WATCHES

whats going on David... which watches... i'm starting to like watches more and more now, though no collection yet..

 

Wuz up Georgie... was just wondering where youre hiding. All moved into the new crib yet?

 

I have a few nice ones as well, my latest is my Tourneau Gotham /Black Onyx LE with diamonds, white gold stitching and so on

 

pictures people! PICTURES! Awesome buy.
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George, Whats up? Havent seen you around in a while. Lets hit up a club or something soon.

 

I have a very small collection... One super avenger

 

i love watches, its the best part of my job i think. that tourneau is really nice too. (off hand do you know what kinda of movement is in it? is it an automatic ?)

 

Here's some info, i believe the movement is made by the same people who make the IWC's, Tourneau watches are TOP NOTCH QUALITY, i love them!

http://www.tourneau.com/Tourneau/Main/Catalog/Brands/Tourneau/Product%20Details/ProductId~COG0107094.aspx?MSCSProfile=DCCDF22EB27065BE78648BEA51935529A289E98CBD10328EA331EC0524C1EE427171748EE82C46D6375AD7E037645728E2FDD67DE8EE0B514473743EDEE09ADB6DEABDD49B8FFBCE2DEED9F992C48A7AD328B7F392940FDD2D906CAE2F301D744CAC1D2675E2C6B12CEB46A2191BFFD38B1A1617EA60DA31B8233FB2B0D12DD9

 

Whats up Greg...yea, just been busier lately...hope everything is well

 

hey, yea we should...and some runs as soon as it gets warmer

 

you know that as soon as I get my license back, im down

 

The Tourneau makes use of an unfinished Valijoux movement. Compare an IWC 3714 Chronograph and the aforementioned Tourneau and you will see the differences sans loupe.

Avoid Tourneau stores like the plague. Their prices are silly and their sales staff is abysmally obtuse.

 

+1

 

I agree with you both and while I personally would never buy a tourneau timepiece some people might like it. Watches are like art and everyone has their own taste. My favorite watch in my collection is a simple 500 dollar gucci watch. Tourneau is a great place to have your watch serviced though.

 

There are lots of other good alternatives to buying watches than stores like Tourneau. I have a place in the jewelry district that I've dealt with for years and generally get 40 to 45% off list on most name brand watches. My Omega Constellation that I wear as an everyday watch I bought for almost 45% off list from them. Full warranty, not grey market, etc. There is no reason to pay full list retail in NYC when you can go to the jewelry district and get the same thing for much less.

 

Generally you can get a discount on watches. If you are into high end watches or collectible pieces, dont even think about asking for a discount. If you dont buy the watch, there is a guy looking over your shoulder waiting to pick it up. Expect to pay over MSRP sometimes

 

You should receive a discount of at least 30% off of MSRP on most any watch. This includes Patek, Lange, AP, Vacheron and the like. 35% off MSRP for your run of the mill Patek Calatrava is typical. 15%-20% off of MSRP for a Rolex sport model is pretty good.

Exceptions include the stainless steel Daytona, the anniversary version of Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms and IWC's Big Pilot. I am sure others will chime in with pieces that are selling at, or close to, MSRP.

 

I know this one guy that paid a little over MSRP to have an amazing looking IWC Limited Edition Ceramic I guess I should have talked to you first. Got any 30% deals on a beautiful Bell & Ross BR01-94 Chronograph with orange dial?

 

Actually, not so much, Shiv. At least not for anything complicated. Batteries, straps, maybe even a cleaning on a not-too-special watch is fine, but I wouldn't go to Tourneau for major service (or even minor service on a really fine timepiece). I mostly use Tourneau to windowshop and try watches on, and only buy when I get the occasional fantastic deal.

Mike, don't know you, but with all due respect, WHAT?!?! NO WAY. Been buying watches for a while and if you want a guaranteed no-stories watch with box, papers, matching numbers, serviceable at any branch of the dealer in question etc., this strikes me as a generalization you simply cannot make. Now if you're willing to buy on the internet or from a jeweler/dealer who keeps his watches in zip loc baggies in a safe, that's one thing... But 35% off a "run of the mill" Patek (by definition not exactly a "run of the mill" watch), Lange & Sohne, AP or Vacheron, hmmm, not most places. VERY rare I would say, and nearly impossible at a branded boutique.

I am, of course, NOT counting personal dealer connections, volume or wholesale discounts, or other such hookups. But if you know how I can walk into a boutique in the US or Europe (Asia is entirely different) and get a Patek or an L&G at 35% off, please do share the knowledge.

Thanks.

 

Thats what I meant. I woudl only send my watches back to the mfg to get serviced. I would never head to tourneau to get major service, but for belt changes and such, sure.

 

Cool. Did you get to have that Breitling bracelet adjusted? I'll take you or do it for you when I get back, if not...

 

Mike,

I don't know if you're in the business, but you're way off here. The discounts your throwing out are quite a bit above market and that is also the case if buying these on the Gray Market as well.

While I'm not "directly" in the business, I can tell you that the distribution channel has changed and the manufacturers are now only allocating a finite number of pieces to their AD's. They're cutting off the gray market (since AD's will immediately lose their line if caught selling to other non AD's) and the discounts have diminished as a result.

The secondary market is different in that you can find pre-owned pieces at decent discount, but that is also consolidating since the MSRP's are getting stronger.

If you can actually get these discounts from AD's then please PM me and let me know where and how. I'll be more than happy to become a VERY GOOD customer immediately and frequently.

Thanks!

 

i went to a place in NJ thats authorized and they said they wouldnt touch it. They said since it wasnt a US release they dont want the liability. I called tourneau and they said they would do it. Im gonna try this week.

Ive been itching to buy a white gold or platinum watch with blue hands. Perhaps a lange sohne, Ulysse Nardin, or glashutte...what do you think? Not any time soon though, but just keeping it in the back of my mind. I will eventually get all the ones shown below
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Shoot me a PM when you're ready to roll bro.

You have a nice selection of pieces there...going to need a hoard of cash to play with some of those.