KIngston quick and dirties!!! Update...........

[Daddelvirks]

Finally, it´s here, and first impressions are good.
A magnifier and comparison with other pieces didn´t disappoint.
Still have to unpack, adjust the bracelet etc.
But I´m still testing and wearing the Ebel after it´s service.
Better pics and an update to follow.

And a big thanks to Dave with whom I did the longest deal in the world, he still had to forward all new info and keep me up to date for as long as the wach was sent off.

I've sized the watch and fondled with it for quite some time.
My only conclusion is.........disappointment. The watch has a cheapish light feeling about it, a bit tinny, the bezel action is not that of a quality piece, (compared it to my MM300 and U1 White), certainly not precise.
That big crown is a disaster, I can't get the crown out smoothly to stop the time, that takes a lot of effort and trying to get it in the right position. Also the fact that you can see an opening and the O-ring when it is screwed tight doesn't give you a quality impression.
The fact that you get a spare watch (without the movement and back), spare bracelet and several springbars, makes that the kit is just worth the money.
This isn't the bargain watch that defeats all competitors that are priced much higher, in fact without all the extra stuff I'd feel a bit sad.
If I now had the choice between a brand new Sinn 656 and this kit, the choice would be clear.
So, this is going to be my real beater, do with it what 007 did, there's a spare watch after all.

Or somebody would want to relieve me of it for an absurd amount of money.......... :D

Daddel.

[simonrah]

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[Neil.C]

Hope you enjoy it Rich. :)

[boddah]

Congrats, hope mine turns up at some point :|

[magirus]

At last! Hope it lives up to expectations. :)

[WatchScout]

Was it worth the wait, Daddel?

Looking forward to hearing about your impression of it.

[Stala]

Congratulations! Looks 8) !

I had no idea that part of the package was a spare case and bracelet! :shock: Did everyone that preordered get that too?

[PeterM]

Well dome Richard (for the photos :D )

And great watch too matey.

[gray]

:headbang: :cat: :headbang:

[notenoughwrists]

Blimey! glad it's arrived and you sound like a happy bunny. :D Look forward to a bit more from you on it.



(Can't wait for the resurgence of all the Rolex V Kingston threads..... :roll: )

[Dibetu]

You have been very patient :lol: Enjoy!

[Dave E]

The longest deal in the world is finally over! Hurrah! Glad to see it has finally got there :D

[GraniteQuarry]

Yay glad it arrived, not too bad a shipping delay from Schiphol!

Mine is still in the plastic, in its box, somewhere under my desk LOL :lol:

[SternG]

Congrats Daddel, I must say I envy you your patience 8)

[Seabadger]

Congrats, hope mine turns up at some point :|

+1 on both counts.

By the time I get mine, it'll probably be a vintage model in its own right.

[Tai Mi Shu]

You kept that quiet Daddel! :D
Congrats!

[EdRonax]

Glad it finally got released, look forward to more pictures.

[deano42]

Hi

I think half the mystique surrounding Bill's watches is the wait :-)

Wear it in good health.

Thanks
deano

Just might have been worth the wait, and a great idea to have the spares kit.

[sunster]

Nice one. Look forward to seeing what you're thoughts on it are

[Daddelvirks]

Update in the original post :cry: :cry: :cry:

Daddel.

[notenoughwrists]

Update in the original post :cry: :cry: :cry:

Daddel.

Blimey! :o

Do you think if you had ordered it and simply received it a few days later, it'd have faired better with you?
Has it been hyped so much that you could only ever be disappointed?
Have you worn it for a bit yet? Some things are creepers on you. (My GMTII was. I had such "it's a Rolex" expectations, then got one and thought "it's just a normal watch... :( . But that's changed over time and I now wouldn't be without it.)

[learningtofly]

I kind of came to that conclusion when I reviewed it, Daddel - nice enough but very over-hyped and not quite the quality of, say, the Kemmner.

Still, it's unusual and the detail is beautifully finished. Certainly a good every-day watch.

[Daddelvirks]

Update in the original post :cry: :cry: :cry:

Daddel.

Blimey! :o

Do you think if you had ordered it and simply received it a few days later, it'd have faired better with you?
Has it been hyped so much that you could only ever be disappointed?
Have you worn it for a bit yet? Some things are creepers on you. (My GMTII was. I had such "it's a Rolex" expectations, then got one and thought "it's just a normal watch... :( . But that's changed over time and I now wouldn't be without it.)

No worries :)
The thing was hyped, and it's just you get what you pay for.
This is not going to be another dreadnought, I can tell you that.
I'll be wearing it as a beater, and not keep it as a safequeen hoping to gain some money in the future.
But that crown really IS ugly!

Daddel.

[markosgr28]

Thank you so much for sharing this short review about this very discussed watch.

