Phoenix

I have had a bad reaction to LCFC's success, in fact the missus has refused to watch the local news because I threw her mobile phone at the TV when they had won the title(breaking both), its hard because the BBC have been absolutely obsessed with showing this **** at every opportunity, nothing about the tax fiddling though.

Same here, but I do Frozen and chilled first, then fruit and veg, then packets and tins. Anything that might leak/stink gets bagged separately.
I also let some one with a couple of items go ahead of me, especially if she's got high heels and big tits.

Same here, but I do Frozen and chilled first, then fruit and veg, then packets and tins. Anything that might leak/stink gets bagged separately.
I also let some one with a couple of items go ahead of me, especially if she's got high heels and big tits.

People who have obviously never been shopping before, who act with complete surprise when the checkout worker asks them to insert their card, wasting valuable seconds while they root around in their handbag for a purse, then shuffle through 10 cards to find the correct one.
 
No, we don't accept Blockbuster video cards, madam, seeing as they went bust a decade ago.
Neither do we accept Tesco club card vouchers either, seeing as you're in Sainsbury's, you tight fisted ****.
I'd honestly allow each hand held laser scanner to be loaded with a round of live ammunition, to be fired into the forehead of the 1st ******** each day to feign suprise at being asked to pay for their goods, for the good of society as a whole.

Self-adhesive stickers on fruit. I don't care if a banana is freetrade or comes from Timbukto.
Self-adhesive stickers on potatoes. There cannot be a more unnecessary job in life than sticking labels on potatoes.
Oh, and 'Car wash,sir?' and 'Big issue?'

Well, it's arrived. Absolute gem, and it's running! The packaging was fantastic so no damage in transit. Fabulous.

Well, I bit the bullet and bought it. Managed to get about 15% knocked off. It helped that I've bought from him before and have met him in person.
Had to use a bit of subterfuge to get it delivered to a mate's house so the missus doesn't know I've got it for her yet.

Well, I bit the bullet and bought it. Managed to get about 15% knocked off. It helped that I've bought from him before and have met him in person.
Had to use a bit of subterfuge to get it delivered to a mate's house so the missus doesn't know I've got it for her yet.

I've met the seller last year and bought two watches from him. He had several display boxes of watches. The condition of them is absolutly stunning.The pictures he takes are extremely high resolution and shows the movements in fantastic detail. He only deals in top brands, Longines, Omega, Zenith, Rolex, etc., and only from the Golden Age of Swiss watchmanship, and in as near new condition as possible. He has 'scouts' nosing round all the big auctions looking for watches in the best condition. 
This is how his stock is treated.
Overall this watch is in beautiful mint condition and looks as if it has rarely been worn, it would certainly make a perfect gift.
The watch has just been fully serviced by the respected vintage watch specialist Alan Williams FBHI and is guaranteed to be a genuine Jaeger-LeCoultre in all respects. This watch has been fully and professionally overhauled, the process is highly detailed and meticulous.
The watch is stripped down to its component parts and each part is examined under a microscope for signs of wear, any worn parts are replaced with genuine manufacturers original parts. every part is then thoroughly cleaned in a 3 stage ultrasonic cleaning process.
The movement is then fully assembled using manufacturer approved oils and lubricants and is carried out in a clean room environment. The watch movement is then checked and adjusted for accurate time keeping. The cases are polished and the watch sealed.
Obviously this is not a cheap or quick process which is why our watches are sometimes a little more expensive than others but you can be assured our watches will give reliable and dependable service and will not require any further attention for many years.
  No BS from this chap. Mind you, it's not cheap.
"It has a solid 18ct gold case and stunning design integral bracelet with a diamond attached to every link, very elegant.  There are 16 diamonds in all which are very bright as your would expect from Jaeger-LeCoultre  and the total carat weight is approx 1ct.
The most unusual aspect of this watch is that it is has a backwind instead of a crown, this is an extremely rare attribute and was specifically designed to enhance the overall look of the watch and also to stop the crown from catching in delicate items of clothing.
This watch has been fully restored, a new glass fitted and it has been professionally cleaned and polished so it is in pristine condition. It looks as though it has been used only for special occasions.
As you would expect from Jaeger-LeCoultre the watch is fully marked on the dial and the bracelet and case is fully marked with both British and Swiss hallmarks for 18ct.
It comes complete with a new presentation box to keep your watch in perfect condition.
Jaeger-LeCoultre are one of the most exclusive makers in the world and this watch certainly has that understated elegance which resonates class.
It fits a maximum wrist size of 6.75" but this can easily be reduced by any competent jeweller. The case measures 14mm in diameter."

