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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

Screw The Science And Buy Luxury Watches!

June 26, 2017/2 Comments/in Collectors and Collecting, Thoughts & Opinion/by John Keil

Waking up one morning with my coffee, I was scrolling through the headlines on ‘Business Insider’ when I came across a post entitled “Science Says You Shouldn’t Buy Luxury Brands.” With all due respect to author Elizabeth Lang: I thought, screw science and buy luxury watches!

Film: A. Lange & Söhne “A Legend Comes Home”

June 14, 2017/1 Comment/in Highlights, Video, A. Lange & Söhne/by John Keil

If you love fine timepieces and A. Lange and Söhne, do yourself a favor and take the next 22 minutes to see what might not have been if it weren‘t for the passion and determination of Walter Lange, Günter Blümlein, and the city of Glashütte featured in the film “A. Lange & Söhne: A Legend Comes Home.”

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore T3 Chronograph: The One That Got Away

May 26, 2017/10 Comments/in Royal Oak Offshore, Audemars Piguet/by John Keil

We’ve all got our “fishing” stories regarding “the one that got away.” Mine involves an Audemars Piguet that arguably started the Limited Edition Offshore craze: the Royal Oak Offshore T3.

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

May 2, 2017/61 Comments/in Highlights, Collectors and Collecting, Rolex/by John Keil

I have never owned a Rolex – despite the fact that I’m a big watch nut – and here’s why. Firstly, though, I should make it clear that I haven’t got anything at all against Rolex. The brand makes great watches . . . but.

You Know You’re A Watch Guy Or Gal If . . . (Archive)

April 25, 2017/5 Comments/in Collectors and Collecting/by John Keil

Horophiles are pretty unique people and we have some pretty unique traits and habits.
In the theme of Jeff Foxworthy and his “you might be a redneck if” routine, I’d like to poke 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

April 22, 2017/3 Comments/in Watch Brands & Horology, Hublot, IWC, Omega, Patek Philippe/by John Keil

Watch advertisements have always fascinated me. If an ad is clever, funny, or invokes a special feeling within me, I am much more likely to make a purchase. Here I demonstrate a few adverts that work for me and hopefully for you too.

Are Watch Winders Good For Anything?

February 7, 2017/16 Comments/in Collectors and Collecting, Technology/by John Keil

A client recently asked me if there are any benefits to using automatic watch winders. The short answer is that I have two viewpoints on watch winders. Click to learn the pros and cons as I see them.

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

January 30, 2017/32 Comments/in Collectors and Collecting/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.

A Cautionary Tale On Buying New Watches Online

January 24, 2017/22 Comments/in Collectors and Collecting, Ulysse Nardin/by John Keil

Though this cautionary example of buying a new watch online is not new, with the current influx (or perhaps “flood” is a better word) of grey market watches to mainstream channels it’s perhaps more poignant today than ever before. Read how you can protect yourself when buying pre-owned timepieces from unknown online sources.

My Vote For The 5 Ugliest Watches Ever

August 17, 2016/22 Comments/in Highlights, Collectors and Collecting/by John Keil

As the saying goes, “There’s an ass for every seat.” I still find it so 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.

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