never, why not post the address too?

congrats! no wrist shot?

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Added on September 11, 2009, 7:52 amwhich AD did U get from? can share location? RM4500

about 2-3weeks ago, this was onsale for half the price. search slickdeals maybe U can find ppl letting go.
http://www.thewatchery.com/TAG_Heuer/watch...n=WJ1111.BA0570

I think next mth... LVMH friends and family sale is going on. most tag are at 50% off, and they do come with 2 yr original warranty.
https://www.lvmhpartners.com/
too bad they don't ship outside USA.
do check slickdeals for code.


This post has been edited by patryn33: Sep 11 2009, 07:55 AM

yes they do, here in Asia I believe its mostly on bags and assessory, little to none on watches unlike US (its only watches)
in Asia U get to be invited, need to show invitation to get into sales event, unlike US all U need is the password.
just wait for ppl to post and U are invited! unlike here, the biggest problem is who to get yourself that VIP pass!
most LVMH discount vary from 50-70%.
those item priced at 70% do not come with any warranty.

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Added on September 11, 2009, 10:44 pmB&R cheapest.. under US$3K on gray market like below
http://www.collectorstime.com/bell-ross.php

lucky can find used for around US$2K
http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=304391

U could get similar design by Junkers, they use a mix of movement from China/Japan/Swiss.
other swiss brands like Reveue Thomson also get them, price pt above US$1K I believe
cheaper under US$600 can try http://www.debaufre.com/

This post has been edited by patryn33: Sep 13 2009, 12:15 AM

well, lwb is trying to say even at a sale 50-70% these company can make profits. these are high margin products.
so when U do get items at 25-30% and thought U got a steal is kinda mislead.
if U didn't get at good deal but at normal discount, maybe "****".

well, today every thing related to BRAND are high margin products.
some ppl I knoe, rich dude, will not even buy items at discount thinking anything discounted are inferior goods.
hell there are ppl here who claim their daddy got a normal Patek at 2-3X the suggested retail price!

there isn't many ball fans here. everyone loves a ncie lume.
2007 Frederique Constant debut Clear Vision.
licensing issue kinda delay it, I think 2009 Jul things finally sorted out.

Everything in the collection are mechanical dress watches, prices starting at US$1100.

http://blog.frederique-constant.com/?tag=clear-vision


a pic of the lum from watchuseek

Ball Firemen Storm Chaser Watch

Automatic movement , Valjox 7750 movement. Chronograph functions, Tachymeter. 18 micro gas tubes. 43mm. black dial. anti-relective sapphire cystal. leather strap.

Retail US$2699 or SGD$3600

looking at the specs not really big watch. most chrono on 775X are that size. Kinda expensive IHO, not my kinda watch.
many ppl must have regreted discovering ball late, today prices are moving up fast.

I like this site. sharing the pics on it.

http://www.chronomaddox.com/valjoux_7750_engine.html

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Added on September 20, 2009, 8:16 pmU got your TAG alittle early man!
else u can benefit from it! your fren in US can buy and bring it to U.. the 50% sale is on yesterday!
here is the info.


LVMH is having a annual Friends & Family Sale on Tag Heuer watches, the discount varies on the model, and Free Fedex shipping! Check it out, the sale starts today (18 Sept 09) and ends next week!

www.lvmhpartners.com
Access Code: ffsalefall09

Free Shipping, but NO RETURNS/EXCHANGES
Quantity limit: 3 or less






This post has been edited by patryn33: Sep 20 2009, 08:16 PM

LOL, well U did pay RM4500 (US$1290) for a quartz model. well US do have 30days $$ back refund policy maybe can take adv of and jump on this deal.

add a little more can afford a automatic Link (WJ201A.BA0591) Suggested Retail: $2,600.00 Sale Price: $1,399.00.
an Aquaracer Automatic Chronograph (CAF2113.BA0809) also not far from what U had paid man Suggested Retail: $2,900.00
Sale Price: $1,299.00.

This post has been edited by patryn33: Sep 21 2009, 03:24 AM

Tag resale value has been poor, esp a quartz.
U end up losing more money.
for now just enjoy it!

something interesting i come across reading watchtime.
swiss exports 16% mechanical watches which accounts for 66% of the revenue.
felt like profit margin for a quartz watch is small, yet resale value is so poor. many are like a good 50-70% off its retail price.

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Added on September 22, 2009, 9:16 amsharing this article..

http://www.europastar.com/europastar/magaz...t_id=1004000754
**************
The importance of being entry level – Hamilton, Frédérique Constant and Oris
In today’s value conscious world, entry level mechanical watches are more important than ever before. In the past, people in the market might have jumped right into five or ten thousand Euro timepieces, not thinking much of the expenditure. What a difference a year makes.

