My First Grail Watch: Jeff Hess
Welcome back to an original watches-dealer feature, "My First Grail Watch". ?In this series, we ask prominent people in the watch industry about the first timepiece that they lusted after.watches-dealer (ABTW): Who are you and what is your relationship to the watch industry?Jeff Hess (JH): I am CEO of BALL WATCH USA and owner of two Luxury watch stores, Old Northeast Jewelers and owner of a large vintage watch and decorative arts business, Hess Fine Art.ABTW: What was your first grail watch?JH: First grail watch would be a Vintage Split second Patek ChronographFirst modern grail watch would have been an 18k gold Cartier Pasha Chronograph.ABTW: Was there ever a time in your life when you could afford it?JH: Stumbled on a Patek Split in a little jewelry store in Lousiville Kentucky in 1990. Kept it for five years before selling it at Sotheby's.Was able to afford the HUGE (for the day) 38 mm Pasha after saving some money in the early 90's.ABTW:. What did you like so much about the watch?J

15202 preowned price premium
How much do you think the premium for a late series 15202 be over the prior iteration?How does the new clasp and AP logo at 6 o'clock impact resale value?I'm being offered a mint older version, full set and recently serviced and would like to know your opinion.

Should I or should I not.....
someone offered me AP Ruben 2 Ti... This watch is one of my most favorite in term of design. But I am considering on the fact that this watch has been in the market for a while and that should i consider newer watch or take a chance with this RB2....

Omega or Breitling...
Hello all, need a bit of input. I'm looking at the Omega GMT Chrono 3581.30.00 w/ white dial, and trying to choose between that and the Breitling Chronomat Evolution747 Windrider white dial. Both can be seen on Alan Furman's site.I know, buy the one that sings to you. Well, they both sing to me. What are your opinions, which would you choose and why? Thanks in advance. Larry.

some frustration with buying new rolexes
so i'm starting to get a little frustrated with rolex as it seems all of the new watches i want to buy i can't actually buy. at least at the retail price. namely, the new daytona (white or black) and the ss pepsi gmt that is coming out. it seems you have to have a relationship with a rolex dealer to get on their preferred waiting list for one of these hot watches. last week i called around a few rolex dealers locally here in los angeles and even out of town to see if i could get on a waiting list for the new ss pepsi. universally they indicated they were giving preferential treatment to their established customers. so basically i have to buy a watch i don't actually want from them to be able to get a watch that i do want? the irony is i own 4 rolexes and a tudor. it's just most of those are vintage and the one more modern one was a gift.i just wanted to vent a little. i imagine there are probably others out there who are experiencing the same frustrations i am.