Ichiro 2nd release Carbon Blue question

[VTHokieAlum03]

Any one have any insight into the serial numbers on the 2nd Release Ichiro Carbon Blue. I know this is the most rare but did all have IS serial numbers. Found one but the serial is BC - C. Is it a prototype?

 

[VTHokieAlum03]

Couple more pictures. Lenses and rubbers look the part but the serial has me scratching my head. @dragonvoi

 

[Mystiko Neossia]

@Smiley might know.

 

[Smiley]

@Smiley might know.

Serial isn’t something that looks legit. I asked him for a pic of the arm and never even got a response. I see it sold for 1500 or the best offer. Hard to tell what the real number was. I think someone got screwed. Just my opinion

 

[Smiley]

Any one have any insight into the serial numbers on the 2nd Release Ichiro Carbon Blue. I know this is the most rare but did all have IS serial numbers. Found one but the serial is BC - C. Is it a prototype?

View attachment 1321510

Yes. Legit pairs carry a full serial.

 

[VTHokieAlum03]

Serial isn’t something that looks legit. I asked him for a pic of the arm and never even got a response. I see it sold for 1500 or the best offer. Hard to tell what the real number was. I think someone got screwed. Just my opinion

I asked for the same and the first picture with the BC - C on it, is what was provided.

 

[Smiley]

I asked for the same and the first picture with the BC - C on it, is what was provided.

To many red flags for me. Lack of a pick of the arm being the biggest. Asking that price you know what the lure is and you don’t post a pic? I hope it wasn’t you who bought it. Someone I think got screwed sadly. That arm isn’t even from at least a legit carbon frame

 

[VTHokieAlum03]

Oh heck no. Not me. Like you said RED flags.

 

[dragonvoi]

Couple more pictures. Lenses and rubbers look the part but the serial has me scratching my head. @dragonvoi

View attachment 1321621

View attachment 1321622

Sorry, it’s been a busy weekend! The engraving looks legit at first glance, but as @Smiley mentioned, it’s hard to tell—and there are definitely some red flags. With one-off items, you usually need an experienced eye and the ability to inspect the piece in person to be certain. Honestly, I could build something similar, engrave “prototype” on it, and there would still be subtle tells.

The most obvious question is how a business would approach this operationally. If I were testing the finish (carbon) against the blue, why engrave it? Likewise, if I were testing the aesthetic of the engraving on the frame, why install rubbers or lenses? For those reasons, I’d lean toward saying it’s not a prototype. However, if it were a custom job for an athlete, an executive, or as a gift, there would likely be provenance that makes sense.

 

[Smiley]

Sorry, it’s been a busy weekend! The engraving looks legit at first glance, but as @Smiley mentioned, it’s hard to tell—and there are definitely some red flags. With one-off items, you usually need an experienced eye and the ability to inspect the piece in person to be certain. Honestly, I could build something similar, engrave “prototype” on it, and there would still be subtle tells.

The most obvious question is how a business would approach this operationally. If I were testing the finish (carbon) against the blue, why engrave it? Likewise, if I were testing the aesthetic of the engraving on the frame, why install rubbers or lenses? For those reasons, I’d lean toward saying it’s not a prototype. However, if it were a custom job for an athlete, an executive, or as a gift, there would likely be provenance that makes sense.

Is it just me? I can’t see any markings on the rubbers. Frame looks legit. The lenses are the right hue and slanted 51 like an early pair would have as opposed to the later square 51 but that’s academic tbh. Lenses can be swapped etc. for 1500 plus I want em to have paperwork supporting the “prototype” (seller didn’t make this claim to be fair) or a correct arm number.