Kingston Sales

[cpotters]

I suppose its a nice watch - I haven't worn mine so I can't say for sure. I just know I'm not cut out for the pre-order process.

Really? You really haven't worn it? Ever? Wow, you have more will power than I have patience.

You clearly, and understandably, must be so frustrated with the project and all the delays that you don't even want to look at it, and are probably just trying to finally decide if you should just sell it and be done with the whole thing, and don't want to screw it up in that event by wearing it when right now it's MNIB.

Here's what I propose: leave everything in the case except the watch. CAREFULLY take it off its bracelet, then just throw it on a plain leather strap (nothing fancy, but black leather works well). Gently peel off the plastic protecting the crystal (and save it to be re-applied shortly) and then - simply - wear it. Just wear it gently around the house over the weekend. No scratches, no dings, no yardwork. Nothing. Just put it on your wrist (because you've certainly earned the right to do that in my book) and road test it.

If - by Sunday night - you're still ambivalent about keeping it, take off the leather strap, replace the plastic film on the crystal, reinstall the bracelet (carefully), put everything back in the box, then list it on the Sales Forum on Monday. One thing about the Kingston, regardless of people's buying experience: it is a watch that folks have gotten very passionate about, and once you wear it you will - simply - either love it or you won't.

I'd be curious if you follow through with this suggestion, and what your final analysis is. There are no right or wrong decisions here, just a question of choice. If you lived close enough to me I'd lend you mine for the weekend to accomplish the same thing. Hope it all works out. If nothing else, if I ever need help sticking to my diet, I may be messaging you for will power tips.

[Saxon007]

There was no will power involved, I just lost interest in it. I've picked up a few Tudor subs (and flipped one) since I ordered the Kingston, they pretty much scratch that itch.

[cpotters]

There was no will power involved, I just lost interest in it. I've picked up a few Tudor subs (and flipped one) since I ordered the Kingston, they pretty much scratch that itch.

I get the itch and scratch thing. I insist there's still willpower there, though: if I got a new backscratcher sitting on my table, I gotta give it a try. I can't resist.

[Dent99]

I understand that people who have been soured by the delays. I understand people who are tempted to make more than they paid. But I don't think these people ever really wanted to own a Kingston in the first place. Or certainly not for the long haul.

Which only leaves one reason for all the selling we've been seeing: classic serial flipper behaviour. I think that is the real nail on the head, even if I do say so myself. Flippers flip watches. If they can make some money while doing it what's going to stop them?

The Kingston for all its forum input, classic design, painstaking assembly and fantastic quality will only ever have been a flavour of the month for a great many. 3 years ago it was the greatest, latest thing from Bill Yao but a lot of other products can tease the fickle attentions of those who think nothing of flipping any watch at a moments notice. The Kingston is no different to ANY other watch - it always was and always will be an item for whom a passing fancy is too hard to resist. So when the proverbial hit the fan and the delivery dates went over 2+ years, those people who were never committed to owning this watch will shuffle it on and happily pocket the extra change. Sure maybe some were dissapointed with the product, and fair enough if that is the case, but I would imagine those cases are very few and far between.

That's a bit unfair. I really did want to own a Kingston when I put my deposit down on March 2, 2009 with an anticipated Q1 2010 delivery. When I finally got the Kingston in Dec 2011 I learned that I would have to wait another 60 days to get my parts kit - I was so frustrated I could've kicked a puppy. After a couple of inquiring emails the parts kit arrived last Monday - exactly 4 days before the 3 year anniversary of my initial order.

I suppose its a nice watch - I haven't worn mine so I can't say for sure. I just know I'm not cut out for the pre-order process.

There was no will power involved, I just lost interest in it. I've picked up a few Tudor subs (and flipped one) since I ordered the Kingston, they pretty much scratch that itch.

You can call me unfair, but given everything you just wrote, you're fitting my reasoning almost perfectly:

- You ordered a watch a couple of years ago when you really wanted it
- You got soured by delays (which don't change the attributes of the product and therefore should not make you want the product any less)
- You 'suppose' its a nice watch (can't even be bothered to decide if you like it - sounds like you did really want it!)
- You've lost interest when you've barely had it two minutes
- A couple of other watches (one of which has been flipped) has 'scratched an itch' for which the Kingston was intended

As I said, sounds like you really wanted this one.

