With these communications, more or less 80% your customer will not buy.
1. Can I have more picture?
2. Can i see the box also, I said, allow me 1-2 days to get it and send you.
He said, no hurry!
3. Quoted price is HK$100,000., he can can be lowered a bit?
If your new quote is HK$99,000 or HK$80,000, he will not buy
4. Where is the original warranty paper?
5. Thanks!
6. OK good, give me two days to think about it!
7. What is the best price for me??
這一些對答有80% 他吾會買的。
1.有冇多一些相片看看，看完説謝謝。
2.可否比個盒我看看。我説過二天拿出來比你看，他說.好的不急的！
3.原價十萬，他問可以平多一些嗎？
你如果覆價佢九萬九或者八萬。佢都吾買的！
4.為什麼無原來出世紙的？
5.謝謝！
6.好的.比我考慮二天！
What is the mostly discussed topics on W & W 2022?
Vacheron Constantin 222 retro. It is an awesome piece as a replica as of the one introduced in 1977 as a 222th anniversary of the Vacheron Constantin. It has no second hand, 37mmin diameter, the size that makes many people feel questionable small, why ? Yes 37mm, as Vacheron Constantin is taking a lead for going smaller watches. in 1977 , there were 100 pieces of solid gold 222 made, plus another 400 stainless steel. Those are all collectible item now.
Audemars Piguet is also introducing a “34mm
Royal Oak” watch this year. It should be a right size ofor ladies.
Rolex declared to discontinue the three OP41 Tiffany Blue, Coral Red and Yellow from the list.
Reason unknown, but I don’t think these OP41 Tiffany blue will be an evergreen item on Chrono24, let’s watch for a year.
Rolex introduced a Left hand version of GMT Master II, even the date window goes Left! It’s not right!
Patek Philippe has no surprise at all.
The rest of other brands are just so so…
This 2022 watch year is not as excited as 2021, probably
COVID-19 had an impact even on launching new design of watches…
HK Snob
Aftermath of US EU countries with all-round sanctions including German agricultural seeds for Russia.
Chinese are learn to keep physical goods and not paper
money, thought there is not official announcement on this but we can feel that
people of China are awakened. There will
be a huge round of inflation as the US, Japan, UK, Sweden, etc, are printing
more and more money. So the Chinese are
planning not to accept USD but only their RMB for payments.
When the U.S.
COVID-19 epidemic broke out and there was no effective preventive measures and
control for a long time… the country’s
populations were isolated, production stagnated, and stocks of supplies quickly
dwindled, and the Federal Reserve desperately cut interest rates to stimulate
the economy including printing bank note for the so-called quantitate ease.
The Euro, the US dollar, the British pound, and the Swiss
franc are all such currencies and will gradually become useless paper. When the country’s inventory is extremely
running low and scarce. Everyone understands that whoever
exchanges real physical things for these spirit money is insane.
Just within this quarter, the United States has issued an
additional 1.9 trillion dollars, and the Japan also printed a large amount of
money. Banknote becomes as cheap as toilet paper or spirit money.
Many people including Eastern Europe as majority understands
that in any country where the epidemic is not under control, they will no longer
exchange physical objects for foreign currency.
Many people are using watches as for their latest tool for
money laundry. As anywhere anytime you can cash and there is no customs
restriction when you travel anywhere in the world.
We have taken this action, and it is estimated that Vietnam,
India, Malaysia, Indonesia other than China and other producing countries will
also adopt similar "CLOSE DOOR" measures.
In view of this, I think many of the people will use their
extra money buying/selling luxury watches as an investment fortress for the
reasons:
1.
Easy to cash
2.
As an alternate security of their properties
other than Bitcoins, NFT
3.
Easy to move around across countries
4.
No Lawyers service charges, no commission fee
5.
The higher price of the watch the higher the
demand
6.
The Big Three, Plus RM and Rolex
Why not? As these are the new currency now.
HK Snob
The trend for slimmer and smaller diameter watches started 2017, Why? Larger watch carries more space and dimension, larger watch tends to be more “Empty” whereas smaller watch tends to look for “Refined” and packed with feature.. Large watches have a lot of empty space to deal with, both on the case and dial. Taller, thicker watches tend to have cases that feel slab-sided, while watches large in diameter often have dials with an overabundance of negative space, making the watch feel empty and chopper-board like. When a case is unnecessarily beefed up in size simply to suit consumer demands, these design missteps become all the more inordinate.
