, for all i know he said all that, and did just that, but based on the result and what i read, i am confident that he probably just walked in, said hi please exchange this. the salesperson said no, because that is probably their standard policy, and yes all companies need policies or people will abuse them. and he said ok and walked out all mad that they did not recognize him and service him as he deserved. many many issues in these types of situations break down to poor communication. dont wait for people to figure out who you are, just tell them. it saves everyone a lot of aggravation and time. if i am wrong and he did that and was still turned away, whoever made that call is a moron and should be fired.

the salesperson: the hiring process for most of these sales postions is pretty simple, be pretty or handsome and well enough spoken or charismatic, and we will teach you enough product info so you can reasonably sell. many of them dont have much interest in upward mobility, they want to put in their hours, get their commissions (if there are any) and go home and take vacation. very run of the mill wage employees.

for such a person, when a customer walks in out of the blue that you dont know has bought through authorized channels, and asks for a favor, they pick up their head, and politely (hopefully) say, no i am sorry we can not do that. and then they wait for something more exciting to happen or for a smoke break.

a better sales person would have realized that something more might be as stake, asked a few questions to get the whole picture, and then said, let me ask my manager. the manager would have said yes, and everyone would be happy. but, not all sales people are astute like that, and its kind of a pity.

however, the only way to truly fix that, is to hire better people. and better people cost more money. and with all the growth these companies are experiencing that can add up fast. and guess where that cost goes? thats right, right into the price of the watches. because that is business. sure, it would be nice if every company could only employ top notch amazing sales people, but that is just not the reality. that being the case, know that going in, and say what you have to say, dont leave any guess work. and if the person you first speak to is not getting it done, ask someone else.

just my opinion.
+1,000 Well said Stitchy. As someone that worked in sales years ago I couldn't have said it better myself!
fistbump.gif

Thanks for that view point, Stitch. As someone not in just sales, but specifically the sales of watches, it's great to hear it from the other side.

I may be off base here, but I would expect there to be 'stricter' requirements of sales people working high end goods, no? For example, at a Ferrari dealership, I would expect that the sales people there have been taught how to deal with Ferrari customers - their (many times) needy and entitled demands, right down to the nitty gritty stuff only a Ferrari dealership could offer. I dont' think you could approach a Ferrari customer/client the same way you do a Ford or Toyota or even Lexus customer..
^^ mimo, I am happy to oblige. Here is my new "two-tone perpetual calendar dual time split seconds chronograph!" That's right, boys and girls. I've got timepieces from Patek that allows for split seconds chronograph functionality - the ability to time two events simultaneously. No, it's not the 5004 or the 5204. I cannot afford either of those pieces. So, instead, I present my innovative split seconds chronograph - dual face watch, yellow gold and platinum, both with silver dials. For the first event I click the top pusher on the platinum, and for the second event I click the top pusher on the yellow gold. Voila! In fact, this "split seconds chronograph" of mine not only allows me to time two events at the same time... it's also a "perpetual calendar dual time" complication, which allows me to track the time/day/date/moonphase for TWO PLACES IN THE WORLD at the same time! How 'bout that! Not even the

5004 or the 5204 can do that! Heh heh.
Frills you should contact Patek and offer to sell them your revolutionary idea for the next complication they should release. All kidding aside they are beautiful !!!

Stitch and i were talking about this watch yesterday...cant believe i forgot to suggest that. The ingy is an awesome watch. Rugged as hell too. I love the bracelet, but it also looks awesome on a strap..IIRC they did an AMG version on a black kevlar strap that was really sporty looking. Not something i typically like at all but it really looked nice on that.
I really liked the IWC Ingenuir ...but the AMG version didn't do much for me.
So I was told by my fiance to give her some watch ideas for a wedding gift for me. Budget is $10K. I really like the dive watch style and the fact they they are rugged so some scratches will only add character. A nicer dress watch is in the cards but I feel I would not wear it daily.

So far my ideas are:
Omega Planet Ocean - Black dial, gray bezel, 42mm
Rolex Submariner - undecided on color
What other dive watches are on this caliber? I feel like I have went through a ton and none pique my interest.