August 31, 2009

By Keith W. Strandberg

As the crisis continues, people are being much more careful with their money, which means that value-priced watches, to which entry level mechanicals certainly belong, are a very attractive alternative to higher-end quartz.
That being said, it takes the right combination – knowledgeable sales people and the right entry level brand – to get customers to buy into the mechanical world.
Once they are in, however, they rarely leave and can easily become a valued customer for higher-end timepieces for the rest of their lives. The retailers who turn clients onto mechanical watches can expect loyalty from these customers, at least more loyalty than the brands will get, as these new watch lovers discover different brands while building their collection.
Here is a close look at three of the best entry level mechanical brands: Hamilton, Frédérique Constant and Oris.

Hamilton Watch Company
Hamilton is a famous, classic American brand. Even those people who don't know watches well have heard of Hamilton. This is a great advantage in the rough and tumble world of watches, but with it comes a responsibility. With a famous name, the people within Hamilton have to make sure that they are living up to the history, the expectations and the tradition of innovation that distinguishes Hamilton from other brands.
Hamilton Watch Company was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1892. The company was named after Andrew Hamilton, the owner of the land on which Lancaster City was founded.
It was during the First World War that Hamilton started making and selling men's wristwatches and was a key supplier to US troops. Hamilton continued its military effort in the Second World War, earning the coveted ‘E’ for excellence supplier designation.
During the war years and after, Hamilton developed its reputation for innovation. Hamilton's research and development teams were always looking for better ways to do things – oils, synthetic jewels, new materials, new technology, electric watches, quartz watches and more.

Hamilton was also very innovative in design, coming up with unique looking watches using different case and dial shapes. As an example, Hamilton’s successful Ventura watch is a 1950's design that really changed the shape of cases and turned the watch industry on its head. Hamilton was successful as an American niche brand for many years then was acquired by the company that would eventually become the Swatch Group in 1972 and the brand's headquarters were moved to Switzerland several years ago. For a little while, Hamilton was one of the smaller brands within the Swatch Group, but that has changed. With the brand's success in recent years, the Swatch Group is realizing how important Hamilton is and the brand is finally getting the respect it deserves.
One particular strength of Hamilton is the entry level mechanical segment. Hamilton offers mechanical watches starting at US$325, which is a way to get people into mechanical watches and keep them there. "Entry level mechanical watches are very important to Hamilton," says Matthias Breschan, CEO, Hamilton Worldwide. "Mechanical watches have grown everywhere around the world. Here at Hamilton, we bring mechanical watches to the market at a very democratic price level."
Hamilton's mechanical watches, using ETA movements and with a great attention to detail, might be the best value for money of any mechanical watch on the market.
“The first mechanical watch often has a special, emotional value for its owner,” says Breschan. “However a brand must continuously invent, evolve, innovate, surprise, seduce...without losing its core brand DNA in order to keep customers loyal. We receive countless letters and emails from customers telling us their experience from their first Hamilton they bought until their latest one.
“There is no secret: highly trained and friendly personnel, a good assortment and excellent service are the keys,” he continues. “A mechanical watch is an anachronism. They require regular adjustment and they are more prone to failure. Nevertheless, the ‘old world’ craftsmanship of mechanical watches attracts consumers more and more because they have a soul...and any soul needs to be taken care of.”

Frédérique Constant
21 years ago, Peter Stas and his wife Aletta were frustrated by the lack of reasonably priced fine watches. So, they decided to start their own watch company offering accessible luxury and Frédérique Constant was born.
At the beginning, Frédérique Constant was a typical Swiss watch company, designing watches, buying ETA or other movements and outsourcing just about everything else from the excellent network of suppliers throughout Switzerland. Then, Stas saw the writing on the wall as suppliers became overloaded, movement availability was restricted and customers started to focus on the ‘guts’ of the watch.
“We still purchase about 45,000 mechanical movements (from ETA and others),” Stas explains. “But, we were not allowed to buy any more movements, so to grow, we decided to do our own production. In the atelier here, we assemble between 8,000 and 10,000 of our own movements. To get the Heartbeat movement oriented exactly the way we wanted, we had to do it ourselves.”
In 2005, Frédérique Constant moved into its current manufacturing space, a purpose-built facility in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, close to some of the giants of watchmaking like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget. Here, Frédérique Constant assembles its own movements, including its in-house tourbillon. Frédérique Constant has its own design department, utilizing state-of-the-art computer systems, as well as its own CNC machines to make critical parts, which enables the company to respond to market conditions quickly.
“Entry level automatic watches are in demand around the world and this is an important segment for us, representing about 20 percent of our turnover,” says Peter Stas, “Automatic watches at the entry level are perfect to attract and sell to younger men, aged 25-35. Incidentally, this is the prime target group of FrÉdÉrique Constant: accessible luxury watches.
“We feel that customers who started with entry level mechanical watches will trade-up when their budget allows a higher purchase,” he continues. “For these target groups and collectors, we offer our Maxime Manufacture, an automatic watch with a manufacture calibre below Euro 2,000. It is important for the brand to have a logical and interesting 'trade-up' in the collection.”

