Bites Newsletter: Should I take this watch gamble? + New and upcoming watch releases UPDATE ADDED: NEW LORIER RELEASE THIS WEEKEND
***See 'Upcoming Watch Releases' section for the Lorier ***
Hello friends!
You know the deal by now. Grab a drink and get ready for some delicious watch-flavoured eye candy, cool posts from this week’s WC and a selection of random thoughts from my head to finish.
This week:
New Member Welcome
Meetups Calendar
Photo of the week winner
Cool posts from WC
New watch roundup
Upcoming watch releases
Meetups Calendar
And finally…. The 3-6-9: The games people play (or: My big fat watch gamble)
New Member Welcome!
A quick hello to a few of the new faces I’ve seen around this week… @drxdurstx, @hughtoo, @Skippy67, @Watchgeekery, @jmarind, @GullibleAndroid, @Mike199, @Unison_Watches, @danielroa, @bboybatac, @chuckmccall99, @Evankajan, @Deskdiverdiaries, @astolfiwatches.
Upcoming Meetups
As well as the planned meetups below the Watchit! Watch Fair is also on near Birmingham on 18th Feb.
Meetup exploring the Rolex certified pre-owned scheme: London – 21st Feb
SoCal WatchCrunch Meetup – Ventura, California – 25th Feb
Photo of the Week Winner
Last week’s theme of ‘duo’ was set by @chunghauphoto, who also kindly agreed to provide public and private critiquing for photographs. His chosen winner is @hakki501 with this gorgeous photograph…
The WC team have created a special badge for winners of the photography thread, so well done to @Hakki501 for being the first to win this! I will ask for it to be awarded retrospectively to previous winners too and everyone should see them on their profiles next week.
This week’s photography judge and theme setter is @JaimeMadeira. Find out what theme he has chosen and join in the photography fun here.
Cool WC Posts
My pick of fun posts this week:
Cool Omeigo Seamonster concept designs from @bevelwerks
@complication opens the conversation on ‘How many watches really speak to you?’
Read through @jroobz trials and tribulations with his misaligned Tudor bezel
Take heed of @whitesalmons ‘Cautionary Tale’ of watch collecting.
@HotWatchChick69 has another amazing watch up for charity auction! Check it out here!
New Watch Roundup
I thought I would save some pictures and articles of the most interesting new watches I’ve come across this past week, so people can catch up on releases they may have missed. Let me know if this is something you would like me to add to the newsletter as a regular thing.
Top left: New Synchron – Worn and Wound
Top Right: Luscious Bell and Ross Big Bronze Skull – Worn and Wound
Bottom: New Grand Seiko Elegance – Oracle of Time
Top left: Colourful and happy new Hublot Murakami watch – ablogtowatch
Top right: Breitling 6 nations watches in a collection of colours – Fretello watches
Bottom left: The Cuervo y sobrinos historiador gran premio de - ablogtowatch
Bottom right: Ball Engineer Master ii Dive Chronometer – Time and Tide watches
Top row left to right:
Latest Carl Bucherer collection – Oracle of Time
The already sold out Borealis – Wrist watch review
New Tag Carrera x Porsche orange racing – Worn and Wound
Funky new yellow Junghans – Watchtime
Middle row:
Newest additions to the black series limited edition Seikos – Fratello Watches
New Seiko solar powered quartz GMTs – Fratello Watches
Bottom row:
New additions to the Tissot collection – Oracle of Time
Redbar and Bamford collaboration watch – Worn and Wound
New Audemar Piguet Royal Oak line up
Upcoming Watch Releases
Top left: CIGA Design - CIGA Design are releasing a gilt version of their award winning Blue Planet ‘soon’. No specific dates yet.
Top middle: Astolfi Watches – Another microbrand diver releasing its pre-order on kickstarter soon. The owner of this brand is also fellow cruncher and you can see his post regarding this watch here.
Top right: WMT Watches - Microbrand taking pre-orders for their 37mm gold chronograph. Dispatch end of Feb.
Bottom left: Sherwood watches – Launching on Kickstarter 12th Feb. The owner of this microbrand is fellow cruncher @Glynn12.30
Bottom middle: Meraud Watches – Launching 7th Feb 4pm GMT+1. Playing it mysterious with the looks.
Bottom right: Haim Watch Company are supposed to be releasing their new chronograph this week. There is a review of it here and apparently you get a discount code if you sign up for notification of the release.
