Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

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Morethan1
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Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by Morethan1 » Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:01 am

Yao bought the copyright to the brand. Here's the pre-order bla bla

Tornek-Rayville TR-660 Pre-order

Thank you for your interest in Tornek-Rayville. I would like to give you an update on the project and give you advance notice of the details of the upcoming pre-order.

Status: The watches are expected to be delivered in the next few weeks. After we receive them we will be QC'ing the pieces in preparation for fulfillment of the Plankowner customer orders. Plankowner customers are currently making their final selections.

Pre-order Offer: We will be accepting deposits for pre-orders of the TR-660. Your pre-orders will being to ship after we complete the fulfillment of the Plankowner orders. The following are the details for your review:

Slots available: 175 (This is not a limited edition. We are limiting the size of the pre-order for administrative reasons.)
Deposit amount: $450 (For this amount you will lock in a price of $895 plus S&H. Expected regular MSRP will be $949 plus S&H.)
Final Order placement: You will be notified via email to make your final selection (bezel and strap options) later this year. At that point in time the balance of your payment ($445.00 + S&H or $475.00 +S&H, depending on strap selected) will be due and you will submit your delivery address.
Versions: There is an acrylic insert version and an aluminum insert version. Both are non-date.
Lead time: Shipments for this pre-order stage are anticipated to begin in Dec. 2021 or Q1 2022. Given this estimate we can not guarantee delivery in time for the winter holidays. Please note that this is a rough estimate and may change based on the QC of the received watches.
Cancellations: Please note that unlike in the past there will be a $35 cancellation fee. The reason for this is that neither of our payment processors refunds fees for refunded payments anymore.
Ordering Details:

If the Plankowner stage was any indication demand may be strong. We recommend that you take the opporutnity today to set up your account on the new site and contact us if you have any problems setting up the account. Setting up your account early should give you an edge during the checkout phase.

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Original for reference
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Specs
Dimensions
Case Width 40.00 mm (not including crown)
Case Thickness 14.70 mm
Case Length 48.50 mm end to end
Lug Width 20.00 mm
Weight 84 grams
Crystal Double domed sapphire crystal, with anti-reflective coating on interior surface only
Luminous Arclite Super LumiNova (green emission)
Movement Made in Japan SII NE15 (Rotor features Côtes de Genève), quickset date, hack setting, automatic with manual winding capability. Movement origin: Made in Japan
Water Resistance 20 ATMs (200 meters)
Case Finish Bead-blasted 316L stainless steel
Other • Country of Origin: Made in Japan
• Drilled through lugs
• Double gasket screw-down crown
• Timed in 3 positions

I love the original. I have considered this watch, maybe for 2 seconds, then remembered it's coming from this guy.

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rockmastermike
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by rockmastermike » Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:20 am

I like the watch. I’d think about trying one from the pre-owned market but don’t think I’ll support his business model.

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raf42
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by raf42 » Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:24 am

"Your pre-orders will being to ship after we complete the fulfillment of the Plankowner orders"

I guess the QC on the email was not up to snuff. Plank this.

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by hoppyjr » Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:27 am

Image


41mm diameter
14mm thick
20mm lugs (drilled holes)
Seiko NH35 movement
Domed sapphire crystal AR coating
Lumed bezel
Titanium case
61 grams
X1 Superluminova
30 ATM water resistance

$289 and ships when you order


* No-date version likely later this year, so it’ll be attainable before Yao spends your deposit

* Maratac is less than 1/3 the price of Yao

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demer03
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by demer03 » Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:13 am

I do like the watch.
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TSD
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by TSD » Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:08 am

Ugh, I like it, too. But it’s lighting $500 and watching it burn.

Edit: Are SII NE15s as hit or miss as the 6r15? I assume no improvements from the 6r35s trickled down yet.

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by HapaHapa » Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:22 am

Why bother? Aren’t there a half dozen other brands that make an equivalent that will ship within a few days?