I've met the seller last year and bought two watches from him. He had several display boxes of watches. The condition of them is absolutly stunning.The pictures he takes are extremely high resolution and shows the movements in fantastic detail. He only deals in top brands, Longines, Omega, Zenith, Rolex, etc., and only from the Golden Age of Swiss watchmanship, and in as near new condition as possible. He has 'scouts' nosing round all the big auctions looking for watches in the best condition. 
This is how his stock is treated.
Overall this watch is in beautiful mint condition and looks as if it has rarely been worn, it would certainly make a perfect gift.
The watch has just been fully serviced by the respected vintage watch specialist Alan Williams FBHI and is guaranteed to be a genuine Jaeger-LeCoultre in all respects. This watch has been fully and professionally overhauled, the process is highly detailed and meticulous.
The watch is stripped down to its component parts and each part is examined under a microscope for signs of wear, any worn parts are replaced with genuine manufacturers original parts. every part is then thoroughly cleaned in a 3 stage ultrasonic cleaning process.
The movement is then fully assembled using manufacturer approved oils and lubricants and is carried out in a clean room environment. The watch movement is then checked and adjusted for accurate time keeping. The cases are polished and the watch sealed.
Obviously this is not a cheap or quick process which is why our watches are sometimes a little more expensive than others but you can be assured our watches will give reliable and dependable service and will not require any further attention for many years.
  No BS from this chap. Mind you, it's not cheap.
"It has a solid 18ct gold case and stunning design integral bracelet with a diamond attached to every link, very elegant.  There are 16 diamonds in all which are very bright as your would expect from Jaeger-LeCoultre  and the total carat weight is approx 1ct.
The most unusual aspect of this watch is that it is has a backwind instead of a crown, this is an extremely rare attribute and was specifically designed to enhance the overall look of the watch and also to stop the crown from catching in delicate items of clothing.
This watch has been fully restored, a new glass fitted and it has been professionally cleaned and polished so it is in pristine condition. It looks as though it has been used only for special occasions.
As you would expect from Jaeger-LeCoultre the watch is fully marked on the dial and the bracelet and case is fully marked with both British and Swiss hallmarks for 18ct.
It comes complete with a new presentation box to keep your watch in perfect condition.
Jaeger-LeCoultre are one of the most exclusive makers in the world and this watch certainly has that understated elegance which resonates class.
It fits a maximum wrist size of 6.75" but this can easily be reduced by any competent jeweller. The case measures 14mm in diameter."

How would you rate Jaeger leCoultre ladies watches, say, 1960's? It's difficult to find meaningful information with ladies watches.
With men's, they tell you the model, the calibre, the number of jewels, the complications, the texture of the dial etc, but with ladies, it's always, 'a pretty strap, a heart haped case, a lovely bracelet, x carats of diamonds', nothing about the watch.
I 've seen 1 or 2 nice ones, and I'm thinking of digging deep as we've got a significant anniversary coming up.

As you're interested in this stuff Cisse, here are some incredibly detailed pictures of my watch when I had it serviced last May. I just hope the link works. Ignore the first 4 pictures, they are of one I had my fingers burnt buying blind on eBay. Long story documented much earlier on this thread.
http://watchguy.co.uk/cgi-bin/library?action=show_photos&wat_id=1343
If you click on the individual pictures, they enlarge in a new window. Click again and they enlarge further
The serial number dates it to about 1968, just about the tail end of the 'golden age' of Swiss watch making.

At least someone noticed!

There are some brands that have a lot of buyers in that category, status symbol wearers. For example Rolex Submariner. Even people that don't know much about watches do recognise it. So if you want to get compliments it is a safe bet. It is a great and legendary watch but there are a lot of people that want to wear it just to show off.
What I like about some of so called luxury brands is that most of the people won't recognise the brands at all. At least here in Finland. If I ever get enough money to buy a pre owned Breguet or Vacheron Constatin only people that might recognise it are the people in the industry and a handful of hardcore watch collectors. But they will know what kind of craftmanship has been put into them. And most importantly, I know.
I have been a watch fan since I was five or six years old so I tend to look at watches perhaps from a little bit different angle. But one thing I did consider when I started collect these watches was that if I ever need to get money that I don't want to show up in to my bank account for some reason I can sell some watches for cash anytime I need. So they are also a kind of investment for me too.

You can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends.
I'm pretty sure your friends don't invite you out of pity, and they wouldn't see you as a burden.
Have you ever thought that maybe they invite you because they love you and see you as part of the family?
You should take heart from their invites @Mostyn6, having people want to spend the day with you, rather than being obligated to, says it all really.
Merry Christmas! 

