Apparently I'm still subscribed to Mkii Watches mailing list and this has just arrived. Though I'm wary of doing business with Bill Yao, I still miss my Vantage now and again.
http://www.mkiiwatches.com/hawkinge/
USD 595
I am a fan of MKii watches but I am not sure I would choose this particular one over one of these:
I do like their (homage) designs and the quality of the watches is reportedly very good ... but all the accounts of spending years on waiting lists have made me entirely suspicious of MkII. Is the consensus here that they are worth it?
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Hawkinge ? Bit of a barmy name bit like Bill Yao's barmy business model I guess......
If memory serves it was one of the two RAF stations that were put out of action by the Luftwaffe during the Battle.
Can someone educate me regarding Barmy Business Model please, as I'm just about to order one
I like it, and Mr Yao's font design is very faithful to the original, though its serif-free simplicity jars a bit.
I do like Eddie's better, the counterpoise on the second hand is correct, the hands reach the edges better, and the dial fills the case better. And curiously, I have never really got on with the 1's on the Speedbird, the top "tick" for want of a better term (it is much more than a serif) always looked a little big, just like it does on Damasko's.
Dave
I think he's alluding too the wait for some of Bill's special project watches , such as the Kingston, Key West & project 300, where people have had to wait a few years before delivery. The Hawkinge isn't one of the special project watches though, it's more one of his mainstream efforts. If you're still a bit dubious about ordering, just wait till they come into stock and then order.
I like it, but I'd never buy new from Bill Yao. I was on the Kingston list for just short of forever (I sold my slot on to a member here, and they also had to wait a good while before getting the watch). Great watches, but shocking business model.
Dave E
Skating away on the thin ice of a new day
I'm tempted just put off by the historic delays.
Fair play, if he's shipping them in a normal (take money, ship watch within days) fashion, then you'll undoubtedly be getting a good watch. I think I've had 3 or 4 different MkII watches and all were very nice.
Dave E
Skating away on the thin ice of a new day
'Ordering now closed' for the no date version. Good. Was tempted, but seems a bit overpriced to me with VAT on top. Plus 4-5 weeks (months?) delay. Why not have them 'Ready to ship' in the first place?
the first version of my custom vantage
but changed the dial because I was unable to read the lume
went from 48 to 53
one of my best watches like ever.
but bill is no more what he used to be,
I miss the days you could do custom skx and marcellos
Timefactors appear to have stock but I think you can only order on Tuesdays (and maybe also Wednesdays and Thursdays).
http://www.timefactors.com/speedbird.htm
Martin
Thanks