The idea of a sticker of a movement being good enough for a preview is quite hilarious to me. It has a infomercial pitchman's level of "trust me on this one" haha
This would be Grand Seiko, with the SBGZ001 that you reviewed for Hodinkee, yes? “Live pics and pricing”, and yet, the finishing on the steel cased dummy with the sticker for a movement was not remotely like that on the actual platinum watch.
I was shown it at Baselworld (an important collector of Grand Seiko had asked me to check it out for him), and immediately rejected it back saying “please bring me the real one to evaluate”.
Here's a story of the opposite of the blocked watch given out for review. Maybe 20 years ago, I bought an AP with their handwinding Cal. 3090. I bought it because John Davis had done a full disassembly and accompanying review of the caliber on the Purists forum, and I was impressed by how much he liked the movement. Shortly afterwards I realized (based on case & caliber serial numbers) that I had purchased the actual watch featured in the review. It had been returned to AP, I assume checked out by their watchmakers, and then sold to me by an authorized dealer in NYC. I was a bit gobsmacked but I suppose this practice is common and it didn't at all detract from my happiness with the watch.
Holy smokes. I remember going back and forth with John about that review ... er, do you still have it? A watch reviewed by John D is pretty special. I suspect he still has his Monster.
No, I'm sorry to say I no longer have it. I do wish I had held onto it. I exchanged a few emails with Thomas Mao about the whole thing, and he rightly said "consider it a hand-tweaked specimen from serial production." As you say, a special watch.
The good old days when watches were really reviewed, not praised without any criticism. I really miss the website discussion foruns... Today´s blogs and social media really sux, everything seems to be build by enchanted person and with reasonable prices...
Not sure if my comments re the Grand Seiko SBGZ001 have been deleted, or I can no longer see them (perhaps it is a result of your change to limiting comments to paid subs?)?
And yet, I seem to be able to continue to comment on this post. Most confusing!
The idea of a sticker of a movement being good enough for a preview is quite hilarious to me. It has a infomercial pitchman's level of "trust me on this one" haha
Equally bizarre is the straight-faced assumption from brands that do this, that it is somehow adequate 😂
This would be Grand Seiko, with the SBGZ001 that you reviewed for Hodinkee, yes? “Live pics and pricing”, and yet, the finishing on the steel cased dummy with the sticker for a movement was not remotely like that on the actual platinum watch.
I was shown it at Baselworld (an important collector of Grand Seiko had asked me to check it out for him), and immediately rejected it back saying “please bring me the real one to evaluate”.
Here's a story of the opposite of the blocked watch given out for review. Maybe 20 years ago, I bought an AP with their handwinding Cal. 3090. I bought it because John Davis had done a full disassembly and accompanying review of the caliber on the Purists forum, and I was impressed by how much he liked the movement. Shortly afterwards I realized (based on case & caliber serial numbers) that I had purchased the actual watch featured in the review. It had been returned to AP, I assume checked out by their watchmakers, and then sold to me by an authorized dealer in NYC. I was a bit gobsmacked but I suppose this practice is common and it didn't at all detract from my happiness with the watch.
Holy smokes. I remember going back and forth with John about that review ... er, do you still have it? A watch reviewed by John D is pretty special. I suspect he still has his Monster.
No, I'm sorry to say I no longer have it. I do wish I had held onto it. I exchanged a few emails with Thomas Mao about the whole thing, and he rightly said "consider it a hand-tweaked specimen from serial production." As you say, a special watch.
The good old days when watches were really reviewed, not praised without any criticism. I really miss the website discussion foruns... Today´s blogs and social media really sux, everything seems to be build by enchanted person and with reasonable prices...
Marvellous reading Jack
Not sure if my comments re the Grand Seiko SBGZ001 have been deleted, or I can no longer see them (perhaps it is a result of your change to limiting comments to paid subs?)?
And yet, I seem to be able to continue to comment on this post. Most confusing!