On the contrary, smaller watches tend to feel more refined and packed with features. Watches that are gratuitously big don’t feel as purposefully made; heaven, making a big watch is relatively easy. But small watches require more planning and working within more constraints. Complex movements need to be engineered to be slim and compact. Cases need to be thin but still strong enough to resist shocks, deformation and water resistant. Tolerances between the dial, gasket, base metal, dial, hands gears, and crystal need to be as tight as possible.
A substantially-sized watch is an ever-present weight upon
your wrist, a truly comfortable watch is one that feels like feather on your
wrist. Thinner, smaller watches are just inherently lighter by virtue of using
less material. Further, if your wrist shape is more round than it is flat, a
smaller diameter watch will sit more flush with your wrist. I wonder who could
wear a Rolex Platinum Daytona all days, you know its weight is like a small
hammer.
Many people being brainwashed by fashion fascism dictating
huge clocks? Why is it that men’s clothes have been getting tighter and
skinnier, like G2000’s popular slim fit shirts with narrow shoulders and slim
trousers but at the same time men’s watches grew bigger and fatter? A weird and
contradictory development. we call it the terror of fashion, that people without
taste follow blindly. Of course if you are 6 feet tall, it is not in proportion
to wear a 36mm Sport watch (Rolex new Explorer I)
My advices are to buy whatever you like regardless of size.
And to consider the smallness. In fact, if recent industry trends are any
indicator, more small watches are on the way.
Look at these new launched models…
Vacheron Constantin introduced 37mm Overseas, they are not
made unisex not just for ladies and also for men who appreciate smaller watches
they intend to find in the market.
Paneria introduced a smaller diameter of 38 mm watches for
lady, and they don't have to put a 44mm watch on their wrist, I think that is a
decent size to wear.
Omega also launch an Aqua Tera 5 colourful watches with 38mm
in this year.
Tudor’s downsized Black Bay Fifty-Eight is a prominent
example in dive watch form, coming in at 39mm.
Oris, meanwhile, produced a 36mm version of both its Divers
Sixty-Five and Big Crown Pointer Date.
In W & W 2022, Audemars Piguet launched a 34mm Royal Oak
for lady, Yes 34mm!
The new Super hot Vacheron Constantin 222, it is 37mm!
HK Snob
Picture: AP latest 34mm Royal Oak
We have been numerously trade with many watch buyers
There are many weird behaviors that I can’t figure out why.
1.
Cheapo Tudor 1970 Day Date selling HK$20,000.
Buyer ask why there is no original buckle,
is the lume still there? Well, this is 70’s how come to have working lume?
I told him to study a bit first before buying watch, any watch...
2. My partner one is real funny as he fed up with
some of the question of the buyer asking why do you sell your watch…
note his reply: he said "Well, I am sorry that all my family members died because of
COVID-19, and I need money to arrange their funerals…” after he showed me the
message I laughed for 15 minutes.
3.
Selling a
Montblanc Limited fountain pen, Semiramis
at Carousell, the buyer ask what nib size, I told her M, then she keep quiet…
after two days, I told her what is her decision, she wanted F nib, well, I told
her I have also F nib for the same pen. Then she keeps quiet forever…
4.
Most of the buyers care about price and price
only. When there is no paper, she will ask why no paper, when there is paper,
they will ask why no green tag, when there is green tag, they will ask why no original
box… well, when we have real full set, then they can’t afford the price.
5.
When price is agreed, then we talk about trade
date and time, just one hour before the trade time, I was hurried back home
ready to go to buy the Green dial Tudor, he whatsapped me saying ”oh, this
green dial Tudor is so beautiful, I have decided not selling at this price!” LOL.
6.
People made a counter offer my Vacheron Constantin solid
gold Gen 1 chronograph 50% of my listed price HK$150,000 in 2020. Well, I did
not sell it out, and one close friend who bought from me at HK$155,000. Now the
same watch is selling almost $400,000 in Chrono24.
7.
When
there was a guy asking how about to Rolex Service center to authenticate the
new watch Submariner 116613LN 2020 watch, I used not go to Rolex for such
thing, but this time I told him “OK” but he kept quiet…?
8.
There is one chap who confirmed to buy the Rolex
2300 yesterday and saying that we shall trade by 1400 next day, but in the next
morning… he said he passed as he think the price was too expensive!
9.