[HomeMadeLookingBoutiqueSh]

I'm just here to tell everyone who doesn't like my watch what their problem is: hostility, delusions of grandeur, & possibly hallucinations. Also Freudian issues.

Psychoanalyzed!

[OmegaCosmicMan]

Arthur said,

I truly hope you fall in love with the Kingston when it arrives. I think that it is a really unique, quality watch at a very good price point. If not, it's nice to know that you can sell it easily, for a profit and make some other person happy.

Thats how I now have L34-163/300. (I'm happy)

cpotters said,

One thing about the Kingston, regardless of people's buying experience: it is a watch that folks have gotten very passionate about, and once you wear it you will - simply - either love it or you won't.

Trying to find the words to describe how the gilt dial interplays with light - it's extraordinarily remarkable!

Dent99 said,

To get this level or workmanship for $700/£450 and to get a modern amazing quality homage of one of the best Rolex Submariner's ever was a deal I could never pass up. This watch, because of what it is, and what it homages, and who made it for me, is a watch I can't ever see myself letting go of, especially when the only other alternative is a £30k original. Then again maybe I am just weird and only buy watches I actually want to keep/own? It often feels that way!

It's comforting to know I'm not the only one!

The photography around here has been so good lately, that I'm somewhat reluctant to post my efforts, but pictures will come... (but as good as the pictures have been, they haven't captured that magical interplay between the gilt dial and the light - you just have to wear it and appreciate it in person.)

For sunster and Saxon007, I really hope that you like your Kingstons.

I really like my new watch - I can't see myself letting this one go.

-Best to all.

[Arthur]

Man those are some pretty powerful backscratchers!! Beautiful watches.

[sunster]

Goodness gracious me....there's so much psycho-analysis going on here one could almost write a psychology thesis on it....what motivates people to pre-order a watch....what are the expectations at time of order....what happens when there are delays.....what parts of a transaction lead to satisfaction etc etc...all these questions and answers are multifactorial and we could stay here and argue our individual answers ins and outs for each. Likewise there are reasons we still partake in the forum which hopefully is because of our interest in watches.
For my own experience I'll use an analogy (not real)
There was a movie star I really really fancied as a teenager..then when I grew up there was the opportunity for me to go out with another girl who look exactly liked this movie star. Of course I loved the look of this girl, and made enquiries as to how I could get to know her better. I then made the step to give her my number knowing it might take a little while for her to get back to me. However I waited ...and waited... recieved a few excuses for the delay from her friends....got frustrated and moved on.....then I decided to get on with it and date other girls eventually developing a relationship with one. Then a few years down the line I get a random call from this girl again saying she wants to meet up at last....
Of course a bit out of context however every man may react in different ways...they may decide to meet this girl and see how it goes after all one lusted for her a few years ago....one may meet but knows the feeling is gone being in a relationship with another, or one may be digusted and turned off altogether.

Well I'm meeting up with this woman this afternoon (my Kingston)...so It'll be interesting to see if the feeling is rekindled

[White Tuna]

Mine should be here today. :)

[Arthur]

Sorry If you thought I was out of place with my post.I wasn't trying to start a debate. Pretty much the point I was trying to make was the frustration level a fair number of folks felt, in my opinion made them dislike the watch to the point that they didn't want it. Possibly just wearing it brought back all the bad feelings they had during the wait, who knows. Everyone is wired a little differently.

I guess the gist of the whole thing and the reason I started this thread initially was/is the inordinately high number of Kingstons that have come up for sale on WUS and other forums. It just seemed to me that here is a watch that generated such excitement, and was so desirable, yet when it arrived it went out the door almost as fast as it went in. From a strictly marketing standpoint, It's useful for MKII to have an idea as to why this happened, if only to keep the customers happy. The probability is that the folks who soured on the Kingston won't get back into another project watch.Every business owner would like to keep his customers happy, they will come back as well as sell the business to others. I feel like Bill wants happy watch buyers, and I'm sure he has some concerns as to why so many have been flipped.