Horological Meandering

What's with this guy?

Just a rant. I called up the sole AD for an English Independent hoping to make an appointment to see a particular model.

Lo and behold, they are the only AD to bring it in BUT they do not carry enough pieces across the model spectrum, they don;t even know the list prices! Now how is one ever going to even consider buying a piece without seeing it first (ok some do. I have done so) but without even knowing the price?! Even to top it off, there wasn't even a proactive effort to find out the price. Now..... am I missing something about sales? Seems like they ae just not interested in this brand which then begs the next question... then why bother carrying it?

I pity this English independent and wonder if he knows how "excellently" his brand is being represented here. If anyone here is close to him, maybe drop him a note to consider moving his dristribution to the same network that carries Vianny Halter, Dufour, RG etc... and that is The Hour Glass who comparatively speaking, are excellent!

Granted, it's not necessary to have every single piece in every single range and maybe impracticle from a inventory/cost pov, but I would imagine maybe a 38 mm and a 42mm picadilly even in steel to at least show how it wears on the wrist size wise as these are supposed to have long lugs. And at least know that list prices! Grief!

End of rant and sigh... I had some time today. Have a great week ahead.

💰6 Marketplace Listings for Vianney Halter›

Have you tried...

By: DRMW : July 26th, 2009-22:15

Hello wmclarenf1! Have you tried to contact the watchmaker directly and see what they recommend? Maybe you just got a bad sales person and hopefully try calling again to speak to someone else within the AD. Not trying to make an excuse for your bad experi...

You're probably right but

By: ArthurSG : July 26th, 2009-22:23

that it could be I happened to hit a dud salesguy (again, second time from the same AD chain). Some may be wondering if I should have gone to the same guy in this Ad that I am comfortable with.. I guess I should have but only one outlet in this chain carr...

LOL! Yes I agree...weird!

By: DRMW : July 26th, 2009-22:41

If you have gone with a previous contact within the AD, that's probably the way to go. If he/she is familiar with you and they know that you are a serious buyer then they should be able to help. Sometimes contacting the watchmaker directly to let them kno...

Some mitigating factors

By: SJX : July 26th, 2009-22:51

The salespersons lack of enthusiasm in getting the necessary information cannot be excused but there are some mitigating factors worth mentioning. Obtaining information from some independents is not always easy (though in this case I know which English wa...

many ways

By: Mech : July 27th, 2009-04:04

There are many ways to do the right thing, and many ways to do the wrong thing, all to achieve a common purpose. What ways would you take to make your potential customer feel 'good' given any situation? I'll not tolerate shabby attitude, when I don't feel...

howdy

By: Hororgasm : July 26th, 2009-23:06

mate, i assume its the watch that we spoke about? wait for their in house movement lah. and wait awhile, i am gonna see if UK cheaper during my work trip there.

having been lucky to speak at length to the watchmaker

By: G99 : July 27th, 2009-01:49

i think you would do well to email him directly. he is a very down to earth man and will be very P****d off to hear about this. you may prefer to deal with him direct for a far better service. Andy has been considering one of his watches and we tried on t...

Hi Graham. PM sent

By: ArthurSG : July 27th, 2009-04:29

Actually, the Shimoda seems more interesting to me now

By: ArthurSG : July 27th, 2009-08:46

Probably less complicated than the serpent cal but the 1 hand idea seems more interesting, less common even if telling the time is a tad harder especially on aging eyes. the red Gold with chinese hour indicators is pulling at me but I need to see it in pe...

Arthur, i'm assuming your...

By: G99 : July 27th, 2009-09:27

Arthur, i'm assuming your in the UK so if you email him i'm sure the next time he comes he'll bring a red gold shimoda for you to see or even send one to the AD for you to look at. its my favourite model as well. best Graham

I'm in Singapore actually but I called PSM Switzerland

By: ArthurSG : July 27th, 2009-19:58

last night and they will get me the pricing info. I donlt know how the in-the-metal viewing is going to be done though. They did tell me Peter is due for a visit to Singapore in September or October so let's see if this AD will send an invite (I did leave...

from the treatment you received...

By: G99 : July 28th, 2009-03:15

from the treatment you received i would have assumed you were in UK :) i think the positive reaction you got from the PSM staff speaks volumes about the service they will give you. if they are coming to Singapore you can bet they have a 38 and 42mm on the...

2010? Is there a back order? [nt]

By: ArthurSG : July 28th, 2009-05:38

No message body

i assumed he makes them...

By: G99 : July 28th, 2009-06:43

i assumed he makes them to order so i calculated meeting him, ordering one and getting delivery. if he has stock then it could be a lot quicker. best graham

Sorry to Hear About Your Experience

By: NJ_Mark : July 27th, 2009-09:19

The other posters have given some excellent advice so I will not chime in other than to say I am an owner of one of these watches and am extremely pleased. I had the good fortune to take some pictures of the 38mm and 42mm side by side so, if it helps, her...

Thanks for your pics. Nice Serpent Cal your have there

By: ArthurSG : July 27th, 2009-20:01

It is precisely because of the lug treatment that I think it is best that I see it on my wrist before I proceed further with this exploration. I've a feeling the lugs will overhang the edges of my wrist, something which I am not comfortable with. Thank yo...

Here's a Wrist Shot for You

By: NJ_Mark : July 28th, 2009-05:27

For reference, my wrist is about 6.75"...

As Graham said....

By: Andy : July 27th, 2009-13:16

this guy is very down to earth and a great dinner guest...and i would suggest contacting him direct. There is nothing better than trying the sizes on and i spent most of the London GTG with Peters watches on my wrist while he wore mine..!! If size is a co...

No worries about associating the AD experience with the watchmaker

By: ArthurSG : July 27th, 2009-20:04

I know they are rather separate but it does unfortunately have an impact on the sales which inevitably impacts the watchmaker himself.

Chiming in...

By: pplater : July 27th, 2009-22:43

...just to underscore what others have already said: as unfortunate as the AD experience was, look beyond that and deal direct. The "watchmaker" [does anyone mind if we get away from the niceties of using that phrase - we're talking Peter Speake-Marin and...

Yay!

By: dxboon : July 28th, 2009-02:08

Thanks for the picture of my favorite Speake-Marin! Gorgeous watch, Pplater! Daos