The Karol Bagh Soul in a Corporate suit
The Karol Bagh Soul in a Corporate Suit: A Second Movement Horror Story
It is a rare feat for an organization to possess the polished infrastructure of a Swiss conglomerate and the inner soul of a shady used-car dealer from Karol Bagh (with sincere apologies to car dealers; most aren't this greasy).
While Ethos Summit/world of time remains my go-to for factory-fresh pieces their pre-owned wing, Second Movement, is a different beast entirely. It lives up to its name only if you’re using the terminology of a gastroenterologist. It is, quite simply, a steaming pile of "movements."
The Man, The Myth, The Maladroit
I usually don't name names, but Vikas Sharma deserves a podium finish for his unique ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. He is the only man I know who can turn away a customer standing there with cash in hand, fully aware they’re getting a lousy deal, and still manage to screw it up.
Most of us watch nerds are lazy. We know the "Ethos Certified" buy-back prices are a joke—I was stunned to see my collection depreciate faster than a budget hatchback—but we pay for the convenience. We accept the 20% "laziness tax" just to avoid the headache of private sales.
The "Security" Shakedown
The comedy of errors peaked during a simple trade-in. While I was battling peak-hour traffic to hand over my watches, Vikas called to ask if I was "in a hurry." When I asked why, he suggested I pay in full, leave my trade-ins for "diagnostics," and wait for a refund later.
Mind you, I hadn't asked for a credit line. He essentially asked for security for a watch I was already overpaying for. It wasn’t just unprofessional; it was the retail equivalent of a bad smell you can't scrub off.
The Ghost of Showrooms Past
I pivoted. I decided to pay full price, leave just one watch for them to sell on consignment, and walk out with my new toy. I arrived at the showroom—as instructed—only to find a staff that looked at me like I’d just wandered in off the street asking for directions. No briefing, no plan, just blank stares.
I called Vikas. He promised a resolution in "five minutes." That call never came. No text, no apology, just the echoing silence of a man who knew I was pressed for time and decided that apathy was the best brand strategy.
The Verdict
I’m half-Punjabi, so I don’t do "refined silence." I was tempted to let this go, but then I remembered the advice I gave a friend this morning: never take bad service lying down. So, here is a voice for the small, privileged, and tired group of watch collectors: If you’re going to exploit our desire for a new acquisition by lowballing us, at least have the decency to be polite about it.
With the current competition in the market, a "Second Movement" isn't just a bad pun—it’s an optional experience I’ll happily skip. Don't worry, Vikas; the feeling is mutual.