Halios Watches – These guys have been teasing about a new Fairwind and Universa for ages. It continues to say late 2022/2023 on their site.
I’m not going to talk about Smiths, since their latest drop sold out instantly!
EDIT: Last minute addition - the Bulova Luna Pilot 43.5mm 'reduced'.
EDIT 2:
New Lorier coming out this week too I've just heard. This will apparently be the only run of the mark 2 Hyperion with this particular GMT movement. In future it will be 2mm thicker. So if thin is your thing better jump on this one:
From the email:
Hyperion Series II will be available
Saturday, February 11, at 11 AM ET (UTC-5).
Orders will ship the following week.
https://www.lorierwatches.com/products/hyperion-sii
The 3-(6-9)
Now it's story time! 3 parts over 3 newsletters. 6 and 9 silenced for this week.
The games people play (or 'My big fat watch gamble') Part 1
Each time we buy a watch it's just one big roll of the dice. Will it look as good on me as it does on David Beckham? Will I be crushed with heart-wrenching disappointment when I open that AliExpress package and realise all those glossy CG images were lies? You even have to cross your fingers and hope its still ticking each day if you've gone vintage.
Sometimes we can load the dice and stack the cards in our favour. We can read the reviews, watch the videos, scroll through endless images on Google. But none of this, not even going and trying the watch on, makes it a sure bet. As you leave the AD it can feel like a dead cert strapped to your wrist. You'll keep glancing down at it thinking what a perfect choice it is for days... weeks... months maybe... but who knows when that honeymoon will end and it'll be on the chopping block to fund your next 'sure thing' gamble.
Remember, the house always wins unless you stop playing.
And we love it. The thrill of winning big and cashing out with the perfect watch collection is enough to keep us checking out the AD windows and scrolling through eBay for that unnoticed gem waiting to be discovered. The lows of disappointing unboxings and unmet expectations are what keep the highs of a perfect watch win so sweet.
We're all playing different games in The Horology Grand Casino.
The luxury market feels like poker. There are high-stakes, strategy and often not much room at the table (or on the waiting list) to play. Sometimes you’ll be personally invited to joint the game if it’s a special edition release and you’re an AD high roller. If you know what you're doing, you'll greatly increase your chances of a win.
AliExpress is like playing the Craps table. You place your bets, roll the dice and have very little control over the outcome. Sometimes its snake eyes and your watch arrives with dust on the dial, a misaligned bezel or even DOA with little hope of a refund. Sometimes the dice are on your side and you leave with the best value watch in the house. It's cheap, fun and despite being frustrating at times you are unlikely to end up in tears... unlike the vintage guys...
Vintage is more like roulette. You put your money down and spin the wheel. The bigger your bet the bigger the pay-out can be... or the more painful the loss. If you know how to calculate the odds however, you could be the one the crowds gather around when you win big.
The budget watch guys are playing the slots. They understand the pleasure of just enjoying the game, having a laugh and not taking anything too seriously. There's always room for you to join in and the crowd is super friendly. If you lose a game (or your £20 Casio) no problem! It'll be fun playing again!
The beauty of the watch community is that regardless of our game of choice, we will all end up at the bar together at the end of the night. Congratulating each other’s wins, commiserating our losses and wondering if we will try our luck at a different game next time.
Next week come and join me in my own game of chance. I've decided to play a little game of watch blackjack and I have to decide if I stick or twist.
The watch I'm contemplating is a pretty big gamble. The money on the table isn't huge, about £300, and it could be a watch I end up adoring... or despising...
It's from a multi-award-winning microbrand, 'technically' a dress watch, there's ceramic in its design, it's an in-house movement and it is unlike anything else I own. You will have definitely seen their designs before on WC or YouTube, but I'm betting not the one I'm contemplating.
I will tell you which watch I’m considering in part 2 in next week's newsletter, but feel free to have a guess in the comments section of this week’s newsletter post!
Hope you enjoyed this week’s read. Let me know which bits you like so I know what to keep including each week.
Till next week watch fam!
Take care everyone.
(If you want to know the answer before next week then check out @Mrbudgetwatchs post and video here on how to spot a fake F91W)
Last weeks answers: Anagram – ‘Crashes mended’: Mercedes hands
Cryptic clue – ‘Police work from broken aces’: Case
Watch ID challenge – Invicta Pro diver
Banner photo: Me this week! Made possible with @chunghauphotos kind tips.
