I mentioned in another thread that I picked up a NOS 16610LV. It arrived and I snapped some (terrible) pictures.
I just happened to be doing my periodic checking of the various used/vintage dealer websites (HQ Milton, Iconic, ten past 10, etc) and decided to check out Crown and Caliber. I tend to stay away from these anonymous big time pro sellers since they often overprice shit quality watches. I'd say Crown and Caliber fits that description pretty well with one exception - I've seen a few NOS Rolex watches (circa 2000-2009) at "that can't be right" prices. I narrowly missed a full set NOS Explorer 1 for around $3750 for instance.
In any case, I saw this LV at such a price and decided to take a chance. I bought it on my credit card (no extra $$ for using the CC which is nice) to protect myself. The watch showed up, and it is indeed NOS (no case back sticker but all others in place) with a full box and papers (sans the instructions which I might hit them up for). The papers were even un-named which is always a nice surprise.
The watch arrived in this box:
I was pretty surprised to see the Rolex box inside with just some simple paper to cushion the blows. I dumped out the box, ready to be pissed off and found:
However there was a second box inside:
Inside that was the most securely packaged watch I've ever received (and I've bought from almost all the forum sellers)
The watch head was fitted with a red anti-tampering sticker (I assume to thwart movement swaps) and the whole thing was nicely wrapped in thick plastic
The Crown and Caliber packaging absolutely shames everything I've ever seen before. Kudos to them.
Now the watch
That's my toilet. Here's a wrist shot
Yes my wrist is tiny.
It's a Z serial without the rehaut engraving (which I still don't care for). No, it's not a Mark 1 flat 4, but it does have the (IMO at least) nicer (not baby shit) green insert and it's unpolished (which it seems I can't let go of).
We get the periodic "is this Rolex unpolished" questions, so here are a few for reference. Clasp:
Chamfer:
Crown guards:
All-in-all, I paid somewhere between $2,000 and $6,000+ less than the forum dealers charge for an identical watch, and it came with a one year warranty. I could flip it for a profit, but I won't. I'm going to wear it and give it to my daughter when I'm too old to care about watches. I haven't pulled off the stickers yet, but I will soon.
I would definitely buy from Crown and Caliber again, and I would strongly suggest people add their site to their watch dealer checking out rotation. You will almost never find anything great, but when you do - it could be the steal of the decade.
Thanks for reading. Now I just need to find one of those knock off glidelock clasps to complete the package!
