Advice Needed... Gen Kobold or a bunch of reps

[kronos twin]

Hello,

I'm about to pull the trigger on a gen Kobold Arctic Diver (pic below from their website). I wanted to hear your thoughts. Should I get one of these guys or should I get a whole bunch of reps. I have hope that this year a bunch of cool ones will be out, like the Fifty Fathoms, a Zenith Chronomaster (45mm) and some cool IWCs. Also, I've wanted a Graham for a while. I could get all of these for the price of that Diver (which has an introductory price of around 2K dollars) and still have some money left over.

Any thoughts?

[chefcook]

I'd take a gen with some resale value - you can get nice Omega Divers for that money, too!

[maxman]

That is a question only you can answear. I was going to buy a Gen Omega PO chrono. I could have purchased one for $3.000.In my mind I could not justify spending that much money on a watch. It's a personal thing. I would rather buy several reps and enjoy this fantastic hobby. If I would have purchased the Omega I would not be here right now, I dont think. That kind of mony is a lot for me. I have bought three nice Reps and Im under the $500 mark. Not including straps. Thats just me, Some peolpe here can do both. I bought a Tissot a few months ago for $375. Thats the world of watches I live in and it works for me Good luck on your decision. Mike

[MasterOfPuppets]

it depends on how many reps u already have

if u have a few, go for the gen, everyone should have a gen in their collection

if u dont, well u can buy 7 super-reps with that kind of money, and still have some money left over, so u can buy one more rep!!

ur call!

[kronos twin]

Man, this is a tough one. Maxman, I'm with you. I do have a few reps already, but I can't really justify spending a whole lot on a watch. But Master and chef are right, a gen is good to have in the collection, although I can't figure out for myself why that is the case. A Tissot has been on my mind for a gen for a long time, since I think they are a good brand and would satiate my desire for a gen. I might go with something like that and get some reps.

I initially thought the Kobold was nice for a couple of reasons. 1) I'm a Sopranos fan and I know it has a history with several of the actors in that show. 2) it's really trying to be a new American watch company, and I want to support that if for no other reason than to add diversity to the world of watchmaking. 3) it's a freaking cool watch that's being sold right now at an introductory price.

I think I might get it, and if it doesn't suit me, I'll sell it and get these reps. Besides, the FF isn't out yet (at least not the one I want) and there are a few others in the pipeline that could wait. I might just sell my PAM Tantalum I got on this site to get a little of both worlds.

thanks again!

[maxman]

I agree with everything thats been said. To be fair I do have a older Gen Omega that my father gave me many years ago. I also have a Tag Formula 1($900) I also have a very nice Sector divers(450) I just dont know if I could spend 2-3 Thousand on a watch. Again that just me. Good luck Mike

[chefcook]

maybe it's the name that would keep me off a kobold: It's german and means goblin in English. It is just not something I'd want to wear on my wrist

[By-Tor]

I would rather buy several reps and enjoy this fantastic hobby. If I would have purchased the Omega I would not be here right now, I dont think.

Why not?

People who buy their first expensive gen usually come back within two weeks... after they realize that it's just ONE watch. No serious geek can live with just one watch. That would be terrible!

And besides, you don't constantly have to buy new watches to enjoy the hobby and your friends here.

[Ronin]

First, let me say good choice. I have been watching (no pun inteneded) Kobold for some time, and love their Sorway GMT.

You WILL WANT a good quality gen, regardless of how many reps you have. There are simply times, a rep won't cut it. Not to mention the Kobold is a REAL dive watch that will take abuse and and can be used for all occasions.

If you get the Kobold, please show it off in the "Other Brands" forum here.

If you can swing the Gen get it. And pick up some reps from the "trade area" here as time and $$ permits.

-Ronin

Kobold -- Wish they would start repping them.

[chubbchubb]

Whatever makes YOU tick...

