The Perils of Vintage #81 - or… because sometimes the Universe just hates you
Do you ever feel like you’re done? Mic-drop, up-middle-fingers, walk off stage done? Scorched Earth?
You do everything right - you source a decent seller, got pics, got VIDEO, got breakdown of service… you might have overpaid a little because of the auction (there may have been alcohol involved). You get excited when it arrives.
Look at how lovely it was advertised:
And then you realise the Universe just F**KING hates you right about now.
Watch doesn’t wind
Watch not put back together properly because it rattles and the whole movement shunts about when you engage the crown
Massive scuff on the glass
Missing the original box that claimed was coming
Packaged incredibly poorly (no bubble wrap, only kitchen roll)
This watch seems to hold the record for the quickest time to receive a return postage label from submitting a return. Call me cynical… it’s like the seller knew. No sorry, no challenge, just acceptance.
Anyway… let’s talk about the watch. I like Roamer; Roamer are one of those brands which seem to slip under the radar a little. Although founded in 1888, Fritz Meyer entered into a partnership with watchmaker Johann Stüdeli in 1907 to start creating the fabled “MST” watch movements, and launched the Soleure watch. MST movements quickly grew in reputation for quality and reliability. The Roamer Anfibio was patented in 1955, with its front-loaded watertight case. It too quickly gained a reputation for reliability and durability. By the 1960s and 70s, many iconic lines had been created, the Searock, the Rockshell, the Vanguard… all powered by MST movements. They dabbled with Quartz in the 70s, but alas… the company became a victim of the quartz crisis, but has since been resurrected in name only by new investors.
I am a fan of the Anfibio. I did have one many years ago, alongside about 7 other Roamers. In the UK they are/were quite common on the vintage market, and that might be to their detriment to others. I foolishly sold many on, but I did miss my Anfibio. Stupidly, the prices climbed, and I decided that maybe my time with an Anfibio was over… until…
… I saw one again, right time, right place. This is a mid-60s with an MST 414. It’s a 17J hand wound movement, shock protected, and relatively thin: the whole watch itself is 9mm thick. The case is very “W10”-esque that you would find on military CWCs and Hamilton into the 1970s. Creamy-white dial, monochrome “R” badge and thin-lined text, the awesome font for “anfibio” on the dial. This watch is a stone-cold classic. If you wanted me to pick you a solid 60s watch, not shit, not expensive (i.e. could get for under £100), this is very much at the top of the list with a Gruen, Cyma, Vertex, or a Buren Grand Prix. Stainless steel, waterproof, lovely proportions, very nice price despite the bidding war… I was so excited to get one again.
F*** me right?
2023 is turning into a terrible year for vintage.
I’m going to lie down for a bit.
You have woken me from a particularly good dream…
Done until you chance on something again.
Sounds like the seller thought he could pull a fast one. Its a lovely looking piece though that tonneau shaped case is a nice un
Sounds like the seller thought he could pull a fast one. Its a lovely looking piece though that tonneau shaped case is a nice un
100% feedback and 257 sales, it seems daft to risk it, but 10 minutes and no quibbles. I’ve had harder arguments with myself in an empty room.
Alright champ, take a break and get a little rest. But it's still early in the first half... we're gonna need you back in the game.
Alright champ, take a break and get a little rest. But it's still early in the first half... we're gonna need you back in the game.
I’ve already walked down the tunnel and out of the stadium, f*** the game
It's really a shame about this Roamer, it really spoke to me, as it did to you. I guess that it is just part of your journey in this little hobby.
I’ve already walked down the tunnel and out of the stadium, f*** the game
I'll send an intern to give you a ride back.
That's part of the vintage game of chance...will it be what was promised...or will it be some snake oil.
Sorry to hear you received a bottle of snake oil. Such a pain in the a$$ to deal with that crap.
I believe these guys do it because they expect some people not to bother with the returns...it doesn't make any sense otherwise.
I applaud you for returning every dud. I always do...not so much for the refund, but for the principal of it.
I have had my share of these as well as I know you have.
But then more often than the bad...you get the really good ones like this that make it all worthwhile...
Sounds more like perils of buying watches online. Hope you get your money back!
We should start a List of shady ebay sellers to share.
although i am not into vintage or have knowledge about the subject i can relate with this exactly sentence "there may have been alcohol involved" 😂
It's really a shame about this Roamer, it really spoke to me, as it did to you. I guess that it is just part of your journey in this little hobby.
But YOU said...!
...is this your subtle way of trolling 😆
I'm sorry it turned out to be a dud. It sounds like you did all you possibly could have, and I'm not sure what hope there is for the rest of us if even you get stung!
I have 3 of my vintage pieces that need a service now, so I'm taking a break from that game and going back to new for a while.
But YOU said...!
...is this your subtle way of trolling 😆
Maybe this should be my avatar picture:
This post is a reminder that vintage, especially online vintage, does not have a 100% success rate. If you are discerning and knowledgeable it may approach 80%. I have six watches being mended right now. Five of them I bought online and one of them I have never worn. I have enough working watches to just get by.
Maybe this should be my avatar picture:
This post is a reminder that vintage, especially online vintage, does not have a 100% success rate. If you are discerning and knowledgeable it may approach 80%. I have six watches being mended right now. Five of them I bought online and one of them I have never worn. I have enough working watches to just get by.
You can have the 'Eris Goddess of Discord' handle if you like? 😁
That's part of the vintage game of chance...will it be what was promised...or will it be some snake oil.
Sorry to hear you received a bottle of snake oil. Such a pain in the a$$ to deal with that crap.
I believe these guys do it because they expect some people not to bother with the returns...it doesn't make any sense otherwise.
I applaud you for returning every dud. I always do...not so much for the refund, but for the principal of it.
I have had my share of these as well as I know you have.
But then more often than the bad...you get the really good ones like this that make it all worthwhile...
I nearly purchased one of those many years ago, it’s a lovely model.
Makes you wonder why they bother selling stuff like that with a description like that. Trouble is the disappointment and the hassle of posting it back, hope karma bites them in the ass.
Makes you wonder why they bother selling stuff like that with a description like that. Trouble is the disappointment and the hassle of posting it back, hope karma bites them in the ass.
True - btw it’s taken me 20 hours to actually access this post again due to all the server errors.
I will return it next week, it’s a complete farce. Just cancel the sale if it’s not right, I’m not going to be upset.
True - btw it’s taken me 20 hours to actually access this post again due to all the server errors.
I will return it next week, it’s a complete farce. Just cancel the sale if it’s not right, I’m not going to be upset.
Server errors, now ebay last night was proper glitchy couldn't see pictures kept going on n off,mind you probably saved me a fortune.