What makes an enthusiast?
Two posts in one day, never done this. But I have a story to share! Its not a very long one, it's just one of those days where patience and good manners landed me in an unexpected and welcome situation...
So you might be asking what the two chronograph watches in the title have to do with eachother. And the answer lies in the question: what makes a watch enthusiasts?
I've been thinning the herd in a big way in my collection. I got carried away with Seiko's for a while and homages, so I have alot of odds and ends I've been deciding to sell. One was my 1963 Chinese chronograph. I love the piece, really I do. But it just doesn't get that much wrist time and it's too "military" in an obvious way, for my tastes. But man did this watch get alot of traction when I listed it! I received 30 inquiries in less than 4 hours. I'm self-centered enough to think maybe it was my pics?
Most of the people replying asked the annoying questions I'm sure we're all used to: "what's your lowest price?" "I'll offer you [50% or less of list price] and pick it up right now" etc. A few finally got to a price I could swollow, and agreed to meet. But unfortunately they mistook my ad for a delivery service as well. Sure, I'll drive an hour round trip to meet you...oh well, on to the next...and that's when Bob replied to my ad.
Bob (not his real name) wanted to meet tonight because he was really excited about the watch. He didn't haggle one penny with me, picked a spot near by and time right away. So I met him as planned. I told him "you're the lucky winner, I've been trying to sell this all day" to which he replied "man what a deal, I'm happy to grab it" and he took out a loupe! He inspected the watch, case back, and dial. Said it all looked great, runs great etc. Then he casually mentions he's a watch maker for Rolex...so we start talking...Nothing intense, just watch small talk basically. I showed him my new GSAR, he had on a vintage small seconds Bulova. He mentioned his friend almost worked for Marathon, but they fell through on the offer. I told him about the great deal I got on mine plus the free watch.
I don't remember what else we chatted, it was all short and quick. But as he left, he mentioned "you heard of the John Mayer Daytona?" to which I said ofcourse. Then he says "that's what I took off before I came here because I don't wear it around strangers". And that was that! Bob left, and I was left like a school girl who met a boy she wish had stuck around for longer hahaha.
So that's how I met Bob, a watchmaker, rare Daytona owner, and dude that dropped everything to pick up a $200 Chinese watch because he liked it that much. This is what I call real enthusiasm.
I know there are a lot of Bob's around here in WC, and I only wish I could meet more of you in person and talk about these little gadgets we all love so much. Most importantly, I enjoy how we can appreciate the things we're looking at, far beyond their price tags, and solely because of what they mean to the wearer.
Here's to future meetups WC!
Well rounded nerd, into music, guitar pedals, all things DIY, and watches!
Great story. Meetups are great. The more casual the better as that’s when the real stories come out. 🤣
This is exactly the Bob I met!
Its so awesome meeting fellow enthusiasts like that!
Excellent story & I can see why he was excited. It's a really cool & interesting watch.
Its so awesome meeting fellow enthusiasts like that!
And on a day where I had run up my frustrations with buyers too. Sometimes, you find a good one.
He surely felt he was just as fortunate to meet you. Nice to hear such a great story. After years of success with careful online sales, I had a really scary experience when I sold the snow tires from my dying father’s car, and it really put me off. Now I have a handful of watches to sell, and I’m dreading it. Thanks for helping restore some lost faith.
He surely felt he was just as fortunate to meet you. Nice to hear such a great story. After years of success with careful online sales, I had a really scary experience when I sold the snow tires from my dying father’s car, and it really put me off. Now I have a handful of watches to sell, and I’m dreading it. Thanks for helping restore some lost faith.
Yeah, it can be a bit of a wild west out there. Good luck offloading your watches!
Was that Craigslist or Facebook marketplace? I was considering selling my 1963 for the same reason, and was wondering on a venue
Was that Craigslist or Facebook marketplace? I was considering selling my 1963 for the same reason, and was wondering on a venue
Facebook marketplace is where you'll get the most exposure outside of eBay I think. But it's also down in the trenches there man...just be ready for it.
I'd rather sell with a hefty rebate or even give for free to someone that I know instead of battling the online psychos.
If you think that selling watches is stressing wait until you have to sell HiFi audio equipment.
I'd rather sell with a hefty rebate or even give for free to someone that I know instead of battling the online psychos.
If you think that selling watches is stressing wait until you have to sell HiFi audio equipment.
Oh, I wouldn't call most online buyers psychos; maybe ill-informed, ill-mannered, hypocritical, unrealistic, narcissistic, unreliable...