When the Daytona was selling US$30,000, people
said so expensive. After one year, it was selling US$45,000, he said price is
insane, after another 6 months the price is US$50,000.
He says price is crazy, well, with this attitude, he probably can’t buy any Daytona. He told me one day Rolex bubble will burst. Yes one day… when? I heard about Rolex bubble burst 15 year ago. LOL
This is my personal watch trade experience, the article is not
meant to pin point anyone.
HK Snob
.png)
.png)
.png)
The “Holy Trinity” of horology is composed of Patek,
Audemars and Vacheron Constantin. What’s VC answer to its mainstream cousins?
During the “Japan quartz crisis”, Audemars Piguet introduced
a premium stainless steel watch, creating the first modern luxury sport watch, it
created the idea of paying for a luxury item of a steel watch, not necessarily
for the intrinsic value of the object.
Noticed popularity that AP was gaining with its new Royal
Oak, Patek Philippe seeked the same designer, Gerald Genta, to create Patek’s Nautilus.
What was Vacheron Constantin doing, being the oldest watch
maker in current production?
Vacheron Constantin followed Patek, decided to introduce a
modern sports watch. They hired a young designer named Jorg Hysek and requested
him to create a watch in line with the Royal Oak and the Nautilus.
In 1977, the Vacheron Constantin 222 was born. 222 is the
anniversary of the birth of the oldest Maison in Switzerland in 1977.
The beautiful Hysek’s design incorporates all the esthetic
details that were popular in the 70s such as sharp angles, integrated bracelet
and a distinctive bezel. The caliber inside was the thin VC1120 the same
movement was being used in the Royal Oak and Nautilus, based on a Jaeger
LeCoulte design.
It was produced in much smaller quantities that its cousins,
however, it was available in a wide range of materials and sizes, from
stainless steel to gold, from 25 to 37 mm. A square version was available too.
After some short experiments with the “333” and the
“Phidias", two very 90s looking watches that allowed Vacheron to
experiment some innovations, the brand was ready to unveil its watch for the
new millennium.
The Overseas
Designed by Vincent Kaufmann and Dino Modolo in 1996, the
“Gen. 1 Overseas” was released and immediately crowned as the heir of the 222.
The nautical theme, which was at the base of the Royal Oak and the Nautilus, is
now fully embodied.
Very discreet at 37 mm, Model 42042 with iconic bezel is
intended to remind the Maltese cross, VC’s logo. The overall look of the
Overseas immediately conquered the heart of many watch enthusiasts, looking to
acquire a true sports watch, paired with the elegance and artisanal craftsmanship
typically from Vacheron Constantin. This was immediately recognized to be one
of the most beautiful and refined sports watches available.
The Overseas Gen. 1 was redesigned in 2004, to create the “Gen. 2”, with the intent of creating a much sturdy watch, capable to withstand every adventure.
The case was bulked up to a larger 42 mm as in the hype for
bigger case and a new, less delicate, bracelet was introduced. This bracelet
reminding of a half Maltese cross, is now an icon of the Overseas.
In 2016, introducing the “Gen. 3”. The general design was
modernized with softer lines: the eight notches of the bezel were reduced to
six, the hands were slimmed down and the solid case back was switched in favor
of a sapphire case back. This allows the owner to admire the magnificent
movement, powered by a solid 22Kt gold engraved rotor.
A system of quick interchangeable straps allows to switch between
a stainless steel bracelet, a leather strap and a rubber strap without the need
for tools, providing incredible versatility for the owner.
The wide variety of complications, from chronographs to
perpetual calendars, is masterfully executed, creating one of the most refined
and elegant sport watches ever.
The Overseas is ready to hit?
For over the last ten years, the Vacheron Constantin
Overseas was overshadowed by it more mainstream cousins, the Royal Oak and the
Nautilus. While the Reissue 222 in 2022 has now reached a cult-like status,
being rightfully crowned as a 80s icon, the Overseas is just beginning its
rise.
In 2019 Oversea Gen. 1 automatic watch blue dial was as
little as HK$80,000, now we can see Chrono24 is selling as high as HK$240,000.
That is 3X higher in 3 years.
In my humble opinion. The top tier quality of the
masterpiece with so many unique iconic feature on one single watch. The Overseas
is the watch gaining momentum. No doubts.
HK Snob
Picture top down
1st picture :VC ad on 222 in the 70s
2nd and 4th Picture : VC 222 with special gold inlay with diamond.
