Thanks to Andrew at Trusty Time, who was really communicative throughout the process.
Pics upfront: https://imgur.com/a/Wv392rO
Ordering Process with Trusty Time: Super smooth, found the watch I wanted, placed the order and paid by cc. QC pics within a day and after GL, received a shipping number within 2 days, and it started moving shortly after. Total time from order to delivery: 9 days. Phenomenal. (I am in S. California). Andrew was quick to respond to lots of questions and always cheery. He even humored me and answered some questions I had about the behind the scenes logistics, which was really interesting. 10/10 experience.
Arrival and unboxing: DHL delivered the package a little over a week after ordering. The watch was very well taken care of. It came inside of two plastic bags, which were packed in layers of soft foam wrap, and stuffed inside of a small cardboard box. It felt like there were 3-4in of foam wrapped around the entire watch, which left it very well protected (see imgur pics). Again 10/10.
The watch itself: This (ROLGMT186A - GMT Ref.6542 Vintage Red/Blue SS/SS Blk Asia 2836) is the watch I purchased. I opted to go with one of the fresh/new looking 6542s and not the pre-aged ones I've seen elsewhere. The watch itself is beautiful, I love the understated bezel, the lack of crown guard, and small size. I did not really like the bracelet, which felt a little cheap, and the rivet oyster is just a nightmare to resize; so, I swapped it for an olive drab NATO strap and am digging the more casual look. In the cons column, it doesn't seem to be holding power well. It's an automatic movement so some activity is obviously necessary but every day I wake up and it has stopped. Not sure if that's normal but it's annoying to have to reset my watch every morning. It's an entry-level rep so my expectations were not sky high. Overall, I'd give the watch a 6/10 (aesthetically there but the band feeling and having to set it every day are drawbacks).
Epilogue: I was so pleased by my comms with Andrew and the experience with Trusty Time in general that I ordered a ZZF V2 two days after my order of the 6542 (and a week before the 6542 arrived). This has been less smooth as it sounds like there are some raids going down in China and TT had to change domains (and it sounds like physical office space as well). A day or two after my order, I asked Andrew to change my ZZF V2 from date to no date after reading more about it and he kindly did so but this may have also delayed things as it's going on 10 days since the order and no QC pics yet. That said, Andrew has been forthcoming with info and updates, so I'm not annoyed but things have not been as ridiculously smooth as the first time.
Pics upfront: https://imgur.com/a/Wv392rO
Ordering Process with Trusty Time: Super smooth, found the watch I wanted, placed the order and paid by cc. QC pics within a day and after GL, received a shipping number within 2 days, and it started moving shortly after. Total time from order to delivery: 9 days. Phenomenal. (I am in S. California). Andrew was quick to respond to lots of questions and always cheery. He even humored me and answered some questions I had about the behind the scenes logistics, which was really interesting. 10/10 experience.
Arrival and unboxing: DHL delivered the package a little over a week after ordering. The watch was very well taken care of. It came inside of two plastic bags, which were packed in layers of soft foam wrap, and stuffed inside of a small cardboard box. It felt like there were 3-4in of foam wrapped around the entire watch, which left it very well protected (see imgur pics). Again 10/10.
The watch itself: This (ROLGMT186A - GMT Ref.6542 Vintage Red/Blue SS/SS Blk Asia 2836) is the watch I purchased. I opted to go with one of the fresh/new looking 6542s and not the pre-aged ones I've seen elsewhere. The watch itself is beautiful, I love the understated bezel, the lack of crown guard, and small size. I did not really like the bracelet, which felt a little cheap, and the rivet oyster is just a nightmare to resize; so, I swapped it for an olive drab NATO strap and am digging the more casual look. In the cons column, it doesn't seem to be holding power well. It's an automatic movement so some activity is obviously necessary but every day I wake up and it has stopped. Not sure if that's normal but it's annoying to have to reset my watch every morning. It's an entry-level rep so my expectations were not sky high. Overall, I'd give the watch a 6/10 (aesthetically there but the band feeling and having to set it every day are drawbacks).
Epilogue: I was so pleased by my comms with Andrew and the experience with Trusty Time in general that I ordered a ZZF V2 two days after my order of the 6542 (and a week before the 6542 arrived). This has been less smooth as it sounds like there are some raids going down in China and TT had to change domains (and it sounds like physical office space as well). A day or two after my order, I asked Andrew to change my ZZF V2 from date to no date after reading more about it and he kindly did so but this may have also delayed things as it's going on 10 days since the order and no QC pics yet. That said, Andrew has been forthcoming with info and updates, so I'm not annoyed but things have not been as ridiculously smooth as the first time.
