Rolex entry level

[DKL]

So where does it start - used examples not new and it must have the date.
I'm probably wrong to say so but I don't want a Tudor.
I'm not sure about the bracelet, "clumpy" look of these sorts of pieces so I thought I'd not spend a king's ransom to start with.
So far an Oysterdate at 550 is what I have found. I'm not necessarily after the very cheapest but good value.
So suggestions?

[glazbagun]

Rolex Air King. I find myself liking these and the Milgauss more than the toolish Rolexes these days.

http://www.watches.co.uk/watch.php?wid=8353S

This one has no papers- you probably want those if you plan to sell it later, but watches.co.uk isn't the cheapest around (not a criticism), so you'll probably be able to find something similar elsewhere, I imagine.

[DKL]

Presumably all the non chrono models will be the less expensive ones?

[andy tims]

Explorer or spend a bit more for the nicer (IMHO) Explorer II

[LordGrover]

40mm Explorer II GMT looks good.

[Incredible Sulk]

DKL said:

So where does it start - used examples not new and it must have the date.
I'm probably wrong to say so but I don't want a Tudor.
I'm not sure about the bracelet, "clumpy" look of these sorts of pieces so I thought I'd not spend a king's ransom to start with.
So far an Oysterdate at 550 is what I have found. I'm not necessarily after the very cheapest but good value.
So suggestions?

An Oysterdate at £550 seems like good value - if it's straight and it's real of course. What's your realistic budget, as suggestions will be constrained by that?

[LukeBird]

^^ +1
Here have you found one at that price? eBay?

[DKL]

The Oysterdate has gone but it was real - on TZ.
Explorer I are nice but no date and that drives me mad during the day.
Not keen on subs, GMT or Expl II.
I think I need to try a few on.
I'd like a blue faced datejust but with batons not RN but they are a bit few and far between.
I'll just keep an eye out for now.
Thanks all.

[Incredible Sulk]

DKL said:

The Oysterdate has gone but it was real - on TZ.
Explorer I are nice but no date and that drives me mad during the day.
Not keen on subs, GMT or Expl II.
I think I need to try a few on.
I'd like a blue faced datejust but with batons not RN but they are a bit few and far between.
I'll just keep an eye out for now.
Thanks all.

When I said real, I meant real as in a genuine Rolex and not a cheap Thai copy!

[LukeBird]

DKL said:

The Oysterdate has gone but it was real - on TZ.

Hmmm I vaguely recall looking at that...

[DKL]

Incredible Sulk said:

When I said real, I meant real as in a genuine Rolex and not a cheap Thai copy!

That could be read either way!
Real as in there really was a deal going for that price.
Genuine - well I've found TZ members pretty reliable so have absolutely no reason to believe otherwise.

[Incredible Sulk]

DKL said:

Incredible Sulk said:

When I said real, I meant real as in a genuine Rolex and not a cheap Thai copy!

That could be read either way!
Real as in there really was a deal going for that price.
Genuine - well I've found TZ members pretty reliable so have absolutely no reason to believe otherwise.

Furry Muff. I've only ever bought one watch via TZ, and shortly after that for some reason best known to the guy who owns/runs the site my account got deleted. I've never been back, as I can't be arsed to rack up the posts to even look at the sales corner!

You, however, have a lot to answer for. I thought that I was happy with my current collection, but now you have brought Oysterdates back into the front of my mind, I might have to go and look for one too!

[DKL]

Incredible Sulk said:

Furry Muff. I've only ever bought one watch via TZ, and shortly after that for some reason best known to the guy who owns/runs the site my account got deleted. I've never been back, as I can't be arsed to rack up the posts to even look at the sales corner!

You, however, have a lot to answer for. I thought that I was happy with my current collection, but now you have brought Oysterdates back into the front of my mind, I might have to go and look for one too!

Ahh, sorry about that. If you see a blue one let me know.

[rhinochopig]

No offence, but you're buying a Rolex for the wrong reasons. You should (IMHO obviously) buy a watch because you like it, not because of brand snobbery.

The process should be:

• Bloody hell that's a good looking watch
• Wonder who makes that
• Wonder how much that is

Not, what's the cheapest way to have a brand on my wrist.

[HereBeMonsters]

rhinochopig said:

No offence, but you're buying a Rolex for the wrong reasons. You should (IMHO obviously) buy a watch because you like it, not because of brand snobbery.

The process should be:

• Bloody hell that's a good looking watch
• Wonder who makes that
• Wonder how much that is

Not, what's the cheapest way to have a brand on my wrist.

Isn't that the only reason anyone buys a Rolex?

[FourRingCircus]

HereBeMonsters said:

Isn't that the only reason anyone buys a Rolex?

No.

[custardtart]

I really liked the look of the Explorer II until I tried it on next to an Omega Seamaster GMT and much preferred the Omega.

I'm not saying buying the Omega but I am saying go and try them on, you may be surprised at what you end up buying.

[DKL]

rhinochopig said:

No offence, but you're buying a Rolex for the wrong reasons. You should (IMHO obviously) buy a watch because you like it, not because of brand snobbery.

The process should be:

• Bloody hell that's a good looking watch
• Wonder who makes that
• Wonder how much that is

Not, what's the cheapest way to have a brand on my wrist.

I think those are all fair points. I'm looking as I'm not sure about the design principle behind this type of watch, semi diver I suppose. The same could be applied to an SMpro or similar. They have the same basic appearance.
My watches tend to be a bit slimmer so I thought perhaps I had missed something, like the cellini ones.
Now I could try one on but really you need to live with it for a while so yes something where I could get my money back 6 months later would be appealing.
Rolex should be a good quality watch that ultimately would last a lifetime if I liked it long term.

Some AP Royal Oaks tick all the right boxes until you get to the slightly sticky issue of price...

[FourRingCircus]

rhinochopig said:

You should (IMHO obviously) buy a watch because you like it, not because of brand snobbery.

Couldn't agree more! I just got my 116233 (Datejust steel/yellow with silver diamond dial) back from Bexley after its first service. I spent the most of the morning looking at a number of other possible candidates including Chanel, Breitling, Rado, Bell & Ross, Omega etc. Nothing I saw made me want to change what I have. THAT'S why you get a Rolex.

[NJH]

FourRingCircus said:

rhinochopig said:

You should (IMHO obviously) buy a watch because you like it, not because of brand snobbery.

Couldn't agree more! I just got my 116233 (Datejust steel/yellow with silver diamond dial) back from Bexley after its first service. I spent the most of the morning looking at a number of other possible candidates including Chanel, Breitling, Rado, Bell & Ross, Omega etc. Nothing I saw made me want to change what I have. THAT'S why you get a Rolex.

Top post and spot on that man. For me it was a friend giving me a vintage sub to try on and have a little play with, up to that point I really didn't get Rolex at all and tbh there is definitely a little inverse snobbery around them as the most famous brand in the watch world. To say it was love at first sight would be putting it mildly but it wasn't just the looks that did it, it was the feel of it on my wrist.