I don't always agree with your opinion (most of the times I do), but I totally respect and take very seriously into account what you have to say here.

[kungfugerbil]

I kind of came to that conclusion when I reviewed it, Daddel - nice enough but very over-hyped and not quite the quality of, say, the Kemmner.

That's an interesting point and good to hear a couple of views on it. I know that for the brief time that the Kemmner was in my possession that it felt extremely well-made indeed and not rattly at all; the bezel felt the best engineered out of all my watches by far. It's a shame if the Kingston is not what it could have been after all the wait / hype!

[SternG]

Sorry to hear you were disappointed mate :(

Like you said, it'll still be a good beater.

[Daddelvirks]

I kind of came to that conclusion when I reviewed it, Daddel - nice enough but very over-hyped and not quite the quality of, say, the Kemmner.

That's an interesting point and good to hear a couple of views on it. I know that for the brief time that the Kemmner was in my possession that it felt extremely well-made indeed and not rattly at all; the bezel felt the best engineered out of all my watches by far. It's a shame if the Kingston is not what it could have been after all the wait / hype!

I know it's not only the "" feel" with bezel action.
You have to take the thing apart to see how well it's made.
I've seen Rolex bezels taken apart, and they are really well designed and put together, as is the MM300's bezel, but you have to pay for that, and decide if that's worth the money.
I've owned some "heavy"pieces from smaller brands, but heavy doesn't always mean quality.

Daddel.

[Crouchy]

Daddel
Interesting comments. Its strange how some people rave about a watch and to others just find it does not live up to the hype. Glad that you like it for what it is though and will use it - watches are there to be worn.

Personally I could not live with the upside down triangle at 6 o clock

thats a real school boy error :D :wink:
Interesting that you mention your Ebel, a hugely underrated, and marmite, brand - I love mine.
Enjoy your Kingston.
James

[WORKSIMON]

Daddel your patience will become a thing enshrined in the history of TZUK, legendary mate :wink:

[simonrah]

Sorry to hear you're disappointed. I guess the anticlimax was inevitable after such a long wait. I'd be tempted to flip and buy that Sinn.

[dkpw]

It's a shame when a new watch doesn't live up to expectations, especially after a wait for whatever reason. Hopefully it will be more to someone else's tastes, if you decided to put it into SC. It does look good though.

Good luck!

[Tai Mi Shu]

What spec is it Daddel and the "spares kit" too please?

[markrlondon]

My only conclusion is.........disappointment. The watch has a cheapish light feeling about it, a bit tinny, the bezel action is not that of a quality piece, (compared it to my MM300 and U1 White), certainly not precise.
That big crown is a disaster, I can't get the crown out smoothly to stop the time, that takes a lot of effort and trying to get it in the right position. Also the fact that you can see an opening and the O-ring when it is screwed tight doesn't give you a quality impression.

Wow, I am surprised at all that after hearing people rave about the quality of MkII watches.

This

the fact that you can see an opening and the O-ring when it is screwed tight doesn't give you a quality impression

especially surprises and saddens me.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it.

[Tai Mi Shu]

I can't get the crown out smoothly to stop the time, that takes a lot of effort and trying to get it in the right position.

Wow, I am surprised at all that after hearing people rave about the quality of MkII watches.
[/quote]

Not "debating" the disappointment in the "feel" of the watch as it's too subjective. However, the one I had didn't have that issue with the crown.

[markrlondon]

I can't get the crown out smoothly to stop the time, that takes a lot of effort and trying to get it in the right position.

Wow, I am surprised at all that after hearing people rave about the quality of MkII watches.

However, the one I had didn't have that issue with the crown.

I guess Bill Yao had flu the day he did the QC checks on Daddelvirk's watch. ;-)

[learningtofly]

My only conclusion is.........disappointment. The watch has a cheapish light feeling about it, a bit tinny, the bezel action is not that of a quality piece, (compared it to my MM300 and U1 White), certainly not precise.
That big crown is a disaster, I can't get the crown out smoothly to stop the time, that takes a lot of effort and trying to get it in the right position. Also the fact that you can see an opening and the O-ring when it is screwed tight doesn't give you a quality impression.

Wow, I am surprised at all that after hearing people rave about the quality of MkII watches.

This

the fact that you can see an opening and the O-ring when it is screwed tight doesn't give you a quality impression

especially surprises and saddens me.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it.

Actually, I specifically highlighted this issue in my review of the Kingston, and it's clear that it wasn't simply a quirk of the watch I was handling. Bearing in mind the importance of the crown within the overall design concept I'm pretty surprised that there wasn't more attention to detail.

[markrlondon]

Actually, I specifically highlighted this issue in my review of the Kingston, and it's clear that it wasn't simply a quirk of the watch I was handling. Bearing in mind the importance of the crown within the overall design concept I'm pretty surprised that there wasn't more attention to detail.