Now I told her I like the 2nd hand market idea which would put a Rolex Deepsea or a IWC Portuguese Auto (though not a dive watch). I love the look of 70s sub with the patina and yellowish lume but she thinks they are too old plus she wants to see it in person.

Any ideas or pointers would be great!
Buy a new Submariner . Its a great watch, and if you don't specifically need a dress watch its is a perfect watch for almost every occasion. Hell, if you have to you can get away with it with a sport jacket or even a suit (although then I'd prefer a dress watch).

I'm not always practical, especially when watches are the issue. That being said, do youself and your fiance a favor, just because the budget is $10,000 doesn't mean you should spend $10,000. Not sure how young, or old, or established you guys are, but there may be other things you will want or need. The Rolex can do everything you want it to do you its well under $10,000. There will be time to get other more expensive watches later on. If you guys are old or simply loaded, then completely disregard what I've said and blow then entire budget!
 

Cylon

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2011
Messages
597
Reaction score
60
Im partial to the sagely advice just above. I prefer the older subs with the smaller lug profile. You can get one around 5k. Save the rest or get your wife something else and look like a stud
icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif
 
Last edited:

in stitches

Stylish Dinosaur
Spamminator Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2010
Messages
66,397
Reaction score
33,106

+1,000  Well said Stitchy.  As someone that worked in sales years ago I couldn't have said it better myself!  :fistbump:


thanks! much appreciated.

Buy a new Submariner . Its a great watch, and if you don't specifically need a dress watch its is a perfect watch for almost every occasion. Hell, if you have to you can get away with it with a sport jacket or even a suit (although then I'd prefer a dress watch).
I'm not always practical, especially when watches are the issue.  That being said, do youself and your fiance a favor, just because the budget is $10,000 doesn't mean you should spend $10,000.  Not sure how young, or old, or established you guys are, but there may be other things you will want or need.  The Rolex can do everything you want it to do you its well under $10,000.  There will be time to get other more expensive watches later on.  If you guys are old or simply loaded, then completely disregard what I've said and blow then entire budget!

i would wear a sub with a suit and tie. dont even care.

alos, i have an appointment tomorrow to look at a sub from a gent looking to sell. maybe i can work a deal with the groom to be!
 

Keith T

TWAT Master.
Joined
Apr 17, 2004
Messages
1,847
Reaction score
1,465
Quick anecdote re: customer service...

I was once in a local AD's shop looking at some watches when I heard my sales lady being paged overhead.

This is a pretty big place-- they've got JLC, Vacheron, Panerai, Tag, FP Journe, etc.....lots of jewelry, too. (No Rolex, interestingly).

Anyway, we were looking at ...oh Piaget! They've also got Piaget, and I was checking out one of those ultra-thin beauties, right? White gold, about 38mm. Black croc strap...it was perfect...but I digress.

So I've maybe already taken 10 minutes of her time, and it's understood that I'm not really buying on this particular day, but she's a really nice lady, good salesperson. Used to be with another national retail jewelry outfit. I had bought my 210 from her about a year before this.

Anyway, she had ignored that initial page, because she said was "already with a customer" (me.)

Sincere or not, it did make me feel ...valued.....if that's not overstating it.

After about another minute goes by, I hear her paged again. This time, she apologized profusely, but said she better excuse herself for a moment and see what's going on.

I told her no big deal, I should be going anyway. Thanked her for her time.

So she takes a couple steps towards the service counter, and out of my peripheral vision, I see a guy walking towards us.

Then I hear my lady say, in mock disgust, "Oh NO....not this guy again!" Real sarcastically.

This fairly tall dude walks up to us-- dark hair, cut very short-- dressed quite casual, shorts and a t-shirt-- even wearing flip-flops if I recall correctly.

He says that he's sorry for interrupting, didn't mean to be rude.

He sticks out his hand to shake, and introduces himself..."Hi, I'm Matt."

It's Matt Schaub, quarterback of the Houston Texans.

