Entry Level Rolex

[GrandAndrew]

What would you guys suggest? I would be at the lower end of the market, ideally around 4k. Or is there another make that's better at this price point?

I think I'm probably looking at a used one at this price and like something that looks like this;

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Oysterquartz-Da...

I know absolutely nothing about watches. How do you check their provenance?

I guess my main thinking around the Rolex is the allure of the name. Bit like Aston Martin does to some I would think.

What does ongoing maintenance cost on an old watch like this?

[AshBurrows]

That's a quartz. If I just wanted A ROLEX and had a budget of 4k, I'd probably buy a yachtmaster.

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Yacht-Master/16...

Not as well proportioned and classic as a sub, but definitely Rolex. Also it's got a lot of platinum on it and an automatic movement.

If you can stretch maybe another grand it opens up classic subs, milgauses etc which I think are far, far prettier.

Just my opinions of course. Buy what you like

[audidoody]

Plenty of Explorers on WatchFinder within your budget.

If buying from WF there are no issues about authenticity, It will be genuine and will likely have been serviced.

WF will likely give you a good part-exchange price (as it was from their stock) for it further down the line if you wanted to move up the range.

[GCH]

GrandAndrew said:

What would you guys suggest?

Not using watchfinder for a start.

[ou sont les biscuits]

AshBurrows said:

That's a quartz. If I just wanted A ROLEX and had a budget of 4k, I'd probably buy a yachtmaster.

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Yacht-Master/16...

Not as well proportioned and classic as a sub, but definitely Rolex. Also it's got a lot of platinum on it and an automatic movement.

If you can stretch maybe another grand it opens up classic subs, milgauses etc which I think are far, far prettier.

Just my opinions of course. Buy what you like

Maybe the OP doesn't want a ladies watch? It is nice though, my wife has one.

[GrandAndrew]

Thanks for the replies.

Sorry, please excuse my ignorance but when you say that's a Quartz, is that a sub brand? Unlike when I purchase 20 or 30 year old cars it's not something I'm going to jump into a would like to make an informed decision.

[GrandAndrew]

Ha, ideally I wouldn't have a ladies watch, no, but I do have quite small wrists so if a deal could be had....

I was just using Watch Finder as a platform to check what was in range, where would you suggest looking?

[AshBurrows]

ou sont les biscuits said:

Maybe the OP doesn't want a ladies watch? It is nice though, my wife has one.

Whoops!

GrandAndrew said:

Thanks for the replies.

Sorry, please excuse my ignorance but when you say that's a Quartz, is that a sub brand? Unlike when I purchase 20 or 30 year old cars it's not something I'm going to jump into a would like to make an informed decision.

Battery powered and not a self charging kinetic based mechanism.

[bobbybee]

AshBurrows said:

That's a quartz. If I just wanted A ROLEX and had a budget of 4k, I'd probably buy a yachtmaster.

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Yacht-Master/16...

Not as well proportioned and classic as a sub, but definitely Rolex. Also it's got a lot of platinum on it and an automatic movement.

If you can stretch maybe another grand it opens up classic subs, milgauses etc which I think are far, far prettier.

Just my opinions of course. Buy what you like

That's a ladies Yachtmaster, Mens size 40mm is north of £4k, without box and papers
Not that much Pt, it's only the dial, bezel and bezel insert. The later of which if damaged is almost unrepairable and needs replacing at around £750.00, yes just for the insert.

Servicing is around £500 every 5 years or so, or you can leave it until it's not running right (personal choice)

Edited by bobbybee on Thursday 13th April 15:13

[bobbybee]

AshBurrows said:

Battery powered and not a self charging kinetic based mechanism.

A quartz watch uses a battery to provide electrical current to a quartz crystal. The battery will need replacing every 3-5 years depending on the battery.

An automatic movement is not kinetic, it winds the mainspring using a rotary weight which spins under movement of the wrist. a kinetic watch gains its power in a similar way but charges a capacitor. Two quite different technologies

[bobbybee]

GCH said:

Not using watchfinder for a start.

Agreed

[cbmotorsport]

You can get a no date Sub for 4k. Classic watch, the purists choice due to it's symmetry. Will last a lifetime, and probably increase in value a bit.

Factor in a service when it starts to become unreliable (probably every 5-10 years depending on use) at around £500.

It's versatile, can be worn with jeans and t-shirt or a suit. A do it all watch.

http://www.chrono24.co.uk/rolex/submariner--id6029...

[ou sont les biscuits]

bobbybee said:

GCH said:

Not using watchfinder for a start.

Agreed

Any particular reason?

[cbmotorsport]

They're about 20% more expensive than most other places.

[AshBurrows]

bobbybee said:

A quartz watch uses a battery to provide electrical current to a quartz crystal. The battery will need replacing every 3-5 years depending on the battery.

An automatic movement is not kinetic, it winds the mainspring using a rotary weight which spins under movement of the wrist. a kinetic watch gains its power in a similar way but charges a capacitor. Two quite different technologies

So it's not a kinetic mechanism but it uses kinetic energy? Okay then. I assume the OP knew what I meant. Cool semantics though.

[trickywoo]

Have a look at the PH favourite here https://www.hackettwatches.co.uk/hw/items and see if anything takes your fancy.

[cbmotorsport]

trickywoo said:

Have a look at the PH favourite here https://www.hackettwatches.co.uk/hw/items and see if anything takes your fancy.

If I were the OP, I would be begging borrowing and stealing another £1000 to top up my budget and buy this:

https://www.hackettwatches.co.uk/hw/items/JWEBAL4E...

[bobbybee]

AshBurrows said:

So it's not a kinetic mechanism but it uses kinetic energy? Okay then. I assume the OP knew what I meant. Cool semantics though.

Fun aren't they?

I just though of clearing up your comment for the OP, I know what you meant, as would many, but since the OP thought Quartz was a Rolex sub brand and admits to knowing nothing about watches, a little extra simplified info could be useful, no?

[bobbybee]

cbmotorsport said:

If I were the OP, I would be begging borrowing and stealing another £1000 to top up my budget and buy this:

https://www.hackettwatches.co.uk/hw/items/JWEBAL4E...

almost the same functionality and in budget
https://www.hackettwatches.co.uk/hw/items/JWEBAJCD...

Then again I'm biased as used to have one, also had a Submariner-Date at the time, the GMT was on my radar but didn't want 2 black dialled watches in the collection

[AshBurrows]

bobbybee said:

Fun aren't they?

I just though of clearing up your comment for the OP, I know what you meant, as would many, but since the OP thought Quartz was a Rolex sub brand and admits to knowing nothing about watches, a little extra simplified info could be useful, no?

Yeah fair enough. I'm sometimes utterly amazed by your watch knowledge as well as slightly irritated how slightly off mine is haha.

What do serious collectors think of quartz? Are any of them still particularly lusted after? I always wondered why Rolex etc still bother.