So you did! Looking at the pic in your review of the crown at the screwed in position it is clear it sticks out rather a lot, far more than I would consider 'correct'. That does seem to be an odd weakness either of the design or the QC.

[siggy]

I've sized the watch and fondled with it for quite some time.
My only conclusion is.........disappointment. The watch has a cheapish light feeling about it, a bit tinny, the bezel action is not that of a quality piece, (compared it to my MM300 and U1 White), certainly not precise.
That big crown is a disaster, I can't get the crown out smoothly to stop the time, that takes a lot of effort and trying to get it in the right position. Also the fact that you can see an opening and the O-ring when it is screwed tight doesn't give you a quality impression.
The fact that you get a spare watch (without the movement and back), spare bracelet and several springbars, makes that the kit is just worth the money.
This isn't the bargain watch that defeats all competitors that are priced much higher, in fact without all the extra stuff I'd feel a bit sad.
If I now had the choice between a brand new Sinn 656 and this kit, the choice would be clear.
So, this is going to be my real beater, do with it what 007 did, there's a spare watch after all.

The crown has been a point that a few have raised as a weak point in this watch ( design wise ) and I will not argue that point at all but you have made no mention of the dial. IMO Bill has missed his high standards with a couple of points on this watch but the dial is outstanding. If Eddie or someone else did want to have a have a go at the definitive Big Crown homage I think the Kingston has shown there is a market for one but any normal dial would produce a watch inferior to the Kingston. The technique that Bill used for the dial ( with the masking of the hour markers, black plating etc described in detail elsewhere ) has produced a dial that is fit to grace a watch many times the cost of the Kingston and better that other gilt dials on many other high end brands. It is a shame that in some peoples eyes the dial on the Kingston has been let down by other points on the watch.

The dial is the way forward though.

regards

siggy

[SternG]

Actually, I specifically highlighted this issue in my review of the Kingston, and it's clear that it wasn't simply a quirk of the watch I was handling. Bearing in mind the importance of the crown within the overall design concept I'm pretty surprised that there wasn't more attention to detail.

So you did! Looking at the pic in your review of the crown at the screwed in position it is clear it sticks out rather a lot, far more than I would consider 'correct'. That does seem to be an odd weakness either of the design or the QC.

I've pretty much decided to look for a Kemmner 007 (or wait for the new version, which may or may not be available in a few months), and I was wondering if there might be similar issues with that one too. Another member seems to think so :?

Watch crowns of course! What else did you think?!

A question that I've only just started to ask myself since I bought a Kemmner 007.. tightening the crown pushes it against the bezel eventually, which can't do it any good (apart from stress on the crown, it makes the bezel very rough to turn). So I leave it a bit unscrewed. Not ideal but no plans to go swimming in it at the moment.

Tony might be able to shed some light here, as he's owned the Kemmner.

[learningtofly]

Actually, I specifically highlighted this issue in my review of the Kingston, and it's clear that it wasn't simply a quirk of the watch I was handling. Bearing in mind the importance of the crown within the overall design concept I'm pretty surprised that there wasn't more attention to detail.

So you did! Looking at the pic in your review of the crown at the screwed in position it is clear it sticks out rather a lot, far more than I would consider 'correct'. That does seem to be an odd weakness either of the design or the QC.

I've pretty much decided to look for a Kemmner 007 (or wait for the new version, which may or may not be available in a few months), and I was wondering if there might be similar issues with that one too. Another member seems to think so :?

Watch crowns of course! What else did you think?!

A question that I've only just started to ask myself since I bought a Kemmner 007.. tightening the crown pushes it against the bezel eventually, which can't do it any good (apart from stress on the crown, it makes the bezel very rough to turn). So I leave it a bit unscrewed. Not ideal but no plans to go swimming in it at the moment.

Tony might be able to shed some light here, as he's owned the Kemmner.

It's not something that I noticed on mine, to be honest. I'm not sure if that's because it was one on which the alternative crown option hand been implemented at the production stage, or simply that there was no issue in my case.

[SternG]

Thanks, that's good to know.

Alternative crown option? Please elaborate.

[learningtofly]

Thanks, that's good to know.

Alternative crown option? Please elaborate.

Have a look here... Andy mentions changing the original to an 8mm brevet crown which seems to have done the trick.

[kungfugerbil]

My Kemmner didn't have that issue for definite - I tested the bezel with the crown fully screwed in and all OK.

Mind you I would have the same result as Tony as my watch was his :lol:

[Dibetu]

Had no crown issues at all with my Kemmner 007, a very well made watch. Another thing to consider is that crowns should not be over tightened.

[Dave E]

Only just noticed your update, sorry it hasn't lived up to the anticipation :(