Oris
Oris proudly does nothing but mechanical watches, with its distinctive and trademark red rotor. With over 100 years of history, Oris is an intriguing choice for entry level mechanical watches, as there is a ton of value in their watches.
“Entry level mechanical watches are becoming one of the most important segments of the watch business,” says Mark Wasserman, President, Oris North America. “Quality mechanical timepieces retailing from US$800 to US$2,000 are becoming the shining star price ranges in this new economy. Entry level mechanicals are extremely important to allow consumers the opportunity to upgrade from a quartz or to invest in a mechanical watch for not a huge jump in price.
“Oris is among the finest mechanical watches in the world within our price range,” he continues. “We are right on target for the male consumer who wants a fine watch and wants to spend under US$2,000. We fill a specific void in the industry that includes high quality and unique design for a mechanical timepiece at a very affordable price. Value is synonymous with Oris.”
Oris is aware that customers who buy entry level mechanical watches often ‘graduate’ to more expensive watches, which is why they have a range of products, including limited editions.
“Customers often buy more expensive watches as their income provides, but many also remain loyal to their first brand if their experience with the watch is positive and gratifying,” Wasserman details.
It’s important that retailers work hard to educate customers about entry level mechanical watches. “Providing they have a high quality reputable brand, retailers have to be able to educate their consumer of the benefits of having a mechanical watch,” Wasserman explains. ”With the right brand, you don’t have to compromise quality when buying into an entry level mechanical. There are so many products that exist which can be equally satisfying both mechanically and aesthetically.”

Entry level mechanical watches are very important for the watch industry and for all retailers. It’s in this segment that customers are introduced to finer mechanical watches. Do this segment right, with the right products, the right presentation to your customers and the right price points, and you’ll cultivate lifelong customers.

This post has been edited by patryn33: Sep 22 2009, 09:16 AM

vintage watch..
scout on ebay or those garage sales
Seiko.. maybe have to try jap site

1st watch: retails US$4750
there is a super detail test on the watch
http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_2009_0...2009_03_084.pdf

2nd cheaper: retails US$2500 factor in the conversion and the discount.. easy to est.

This post has been edited by patryn33: Oct 12 2009, 09:06 AM

very cool watch! did any upgrades?
http://www.german-watches.com/cgi-bin/lsho...howrub--flieger

to answer irwan6179 qns regarding lume.

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Added on October 12, 2009, 11:27 pmhave the $$ for a few Tourbillon just contact the AD! pretty sure is above US$30K each. do show off them here when U get THEM.

This post has been edited by patryn33: Oct 13 2009, 04:38 AM

why Ouch? today cannot buy is it? maybe tomorrow can afford.
I am pretty sure such limited watches price do go north of retail price.
I envy ppl with big dreams.

knew someone that got it there, their watch is real.

USD!!!!! if its RM super man!

anyway I did highligh the currency in the below thread
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1189345

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Added on October 14, 2009, 1:19 amwhat kind? can get a Stowa if U don't mind waiting!
or
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/index.php?lang_nr=1

This post has been edited by patryn33: Oct 14 2009, 08:51 AM

at this price range.. u can only afford a ETA movement or stellita (today I think they busy alot of movement kits from ETA and finishes the rest and brand it as their movement.
most likely its a 2824-A2 or 2836 or stellita SW200 (a 2824-A2 clone), so long U sent in to get it oil and clean them once every 4yrs they can last for many many yrs and I meant really long (40-50yrs easy).

try to read this
http://www.europastar.com/europastar/magaz...t_id=1004000754

other brands
http://www.mkiiwatches.com/
mido
tissot
frederique constant
Louis Erard
http://www.timepiecestore.com/catalog/7241...-men-watch.html
Hamilton (can get a ETA 7750 chrono on grey market!)
http://www.thewatchery.com/Hamilton/Watch/H77716133



This post has been edited by patryn33: Oct 14 2009, 09:45 AM

anything that is within your budget. all these brands use the same range of mech movement usually. Some may do alittle more, Mod it (usually not much don't expect 50% change), regulate it to within company spec.
- oris
- hamilton
- tissot
- Frederique constant
- louis erard
- mido (can get COSC at a great price)
- Stowa (great watches, case and leather manufacture in europe unlike most entry level swiss brands in Far East)

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Added on October 14, 2009, 9:32 pmNo way! they ae very popular in Europe esp France (I think higher market share than Tag crazy right)

This post has been edited by patryn33: Oct 14 2009, 09:32 PM

get seiko mechanical for jap market..
http://www.seiyajapan.com/c=oNCAfR61mIgrj9...iko_mechanical/

asia.. I think alot of seiko5.

many ppl do forget about Orient watches.
http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/Watch%20Sales%20Table.htm

want something different russian watches also good start many do have display back, only issue they are not regulated as well as swiss watch
- vostok europe
- aviator
- Buran
http://www.russia2all.com/shop-by-russian-...4323405040.html




This post has been edited by patryn33: Oct 15 2009, 03:14 AM

certainly. esp its a mont blanc nicolas rieussec!!!!
http://www.iwmagazine.com/uploads/pdfs/december%202008.pdf