Buying my first ever Rolex ..... Please advise ....
Discussion
Congrats on being in a position to achieve your goal! I would say buy what you like. Hope that it appreciates but if it doesn't - you appreciate and enjoy it. I love yellow and rose gold but be careful you can end up wearing it a lot less due to the spike in watch related theft and also (depending upon your profession) it creating the wrong impression in work. The Daydate you picked out is beautiful and one of my favourite dials.
gentlemanwatchcollector said:
Congrats on being in a position to achieve your goal! I would say buy what you like. Hope that it appreciates but if it doesn't - you appreciate and enjoy it. I love yellow and rose gold but be careful you can end up wearing it a lot less due to the spike in watch related theft and also (depending upon your profession) it creating the wrong impression in work. The Daydate you picked out is beautiful and one of my favourite dials.
This is very true. I wouldn't wear it to work. If its a steel would be for weekends and special occasions. Yes love the day date with the ruby's but 35k would be my absolute max spend.rog007 said:
What a great position to be in!
I’d simply head to my local AD and ask your questions there. You could even get lucky!!
Let us know how you get on
I haven't visited yet because I am worried of being rejected or not being a 'big' enough customer. I’d simply head to my local AD and ask your questions there. You could even get lucky!!
Let us know how you get on
How or who would be my best authorised dealer? Would I just google some.
Think I will definitely go this weekend with my girlfriend and take a punt.
raihaan123 said:
Think I will definitely go this weekend with my girlfriend and take a punt.
I hope you're budgeting twice the value of the watch then. In my experience, if the g/f is aware that you're spending £xxx on a watch, then that suddenly becomes the budget for jewellery at her next birthday / Christmas / Valentines Day / anniversary of us meeting / anniversary of us becoming official / anniversary of the first time we both wanted boiled eggs for breakfast / some other made up event.(I'm not really as cynical as that sounded
)raihaan123 said:
I haven't visited yet because I am worried of being rejected or not being a 'big' enough customer.
It's amazing isn't it, this Rolex madness at the moment?You are a customer willing and able to spend many thousands of pounds on a high-end product with a massive margin for both the manufacturer and the retailer, and yet you're made to feel as if you might be laughed out of the premises for attempting to give them your money.
That's why I will probably skip owning another Rolex until things return to being reasonable again.
raihaan123 said:
rog007 said:
What a great position to be in!
I’d simply head to my local AD and ask your questions there. You could even get lucky!!
Let us know how you get on
I haven't visited yet because I am worried of being rejected or not being a 'big' enough customer. I’d simply head to my local AD and ask your questions there. You could even get lucky!!
Let us know how you get on
How or who would be my best authorised dealer? Would I just google some.
Think I will definitely go this weekend with my girlfriend and take a punt.
I recently visited a AD 230 miles from where i live (away on city break) so called in to discuss the Sub green LV, and of course they didn't have any, this AD was honest told me i'd be unlikely to get one from them: 1) i dont live nearby so postcode checks 2) i have no purchase history with them 3) short supply of stocks and so likely these will go to their regular customers, some of which have also waited nearly 2 years I mean these AD's are very cautious and you can get the feel of them scoping you out asking questions carefully examining your answers, its because so many buyers want to simply flip and sell to grey dealers, and there are handsome rewards as you know given WF prices!, if like me you actually want to own one, then i suppose its our job to convince them of this, which usually is where the 'getting to know your AD comes in handy'
On this occasion i didn't know this AD, though we had a decent chat, we looked at the usual DJ stocks and ladies for the missus, but by the time i was leaving he offered me an explorer which was arriving at store in 2 days, i actually declined as would be home by then anyway and for me my budget isnt as healthy as yours so that £5K will be sat to fund the Hulk should the call come! many would say there is a wait for anything at all steel from the pro range, not exactly true though given this example, just bear in mind the whole game play when you approach the AD, you never know your luck, but i think an explorer or air king is far easier to obtain than any GMT/Subs/sea dwellers.