Jokes aside, I have sold hi-fi, musical instruments and pedals. Honestly all these niche markets need niche marketplaces. This is where sites like Chrono24 and Reverb have become benchmarks in some respects. But when you're looking at the lower spectrum of products in terms of price segment, you have no choice. It's like selling at a flea market vs an auction house (which coincidently sometimes will cross over if you're lucky).
Awesome story!! I want to meet Bob Too!!
I loved your story. Sure make you think and appreciate what you have for sure!
I was listening to the Theo & Harris podcast last week & Christian discussed the difference between a collector and an enthusiast. I don’t remember the exact words he used but to was something along the lines of a collector accumulates watches just to say they have a Daytona, a Submariner, a Nautilus, whatever they case may be while an enthusiast buys the best that his/her budget can afford regardless of brand or price but someone who is knowledgeable of all kinds of watches and what makes a watch special be it a $50 gshock or a $400,000 Philippe Dufour Simplicity.
I was listening to the Theo & Harris podcast last week & Christian discussed the difference between a collector and an enthusiast. I don’t remember the exact words he used but to was something along the lines of a collector accumulates watches just to say they have a Daytona, a Submariner, a Nautilus, whatever they case may be while an enthusiast buys the best that his/her budget can afford regardless of brand or price but someone who is knowledgeable of all kinds of watches and what makes a watch special be it a $50 gshock or a $400,000 Philippe Dufour Simplicity.
Yeah, Christian seems like a real passionate guy. I think he's a bit harsh sometimes with his commentary, but I appreciate that he is not afraid to be honest.
the 63 is a much underrated thing.
had them moved them on, no doubt will have another.
Yeah, Christian seems like a real passionate guy. I think he's a bit harsh sometimes with his commentary, but I appreciate that he is not afraid to be honest.
I agree with you there and there are times he comes off as too snobby and a bit of a know it all, that’s why for me my number 1 favorite podcast is the grey nato. 👍🏼 I feel like Jason & James perspective on watches is something I can totally relate to.
When i first got "what's the last price on a lot" question i was so madly confused, that i just screenshoted my listing, circled the price on it with a red "marker" and sent it to the "buyer".
I think that enthusiasm comes from passion of learning and exploring, rather than accumulating and collecting and trying to lowball people on marketplaces (yea, "what's the lowest price" is personal lmao). Someone who appreciates different things for what they are. Like music enthusiast would have a favourite genres and artists, but at the same time they could listen to something completely different, maybe from a genre they dont really enjoy, but still appreciate the artistic choices, songwriting, composition, etc.
When i first got "what's the last price on a lot" question i was so madly confused, that i just screenshoted my listing, circled the price on it with a red "marker" and sent it to the "buyer".
I think that enthusiasm comes from passion of learning and exploring, rather than accumulating and collecting and trying to lowball people on marketplaces (yea, "what's the lowest price" is personal lmao). Someone who appreciates different things for what they are. Like music enthusiast would have a favourite genres and artists, but at the same time they could listen to something completely different, maybe from a genre they dont really enjoy, but still appreciate the artistic choices, songwriting, composition, etc.
I also think asking "what's your lowest price" shows you don't understand basic negotiating lol. Why would anyone give away their lowest tolerable margin on the first interaction? Make an offer, get a counter-offer, this seems to be too hard for many to comprehend! I'm not a wholesaler, I don't have a BOGO offer I'm about to present you suddenly haha.
Anyways yes, you're totally right. I have friends that are low-ballers, and many of them justify it by saying they're just good negotiators. But really, I feel they're just bad faith negotiators. And if you believe in karma, which I do, it always comes back to bite you.
Which reminds me, I'm buying and selling pedals again as well! Another headache I've signed up for...🤣
I also think asking "what's your lowest price" shows you don't understand basic negotiating lol. Why would anyone give away their lowest tolerable margin on the first interaction? Make an offer, get a counter-offer, this seems to be too hard for many to comprehend! I'm not a wholesaler, I don't have a BOGO offer I'm about to present you suddenly haha.
Anyways yes, you're totally right. I have friends that are low-ballers, and many of them justify it by saying they're just good negotiators. But really, I feel they're just bad faith negotiators. And if you believe in karma, which I do, it always comes back to bite you.
Which reminds me, I'm buying and selling pedals again as well! Another headache I've signed up for...🤣
damn, i need to sell a full drawer worth of gear.( Brace ourselves. I have one "buyer" who texts me once a month with a generous opportunity to buy my pedal for 45% of used market price.
I might negotiate a price a little bit, but when the price is right, i don't really care about doing so. In the end, it's not a "Pawn Stars" and some people tend to forget about it. Making a good deal and low-balling are completely different things, the first is about finding a meaningful compromise on price and the second is about a form of deception.