Part-time 'writter' @ The Escapement Room, the NSFW watch enthusiasts blog. www.theescapementroom.com/
More from DeeperBlue
Thanks for the mention
Thanks for the mention
You're welcome!
It was great to see Jody's review of your watch. You must be so excited for the launch!
Thanks for the welcome!
Thanks again for a wonderful newsletter.
Thanks for the welcome!
It's great seeing you around!
You have a great watch collection, with some lesser seen great watches (Oceanus, Rotary etc). The variety is right up my street. Though I do get Luna Pilot envy 😆
Thanks again for a wonderful newsletter.
Thank you for reading 🙏
Only one of those watches has noticeable differences from the other two, which are pretty much identical. So if there’s only one fake, it must be that one 😆
Only one of those watches has noticeable differences from the other two, which are pretty much identical. So if there’s only one fake, it must be that one 😆
Maybe there are 2 fakes 😁
Wow! What an enjoyable read again, my friend! Big thank you as well, to @Chunghauphoto for selecting my photo. Truly honored to be chosen by you, good sir. And, thanks WC team for the Photography badge.
Only one of those watches has noticeable differences from the other two, which are pretty much identical. So if there’s only one fake, it must be that one 😆
So I guess the 'different one' must be the real one!
Wow! What an enjoyable read again, my friend! Big thank you as well, to @Chunghauphoto for selecting my photo. Truly honored to be chosen by you, good sir. And, thanks WC team for the Photography badge.
They've said it should be ready by next week (the badge) so let me know when you have it so I can see what its like 👍
I think it is very fitting that you are it's first recipient, since the photo thread was your brain child ❤
So I guess the 'different one' must be the real one!
Ironically, the differences on the one watch actually make it look possibly a little better, so maybe. Though it also has a slightly darker LCD, so really… who knows. At least if it was Seiko divers we could look at the Bezel alignment at twelve. Or a MoonSwatch…
Edit:
Ok, if there are two fakes, then I have a fake F91W in my box. And more worryingly, if there is one fake, it was more careful in its visuals and design being put together than the real F91W. Or maybe modern tools just fixed up some things.
I just wish I could buy the push-through spring bars somewhere. I lost mine, and normal spring bars poke out the side. Or… I could try smaller bars.
You're welcome!
It was great to see Jody's review of your watch. You must be so excited for the launch!
Yes I am… I’ve got everything crossed for Sunday
Ironically, the differences on the one watch actually make it look possibly a little better, so maybe. Though it also has a slightly darker LCD, so really… who knows. At least if it was Seiko divers we could look at the Bezel alignment at twelve. Or a MoonSwatch…
Edit:
Ok, if there are two fakes, then I have a fake F91W in my box. And more worryingly, if there is one fake, it was more careful in its visuals and design being put together than the real F91W. Or maybe modern tools just fixed up some things.
I just wish I could buy the push-through spring bars somewhere. I lost mine, and normal spring bars poke out the side. Or… I could try smaller bars.
And if the bezel aligns on the Seiko it's a fake? 😆
The video about the F91Ws is really good at showing macros of the differences. It's obvious when you can compare with a real one, but I'm not sure if I would manage if I couldn't do the comparison 🤔
Yes I am… I’ve got everything crossed for Sunday
I'm sure it'll do great!
Make sure to do a post on here when the Kickstarter goes live 👍
Do you have your microbrand watch or is it in the post? I'm curious to see what you've gone for.
I am very much agonising over mine, mainly because the customer service from the brand is supposed to be DIRE. So if I get a dud watch, that's it. No refund.
That's the big gamble for me and it feels less like roulette and more like getting hustled playing 'cups' in an alley 😂
It's being made as we speak, hopefully it will be finished very soon. I actually talked to one of the guys involved which was brilliant and allayed any fears about me parting with my hard earned cash. Its actually a bit late but I did tell him no rush,but seems good customer service and they've had glowing reviews. I really hope yours is good as there is nothing worse than buying a 'pup', it's not a French brand buy any chance or that 'in'famous British micro that everyone either loves or hates. Fingers crossed if it is. Mines one of those wacky AT Author creations, wanted to wait but very limited run, and sometimes you've just got to close your eyes n jump in.
