Discussion
It's my 40th this year, and I've decided to treat myself. I visited my local dealer yesterday to have a quick look at some of the options, and tried the following:
It should be a keeper barring any unforeseen incidents, so retained value isn't overly important. However, it would be nice not to loose a bundle! I have a reasonable idea how the GMT and sub would fare, but don't know how yacht masters hold up, value wise. Any thoughts?
Finally - I've not tried one on, but a steel Daytona does appeal. I'd rather buy a new watch, but suspect that might be tricky! Is this a "better" watch though? I don't have a date on my current watch and miss that a little, but I know I could live without it.
Which would you get, and why? Obviously I'll go my own way in the end, but I'm curious if there's an aspect to these watches I've not considered that should sway me another way.
Finally - if not a Rolex, what would you get for a similar budget?
- Blue/black GMT - very nice, quite subtle I thought while being a bit different to the "default option" submariner. GMT would be handy for work as I'm often talking to our offices in Asia, and knowing the time there at a glance would be useful.
- Blue bezel and face bi-metal sub - thought this looked amazing, probably the favourite. I know bi-metals aren't to everyone's taste, but I really like the blue!
- Then the dealer threw in a curve ball - yacht master with a dark blue or platinum face. I always thought these were a bit overpriced, but I didn't know the bezel was platinum. With the dark blue face I rather liked it.
It should be a keeper barring any unforeseen incidents, so retained value isn't overly important. However, it would be nice not to loose a bundle! I have a reasonable idea how the GMT and sub would fare, but don't know how yacht masters hold up, value wise. Any thoughts?
Finally - I've not tried one on, but a steel Daytona does appeal. I'd rather buy a new watch, but suspect that might be tricky! Is this a "better" watch though? I don't have a date on my current watch and miss that a little, but I know I could live without it.
Which would you get, and why? Obviously I'll go my own way in the end, but I'm curious if there's an aspect to these watches I've not considered that should sway me another way.
Finally - if not a Rolex, what would you get for a similar budget?
Bought a blnr GMT a few weeks ago after much deliberation! For me the second timezone with the splash of blue was what had me.
Not a big fan of bimetal rolexes and the yacht master always looks a bit odd in my eyes although the new everose and rubber one looks much better.
I looked at the white face explorer2 and the milgauss gv both which I like also. A bit different to the sub.
Not a big fan of bimetal rolexes and the yacht master always looks a bit odd in my eyes although the new everose and rubber one looks much better.
I looked at the white face explorer2 and the milgauss gv both which I like also. A bit different to the sub.
DanL said:
It wouldn't be my only Rolex as I currently wear my grandfather's 1969 non-date Oyster. However, it would become my everyday watch, and the first (and likely only!) Rolex I buy myself.
Why not have a look at older watches, my favourite watch for all occasions is my GMTII Pepsi, have a look on hackettwatches.com Domonic is very helpful Thanks for the replies so far. 
I'm aware the precious metal watches lose a bunch in the first few years, but I'm not particularly interested in buying used unless there's an availability issue. Basically this is likely to be a once in a lifetime purchase for me, and I want it to be as much of an "experience" as possible. It was nice to be ushered behind the sliding glass doors to the "Rolex room", and I'd like to be the first owner.
Kind of like buying a car - I buy used generally, as I'll only keep them for a few years and it makes sense to get something "better" used than I could afford if I bought new. If I were only to buy one car in my life, I might prefer to buy new - it's the same with this watch.
I'm aware the precious metal watches lose a bunch in the first few years, but I'm not particularly interested in buying used unless there's an availability issue. Basically this is likely to be a once in a lifetime purchase for me, and I want it to be as much of an "experience" as possible. It was nice to be ushered behind the sliding glass doors to the "Rolex room", and I'd like to be the first owner.
Kind of like buying a car - I buy used generally, as I'll only keep them for a few years and it makes sense to get something "better" used than I could afford if I bought new. If I were only to buy one car in my life, I might prefer to buy new - it's the same with this watch.
I have a GMT (non ceramic, black bezel) that I wear every day - lovely watch for all occasions, and the latest blue/black model is beautiful. I'd buy one tomorrow if I could afford to do it without offloading my classic GMT.
I had a white face SS Daytona which I sold last year - a beautiful watch, but tricky to see the time if your eyesight is less than perfect. The bezel is prone to dings, and of course no date.
If I was in your position it would be the blue/black GMT every time. Subs are just too common - I've never understood why the GMT is so much less popular. Join the GMT club - you know it makes sense!
I had a white face SS Daytona which I sold last year - a beautiful watch, but tricky to see the time if your eyesight is less than perfect. The bezel is prone to dings, and of course no date.
If I was in your position it would be the blue/black GMT every time. Subs are just too common - I've never understood why the GMT is so much less popular. Join the GMT club - you know it makes sense!
Buy the best used preferably so as to loose very little or nothing then all your watch wants evaporate as you have the best. I went for a day date in white gold with white gold strap 20 years old but looks brand new as probably had very little wear. There is very little out there I actually want now whereas before I wanted every second watch.
The oysters are classics with their protruding glass and bygone looks and the gold day date is the best of them.
The subs and gmts are nice too but a bit large and blingy. I had a look at the weekend in a Rolex shop and took to a sub with the green bezel in stainless. A classic piece imho if that's the type of watch your after. The yacht masters are horrible in my eyes and I couldn't care if they were all platinum but obviously opinions vary as presumably they sell.
The oysters are classics with their protruding glass and bygone looks and the gold day date is the best of them.
The subs and gmts are nice too but a bit large and blingy. I had a look at the weekend in a Rolex shop and took to a sub with the green bezel in stainless. A classic piece imho if that's the type of watch your after. The yacht masters are horrible in my eyes and I couldn't care if they were all platinum but obviously opinions vary as presumably they sell.
Edited by gvij on Monday 15th June 19:32
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff