Rolex Sky-Dweller worth it?

[Pip1968]

Firstly apologies but I am typing this on my phone so may need to tidy up grammar and punctuation later on my laptop. I have been looking at getting a Sky-Dweller and possibly trading in one of my others. They seem to sell from 17 to 35,000 depending on whether they are gold or SS.

I quite fancy a rubber strapped one and have previously bought a Rubber B for my Deep-sea so know that I can just buy a metal bracelet and replace it.

So do their prices hold or go up like the sport models? How much are they new and if I buy secondhand am I paying a premium to do so.

Many owners on here - ? The yellow gold may attract too much attention but is a possible.

Comments appreciated.

Pip

[BrokenSkunk]

If you want to tell the time, get an F-91W.
If you want an investment, talk to a financial expert.
If you want a piece of jewellery, buy something that you like. The opinions of others are irrlelevant.

Please note that the above is just my personal opinion.

[Pflanzgarten]

It’s bling but not too bling in my opinion. They were trading above retail last year but not now, like a lot of precious metal Rolex they’ve taken a bit of a dive apart from the really special/hero watches (such as Daytonas or Presidents).

Rolex do do you a decent discount on taking the rubber strapped version and it’s comfy so I’d always advise that against the gold bracelet unless you really like the heavy metal feel.

If you can get one at retail (which shouldn’t be hard) I’d recommend it whole heartedly even if it’s worth a couple of grand less as soon as you walk out the door.

I wouldn’t buy one at overs if that’s what is offered.

[NDA]

I have a modest collection of watches - including a Sky Dweller in steel with a blue dial.

I should add that I have no interest in whether the price goes up or down, I buy watches to wear.

The reason I bought it (which is relevant, to me at least, is at the end) is that firstly, after many years and many watches, I realised that I prefer watches more on the sports end of things - bracelet (or rubber) and fairly robust. Secondly, I enjoy complications - GMT's in particular. Therefore the Sky Dweller is perfect, a complex movement (GMT, Date, Annual Calendar) and fairly robust, I never need to take it off. The final clincher is the incredibly easy (and novel) method of adjustment which is idiot proof, there's no 'danger zone' or instruments needed to adjust it, unlike many complications.

In my case, it's definitely worth it as it does everything I like.

But.... as I mentioned earlier, I buy to wear and have an interest in movements rather than worrying about the value or who it might impress.

[Ninjin]

If you are looking for a watch to be 'worth' it, then that's something only you can decide.

I bought mine in 2018 because I love the movement. TBH, to most, it just looks like a big Datejust.

[Pip1968]

BrokenSkunk said:

If you want to tell the time, get an F-91W.
If you want an investment, talk to a financial expert.
If you want a piece of jewellery, buy something that you like. The opinions of others are irrlelevant.

Please note that the above is just my personal opinion.

Is your job to shut down PH conversations?

1. I looked up F-91 (for others, essentially a Casio watch) and quite frankly it's not for me. I love the simple Rolex watches although this one is a little busy faced ie.Daytonas are definitely not for me. I also love the whole idea of it being automatic and not requiring a new battery every year.

2. I am not looking for an investment more just peace of mind that it will at least hold its value. Nobody so far has mentioned their retail value. At 17k for steel or +30k gold, am I paying overs?

3. I do like it but it would not just be a luxury but an additional luxury so need to convince myself that it makes sense. I could spend the money on a M2 instead but would need to slim the garage down.

Pflanzgarten, I really like yours although am toying with a white faced version. I take it yours is white gold -? This is for you:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dx5Xj-1HRs I hope you like it.

Ninjin, I also like the look of yours as I prefer the Oyster strap as it is more sporty and robust looking and less dressy. Maybe I should look for a Sky Dweller with a Oyster strap and just buy a Rubber B strap to go with it. Are the new Rolex rubber straps made by Rubber B ??

Pip

[Deep]

Pip1968 said:

Firstly apologies but I am typing this on my phone so may need to tidy up grammar and punctuation later on my laptop. I have been looking at getting a Sky-Dweller and possibly trading in one of my others. They seem to sell from 17 to 35,000 depending on whether they are gold or SS.

I quite fancy a rubber strapped one and have previously bought a Rubber B for my Deep-sea so know that I can just buy a metal bracelet and replace it.

So do their prices hold or go up like the sport models? How much are they new and if I buy secondhand am I paying a premium to do so.

Many owners on here - ? The yellow gold may attract too much attention but is a possible.

Comments appreciated.

Pip

Full gold, even on oysterflex trades below rrp

Bi metal with black face slightly above rrp
Bi metal white face marginally above rrp

Steel blue face, way above rrp
Steel black face a few grand above rrp
Steel white face will have the smallest premium amongst steel versions

This is the impression I got the last time I checked.

I'd really like one myself. They're a big watch so make sure you've tried one on your wrist.