It's being made as we speak, hopefully it will be finished very soon. I actually talked to one of the guys involved which was brilliant and allayed any fears about me parting with my hard earned cash. Its actually a bit late but I did tell him no rush,but seems good customer service and they've had glowing reviews. I really hope yours is good as there is nothing worse than buying a 'pup', it's not a French brand buy any chance or that 'in'famous British micro that everyone either loves or hates. Fingers crossed if it is. Mines one of those wacky AT Author creations, wanted to wait but very limited run, and sometimes you've just got to close your eyes n jump in.
Yours sounds very exciting!
My microbrand isn't French but rather Chinese 😬 The amount of horror stories from them that you read online is substantial (mainly people recieving watches not working or stopping in a few days), but they have won various international design awards for their watches, and the bad reviews are from some time ago mostly when they seemed to struggle to fullfil Kickstarter orders due to massive demand.
Dunno. I'm torn. I really want to give them a try... but I also like my money 😂
Yours sounds very exciting!
My microbrand isn't French but rather Chinese 😬 The amount of horror stories from them that you read online is substantial (mainly people recieving watches not working or stopping in a few days), but they have won various international design awards for their watches, and the bad reviews are from some time ago mostly when they seemed to struggle to fullfil Kickstarter orders due to massive demand.
Dunno. I'm torn. I really want to give them a try... but I also like my money 😂
Sounds like a real gamble, but they probably make loads and it's only a small percentage that are bad, and hopefully they've improved on their QC recently,they usually do to be honest. I've just been dealing with a Chinese company and they messed up my order (bracelet) but communication has been good and they've sent me a 50% discount voucher if i purchase another off them (still waiting on the first) kickstarters can be a minefield but usually they get better at it as they get more established and iron out any problems, I keep my eye on a few and it seems the pattern. And I know we look down on some Chinese products but once they've perfected their craft, they're good and great value. Can't really give you absolute advice on this, it's either going to be problematic or it could turn out a real gem🤞
Sounds like a real gamble, but they probably make loads and it's only a small percentage that are bad, and hopefully they've improved on their QC recently,they usually do to be honest. I've just been dealing with a Chinese company and they messed up my order (bracelet) but communication has been good and they've sent me a 50% discount voucher if i purchase another off them (still waiting on the first) kickstarters can be a minefield but usually they get better at it as they get more established and iron out any problems, I keep my eye on a few and it seems the pattern. And I know we look down on some Chinese products but once they've perfected their craft, they're good and great value. Can't really give you absolute advice on this, it's either going to be problematic or it could turn out a real gem🤞
I do think that Chinese watches are on the verge of becoming a real contender in the market. If they can just sort their QC.
I mean, think about all the high level fakes which most people really struggle to tell apart from the real thing! If they can combine that level of production with original designs and decent customer service... they would become a real force.
I do think that Chinese watches are on the verge of becoming a real contender in the market. If they can just sort their QC.
I mean, think about all the high level fakes which most people really struggle to tell apart from the real thing! If they can combine that level of production with original designs and decent customer service... they would become a real force.
If the country’s ethos can shift from stealing IP into creating it, they’d do great. Far cheaper labour and no environmental laws to sweat. But that’s several decades of precedent to break. Sorry, I’m a pessimist on that country despite its manufacturing prowess.
Very nice read as ever. Always feel like a bit of a Div when seeing last weeks answers and thinking 'oh its obvious now youve said it'
That cover shot looks mega. What cards did you use? The shape of the pips say vintage Waddingtons (sorry card nerd has activated).
That new watches feature is fab, cant imagine the amount of time that mustve took though.
If the country’s ethos can shift from stealing IP into creating it, they’d do great. Far cheaper labour and no environmental laws to sweat. But that’s several decades of precedent to break. Sorry, I’m a pessimist on that country despite its manufacturing prowess.
I wonder if it's pure about the profit margin for them at the end of the day.
While ever there is more money in copying and churning out lower quality watches, that may be where their focus continues to lie.
I feel there may be less desire to create something of their own.
Very nice read as ever. Always feel like a bit of a Div when seeing last weeks answers and thinking 'oh its obvious now youve said it'
That cover shot looks mega. What cards did you use? The shape of the pips say vintage Waddingtons (sorry card nerd has activated).
That new watches feature is fab, cant imagine the amount of time that mustve took though.
Thanks Scoob.
The cards are nothing special I'm afraid. Just some cheapo ones out of an Argos poker set I think!