I said hello, nice to meet you.

Super-nice guy. He gave the lady a big hug, asked about her family.

She asked him about how his foot was doing (he had one of those Lisfranc (sp?) injuries, and he said the rehab was going well.

So we just kind of all did the small talk thing for a bit....and then I excused myself. "Have a great day".

Sales lady tells me thanks for coming in, see you next time. And I head on out.

All in all, a pretty cool experience.

I can only assume that Schaub does a good bit of business in there. And if I had a bunch of NFL money, I probably would too.

Bastard probably bought the Altiplano that I wanted.


TRUE STORY, BRO.
 
Last edited:

Coldcava

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2010
Messages
124
Reaction score
19
Not to be the voice of caution here.. But there is a pretty significant superstition over gifts of watches out there. Not that anyone is superstitious.

I happen to live in a household where neither watches nor shoes can be gifted. (Run out of time / walk out on you - are the gists of those superstitions.)
 

HRoi

Stylish Dinosaur
Joined
Dec 28, 2008
Messages
25,238
Reaction score
16,136
^ interesting, the only rule I heard was the one about not buying watches for your wife...
 
Last edited:

in stitches

Stylish Dinosaur
Spamminator Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2010
Messages
66,397
Reaction score
33,106
keith - awesome story. very cool.

also, its actually not so uncommon for a store to have many or almost all the major brands, but not rolex. they are pretty particular about who they let have the line (sometimes for better sometimes for worse), often more particular than most brands. and they also usually try not to flood the area. if there is one AD close by, even a crappy little place with not much else there, they will usually let that AD keep the territory, unless they mess up or cant keep up with the volume they need to.

coldcava - that is interesting, because for many, there is a specific custom to give the groom to a be, a nice watch. no hate, but i prefer that custom. both personally and professionally. :)
 

Flake

Distinguished Member
Joined
May 4, 2011
Messages
1,108
Reaction score
397
Glad my wife never heard that about gifting watches! She's given me several. ( yes, she's awesome)
 

in stitches

Stylish Dinosaur
Spamminator Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2010
Messages
66,397
Reaction score
33,106
wait, is frilly your wife? I KEED I KEED!
 

Concub1ne

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2012
Messages
141
Reaction score
19
Im partial to the sagely advice just above. I prefer the older subs with the smaller lug profile. You can get one around 5k. Save the rest or get your wife something else and look like a stud
icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif

This is excellent advice. Especially the last part.

It's Matt Schaub, quarterback of the Houston Texans.

........

Bastard probably bought the Antiplano that I wanted.

A baller buying a tasteful watch? Good one.
 

scottcw

Distinguished Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
1,163
Reaction score
220
Thoughts on either a Habring2 Time Only (36mm) silver dial, silver hands for $3600 (on the left, except no jumping seconds and no stop button).

1000


OR

A vintage sterling silver, yellow gold hands Vacheron (35mm) for $2900.

1000
 

no frills

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2013
Messages
2,217
Reaction score
2,121
wait, is frilly your wife? I KEED I KEED!

Oyah! Speaking of wives, guess what mine did that first evening when I brought home the 3970 in platinum?




That's right - on her wrist for the rest of that evening...!
 

Keith T

TWAT Master.
Joined
Apr 17, 2004
Messages
1,847
Reaction score
1,465
No ring, frilly? I figured your better half would be sporting something the approximate size of, oh say.... the Hope Diamond.

scottcw: assuming the movement checks out, I'd go with the Vacheron. Don't see a lot of those in silver. (At least I don't.)
 

in stitches

Stylish Dinosaur
Spamminator Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2010
Messages
66,397
Reaction score
33,106

Oyah! Speaking of wives, guess what mine did that first evening when I brought home the 3970 in platinum?
That's right - on her wrist for the rest of that evening...!
youre lucky you got it back at all. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 55 36.7%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 59 39.3%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 15 10.0%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 26 17.3%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 26 17.3%

Forum statistics

Threads
505,125
Messages
10,578,695
Members
223,881
Latest member
Thomasaevers
Top