6th and 7th picture: VC Overseas Gen. 1 in blue Ref 42042 37mm.
There are so many sites and bloggers talking about Rolex, I don't feel needed to say anything about it. Rolex effortlessly just put the crown from right to left and add a new bezel colour to green to create the new GMT Master. Only you are Rolex Fans, or you will not be getting excited at all.
Above all these, I feel this is the most exciting watch of the year.
Vacheron Constantin is reissuing its luxury sport watch launched in 1977, the model 222, as the 222th anniversary of the watch company established on 1755. The model 222 is the third watch of the so called Holy Trinity of luxury sport watches besides the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and Patek Philippe Nautilus. As they shared the same basic JLC movement by that time.
Being a big fan of Vacheron Constantin, I once owned the 222 Jumbo in gold.
One 222 was auctioned in 2021 with HK$1.3M.
This 2022 model 222 is made with 37mm as diameter, 2mm smaller than the original 222 in 1977. Well, this is the perfect size, and the norm for most of the new generation modern watches.
This is perfect size for me except the price is EUR 62,000, I think this watch will be selling easier X2.5 more in the open market, I wish I could get one in Boutique at SRP.
HK Snob
Courtesy picture from monochrome
.jpg)
What is the impact of Swatch X Omega to Rolex?
On of 26 March, it happened in many cities at the same time,
the news were flooded with the event of Swatch X Omega launched which had overtaken
the war between Russia and Ukraine, until Will Smith slapped face of Chris Rock
on Stage.
In Singapore, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Sydney, and even
Switzerland, thousands of people line up at midnight awaiting for door to be
open for Swatch X Omega Moonswatch sale. Mad line up at the street of rainy
night as early as on 24 March at Causeway Bay, Hong Kong!
The impact is there, and I can say it is a very successful
launch of this Watch sales since the 80’s when the Swatch was introduced to the
market, but this time the host s not Swatch, it’s Omega.
Omega is second to Rolex in sales in 2020, 2021, well, I can
say the strategy is to
Offer these feature to the customers
1.
Affordable casual watch US$265.00 (HK$2,100)
2.
It is supper light <30grams
3.
Colourful
4.
It is quartz driven, water proof and shock
resistant
5.
Available without line up at Swatch boutique
1.
Try something new, colourful and affordable
2.
Variety and choice for each day
3.
They can be mix and match with Nato strap as
personalized style
4.
The youth may feel this is desirable for them
while they are not willing to pay insane price of a Rolex
5.
Some of the younger people is seeking a
replacement for a Rolex
6.
The mature age group is also looking for a
liberated causal life style for week days
Pros
1.
It is an affordable Omega
2.
Fashionable
3.
Easy and comfortable to wear
4.
Almost maintenance free for three years and
change a one dollar battery cell for another three years.
5.
It is accurate
6.
Its user age is from 5 to 99 practically
7.
Low cost of ownership
1. Quartz is
not for collector
2. The dye
pigment of the bioceramic case stains on the skin, I have not tested by myself
yet.
3. What else?
The first sales is having about 450 pieces in Hong Kong, meaning that each colour may have about 44 pieces, So far the Sun ( Yellow ) is least found, the Earth and Uranus is more common to be found.
Second market rice is from 5-7 times higher than SRP as of
today.
If I were Swatch X Omega
Certain model will be made less and I think this is a must
for the Omega marketing decision team, same as the 2020 Snoopy, it was said
Unlimited too!
As Majority model can satisfy most of the watch user, and those
least available ones will be coming a hot back up for the hype and for flippers.
If I were Swatch X Omega marketing team….
I shall launch one to three models only per month or quarter,
hence you need to span the whole year to get in touch buying to complete whole
collection of 11 pieces.
And I will make a special “Error” dial or “defect” printing
on certain model, that will be create another collectors’ attention.
And next phase for certain discerning collectors, make an automatic
version at high cost. Why not?
I know that Rolex is going to receive the impact and Rolex
will lose certain market share to Omega in 2022.
HK Snob
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
The Watch is as light as less than 29.6 grams, which is lighter than Richard Mille RM-27-04 made for Nadal, tourbillon 30 grams! That is a watch over HK$6m.
To certain people, light weight does not means much to them except Cheap, but there is a lot of technology to make a durable watch light, I believe the use of plastic-ceramic compound is one of the factors to make the watch so light.