Very nice read as ever. Always feel like a bit of a Div when seeing last weeks answers and thinking 'oh its obvious now youve said it'
That cover shot looks mega. What cards did you use? The shape of the pips say vintage Waddingtons (sorry card nerd has activated).
That new watches feature is fab, cant imagine the amount of time that mustve took though.
But actually I could do with a recommendation for some pretty cards for future photo shoots! 👍
Sounds like a real gamble, but they probably make loads and it's only a small percentage that are bad, and hopefully they've improved on their QC recently,they usually do to be honest. I've just been dealing with a Chinese company and they messed up my order (bracelet) but communication has been good and they've sent me a 50% discount voucher if i purchase another off them (still waiting on the first) kickstarters can be a minefield but usually they get better at it as they get more established and iron out any problems, I keep my eye on a few and it seems the pattern. And I know we look down on some Chinese products but once they've perfected their craft, they're good and great value. Can't really give you absolute advice on this, it's either going to be problematic or it could turn out a real gem🤞
Update: I managed to find a supplier/AD on eBay for my watch who is based in Italy. He has great reviews (100% from 1000+ sales), so maybe buying from him would take out some of the risk? 🤷♀
I feel more protected buying from eBay.
Update: I managed to find a supplier/AD on eBay for my watch who is based in Italy. He has great reviews (100% from 1000+ sales), so maybe buying from him would take out some of the risk? 🤷♀
I feel more protected buying from eBay.
Thats great news, yes ebay will give you more protection and if you pay with PayPal another layer as well. Italy isn't perfect allegedly the postal service is dire, and can be slow. I know as I get some straps/bracelets from there (vintage stuff) but definitely a better route to protect you and at least get your money back if things go wrong. Good hunt I'd go for it.(oh and watch for extra vat,brexit the gift that keeps giving😖).
Thats great news, yes ebay will give you more protection and if you pay with PayPal another layer as well. Italy isn't perfect allegedly the postal service is dire, and can be slow. I know as I get some straps/bracelets from there (vintage stuff) but definitely a better route to protect you and at least get your money back if things go wrong. Good hunt I'd go for it.(oh and watch for extra vat,brexit the gift that keeps giving😖).
Yeah, the tax is an arse.
The eBay seller was quite open about that to be fair to him. He said that people tended to get charged £20 in duties and then 10% in taxes 🙄
Update: I managed to find a supplier/AD on eBay for my watch who is based in Italy. He has great reviews (100% from 1000+ sales), so maybe buying from him would take out some of the risk? 🤷♀
I feel more protected buying from eBay.
Hopefully they'll use a courier, and as an avid ebay buyer with stuff from Europe,Spain especially (lots of goodies in Spain) Morocco and India of course ebay and PayPal has given me piece of mind(not that I've needed it, I think sellers realise now that they don't get paid for rubbish). Just read scoobys comments,didn't realise that polerouter was out of your collection, damn that's a fine watch and one that's on the distant horizon for me😔, typical of our scoob to notice the cards😆
Yeah, the tax is an arse.
The eBay seller was quite open about that to be fair to him. He said that people tended to get charged £20 in duties and then 10% in taxes 🙄
I'm just starting to get stung with the extra 20% vat,which I'm factoring in now when I bid or offer
But actually I could do with a recommendation for some pretty cards for future photo shoots! 👍
Look up Bicycle Playing Cards and Theory 11 playing Cards. They're both printed by the USPCC so they're both the best quality cards you can get. Loads of magicians use them because they're affordable, come in a load of designs and feel phenomenal. Theory 11 tend to be a bit more expensive, but the artwork on them is beautiful. Here are some of my top picks
Standard Bicycles. Available in red, blue, yellow, black, orange, purple and Tiffany blue. Nothing special but it'll do the job. Seen in loads of films.
Bicycle Aviary. Completely custom faces, and beautiful court cards.
I included this solely for the Tuck case. It's all embossed.
Theory 11 Monarchs. One of my favourite decks. Standard faxes but the back design and tuck case is simple yet elegant. These were in Now you see me. Available in gold, red, black or Navy.
A recent pickup. Theory 11 Derren Brown. Custom Faces and Courts, every Ace is a power ace, tuck case looks like an old book. Just an all round good deck.
These are just a few, if you look up theory 11 on amazon or they're website they've got a load more including star wars collabs, LOTR collabs, Heck even batman.
Same with Bicycle. They got some gorgeous cards out there.
Better not actually. This rabbit hole is worse than watches