WRENCH

A friend bought a box of assorted junk at a village auction for under a fiver, because there was a toy in it his daughter wanted. A few years later he went through it to see if their was anything in it worth keeping before it went in the bin. one of these,

I do like the odd Chinese cheapo. This came today, about the price of three packets of fags including post etc. 35mm without crown, 35 jewel rudimentary movement, quick set day/date, manual and auto wind, non hacking. Obviously disposable if anything goes wrong, but I've got a few manual Shanghai watches, and not had any issues to date.

It's very useable, I'm 6ft and can get in and out with ease, and it's comfortable. Suspension is rock hard, and the steering is very quick and does not like any road undulations. What surprised me is the fit and finish of the bodywork, which for a 30 year old vehicle is exceptional. the body on my old "Plastic pig" Scimitar used to squeak and creak all the time, this doesn't, and all the bits seem to be readily available.

1. A Vostok Amphibian or 24 hour analogue. To appreciate that Soviet era technology isn't as bad as it's made out to be, plus they are easy to modify. 2. Anything with a Unitas 6497/6498 hand wound movement, to experience the vintage feel without the hassle. 3. Seiko Diver of your choice, because you should have one. 4. Vintage Russian Pobeda, vintage doesn't have to be expensive. They are reliable and durable. 5. G Shock of your choice, so many to choose from, and durable/useful, and a certificate of competency should be issued if you can understand and remember the instructions/operations.

Pal was round today, Surprisingly reliable, and super clean, considering its used regularly.

Wondering what to put on today, when the postie knocked.

You may be right. What I find strange however, is that anytime I have made a similar purchase, the AD has removed all the stickers, and thoroughly checked, and polished the watch with a soft cloth. This video, to me anyway, is more damning on the AD. An acquaintance in the trade once told me that all their products are thoroughly checked before sale, and photographed. If there are any blemishes, then they are returned to the manufacturer/importer. This works in both their favour, and stops "Mr or Mrs angry" shouting on the internet. Mistakes happen, they shouldn't, but they do, and they can be resolved.

As you said in your Breitling post, "Anecdotally it appears that about 95% of UK watch purchases are by the non-WIS Joe-public". So I wouldn't think the AD, or Tudor will be too bothered. This shouldn't have happened, and had the purchaser inspected the watch properly before leaving the shop it wouldn't have. Regardless of how much a "good guy" the shop manager is, I put my trust in a loupe.

Yes, some of us have to buy them, don't we.

There is an easy answer. DONT DO IT.

This is not a one off.

One of these, sold it to by a Panerai which never happened.

My diesel special was the same colour, "Harvest Gold", I'll probably have the paint code somewhere as well. Although it ended up Forth Bridge red.

To my untrained eye, it would appear to be a race to see how much you can get away with charging. I like the older stuff, but that's probably due to my age, and what I connect with, also I have a close friend/s who restore/fly vintage aircraft, and vintage Breitling chronos are their chosen standard attire. If people want "Audi" watches, The Audi garage, sorry, "Audi experience centre" has them for sale. This ones £75,