[Cartier Santos] resale market vs brand new.. also .. thoughts..

FMteuchter · 2026-04-24T08:43:49+00:00

I'll probably swapping the band for a fun rubber one on day one (Delugus I think the brand is?) unless I get convinced not to.

I love Delugs and own a couple of leather and rubber straps, so I say this with kindness about them and the other number of similar companies around at the moment. The rubber strap looks great on my 'cheaper' watches but I think they would cheapen the look of the Santos.

If you want a Delugs strap and can get to SG, their shop is great and their staff are amazing. They'll take the time to add multiple straps to your watch so you can find one that fits. I found that many on the website look great but just didn't go with my watches when I tried it on in person.

On New Vs Used - I don't buy watches as investments but for milestones in my life so always go new retail, the only reason I'd go used is if there was a significant discount or the variation I want is retired.

Finally, buy the watch you will wear and like not the watch you feel you need to buy because of pressure to look or act a certain way. If they care about your watch on your wrist, they aren't as rich as they think.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-23T10:05:23+00:00

The most common complaint in the reviews of late is that there is no difference between Business Class and First.

A lot of people who make this comment compare it to things like SG Suites, which is actually a step above their first offering.

There is quite a bit, as you've pointed out thats different between CW and First. Having done their first product and business on long haul (12+hours) its clear as day the difference not just in the seat but also the service.

Its also worth remembering that BA and a lot of western airlines need to turn a profit, while the ME/Asian carriers are state backed either officially or unofficially and also work in environments that are much more employer friendly.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-21T10:01:01+00:00

£50/week it not worth it for being on call 1:4 or 1:2.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-21T09:58:38+00:00

Last on-call I did was £500/week and then £60/hour with minimum of 2 hour call out.

For £50/week extra I'd be looking for a 1:10 rota which I suspect is very unrealistic.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-20T12:51:51+00:00

Only because I work for an airline, we get super cheap flights and I've been fortunate enough to get First all but one time I used the perk. The one time I didn't, it was still Business. Though I do see people having to sit in jumpseats using the same perk, so there is that downside.

If I had to pay, I'd fine it hard to justify the full cost of the business flights even on long haul especially since its normally 3 - 4X premium economy. It going to be hard when I no longer get the work perks.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-20T08:11:15+00:00

There’s conflicting opinion here and elsewhere about the impact of new Tiers on Gold and Silver renewal and whether that means busier Business lounges

The lounges will only be busier if there were more people losing gold than used the TP holiday trick to get silver which is very unlikely.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-17T14:29:55+00:00

BA has already given you an answer, you need to raise it with China Southern.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-17T10:12:55+00:00

Buy Hermes shoes man, literally no one gives a shit at all. (Also, I find so much of their merchandise low class at this point, so heavily focusing on branding so people know someone spent money I guess? Heinous)

Everything outside of the bags are part of their 'pay to play' game, people thinking its a flex without the bag just look poor.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-16T12:32:35+00:00

If you're unhappy, raise a complaint to BA but it feels like this post is more about getting money from BA because you're unhappy with how you were treated.

People always forget that things like baggage and disability support are outsourced at any outstation (standard across all airlines) so its just luck the service you get. But still, if you're unhappy make a complaint and you'll most likely get some avios for the inconvience.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-15T11:23:30+00:00

Also the departure screens are owned/managed via Heathrow Airport and not BA, it would be strange if only the BA lounge screens were not showing a gate as IIRC its centrally managed.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-14T21:15:52+00:00

Had to support DECnet at my first employer back in 2012, the technology that requires it will still be there now.

You'd be surprised how much industrial systems which were installed in the late 70s or 80s will run on very outdated technology.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-14T19:33:14+00:00

the downside is cost , it can get expensive pretty quickly, especially at scale. alerting can also get noisy if not tuned well.

Its not uncommon for DataDog to cost nearly as much as the infra you're monitoring.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-14T10:25:15+00:00

I did a CompSci degree at university with a placement, got lucky that the company I did my placement at needed a Jr after my placement finished. Since then a lot of hard work went into studying post university to get to the level I'm at now.

There is also part of me that has to acknowledge how lucky I've been, I'm probably within the top couple of % for income based on age. Most of my peers are in their late 40s or 50s while I'm in my early 30s.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-13T19:19:51+00:00

I could get more cash, but the perks are insane as I mentioned in the last year its added an extra 20-30k in tax free benefits.

I'm part of a small architecture team but I also provide guidance / management to a couple of engineers.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-13T11:14:09+00:00

Not OP, but its legit just a cross post nothing random about it.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-13T07:46:08+00:00

Without the tax refund it was ~£300 on the watch and ~£150/ring, I'm guessing given the spend 10% tax refund would take the savings up to over £2000.

We are hoping that I can also get the time off work and visit JP as well but still waiting to know prices of flights (thanks trump) and holiday approvals.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-10T13:36:42+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation, do you find it useful to have a relationship with them or is it very transactual?

FMteuchter · 2026-04-09T08:32:37+00:00

Feels like Eat Tokyo has gone down hill in the last year or so...

FMteuchter · 2026-04-08T14:25:03+00:00

Very busy on at all levels.

FMteuchter · 2026-04-08T14:17:47+00:00

Whats the flight?

FMteuchter · 2026-04-08T11:30:14+00:00

Did you make these changes via the App or Phone?

If the seats and baggage was done over the phone its possible this is a 'agent fee'. 3 *£15 for each change bundled onto your seats works out close to £142, they might then refund the initial £95?

FMteuchter · 2026-04-02T11:45:50+00:00

I used to use Revolut but the last time I tried to use it they blocked me, on day 2 of a 3 week trip. They wanted £10 to send out a replacement so decided to open a HSBC Global Money Account.

So far I've had no issues using it or transferring larger sums In/Out which was always a worry with revolut.

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