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Old 4 April 2014, 04:14 PM   #31
CrownMe
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacek View Post
Honestly there is no special trick. As the saying goes: blood, sweat and tears. I work a very intense 70 plus hours each week. Most of everything I buy is in the United States. There are so many amazing tiny little shops all over the country that find at least a few good watches over the course of a year. I chat with hundreds of people each week even if they don't sell me anything and when watches do come up for sale I pay up for them. I go to to at least 12 shows a year and buy pieces from other dealers as well. Sometimes I find something good on ebay.... sometimes.

The internet is double edged sword in this crazy watch world. Many original owners find me because I sell and list so many pieces but the margins are very small. It's impossible to buy a watch for cheap when you are listing it at market price. Of course, the stars line up a few times a month and great transactions happen. But at the end of the day it's about building strong relationships with good people and treating them honestly and fairly with each deal.


Very well said Jacek. Im thankful for your hard work. Its always interesting to see the new and amazing pieces you get in stock. Happy Hunting!
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Old 4 April 2014, 04:18 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacek View Post
Honestly there is no special trick. As the saying goes: blood, sweat and tears. I work a very intense 70 plus hours each week. Most of everything I buy is in the United States. There are so many amazing tiny little shops all over the country that find at least a few good watches over the course of a year. I chat with hundreds of people each week even if they don't sell me anything and when watches do come up for sale I pay up for them. I go to to at least 12 shows a year and buy pieces from other dealers as well. Sometimes I find something good on ebay.... sometimes.

The internet is double edged sword in this crazy watch world. Many original owners find me because I sell and list so many pieces but the margins are very small. It's impossible to buy a watch for cheap when you are listing it at market price. Of course, the stars line up a few times a month and great transactions happen. But at the end of the day it's about building strong relationships with good people and treating them honestly and fairly with each deal.
Well said, Jacek. Thanks for the insight/explanation Greg
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Old 4 April 2014, 04:24 PM   #33
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Even though I am surrounded by myriad vintage shops here in Hong Kong, I couldn't resist the 1964 (birth year) Air King that Jacek sold me recently. I often browse the HQ Milton site, and will probably buy another from him in future.
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Old 4 April 2014, 04:27 PM   #34
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Nice one Jacek. It's interesting to hear it from the horse's mouth.

I didn't think Japan was the answer - vintage is much more expensive here than it is in the states. It's true that Japan is vintage Rolex heaven, but you pay a premium for it.

I could probably fly from Tokyo to Jacek's place, pick up a piece, fly back and it would still be cheaper than buying it in Tokyo...
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Old 4 April 2014, 05:08 PM   #35
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Well said, Jacek. Thanks for the insight/explanation Greg
x2. Thanks very much for sharing your experiences with us!
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Old 4 April 2014, 09:11 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacek View Post
Honestly there is no special trick. As the saying goes: blood, sweat and tears. I work a very intense 70 plus hours each week. Most of everything I buy is in the United States. There are so many amazing tiny little shops all over the country that find at least a few good watches over the course of a year. I chat with hundreds of people each week even if they don't sell me anything and when watches do come up for sale I pay up for them. I go to to at least 12 shows a year and buy pieces from other dealers as well. Sometimes I find something good on ebay.... sometimes.

The internet is double edged sword in this crazy watch world. Many original owners find me because I sell and list so many pieces but the margins are very small. It's impossible to buy a watch for cheap when you are listing it at market price. Of course, the stars line up a few times a month and great transactions happen. But at the end of the day it's about building strong relationships with good people and treating them honestly and fairly with each deal.


Yes! Anyone who knows Jacek, knows he works his ass off.
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Old 4 April 2014, 09:31 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacek View Post
Honestly there is no special trick. As the saying goes: blood, sweat and tears. I work a very intense 70 plus hours each week. Most of everything I buy is in the United States. There are so many amazing tiny little shops all over the country that find at least a few good watches over the course of a year. I chat with hundreds of people each week even if they don't sell me anything and when watches do come up for sale I pay up for them. I go to to at least 12 shows a year and buy pieces from other dealers as well. Sometimes I find something good on ebay.... sometimes.

The internet is double edged sword in this crazy watch world. Many original owners find me because I sell and list so many pieces but the margins are very small. It's impossible to buy a watch for cheap when you are listing it at market price. Of course, the stars line up a few times a month and great transactions happen. But at the end of the day it's about building strong relationships with good people and treating them honestly and fairly with each deal.
Cool! Thanks for responding in this thread!
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Old 4 April 2014, 10:42 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacek View Post
Honestly there is no special trick. As the saying goes: blood, sweat and tears. I work a very intense 70 plus hours each week. Most of everything I buy is in the United States. There are so many amazing tiny little shops all over the country that find at least a few good watches over the course of a year. I chat with hundreds of people each week even if they don't sell me anything and when watches do come up for sale I pay up for them. I go to to at least 12 shows a year and buy pieces from other dealers as well. Sometimes I find something good on ebay.... sometimes.

The internet is double edged sword in this crazy watch world. Many original owners find me because I sell and list so many pieces but the margins are very small. It's impossible to buy a watch for cheap when you are listing it at market price. Of course, the stars line up a few times a month and great transactions happen. But at the end of the day it's about building strong relationships with good people and treating them honestly and fairly with each deal.
thanks for responding jacek. very interesting to hear directly from, imo, one of (if not the) best vintage dealers out there today.
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Old 4 April 2014, 11:11 PM   #39
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I bought a big block from Jacek last year and have nothing but positive things to say. He finds quality watches and the prices are reasonable IMHO. Always looking at his site for the next one.

