Comments:
Think that Hodinkee wants to improve the level of its shop. Don't you?
They have always sold fine vintage chronos and some vintage Rolexes (Datejust and Daydate) with a price that almost never surpass 10000$ (usually their prices are about 3-4-5000$). However from a while Hodinkee offers pieces that are far more expensive than its standard levels and I was wondering why they do so. Maybe they want to improve their online shop and gain the reputation of vintage seller in order to enlarge their business and to create a new identity, not just a watchblog anymore but also a trusted vintage seller.
The two watches that represent best this change are the Blancpain Fifty Fathmos Milspec with bronze case from the 50's and the Daytona 6265 in yellow gold from 1978 arrived in the shop right yesterday.
At the end they managed to sell it. The watch generated many discussion about the originality of its parts but in the end somebody took the risk of the purchase (or had a huge knowledge).
The 6265 in yellow gold arrived yesterday had a simpler life because he got sold as soon as he appeared in the shop
I would like to know your opinions about this increase of level in Hodinkee's items and the reasons why they are doing this thing.
Thanks for reading.
Best.
The two watches that represent best this change are the Blancpain Fifty Fathmos Milspec with bronze case from the 50's and the Daytona 6265 in yellow gold from 1978 arrived in the shop right yesterday.
At the end they managed to sell it. The watch generated many discussion about the originality of its parts but in the end somebody took the risk of the purchase (or had a huge knowledge).
The 6265 in yellow gold arrived yesterday had a simpler life because he got sold as soon as he appeared in the shop
I would like to know your opinions about this increase of level in Hodinkee's items and the reasons why they are doing this thing.
Thanks for reading.
Best.
I will be direct and straight to the point, apologizes in advance if my post might be heavy handed
The thing is that Hoddinkee does is to sell watches that are supposed to be in pristine condition but which are not because there are no movement photos, and often the dials are such in pityful condition that you can't consider them as pristine. And if you check their sold watches section, very very few are in decent condition. But as I have already debated about Hoddinkee on another well known watch forum, buying from Hoddinkee is buying a cat in the bag. Also they are friends with some of big brands, so by reselling by overpricing average condition items which are not rare by 40 to 70%, they get a recognition from the main players of the watch industry and from auction houses too.
The mil spec fifty fathoms was listed at an insane price, same with the gold daytona, I have discouraged all my friends who wanted to buy a watch to buy from Hoddinkee, I rerouted them to some great sellers that I know including one of the best vintage watch shops that I know in Paris.
I agree with you on ever point.
Hodinkee wants a recognition from high-end brands and auction houses. However they always find somebody who takes the risk and buy tue watch. Best.
...
I wonder where/how they source their watches. With their network they should be able to get better looking watches.
It is not my problem, what they do at Hodinkee. They do what they want. BUT...
If they wrote that this Bronze Milspec is from the 50's, there is a big mistake. It is from the mid 60's and most probably between 1967 and 1968.
AND the dial on this one is not good.
So, they'd better be prudent when they describe a watch they want to sell...
AND the dial on this one is not good.
So, they'd better be prudent when they describe a watch they want to sell...
the problem is that you can't expect amateurs to be professionnals and crooks to be honest people
Also they put a myriad of hype and qualitaitives that describe how beautiful are their watches which are far to be beautiful but limit to junkpile condition items. The fact that the item is described misleadingly is enough for me to blacklist them permanently and never ever deal with them. Also the fact that they don't show the movement is a warning that you will end with a cat in the bag.
There are dealers like this in my other collecting sphere, we call them Mr. Dreamer why....
because they fit a couple categories such as they dream of selling lower quality items for a great mark up, and to some they make the sale, sometimes something looks so good in the photos and it is what you're looking for that you overlook the faults or can't even see them in the first place until it arrives at your door, partially due to the rep and trust you instill into these dealers. Mr. Dreamer puts the condition as mint, close to mint, good or similar in the description and always reguritates this phrase even when the item is of lower quality than described.
They also dream that when you sell them something, they buy for the bare minimum, some of these dealers insult clients and intimidate to get the price they want (not all but this is the recurring theme with "Mr. Dreamer" dealers) then sell something that would be worth 1 buck for a cool billion.
Hodinke sold us a load of balogny for many years, they were the underdog swimming with the sharks, when and especially with the store they just demonstrate that they're a different kind of shark a "Dream Shark" they don't instill confidence nor would I buy any of their pieces as they look like 2050 price tags and I'm not even sure I'll be collecting by then. In closing the partnerships they made with the various watch firms just affirms that they're out for the quick profit with all the limited editions, you can't be neutral in reviewing a product if you're in the business of selling it.
excellent reply Rogi, what you have written here is very true
There are 9 dealers like this in Paris that I have blacklisted permanently because of what you have described. I have a very small number of dealers that I recommend in Paris and which I know since a long long time.So to be cautious and prudent besides the net but with boutiques as well is of the highest importance.