[Shundi]

Any chance you can get the Kobold used? Save some money and use it to pick up a rep or two?

[maxman]

Why not?

People who buy their first expensive gen usually come back within two weeks... after they realize that it's just ONE watch. No serious geek can live with just one watch. That would be terrible!

And besides, you don't constantly have to buy new watches to enjoy the hobby and your friends here.

Touche my friend, you make a good point. I know there are many gen lovers here. Sh t Im one of them. Maybe just at a lower price point Mike

[MasterOfPuppets]

i agree with Shundi,

try to find a used one for a fraction of the price

[kronos twin]

Ronin, I think I'm going to do it. I'll post pics as soon as I get it. There's no way I can get one used. This is a limited run, and I just found out that in time, they'll raise in price on their second run significantly. I think it's a good choice to make given the attention they're getting. I don't buy watches for investments, but even if I did want to sell it, I'd most definitely get my money back. So I might as well do so.

It's on...

[Ronin]

Awesome...

For those who are unfamiliar, check out their web site. As far as used goes, the company states "no more than a sum total of 2,500 Kobold watches will ever be made in a given year"

You will have something special, keep us posted.

-Ronin

[automatico]

Michael Kobold

...the same guy who illegaly entered a secure area in the Pittsburg Int'l Airport in December 2002.

...the same guy who said "I really did believe I was a constable" No one is that stupid, he was not even a US citizen.

...the same guy who was found guilty of lying to US Customs agents.

...the same guy who used to peddle his (now $3000+) watches for a few hundred bucks on the internet a few years ago.

...the same guy who should have been deported.

...and the same guy who is a Watch Hero in the current Watch Time magazine, no mention about his past of course.

No Kobo' fo' me.

If I wanted a current "USA made" watch I would buy a used RGM Pilot etc.

If not a USA or swiss brand...maybe a Seiko Flight Master automatic.

If swiss...maybe a used rolex 1016 Ex, 1603 DJ, 5500 AK etc.

...or a "modern classic" like a sapphire no date submariner etc.

"modern classic" = removable bracelet hoods, holes in the lugs etc.

By Torsten Ove, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

After a split verdict came in last night, Findlay Constable William DeForte Jr. cried in relief while his co-defendant, German watchmaker Michael Kobold, smiled and talked to reporters.

Both seemed relieved that their trial in federal court was finally over, even though the jury convicted one of them.

The jury found Kobold guilty of lying to U.S. Customs agents last year when he used a badge to skirt security at Pittsburgh International Airport.

But the jury found DeForte not guilty of two counts of lying to the same agents about how Kobold acquired the badge, which DeForte had given him.

Kobold, a sharp-dressing 24-year-old German citizen who runs Kobold Watch Co. in Robinson, could spend a few months in federal prison and will almost certainly be deported to Germany.

But he seemed unfazed by the verdict and said he'll continue to design and sell his line of watches.

"I would have moved back [to Germany] anyway," he said as he left the courthouse with his lawyer, Stanton Levenson. "I think I'm fine. I don't think I'll be destroyed."

Kobold said he was pleased for his former friend. He said DeForte would have had a much harder time finding work had he been convicted because it would have meant an end to his law enforcement career.

DeForte, 32, had no comment after the verdict, but he was obviously overjoyed as he hugged his family and friends.

"Merry Christmas," he said as he left the courthouse.

His lawyer, Leonard Sweeney, said the criminal justice system worked the way it was supposed to.

The government said both men told repeated lies to Customs after Kobold flashed a constable's badge stamped with DeForte's ID number to bypass security at the airport on Dec. 8, 2002, and escort his brother to Gate 61 for a flight home to Germany.

When Customs Inspector John Rupchis stopped him, he held up the badge and said, "I'm with the state. I'm a Pennsylvania state constable."

County police Detective Patrick Miller arrested Kobold the next day at his office in the Parkway Industrial Park.

