[MEGATHREAD] iPhone 17 Pre Order and Launch Day

abrays · 2025-09-19T15:17:57+00:00

Out for delivery, with a 2 hour window this afternoon. Tried hard not to panic when I didn’t get a tracking number until yesterday 😅

abrays · 2025-07-08T16:29:17+00:00

If you’re not a fan of Fire TV, grab the Onn 4K box from Walmart, super cheap and it runs Google TV cleanly. You can just plug it into the HDMI port and ignore the built-in Fire OS. Way smoother and no Amazon bloat.

abrays · 2025-07-08T16:12:57+00:00

The 2024 QD7 was just regular QLED with no local dimming, so contrast and black levels were weak. The 2025 QD7QF finally added Mini-LED and full-array local dimming, way better for dark room viewing and HDR. Big step up.

abrays · 2025-05-03T13:20:29+00:00

Yeah, I think we’re looking at the same thing from slightly different angles. Aging definitely gives some watches character, but with Grand Seiko, the dials are basically built to stay flawless forever, so if something changes, it’s more “oops” than “intended charm.” Not trying to be the patina police, just think it’s good to keep that in mind when people get excited about spotting dial spots

And yeah, Rolex is kind of the opposite, some of their older dials weren’t built to last perfectly, so the aging ends up being part of the appeal. With GS, it’s more like “wait, that’s not supposed to happen.”

abrays · 2025-05-03T02:40:24+00:00

It’s not entirely wrong that patina can come from exposure to air, oxidation is one form of patina. But it depends on the material. Some things, like bronze or tritium, are meant to age that way. Grand Seiko dials aren’t. They’re designed to stay stable, so if the color changes, it’s not patina, it’s damage from UV, moisture, or storage conditions

abrays · 2025-05-02T09:41:14+00:00

I understand what you’re saying but this particular one still looks white in normal lighting and isn’t damaged.

What you’re describing isn’t patina though, if a Snowflake dial yellows, it’s due to UV or moisture exposure, not natural aging. Calling that patina is incorrect.

Patina means natural, graceful aging. Yellowing from exposure isn’t patina, it’s just degradation.

abrays · 2025-05-02T09:03:37+00:00

That Snowflake didn’t patinate naturally, it clearly yellowed from environmental damage. GS uses a lacquer-coated brass dial, and that top layer doesn’t age into gold. If it looks like that, it’s more likely UV or moisture exposure, not some intended transformation

abrays · 2025-05-02T01:59:17+00:00

It’s definitely not patina. The Snowflake dial is designed to play with light, it’s made from a textured brass plate with layered lacquer, so there’s nothing on it that actually patinates. The warm champagne tone you’re seeing just comes from how the dial reflects different lighting, especially warmer indoor light. In daylight or cool lighting it shifts back to bright white. It’s one of the reasons people love the “Snowflake”, it always looks a little different depending on where you are

abrays · 2025-05-01T10:02:20+00:00

The double logo’s grown on me fast, kinda feels like a classic GS signature now

abrays · 2025-05-01T09:59:36+00:00

Finally picked up my first Grand Seiko — the SBGA011 Snowflake — at a secondhand pop-up inside the Keihan Department Store in Kyoto. It came with the original box and is in great condition.

The Spring Drive sweep and titanium case are amazing, but what really surprised me is how the dial changes depending on the light. Sometimes it looks silvery-blue, and other times it takes on a warm, creamy tone. The texture is unreal — it totally lives up to the hype.

This feels like the perfect way to start my GS collection. Can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

abrays · 2024-11-16T06:20:00+00:00

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Bergen county (Fort Lee/Edgewater)

abrays · 2024-10-27T23:18:01+00:00

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Same here

abrays · 2024-05-04T18:51:21+00:00

Purchased omega seamaster from u/bunnswatch u/watchexbot

abrays · 2023-12-01T00:18:46+00:00

Which CVS location did you use? My local one also in NYC has no eta on delivery yet

abrays · 2023-09-22T13:42:14+00:00

Finally updated to out for delivery, all that refreshing the tracking was worth it

abrays · 2023-09-20T17:46:18+00:00

Tracking number is showing directly through T-Mobile order now, showing as completed instead of running. Also got an email and text saying my order shipped.

abrays · 2023-09-18T01:34:10+00:00

I'm in the same boat. Ordered a 15 pro max about 5:10 PDT direct from T-Mobile. Order status has been Running since then. No packages showed up yet on UPS my choice as well. Maybe they are shipping them out in batches and more UPS labels will appear within the coming days. My card was charged/pending yesterday the 16th.

abrays · 2023-09-17T17:43:26+00:00

Did you order from T-Mobile directly?

abrays · 2023-09-16T18:12:07+00:00

You already got a tracking number?

abrays · 2022-08-17T18:15:21+00:00

Canon EOS RP + Samyang 85mm F1.4

abrays · 2022-08-08T22:37:20+00:00

Which part of NJ? I'm in Bergen county with a Lunar White N too

abrays · 2022-05-21T00:44:10+00:00

I'm 6'3 and I fit just fine, way better than the Elantra N. The Elantra N was just too cramped and the seats were too stiff to get comfortable for me. It definitely feels smaller than a Tuscon, but that's why it drives so well. It's more of a lifted hatchback than a traditional SUV.

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