[BrokenSkunk]

Pip1968 said:

Is your job to shut down PH conversations?

Hah! OK, I'll expand...

There are regularly questions about purchasing a Rolex as an investment. They're watches, not investments. But there's a whole thread on that subject: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... Reading it will get you as close as you'll ever get to an answer about whether or not your particular choice will hold it's value. Good luck.

There are also an awful lot of "Should I buy?" and "Which do you prefer?" threads. And to be honest they just make me despair. The questioner just needs to grow a spine and make a decision for themselves. If they're asking what else they could get for their money I do get it. But if they're asking people to choose from a handful of candidates, I wonder how these people cope with selecting a pair of socks every morning.


The point about the F91W was that is that practically it is all the watch you or I will ever need. It is tough, waterproof and accurate. And it can be had for £9.99. Less if you try hard enough. To me, it is also butt ugly, but that's personal preference. If you want to spend more than £9.99 on any watch, you're not doing so because of functionality. At that point it becomes a piece of jewellery, or a wearable curio. As soon as you spend more than a tenner, personal preference & / or vanity become the sole motivators.


As soon as you consider spending more than a tenner, you should be buying what you want, as opposed to what someone else tells you that you want. Even the most feeble minded amoung us can't truely be told what to like.

Pip1968 said:

2. ... At 17k for steel or +30k gold, am I paying overs?

That's a really good question. But not one that I'm able to answer. Sorry. Others will help.

Pip1968 said:

3. I do like it but it would not just be a luxury but an additional luxury so need to convince myself that it makes sense.

Now there I can help. If you apply cold logi, it makes no sense what-so-ever. 95% of what you're purchasing is perceived value. These are Veblen goods, people buy them because they are expensive, they are expensive so that people will buy them. Pricing bears no resemblence to the raw material or manufacturing cost. Neither do these watches do anything better than a humble F-91W, quite the opposite in fact.
These are expensive, (fairly) pointless trinkets and their purchase makes no sense.

I'm not trolling. I have a medium sized collection (40ish) of these pointless trinkets. I'm just being honest.

[Vsix and Vtec]

That's all well and good Mr Skunk, I appreciate that to someone who spends a lot of time in this section it probably DOES become tiresome. The thing is, as you have already pointed out, you are well versed in the subject and comfortable with it. The questions you're describing neatly include my own post that I made a couple of days ago, which got a solitary and similarly abrubt reply. This is akin to telling a learner driver they ought to already know how to drive. We (i) approach this section precisely because we're aware we lack the insight and history with the matter at hand. I simply can't fathom the thought process whereby rather than just read it and thinking "oh another of these, I'll skip" you take the time to write something, just not the thing which would have made it worth your time doing so. Being unhelpful is a waste of time for both the op and yourself, which is a real waste, because its more than obvious from your expanded reply that you're a very knowledgeable person, and probably quite interesting to listen to on the subject.

Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Tuesday 1st August 11:13

[Pip1968]

Deep said:

Full gold, even on oysterflex trades below rrp

Bi metal with black face slightly above rrp
Bi metal white face marginally above rrp

Steel blue face, way above rrp
Steel black face a few grand above rrp
Steel white face will have the smallest premium amongst steel versions

This is the impression I got the last time I checked.

I'd really like one myself. They're a big watch so make sure you've tried one on your wrist.

Very helpful. On size, yes I have tried one that was for sale at the Burlington Arcade (London). I also already have a Deepsea so the size of these is not really an issue. Don't get me wrong if it was up there with the new Breitling Emergency I would not even consider it.

Brokenskunk I appreciate what you are saying. I am not after an investment but as it is a luxury to add to a collection of luxuries it would at least be reassuring to know that if I choose to sell it that I won't have my pants pulled down too far.

BrokenSkunk said:

As soon as you consider spending more than a tenner, you should be buying what you want, as opposed to what someone else tells you that you want. Even the most feeble minded amoung us can't truely be told what to like.

I am certainly not being told what to like (or at least listening to dictators) and it will always be my choice but sometimes you hear others point of view and realise that maybe you should rethink ie they keep getting mugged for wearing their choice because it is just to showy to be wearing as an every day watch. I currently wear my Sea-Dweller 24/7. I have always worn my watch all the time in war zones, jungle, desert and arctic as well as when tinkering on my car but do not want something perceived to be too showy. That is part of the reason I am shying away from the yellow gold on black rubber strap. That said it may still work with a little bit of risk mitigation.

Pip

Edited by Pip1968 on Tuesday 1st August 12:32

[Pflanzgarten]

The picture above is the yellow gold on black OP, it is most definitely “showy” compared to a Sea Dweller but to me the oyster flex strap tones it down just enough.