The case was turned over to federal authorities, and a grand jury indicted Kobold. DeForte was later indicted on charges of lying several times to Customs agents about how Kobold got badges.

Kobold's defense was that he thought he was a deputy constable because DeForte had told him he was. He maintained that stance after the verdict.

"I really did believe I was a constable," he said.

Testimony revealed that Kobold wore a badge and carried a gun in helping DeForte serve bench warrants in 2002, when the two were close friends.

The pair also shopped at a North Side uniform store together in June 2002, where Kobold bought badges stamped with DeForte's number.

DeForte said on Friday that he did give Kobold the badge he used at the airport and admitted he was at the store with Kobold in June. But he said he didn't see Kobold buy badges that day and had told his friend not to buy any because he wasn't a constable.

"I gave Mike one badge," he said. "I did not give or purchase any other badges for Mike."

His testimony differed from that of Jay Smith, proprietor of H.A. Smith & Son Uniforms, who said DeForte used his credentials to help Kobold buy badges.

DeForte told Customs agents that he had heard "through the grapevine" that Kobold bought badges on his own. He repeated that story in court, but he couldn't explain Jay Smith's testimony or why his name appeared on a receipt.

Kobold wasn't the person who wasn't a deputy to go out on arrests with DeForte. Two of his friends, both Germans who attended Carnegie Mellon University with him, said they also tagged along with DeForte, Kobold and DeForte's two real deputies, William Crowell and Travis Shaheen.

Kobold will be sentenced March 19.

http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/041800np.pdf

[MasterOfPuppets]

WOW!

so much for an american watch

[Ronin]

Yes, but he makes some nice, high quality watches. I am not defending his past, but he is a 'young' guy. 24 at the time. Hopefully he learned his lesson and will keep his head on straight. Stick to watches instead of impersonating law enforcement.

Hmmmm, not like anyone here has done anything wrong in the eyes of the law or fibbed to customs agents. Sounds like he would fit in here. LOL.

-Ronin

[Kiterpete]

I have several 'gens' but for that kind of money I would want something 'really' special you could buy several excellent US watches from http://www.ocean7watchco.com/cs1/opening.swf with that much money, I have a couple, great investment, warranty and reputation. Some of the debaufres http://www.debaufre.com/ I have have actually gone up in value, My Limited Edition NavB for $500 has increased in value at least $200 this one is number 93 of a Limited Addition of 200.

My 2 cents

Hello,

I'm about to pull the trigger on a gen Kobold Arctic Diver (pic below from their website). I wanted to hear your thoughts. Should I get one of these guys or should I get a whole bunch of reps. I have hope that this year a bunch of cool ones will be out, like the Fifty Fathoms, a Zenith Chronomaster (45mm) and some cool IWCs. Also, I've wanted a Graham for a while. I could get all of these for the price of that Diver (which has an introductory price of around 2K dollars) and still have some money left over.

Any thoughts?

[Fidestro]

I would not buy a Kobold for a gen, especially my first one. But maybe that is just me.

[OmegaPOFL]

You should get a Tissot. I love mine, i recently bought a Seastar 1000 with the blue face..what a watch!! goodluck!

[Ronin]

Interesting comments. I guess I am the Kobold defender then. He and his watches are gaining immense popularity, and getting write ups. The 2009 WT Buyers Guide has at least half a dozen.

I am a fan of the very clean, minimalistic, yet functional designs of his. Who knows, this may actually be the time to buy a gen Kobold if his success propels him and his company higher.

-Ronin

[kronos twin]

Wow, that's a lot to chew on. I like the Defaubre, and I may purchase one of those in the future. I don't know what it is about Kobold. Like Ronin said, their clean design is a real draw and I read from many sources that they are very good watches. In any case, I will consider what I've read, because part of the draw was to purchase a gen American made watch. The whole concept seems silly to me now, so I might just save and save and save until I find something that takes my breath away and makes me feel like I purchased something with a story to tell.