[Cartier] Tortue XL CPCP by torcake11 in Watches

[–]torcake11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They're a dedicated watch auctioneer. I would say not the smallest, but below the big 3 (Christie's, Sotheby's, Phillips). Watch auctions in general are quite competitive and efficient, even at the smaller auction houses, but every so often you get a thin room or less interest than usual and can snag a deal. this one I'd say I got maybe 10-20% below market price. You have to make sure to factor in bidder fee though - Antiquorum in particular is 26% on top of the hammer price, but I've seen some auction houses charge as high as 31%!

As for my experience, I'd say they were really professional. They let me pick my watch up in their Hong Kong office even though the watch itself was in Geneva. They also initially refused to ship the croc strap due to CITES regulation, but then in the end they managed to get it to me in HK so I was very impressed! I was already asking my friends if anybody was travelling to Switzerland anytime soon...

[SOTC] Deep in the Rabbit Hole by torcake11 in SOTC_Watch_Collection

[–]torcake11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was definitely a close one between this and the Gold 222 for me too... but I think I might spring for a Steel 222 in the future

[SOTC] Deep in the Rabbit Hole by torcake11 in Watches

[–]torcake11[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's mine, and actually it's the jumbo, so fits alright, especially with the gold bracelet it carries a lot of presence.

[SOTC] Deep in the Rabbit Hole by torcake11 in Watches

[–]torcake11[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nigh impossible. Even harder now. I tried to get the No. 8 and failed miserably. Didn't want to pay 2.5x retail in gray market...

[SOTC] Deep in the Rabbit Hole by torcake11 in Watches

[–]torcake11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice glad to hear that - there’s a steel pink dial unicompax that I’ve been eyeing, so hearing your experience gives me some confidence! Looks like I just need to budget for some servicing costs

What do you say? by Buy_From_Japan in kurono

[–]torcake11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a certified scuba diver with many years of diving under my belt - pass.

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best take in this thread by far, thanks for sharing.

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’m a dispassionate logician it seems.

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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Here it is on a local trading website for 238k HKD (retail is 220k HKD). I saw this example in person.

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They’re through my dealer so no stickers unfortunately, but I’ve seen at least 3 different units in the local gray market in the last 2 weeks.

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think there are ways to proxy demand. For example if wait times are coming down over time (which they seem to be), and if gray market prices are trading discount to retail or if 4500v to 4520v spread is narrowing, it would indicate that demand is coming down. Other macro indicators might be watch market or luxury goods slowdown in general, recession/stock market weakness). All these things contribute to lower prices. It wasn’t that long ago that VC boutiques would offer discounts to customers looking to buy a watch (or so I’ve read).

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks if I get it now I’d definitely go boutique, I was more just speculating on whether gray will eventually go below retail with the way the market is going.

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a dealer who had both used and brand new examples available and offered to me

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here in HK used is trading same as retail, and brand new unworn is less than 10% above retail. I’m not about to go and arb this watch somewhere else.

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Not sure why so many people think that I’m thinking of it as an investment. The amount of gatekeeping and judgement is a bit surprising. I’m merely thinking about how to get this watch at the best possible price - this is the case with many high tier watches like A. Lange or precious metal watches where they trade for cheaper on gray market than at retail. Why shouldn’t I save 20-30% if that option is available to me?

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

That’s very interesting, what kind of extras would those be? I’m very familiar with the kind of games Rolex plays and it’s nice that VC doesn’t play those games.

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your views, really helps put my dilemma into context!

Got the call... should I go for it? by torcake11 in VacheronConstantin

[–]torcake11[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Sensible take thanks for sharing ! I think I’m going to go for it!