gB. 0 Posted July 23, 2012 I'll preface this thread that I've never used Vac for any mods, or bought a new watch from him that has had his "spa treatment" done. Maybe his work is the greatest thing in horological modern times, but he seems a bit pricey for what he offers, specifically for the new stock items given the "spa treatment". I came across a sales thread on RWI that listed a new AP Diver V3 just received from Vac, and at ~$795 ask price, same as he bought it from Vac. Surely this must be the Swiss mov't version, right? Nope, Asian clone movement, but has had all the Vac "spa treatment" done. The clone movement version is sold by TDs around $350ish or so. So is Vac really charging a $450 premium for his mods on this? Someone in that thread tried to break it down for me and justify the premium, but it must just be the Monday fog because I just don't get it! I guess it breaks down like this, Base Watch + Shipping to Vac + 4% PP = 400 Lume = 150 WR treatment + Testing = 150 Movement Service = 150 Free Shipping http://www.replica-w...t.php?p=1081745 1. TDs are selling these at $350ish, so over statement there, and I'm sure Vac can get these cheaper (customer didn't buy this then ship it to Vac, Vac supplies his own base watch stock) 2. By mov't service they mean open it up for QC check and drop a little lube on jewels if found dry? $150...?!? 3. Greasing the gaskets and pressure testing costs $150...? GTFO! I know this is old news that Vac is usually overpriced for what he does or offers. But he does a lot of business across the forums and is highly regarded with his skills in the lume department. But the rest? And some members can actually post seriously a breakdown to justify the premium he is charging...? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Serge D 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Youve got a good point there, but i have tried other modders, no names, but theyre pretty known and established modders. Ended up paying vac again to redo AR from one modder, whose AR was of a green hue and rubbing off from shirt friction... Your given example would be justified if he did AR xtal and cyclops. So far it seems well overpriced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffw69 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Fuck that shit! Asian clone for $795? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cyril_Clunge 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Careful, Vac isn't a trusted modded here, you'll only make Balad mad again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffw69 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Anyone have some ??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onionbag 1 Posted July 23, 2012 Careful, Vac isn't a trusted modded here, you'll only make Balad mad again! Angry surely? Mad?......That's stretching it a bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Serge D 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Yep, what Jeff said Id rather buy a new watch from a TD and do the mods i consider needed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted July 23, 2012 WR treatment + Testing = 150 - rofl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scorpion 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Careful, Vac isn't a trusted modded here, you'll only make Balad mad again! YEP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gB. 0 Posted July 23, 2012 The OP states that this one had Vac AR, but I still see the blue ting on the cyclops upper right corner like on my AP v3 straight from the dealer... :timmytwitch: This has had the full Vac Spa treatment, AR, full dial, bezel, and hand relume, 10ATM tested Mine... These already come with incredible AR, and some slight blueish hue on the cyclops only. Maybe the Vac cyslops is slightly less blue AR, but the overall crystal AR is the same! I don't get the Vac difference here... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,518 Posted July 23, 2012 I share your point of view GBOGH - seems fairly pricey to me. And the difference in AR doesn't seem to be particularly obvious from the pics. I know I paid a lot for my v2 direct from Uwe and maybe some folk would have questioned that at the time. It was listed at just over 500 Euros but Uwe gave me a small discount and I paid around 480 Euros delivered which would have equated back then to around $650 I think. But my Diver has a Swiss Selita movement not Asian. Plus, the v2 AR was not great (if it even had any?), it had no cyclops AR, and it had no bezel lume, and the crystal wasn't raised, and it needed waterprooing - all of which Uwe modified so I could see where the costs went. But for a v3 with all its improvements over a v2 I think some of these mods are unnecessary, never mind the cost of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grb 1 Posted July 23, 2012 Maybe it's some seller stating that its Vacked, if we had some sort of Vac cination. I have something that said it had been vac serviced, the second hand used to catch on the cyclops twice a day when all the hands gathered at 3 so twice a day it stopped. Wiz unvaccinated it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Serge D 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Maybe someone is trying to make profit on that watch. I held vac modded v2 vs v3 in my hands and the difference in AR coating pops right away, despite the awesome AR on v3 out of the box. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dendo 93 Posted July 23, 2012 AR and full oiling and servicing, if properly done and necessary, can cost. WR + testing can not be $150 IMHO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gB. 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Let me be clear. I'm not picking on the seller in that thread at all, as he is reselling what he paid for it since it is brand new. It's just this whole idea around Vac "spa treatment" on an otherwise ultimate rep (best I've seen in a long time), plus the premium price that's being placed on the suppose treatment is just absurd! But while it was at the Vac spa, why didn't he press the crystal that's sticking up further on the left side...? Hope he at least got a reach around happy ending for the cost of that spa treatment, as it appears fuck all else was done well! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Serge D 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Yep, crystal doesnt sit right. And cyclops wasnt ARed, i can also see the blue hue in the corner. Something is not adding up here, either vac or seller needs to review the mods done to the watch and adjust the price accordingly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gB. 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Yep, crystal doesnt sit right. And cyclops wasnt ARed, i can also see the blue hue in the corner. Something is not adding up here, either vac or seller needs to review the mods done to the watch and adjust the price accordingly. But JC posted that I shouldn't muddy up the sales thread with my questions... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Serge D 0 Posted July 23, 2012 So JC gets his cut too? :-/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sconehead 5 Posted July 23, 2012 Onze? edit: wrong forum... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
midasmook 14 Posted July 23, 2012 I have used Vac in the past and the work he does is good but it is pricey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
powderfreak 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Rubbish, whoever pays that money for (non-existing?!) "mods" deserves to be fucked - just imo of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Member X 91 Posted July 23, 2012 Relume and Service charges are roughly what I'd expect to pay elsewhere, but $150 for waterproofing is not that cheap... I guess it's quite a bit of work because of the case construction?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffw69 0 Posted July 23, 2012 Yep, crystal doesnt sit right. And cyclops wasnt ARed, i can also see the blue hue in the corner. Something is not adding up here, either vac or seller needs to review the mods done to the watch and adjust the price accordingly. But JC posted that I shouldn't muddy up the sales thread with my questions... Fuck JC! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