[NDA]

Even more blingy on a jubilee

[BrokenSkunk]

Vsix and Vtec said:

That's all well and good Mr Skunk, I appreciate that to someone who spends a lot of time in this section it probably DOES become tiresome. The thing is, as you have already pointed out, you are well versed in the subject and comfortable with it. The questions you're describing neatly include my own post that I made a couple of days ago, which got a solitary and similarly abrubt reply. This is akin to telling a learner driver they ought to already know how to drive. We (i) approach this section precisely because we're aware we lack the insight and history with the matter at hand. I simply can't fathom the thought process whereby rather than just read it and thinking "oh another of these, I'll skip" you take the time to write something, just not the thing which would have made it worth your time doing so. Being unhelpful is a waste of time for both the op and yourself, which is a real waste, because its more than obvious from your expanded reply that you're a very knowledgeable person, and probably quite interesting to listen to on the subject.

Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Tuesday 1st August 11:13

Fair. My first reponse was abrasive. I didn't mean it to be. I was aiming for short and sharp and hopefully to make people think. I fully expected to have to come back and explain myself.

There's nothing in either post that any reader here won't already know (with the possible exception of the term "veblen"). But they may not realise they know it until they're told. And having read my post, people will just think "What's that killjoy idiot blathering about? I already knew that."

I did it because I just want people to think before lashing out on an unnecessary luxury. You'd be amazed at the numbers who venture here with big budgets to spend, sometimes on credit, who've not engaged their brains (I'm not referring to the OP). Their money, their choice, but FFS at least realise what it is you're doing. And if you're going to buy (good for you), get something you like, not something you think other people will admire you for wearing.

I apologise. Just trying to make the world a better place in my cantankerous curmuddgeonly way, one soap box at a time.

P.S.
Choose the black socks. No, not that pair, they've got holes in the heels. Yes, that's right those ones.

[Pip1968]

BrokenSkunk, do not worry too much. You have recovered yourself. First post was like a Friday late afternoon rush. Subsequent posts appear as if your wife/Mistress has had you in for a service.

I should also ask what the 'facelift' Sky-Dweller brought with it. Has it got bigger?

Pflanzgarten, I have to say the picture makes it look more like a white gold than yellow. I do agree the black strap tones it down nicely.

The first two pictures make the watch look as if it has got smaller albeit that Ninjin may have bought his before Pflanzgarten. If so have they got bigger? The one I tried was big enough ( c.2021 ).

Pip

Edited by Pip1968 on Thursday 3rd August 12:19

[Pflanzgarten]

The image is an actual gif but I can’t figure out how to do that on this website. It’s a pretty “gold” gold though.

[Vsix and Vtec]

BrokenSkunk said:

Fair. My first reponse was abrasive. I didn't mean it to be. I was aiming for short and sharp and hopefully to make people think. I fully expected to have to come back and explain myself.

There's nothing in either post that any reader here won't already know (with the possible exception of the term "veblen"). But they may not realise they know it until they're told. And having read my post, people will just think "What's that killjoy idiot blathering about? I already knew that."

I did it because I just want people to think before lashing out on an unnecessary luxury. You'd be amazed at the numbers who venture here with big budgets to spend, sometimes on credit, who've not engaged their brains (I'm not referring to the OP). Their money, their choice, but FFS at least realise what it is you're doing. And if you're going to buy (good for you), get something you like, not something you think other people will admire you for wearing.

I apologise. Just trying to make the world a better place in my cantankerous curmuddgeonly way, one soap box at a time.

P.S.
Choose the black socks. No, not that pair, they've got holes in the heels. Yes, that's right those ones.

You seem to be good at proving my suspicions right. You're really a pretty decent guy with well meant intentions. I agree with you regarding the "will people think i'm cool if I own X item?" line of thinking. Being someone who has been well versed in the art of being very much "out of my time" since school age, I've long since given up any pretence to being cool, hip or whatever else the kids are call it these days. I buy things I like the look of, I buy my partner things I that I think she'll like. I try not to buy cheap tat that won't last, even if it means having something that is "last season" or an older model. I keep gazing longingly at the Bremont Arrow and Audley H1, but I'm more comfortable making big purchases for my partner.

Good shout regarding the socks by the way

[Kirkmoly]

Pflanzgarten said:

It’s bling but not too bling in my opinion. They were trading above retail last year but not now, like a lot of precious metal Rolex they’ve taken a bit of a dive apart from the really special/hero watches (such as Daytonas or Presidents).

Rolex do do you a decent discount on taking the rubber strapped version and it’s comfy so I’d always advise that against the gold bracelet unless you really like the heavy metal feel.

If you can get one at retail (which shouldn’t be hard) I’d recommend it whole heartedly even if it’s worth a couple of grand less as soon as you walk out the door.

I wouldn’t buy one at overs if that’s what is offered.

I have been put off by the dimensions of the Skydweller in the past, assuming that it would wear a bit bulky. I tried this exact model on today however and had a complete change of mind. What an absolutely stunning watch in the flesh, and so comfortable on the wrist. Absolutely loved it. OP, just try one on and you will instantly know one way or the other.