Something with a bit of colour - Hulk, GMT, Black Bay?

[dom9]

So, this is a bit of a what watch thread. I can feel my willpower weakening, since it is Christmas...

I am going to do my best to stay strong and not buy another watch but the talk of discounts on Green Subs in the LV thread and the fact I am enjoying my Seiko Black Bay homage has me thinking. It doesn't help that I have been having dirty thoughts about Coke GMTs either.

So, the current rotation is:

- Seiko Black Bay homage
- Seadweller
- Deepsea
- Zenith Original 1969 El Primero

The Zenith has a bit of colour to it but is smaller (38mm) and kept for 'best' now. The SD and DSSD are night on identical to the casual observer (DSSD may go) and very black/ plain (though the SD is still my favourite watch EVER). The Seiko is actually lovely and taken on daily driver duties but I do feel a little uncomfortable about it being so close to a Tudor Black Bay now... Am I treading on fake/ replica territory?

So, I have been thinking about adding a bit of colour... Nothing too Jacob & Co and I still can't quite sell myself on gold, with how little wear the Zenith is getting (ultimately I'd like a gold JLC with a nice complication for 'best' but I seem to have no opportunities to wear it) at the moment.

My current thinking is something around 40mm (DSSD is too big for me and I am not a small man) with a splash of colour, like on the bezel. Let's ballpark the price around £5k. On the list at the moment are:

- Tudor Black Bay (could I get a 2nd hand BB AND a Pelagos almost in budget?)
- Rolex Hulk Submariner (maybe an LV)
- Rolex GMT2 (I prefer Coke to Pepsi)

I do like diver/ oyster style watches, I want a date (the reason my ND Sub went) but I am not massively interested in chronos (IWC Spitfire went), especially now I have the El Primero. Something that won't depreciate 50% when I walk out the shop door would be nice, too!

Any pics or if you've seen anything for sale, a link, would be appreciated for me to talk myself into/ out of this! I will, of course, be talking to Dom H to see what he has in stock, once the short list has been finalised!

[Miguel Alvarez]

Ignoring the bit about 40MM have you thought about a Planet Ocean or Aquatimer? Both seem to wear reasonably well for the size they are.

[dom9]

Miguel Alvarez said:

Ignoring the bit about 40MM have you thought about a Planet Ocean or Aquatimer? Both seem to wear reasonably well for the size they are.

I don't know why, particularly, but I'm really not an Omega man and the orange PO doesn't do it for me, though I get why it does for others!

I like Yeti's blue, liquid metal, chrono but that's very big and the blue is maybe not 'enough' colour for me!

I have two Tag's with yellow faces that are going to be for sale soon, so Tags are out, though clearly I have a history of liking colour

You are, however, on the right track, believe it or not after that!

[Rgee]

- Rolex Hulk Submariner (maybe an LV)

The Hulk is an LV or did you mean its predecessor the Kermit LV.

[dom9]

Rgee said:

- Rolex Hulk Submariner (maybe an LV)

The Hulk is an LV or did you mean its predecessor the Kermit LV.

I meant the previous, Kermit, when referring to LV...

Looking on eBay for inspiration.

Not exactly what I wanted but Pepsi GTM and Birth Year:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-MASTER-GMT-VINTAGE-1...

Bling Bling:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-Submariner-Steel-Gre...

Edited by dom9 on Wednesday 18th December 17:27

[Miguel Alvarez]

Do Tag do an Aquatimer? I was thinking of the IWC one. Either the yellow bezel white face or the blue and orange bezel one.

I think.

[rog007]

I needed colour (existing watch was a Datejust) so went for an anniversary (Flat 4) sub; the colour thing is so good I now want a Pepsi too! Will pick one up in January and that should be it...

[TheJimi]

Black Bay. Without a doubt.

What are you expecting to pay for a used BB?

[dom9]

Miguel Alvarez said:

Do Tag do an Aquatimer? I was thinking of the IWC one. Either the yellow bezel white face or the blue and orange bezel one.

I think.

Sorry - I was thinking Aquaracer, as I had been thinking my list was mainly Sub-style watches!

rog007 said:

I needed colour (existing watch was a Datejust) so went for an anniversary (Flat 4) sub; the colour thing is so good I now want a Pepsi too! Will pick one up in January and that should be it...

It's always nice to brighten things up a little!

TheJimi said:

Black Bay. Without a doubt.

What are you expecting to pay for a used BB?