Oh, sorry. The other brands don’t have the hands on dedication or craftsmanship.
The Hapa

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by Jeep99dad » Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:20 am

Looks nice and a brand I’d not heard of in some time. Not willing to risk it though, $900 not cheap enough to chance it for me
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jswing
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by jswing » Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:45 am

I do love the original. I had his Kingston way back when, and got it without a bunch of BS. Felt weird wearing a knock off though, so I sold it pretty quick. How does he get away with putting Tornek Rayville on the dial? Did he buy the name or something?

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by hoppyjr » Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:22 am

jswing wrote:I do love the original. I had his Kingston way back when, and got it without a bunch of BS. Felt weird wearing a knock off though, so I sold it pretty quick. How does he get away with putting Tornek Rayville on the dial? Did he buy the name or something?
He did buy the name.

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by gr8sw » Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:50 am

lots of loaded hipsters just don't seem to mind waiting 5 years... it's all part of the 'experience' :lol: :popcorn:
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by sierra11b » Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:52 am

So if these ship on time does it prove all those shots of him QCing batches of hands for the 300 and Kingston were complete bull shit, or that he no longer cares about QC? Which one is it?

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by hoppyjr » Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:56 am

sierra11b wrote:So if these ship on time does it prove all those shots of him QCing batches of hands for the 300 and Kingston were complete bull shit, or that he no longer cares about QC? Which one is it?
He won’t ship on time. My money is on many delays, all in the name of inferior components or his meticulous “attention to detail”.

The initial preorder was opened and deposits taken in February 2020, so it seems likely he needs this current batch of preorders to pay for the parts needed to fulfill the “plank” people.

I just don’t trust him or his strange business model.

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by jswing » Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:57 am

hoppyjr wrote:
Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:22 am
jswing wrote:I do love the original. I had his Kingston way back when, and got it without a bunch of BS. Felt weird wearing a knock off though, so I sold it pretty quick. How does he get away with putting Tornek Rayville on the dial? Did he buy the name or something?
He did buy the name.
Interesting. Well, it's based on a very cool Blancpain.

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by gr8sw » Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:01 am

sierra11b wrote:
Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:52 am
So if these ship on time does it prove all those shots of him QCing batches of hands for the 300 and Kingston were complete bull shit, or that he no longer cares about QC? Which one is it?
he has never shipped anything 'on time' as originally promised... ever... if he sneezes, you get delays :nutkick:
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by Chocodove » Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:31 am

Really like the watch, but I’ll never buy direct from him.
- Todd

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by Steve O. » Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:53 am

Nice looking watch, but too much BS to wade through. Like Mike, I'd consider one from the pr-owned market.
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by Ryeguy » Tue Jul 20, 2021 1:29 pm

I'll second (or third or forth) the sentiment of buying on the secondary market.

For $900, I think the Synchron Military is a better value.

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by deepcdvr » Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:00 pm

You save $54 by sending him the Ponzi scheme money..

If the watch eventually ships and since this is not a limited edition, i suspect you can pick up a lightly used example and save more than 50 bucks - and avoid all the drama...
VR/
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by gwells » Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:04 pm

but if you don't get the drama, you're not in "the club."

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deepcdvr
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by deepcdvr » Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:13 pm

gwells wrote:
Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:04 pm
but if you don't get the drama, you're not in "the club."
My club is reserved for MK :smack:
VR/
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by Selym » Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:45 pm

"Plank owner" "deposit" "QC" blah blah blah.

Same old shit, different watch.

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by BacoNoir » Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:42 pm

I wouldn’t give Yao the sweat off my balls if he was dying of thirst in the desert.
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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by Morethan1 » Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:20 am

and now, he's getting media coverage from all the usual blogs. fun stuff

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Re: Mr. Yao Crackpot's new release - Tornek Rayville

Post by mattjmcd » Wed Jul 21, 2021 4:11 pm

HapaHapa wrote:
Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:22 am
Why bother? Aren’t there a half dozen other brands that make an equivalent that will ship within a few days?

Oh, sorry. The other brands don’t have the hands on dedication or craftsmanship.
Hahahahaha! Nailed it.

I like the looks but was bummed to hear that Yao is behind it. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but the tales of woe are just waaaaaaay too numerous surrounding his MkII stuff.

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