For quite some time, I have been looking for a TT Datejust Thunderbird 16263. I checked with TD’s, no luck. I then came across a Thunderbird on Aliexpress….
I had to have it. I sent Lucy the link to Aliexpress, as well as a picture of the watch again (I had asked her about this particular model months ago), as well as a link to Michelles’(I don’t dare say the “S wordâ€) SS version, in hopes Lucy might overturn the lost jewel of a 16263 T-bird.
In her normal response time (BTW, quicker than any TD I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with) she told me that she remembered my earlier request and reminded me that the older repped, 36mm Datejust with lume dot, stick dials, are practically extinct, especially a rare model such as the T-bird.
So I went back to the dealer on AE, and asked him if the watch pictured is available, he told me that it was indeed available. I asked him to send me a photo of one he had sold, or had access to. He promptly provided not one pic, but three different pics of dial options for the watch.
AHA…. IT DOES EXIST!!!
I decided on this blue dialed version. I thanked him for the pics, “no problem friend†says my new found AliExpress “allyâ€, “order and you’ll get the watch in 21 daysâ€. So now I’m excited, as he provided pictures of the elusive T-bird, one of my grail watches, and at $80 USD, I thought what the heck.
In less than two weeks, I received the watch.Here is whatI received, not sure if it should be called a YachtJust or DateMaster.
I felt compelledto share my AE experience and to extract and attempt a bit of humor along the way.
Moral of the story: Be careful of what is out there on AliExpress, and heed the advice of our esteemed members and especially our TD’s. When Lucy told me it wasn’t available, I should have listened. They are Trusted for a reason.
I have since contacted Mat over at RG about a T-bird build.
I hope you enjoyed a bit of my AE humility.
I had to have it. I sent Lucy the link to Aliexpress, as well as a picture of the watch again (I had asked her about this particular model months ago), as well as a link to Michelles’(I don’t dare say the “S wordâ€) SS version, in hopes Lucy might overturn the lost jewel of a 16263 T-bird.
In her normal response time (BTW, quicker than any TD I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with) she told me that she remembered my earlier request and reminded me that the older repped, 36mm Datejust with lume dot, stick dials, are practically extinct, especially a rare model such as the T-bird.
So I went back to the dealer on AE, and asked him if the watch pictured is available, he told me that it was indeed available. I asked him to send me a photo of one he had sold, or had access to. He promptly provided not one pic, but three different pics of dial options for the watch.
AHA…. IT DOES EXIST!!!
I decided on this blue dialed version. I thanked him for the pics, “no problem friend†says my new found AliExpress “allyâ€, “order and you’ll get the watch in 21 daysâ€. So now I’m excited, as he provided pictures of the elusive T-bird, one of my grail watches, and at $80 USD, I thought what the heck.
In less than two weeks, I received the watch.Here is whatI received, not sure if it should be called a YachtJust or DateMaster.
I felt compelledto share my AE experience and to extract and attempt a bit of humor along the way.
Moral of the story: Be careful of what is out there on AliExpress, and heed the advice of our esteemed members and especially our TD’s. When Lucy told me it wasn’t available, I should have listened. They are Trusted for a reason.
I have since contacted Mat over at RG about a T-bird build.
I hope you enjoyed a bit of my AE humility.