I'd buy a new BB (I'm in the States, so it's easy) and have just been quoted £2,100 equivalent. That seems pretty good to me and I guess I could de-tax it at the airport?!

[westberks]

The Tudors make a nice pair with the retro look of the black bay and the modern Pegalos and within the budget; but a Coke or Pepsi appeal.

[dom9]

So, I've been quoted:

- Pelagos $4,125
- Black Bay strap $3,425 (I'm assuming this is bracelet and have replied to confirm)
- Black Bay leather $3,100

So, I'd prefer the BB on a bracelet meaning a Pelagos and a BB would total $7,550 or £4,595 at the BBC exchange rate.

Both those watches in budget and that's BEFORE asking for any discounts and de-taxing (not that tax is a lot in Texas) before I fly tomorrow...

Oh dear, I may have a real problem on my hands here. They have them both in stock.

I still think another Rolex may be a better heirloom/ keeper/ investment but those Tudors are my favourite watches on the market at the moment.

Why did I look into this?

[TheJimi]

If you've got the requisite moolah, it's a no-brainer dude.

Go for it

[dom9]

TheJimi said:

If you've got the requisite moolah, it's a no-brainer dude.

Go for it

I hear you... Maybe I should 'think' about this over Christmas...

I can't help but feel, even though I like them (slightly) less - The Rolex would be the more 'sensible' purchase!?

Sadly, I am more a 'head' guy than a 'heart' guy (my missus is so lucky)!

Anyone know when Rolex/ Tudor prices are due an increase? Is it January 1st 2014?

[ecain63]

dom9 said:

TheJimi said:

If you've got the requisite moolah, it's a no-brainer dude.

Go for it

Anyone know when Rolex/ Tudor prices are due an increase? Is it January 1st 2014?

No time soon ive been told. My dealer friend says we should get 6 months notice from Rolex and i've heard nothing yet. If its coming then i'll pass it on. What i do know is that discounts are being monitored so we might not be getting the usual 5% that you should expect from a certified dealer. Tightening up they are!

[dom9]

ecain63 said:

No time soon ive been told. My dealer friend says we should get 6 months notice from Rolex and i've heard nothing yet. If its coming then i'll pass it on. What i do know is that discounts are being monitored so we might not be getting the usual 5% that you should expect from a certified dealer. Tightening up they are!

With a 5% discount and if I can get the tax back, that would make the Pelagos AND the BB (on a bracelet) just a smidge over £4k at current exchange rates.

That is starting to look like very good money indeed...

I'll never find a GMT, Hulk or other Sports Rolex for that. Hmmmm....

[PJ S]

dom9 said:

So, I've been quoted:

- Pelagos $4,125
- Black Bay strap $3,425 (I'm assuming this is bracelet and have replied to confirm)

So, I'd prefer the BB on a bracelet meaning a Pelagos and a BB would total $7,550 or £4,595 at the BBC exchange rate.

Both those watches in budget and that's BEFORE asking for any discounts and de-taxing (not that tax is a lot in Texas) before I fly tomorrow...

Both are available from Italian ADs (listing on chrono24) for less than £3.8K, with no concerns about VAT to worry about.
I'd imagine the €100 shipping would cover both, or it'd not be much more for all the weight involved.

[dom9]

PJ S said:

Both are available from Italian ADs (listing on chrono24) for less than £3.8K, with no concerns about VAT to worry about.
I'd imagine the €100 shipping would cover both, or it'd not be much more for all the weight involved.

Good info - Just what I was looking for! But I live in the States, so getting stung for tax is a concern, on their way in...

Pity Tudor are not stocked in UK airports!

[TheJimi]

Another thing to consider...

The Black Bay is an already well regarded watch, and it's just recently won the prize within it's category at The Foundation of Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix.

This is just speculation, but if Tudor were to cease production, the values are only going to go one way.

[B17NNS]

dom9 said:

I can't help but feel, even though I like them (slightly) less - The Rolex would be the more 'sensible' purchase!?

As someone on another thread said... Buy well & a Rolex is one of the "cheapest" watches on the planet.

Not meaning to sound like a kermit fanboy but try an 16610LV for size. Going purely by ebay prices they are still cheap stateside.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Rolex-Submariner-50...

[PJ S]

dom9 said:

Good info - Just what I was looking for! But I live in the States, so getting stung for tax is a concern, on their way in...

Ah....didn't realise you were over there.