For its feather light watch, so it is super comfortable to wear, it is sharp and eye catching. I believe the youth may love to wear this a fashion wears. and gradually they may go for the real serious Speedmaster of the Omega to explore more.
42 mm size is great, clear to read the time, the push button is able to be quick response sharp with alacrity.
I have seen that some of the dye of the case may leave on the skin on the wrist after wearing for a while, for this particular issue, I have not tested it yet.
Note that the crystal was stamped with s "S" , S for Swatch.
HK Snob
Remarks
I have not seen the "Sun" I think this is my next trasure watch to find!
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
Believing or not there was someone selling on line eBay for the Red Mars with HK$550,000 yesterday.
Also there is Uranus and Saturn package deal with HK$68,000 in HK dealer group.
Why they are so much eager to get it today, as they afraid some of the submodule will not able to get in later stage, I guess.
HK Snob
There are notices displayed at the three special Swatch Boutique that we don't have to
line up for the new 2022 Swatch X Omega watches, after 26 March we can order it at Swatch Official site.
Still a lot of people are lining up at the entrance of these three boutiques at TST, CWB and Ocean Centre.
HK Snob
.jpg)
So guess the Tiffany Blue may be sold on line for HK25,000 in the first three day, I guess, rough guess only. Carousell has some selling post for Alaska Project (Red) with HK$20,000. I just saw eBay is now bidding with a current bid of 61,600 Pounds for Mars.
It is not abnormal for this kind of episode happened exactly in the same location 30 years ago we waited for the Swatch X'mas special, Hocus Pocus, or Golden Jelly.
Suddenly I think of the movie " Somewhere in time"
Time flies, but it is fun that I feel those happy time that I could get a Hocus Pocus with HK$600, then sold HK$6,000 two weeks later.
HK Snob
Quartz movement with 3 years battery life
Bioceramic 42mm case material on NATO strap
There will be official open for sale at Swatch AD in three branches
CWB, TST Ocean centre and Mongkok Langham
Max. purchase per head is two pieces
Price is HK$2,100
What is your choice?
HK Snob
Antiquorum witnesses 50 years of Royal Oak | Antiquorum Auctioneers since 1974
I am thinking the price isn't too high at all, well, we will see what final auction will be for more of the rare AP, such as Salmon Dial Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, A series 5204 in Gold or Steel.
HK Snob
Quite obviously we can see watch market has been slow down
in end Feb. till now, as most of the dealers are liquidating their funds to
keep the purchasing power for new watches after Watches and Wonders 2022 by 30
March. Some of the current deals are good if you had the hard cash, but who
knows what shall it happen on April?
Well, I am optimistic about the watch markets, especially
the Big Four or Big Five watches. However many of my friends, Bloggers,
dealers, collectors are on panic sale in these two weeks.
Refer to Morgan Stanley Research, we can have a glimpse on what
has been showed from 2020-2021 on Swiss watches performance…
At the beginning of COVID-19 Rolex had been shut down some
of the production in 2019 with output about 700,000, However on 2020, they have
ramped up their production to 810,000, and even with 1,050,000 in 2021. Refer
to the attached chart, Rolex had reached 8B CHF in 2021. Followed by Cartier
with 2B, Omega, Audemars Piguet over taken Patek become No. 4 with 1.6B, follow
up with Richard Mille and Vacheron Constaintin… What I have noticed is that
amongst these big players, Rolex had almost double its revenue in 2021 comparing
with 2020, Well, Vacheron Constantin is the second biggest growth in revenue
about 40%, may be the Overseas and FiftySix are gaining attention of those who
cannot get Nautilus and Royal Oak at all.
Base on these figure if say the Luxury watch definition is
US$5,000 to US$50,000. There is not too many Luxury watches falling into these
range from these top ten watch maker of Switzerland. Take for instance, Switzerland
produces 6M watches a year in 2021, there is only a fraction of them going into
the “Luxury Category” may be only 20%, that is about 1.2M watches a year.
Do you think 1.2M Luxury watches will be more than enough
for those discerning client all over the world?
Don’t ignore that there are about 5M new Millionaires with
asset of over US$1m created in 2020. So every year there will be 5M-7M people
coming into this Luxury market. They are never short of cash just
many of those are FOMO of those Nautilus, Royal Oak, Aquanaut,
Overseas, Daytona and RM.
So I am sure that the so called Watch bubble will not burst
at least within the year 2022.
HK Snob