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Old 4 April 2014, 11:29 PM   #40
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Gee, it almost sounds like these vintage guys actually work at their business, firmly tongue in cheek. M
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Old 4 April 2014, 11:31 PM   #41
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Who the hell are you?

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I can't speak for HQ Milton, but Ku's "amazing condition" watches are interesting, to say the least.
First time poster here guys, sorry for the late intro.

Who the hell are you and what are you talking about? I don't believe we've ever done business, so tell me what you are insinuating here and I will set you straight.
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Old 4 April 2014, 11:45 PM   #42
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First time poster here guys, sorry for the late intro.

Who the hell are you and what are you talking about? I don't believe we've ever done business, so tell me what you are insinuating here and I will set you straight.
Hahaha. Best first post ever.
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Old 4 April 2014, 11:49 PM   #43
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Eric's here! Gentlemen, start your engines...
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Old 4 April 2014, 11:53 PM   #44
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No worries with Ku! One of the very few honest vintage dealers I know! Glad to consider him a friend.

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Old 4 April 2014, 11:54 PM   #45
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Seems like there is some confusion here unintentionally and everything is OK.

NOTHING TO SEE HERE, CARRY ON!

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Old 5 April 2014, 12:01 AM   #46
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Kudos to Jacek to chiming in. I've done a couple of deals with him and he has always been fair and honest, even that time I opted to return a piece that wasn't to my liking. Stand up, guy. And in my experience they sell "honest" pieces, i.e. not altered and fixed up for sale.

I'm weary/done doing business with pieces coming out of Asia, especially HK. I did it once and learned my lesson, things just didn't add up to my satisfaction. Way too much laser-welding going on at this point, and way too much fake patina and "original" punched papers aged exactly the same way. It just doesn't add up.

I only bought from Eric Ku once, it wasn't quite up to expectations, but I got my refund. It might have been a one-off fluke.

Andrew Shear has top shelf stuff, but he charges a 10-25% premium for it at this point. Who can blame him since many affluent buyers gladly pay that for the peace of mind. But I've had good deals with him and would gladly deal with him again.
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:01 AM   #47
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Anyone here bought from James Dowling before?
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:04 AM   #48
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What PSV said ^
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:07 AM   #49
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Anyone here bought from James Dowling before?
think people buy from him because of his name, am yet to see a decent watch on his website
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:26 AM   #50
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think people buy from him because of his name, am yet to see a decent watch on his website
What do you think about this one?
http://www.ukwatches.com/shop/?wpsc-...ct-enamel-dial
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:30 AM   #51
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think people buy from him because of his name, am yet to see a decent watch on his website
x2
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:39 AM   #52
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Falls in the ancient category, too old to be vintage, a british museum specimen

Fwiw, i like dealing with jacek, shear and eric, sold me some yummy goods over the years

Theyre my davidsw for vintage

never dealt with dowling but am sure he's solid


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Old 5 April 2014, 01:42 AM   #53
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Falls in the ancient category, too old to be vintage, a british museum specimen

Fwiw, i like dealing with jacek, shear and eric, sold me some yummy goods over the years

Theyre my davidsw for vintage

never dealt with dowling but am sure he's solid


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I actually met him in person tonight here in HK. Saw the piece, liked it and negotited a lower price. Going to sleep on it and see him again tomorrow. I like the idea of owning a 1920s Oyster. Something a bit unusual. Glad to have second opinions though.
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:45 AM   #54
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I actually met him in person tonight here in HK. Saw the piece, liked it and negotited a lower price. Going to sleep on it and see him again tomorrow. I like the idea of owning a 1920s Oyster. Something a bit unusual. Glad to have second opinions though.
Cool
Am sure it's lovely just too old for my liking/interest

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Old 5 April 2014, 01:54 AM   #55
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First time poster here guys, sorry for the late intro.

Who the hell are you and what are you talking about? I don't believe we've ever done business, so tell me what you are insinuating here and I will set you straight.
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Seems like there is some confusion here unintentionally and everything is OK.

NOTHING TO SEE HERE, CARRY ON!


I'm sure we all like to hear how you sat him straight?
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:54 AM   #56
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I can tell you I tried to buy two vintage pieces recently just off the forums and didn't get them as I was too slow and out bid on the other. I saw them BOTH less than two weeks later on HQ's site. I'm 100% sure they are exact same watches.
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:54 AM   #57
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First time poster here guys, sorry for the late intro.

Who the hell are you and what are you talking about? I don't believe we've ever done business, so tell me what you are insinuating here and I will set you straight.


That's a interesting first post.
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:58 AM   #58
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Cool
Am sure it's lovely just too old for my liking/interest

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I hope I will be allowed to post it as Incoming in the Vintage section, rather than asking the mods to set up an Ancient section
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Old 5 April 2014, 01:59 AM   #59
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Finding 30-55 year old desirable watches is a lot of work. Every year it gets harder and the competition pool gets bigger. At the end of the day when a nice piece shows up it usually goes to the person who is known to consistently pay the most for them.
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Old 5 April 2014, 02:00 AM   #60
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Finding 30-55 year old desirable watches is a lot of work. Every year it gets harder and the competition pool gets bigger. At the end of the day when a nice piece shows up at a 1 st stop source it usually goes to the person who is known to consistently pay the most for them.
This pretty well sums it up!
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