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John Keil

About John Keil

I am Quill & Pad’s resident retail expert. I have spent a handful of years on the wholesale side of the watch industry as the U.S. national sales manager of a brand and 14 years managing a fine watch and jewelry retailer.

I left retail a few years ago to do my “own thing,” which consists of consulting for watch retailers with the aim of improving their businesses, working with private watch collectors in various ways, and as a freelance project manager. In 2015, as a hobby I started a small (now defunct) blog about watches, posting every day. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the heck out of it.

I write about anything related to timepieces, however you shouldn’t expect that I take myself too seriously. I may even make you laugh from time to time.

Entries by John Keil

5 Tool Watches I’d Buy If I Didn’t Want to Spring For A Rolex Submariner – Reprise

April 21, 2019/1 Comment/in Highlights, Collectors and Collecting, Rolex/by John Keil

If John Keil was to recommend a brand-new functional diver’s watch to a friend who was looking to spend within a certain price range, these would be his suggestions. Or, more specifically, here is what he would purchase himself in a variety of price categories.

You Know You’re A Watch Guy Or Gal If . . . – Reprise

February 16, 2019/4 Comments/in Highlights, Collectors and Collecting/by John Keil

In the theme of Jeff Foxworthy and his “you might be a redneck if” routine, John Keil pokes a little fun at our WIS brothers and sisters as well as ourselves. So without further ado, you know you’re a watch guy if . . .

Watch Advertisements (Should) Invoke A Special Feeling, Here Are A Few That Work For Me (Reprise)

November 10, 2018/0 Comments/in Watch Brands & Horology, Highlights/by John Keil

Watch advertisements have always fascinated John Keil. If an ad is clever, funny, or invokes a special feeling within him, he is much more likely to make a purchase. Here he offers here a few clever adverts that work for him and hopefully for you too.

5 Reasons Why I’ve Never Owned A Rolex, But . . . There’s A “But” (Archive)

May 3, 2018/27 Comments/in Highlights, Collectors and Collecting, Rolex/by John Keil

John Keil has never owned a Rolex – despite the fact that he is a big watch nut – and here’s why. Firstly, though, he makes it clear that he hasn’t got anything at all against Rolex. The brand makes great watches . . . but there’s a but.

Navigating The Grey Market: A Retail Expert Explains The Whys And Wherefores (Archive)

February 3, 2018/20 Comments/in Highlights, Collectors and Collecting, Thoughts & Opinion/by John Keil

Friends, colleagues, and clients have posed many questions about the grey market for fine timepieces over the years. Most recently, my post ‘A Cautionary Tale on Buying New Watches Online’ was met with quite a few comments, quite possibly leaving more questions than answers. Here are a few answers.

5 Unexpected Ways You Might Damage A Mechanical Watch (Archive)

January 6, 2018/12 Comments/in Collectors and Collecting/by John Keil

Timepiece repairs can be expensive and often take a long time, so you generally want to avoid damaging a watch. John Keil lists five common things you may not be aware of that can damage a watch and how to prevent them.

My Vote For The 5 Ugliest Watches Ever (Archive)

January 5, 2018/11 Comments/in Collectors and Collecting, Give Me Five!/by John Keil

As the saying goes, “There’s an ass for every seat.” John Keil still finds it hard to believe that some watch designs are ever even considered, much less actually produced and ultimately purchased. In fairness, the following list may not actually contain the five ugliest watches ever, but they sure aren’t easy on the eyes.

Are You Crazy? You’d Pay How Much For A Watch?

August 3, 2017/13 Comments/in Collectors and Collecting/by John Keil

Here is an entertaining little story about me, my Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and a bunch of guys around a poker table – a story I’m sure many watch guys and gals can relate to.

5 Tool Watches I’d Buy If I Didn’t Want to Spring For A Rolex Submariner

July 27, 2017/23 Comments/in Affordable Luxury, Oris, Give Me Five!, Bremont, Divers' Watches, Rolex, Seiko, Tudor/by John Keil

If I were to recommend a brand new functional dive watch to a friend who was looking to spend within a certain price range, here would be my suggestions. Or, more specifically, here is what I would purchase myself in a variety of price categories.

6 Intriguing American-Themed Watches You May Have Forgotten About (Archive)

July 3, 2017/6 Comments/in Watch Brands & Horology, Highlights, Collectors and Collecting/by John Keil

Independence Day in the United States of America is celebrated on the 4th of July. In honor of this important day, I’d like to take a look at some American-themed wristwatches you may have forgotten or never even knew about. These timepieces proudly wear their red, white, and blue!

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