This resonates with me a bit. my problem was the boss was a manipulative bully, who was smiled on by the heirachy(?) at head office, some 200 miles away. He alo seemed to suffer from sort of paranoia that we were all plotting against him.
We all felt we couldn't complain to Head Office, as it would have got reported back to him by the prat of a secretary, whether it was a personal visit or a phone call.
I felt very vulnerable at the time, having re-married, struggling with a mortgage and 3 step-children, one with metal health issues, and 3 of my own. I was in my 50s. He was in his 20's, and it was the sort of thing he would play on.He made  my life, and everyone else in the office, a living hell. One girl did attempt to bring matters to a head and resigned, giving reasons. The department head came up from London and placated her (for a while) using the line that she was being over-sensitive on account of being Asian (implying that it was a discrimination issue). She retracted, but left a little later.
When the b@st@rd eventually left, we were all interviewed (by the Head Office lot) who were completely horrified as they got the same story over and over and over again. It just shows what power one person can hold.
This was over 20 years ago, and I'm not a vindictive person, but he is the one person I could cheerfully throttle, sing comic songs at his funeral,and dance a highland reel on his grave. The fact that he was also a Chelsea supporter should give me sufficient excuse.
Looking back, I should really have grasped the nettle and confronted the situation.
If any of you lot find yourselves in a similar situation, bite the bullet. Life's too short to put up with that cr@p.

...and rightly so.

...and rightly so.

THe C9 Harrison 5 day automatic looks an absolute beast, but it's chunky, 13.45 mm thick.
 
http://www.christopherward.co.uk/watches/dress/c9-5day-automatic/c9-cosc-5d-scs.html
 
The Frederique Constant slimline, by comparison is only 5 mm thick but not automatic, obviously.
 
https://www.premiumwatches.com/frederique-constant-classics-index-slim-line-fc-220nw4s5.html?c=2347
 
Lovely watch. Tried one on in an excellent jewellers in Nuneaton of all places. Fantastic range of stock, and some droolingly good pre-owned. The wife has got her eyes on a lovely old Rolex with stunning gold bracelet at an eye-watering

Water resistant to 10 ATM, 100 metres. Surely your body would implode at that depth.

Here's something to mull over on these darkening autumn nights
 
http://www.frederique-constant.com/collections/

No, but I got a 1965/6 Tissot, solid 9ct gold,  hand wound, which apparently has an Omega movement, just like new, original box, today.
 
I went to the guy's house who buys and sells these. It's like Aladins cave, some fantastic watches, especially ladies. He only deals in vintage stuff, has to be top brands, in excellent nick, and authentic. Won't buy from individuals unless they can provide full credentials.
 
His knowledge of watches is unbelievable. Did you know there are about 400 versions of the Omega Seamaster? He's just picked one up at auction which is so rare, they don't even have it in the Omega museum. They have just authenticated it as 1 of only 20, made in 1949, made in 18 ct rolled gold, none of which has ever been sold at auction to anyone's knowledge.
 
He also has an Omega Speedmaster, which he was wearing, pre the more commercially produced 'Professional' series. Serious stuff.
 
Here's a ladies Rolex watch which had. it was sold but not yet collected, but allowed my wife to try it on. The picture does not do it anywhere near justice. Just jaw-droppingly fabulous. Makes the 9ct gold Zenith which I also bought for my wife look ordinary.

"http://www.foweyriver.com/userimages/zenith%20ladies/1" alt="1">
 
Dream on.

As our resident horologist, Cisse, how do you rate a gents 1960's Rotary automatic, pristine, nay, mint condition, 9ct gold case, crocodile leather strap, reputable dealer.
 
Are they collectable, and what's it worth?

Ay up, Cisse, how about one of these. Hope you can open the link.
 
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/richard-hoptroff-and-his-incredible-luxury-smarsausageches---designed-in-london-144007970.html#n4ateUa
 
"The No. 10 is powered by a caesium atomic clock that is accurate to 1.5 seconds every thousand years - making it 5000 times more accurate than any other watch in the world."
 
I think you could live with that.

Ay up, Cisse, how about one of these. Hope you can open the link.
 
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/richard-hoptroff-and-his-incredible-luxury-smarsausageches---designed-in-london-144007970.html#n4ateUa
 
"The No. 10 is powered by a caesium atomic clock that is accurate to 1.5 seconds every thousand years - making it 5000 times more accurate than any other watch in the world."
 
I think you could live with that.