Watchlords

Lads and lasses, welcome back! Welcome to this watchdog/comedy series, where common sense and research matter most, and where the sleazy don't have it easy. It's been a while - overworking, lockdowns, cherchez la femme, and other impediments in the way of delivering you yet another instalment. However, I'm pleased to say that I'm back. "The game's afoot! Follow your spirit, and upon this charge..." This is your Bring a Brain!



First of all, Bring a Loupe - the Hodinkee column that gave this series its name - seems to be gone, and has been since last September. I don't pretend to know why. If I was to guess, it's because it was horrible anyway.



Not so long ago, I've seen scores of job offers at Hodinkee, mostly at their shop. It would appear that they've been reconstructing the entire staff. Anyway, for a while now, it seems like they're mostly into fleecing, because whoever takes care of verifying the watches is more careful than the lot who gave me so many reasons for writing these threads. Let me start the fest with everyone's all-time favourite, the Hodinkee Shop...



Certina Town and Country:

https://shop.hodinkee.com/collections/v ... 3087335499

In case you haven't noticed yet, our asinine friends have stopped showing the movement pics once again. Anyway, this run-of-the-mill gold-capped piece isn't exactly something you'd want to spend too much hard-earned money on. Well, that's unless you're a trustafarian spoiled child and haven't earned it at all.



Omega Geneve:

​https://shop.hodinkee.com/collections/ ... 7427409995

Imagine the sort of watch that's a dull easy-reader. In fact, it seems so "old and with bad eyesight," that everything about it has the scent of presence of a dozen cats, complete with a strong note of mothballs.

Well, you don't have to imagine that - Hodinkee has you covered. I need not tell you that the price buys some seriously better stuff - say, "C" Constellations - elsewhere. Oh, and no less, unlike Hodinkee, with movement and case back photos.



Racine "Really Bad Dial And It's Not Bloody Borgel":

​https://shop.hodinkee.com/collections/ ... 8161741899

The first thing that stands out is the dial quality. In all the 1940s Racines that I saw, that's got to be the worst. The font doesn't seem to match, the numerals and minute track are well below what you'd expect of any Gallet/Racine of that period. I'd say this emits the rather unpleasant aroma of some fish of "second freshness..."

And NO, it's not a BORGEL case. Taubert - yes. The thing is that Francois Borgel himself had nothing to do with these cases. This design was introduced well after his death. Unless he jumped out of his grave just to design it, no, it's not a Francois Borgel case.

A tiny watch with a fishy dial for a ridiculous price.



Certina Grift-o-naut:

https://shop.hodinkee.com/collections/v ... 3649221707

Sure, a watch in nice shape. However, similar Argonauts and Club 2000 were entry-level pieces, and even with all the original bits and bobs they're maybe in the $200 ballpark. On a good day.



Yeah, this gives me nausea.



Let's move on to another venue, which just recently earned a spot here. Omega Enthusiast is a Canadian dealer, crediting himself "The Most Knowledgeable Vintage Omega Dealer." Oh my, the modesty... This thread of mine:

​https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/not- ... l.5316697/
...thoroughly documents the guy's conduct upon being called out. First he was soooo sure that I won't come up with evidence. When I did come up with incriminating evidence alright, he...just blocked me. What is more, he has blocked everyone who agreed with me and has commented on his posts with the Seamaster outfitted with a phony black dial.



Enter his most spectacular Geneve rip-offs:

​https://www.omegaenthusiastltd.com/pro ... ve-watch-6

I've yet to see another one so audacious as to call a dirt common gold-plated case a "two-tone."



What do you know, another one!

https://www.omegaenthusiastltd.com/prod ... ve-watch-6



In case you want some more laughs...

https://www.omegaenthusiastltd.com/prod ... ve-watch-5



Anyway, OE lands on BaB's Little List.



Let's move on... Wannabuysometrash?



Rolex DateRust:

https://wannabuyawatch.com/product/role ... a-1981/​​​



Rolex Weed-King redial:

​https://wannabuyawatch.com/product/role ... rca-1980s/

Yeah, according to them, the way to call a redial is "custom-printed..."



Oh no, Rolex and "custom painted" Peanuts...

​https://wannabuyawatch.com/product/rol ... irca-1963/

This is nuts, not Peanuts...



Exactly what has this Wyler got to do with Paul Newman?

https://wannabuyawatch.com/product/wyle ... rca-1960s/

Anyway, this watch should be called the Dumb-O-Star, in honour of the idiot who'll pay that price.



Mido in disguise:

https://wannabuyawatch.com/product/aber ... rca-1940s/

The dial looks like someone has puked on it. There's no putting it mildly.



"Bad Redial We're Proud Of":

​https://wannabuyawatch.com/product/rol ... a-1940s-2/

Restored - yes, no argument there. "Beautifully." Hmmm, how about no, I don't like potato print of the wrong font?



OK, that's all for now. Gotta save my nerves from too much strain. Hope you've enjoyed this comeback, and as always - Bring a Brain will return when necessary!

Sales site links not working for me. But I don't know how to use the internets.

Indeed. All links "Not Found".

And he's the most Millenial out of all of us. Boomers to the rescue!!!

Should be working now. Not sure what the fuck was the reason, technologically I'm just above the average Amish.

Should the links still not work for you, here's the original thread on WUS:
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/brin ... x.5319677/