Many on here will shout me down and prove you can get what you want, and quickly but the reality is chances are still slim, some have been lucky, given my experiences though you need to play the long game i'm afraid. :-(
One way to help try be allocated a GMT/BLNR or Pepsi/BLRO would be to use some of you healthy £35K max budget to buy an explorer or Air king first (still nice watches) or a more available DJ - now i know many dont agree with this approach (i have my reservations trust me) but often it appears this is the route to the good stuff like i say i'm not saying i agree this is how it should be, but they are not exactly horrible cheap watches and chances are you'll put yourself in a good or at least better position with your local AD, if worst case then frankly your still waiting the long game and have 1 or 2 nice Rolex's with a 5 year warranty you can wear and enjoy, and the rest of your budget sat in the bank ready for when you get the call on the good sports stuff.
high demand and lack of supply has driven the prices to a point where to be fair i'd wait it out rather than buy over list, that said you can afford to buy from WF right now, depends how good you are at waiting doesn't it!
I do wish you well though. and congrats on your achievements thats a healthy budget!
Andy
I'm currently looking for a Day-Date ruby although a 36mm rather than a 40 or 41mm, if you haven't I would suggest you try one on - I was convinced I wanted the 40mm but on my wrist it was just too big.
In my opinion it's a watch to buy either duty free, on the grey market or 2nd hand, the 40mm currently retails around £29k but there are unworn examples at grey dealers for low £20's
If you go the 2nd hand route ensure that the dial is original rather than added after purchase, the example on Chrono24 currently springs to mind.
edited to add that the prices I've quoted are for the non ruby DD.
In my opinion it's a watch to buy either duty free, on the grey market or 2nd hand, the 40mm currently retails around £29k but there are unworn examples at grey dealers for low £20's
If you go the 2nd hand route ensure that the dial is original rather than added after purchase, the example on Chrono24 currently springs to mind.
edited to add that the prices I've quoted are for the non ruby DD.
Edited by Tresco on Tuesday 14th May 14:10
OP, if you decide to pay overs for one of the hard- (impossible?) to-get sports watches, chances are it will at least hold its value - the supply/demand situation is unlikely to improve.
If you buy any other Rolex new, provided it is not too outlandish and not too boring, it will likely lose some value - not as much as most other watches, and then settle.
If you buy used, you can usually compare the price you're paying with the RRP now, or at least with something similar. Again, value will remain the same or even creep up.
All IMO of course. Watch as an investment? Well, broadly speaking a) you really have to know your watches, and b) it has to be made in limited numbers, be very desirable or of great significance and now discontinued. Most Rolexes are likely to hold their value better than other watch brands. If you can get hold of one of the sports models (Sub, GMT II, Sea Dweller, maybe SkyDweller) new at RRP, then it'll immediately be worth more.
In all considerations of value/worth, don't forget the dealer's cut if you want to sell to one as opposed to direct.
If you buy any other Rolex new, provided it is not too outlandish and not too boring, it will likely lose some value - not as much as most other watches, and then settle.
If you buy used, you can usually compare the price you're paying with the RRP now, or at least with something similar. Again, value will remain the same or even creep up.
All IMO of course. Watch as an investment? Well, broadly speaking a) you really have to know your watches, and b) it has to be made in limited numbers, be very desirable or of great significance and now discontinued. Most Rolexes are likely to hold their value better than other watch brands. If you can get hold of one of the sports models (Sub, GMT II, Sea Dweller, maybe SkyDweller) new at RRP, then it'll immediately be worth more.
In all considerations of value/worth, don't forget the dealer's cut if you want to sell to one as opposed to direct.
davek_964 said:
I hope you're budgeting twice the value of the watch then. In my experience, if the g/f is aware that you're spending £xxx on a watch, then that suddenly becomes the budget for jewellery at her next birthday / Christmas / Valentines Day / anniversary of us meeting / anniversary of us becoming official / anniversary of the first time we both wanted boiled eggs for breakfast / some other made up event.
(I'm not really as cynical as that sounded )
haha just had a right laugh reading that in the office (I'm not really as cynical as that sounded
)paulguitar said:
It's amazing isn't it, this Rolex madness at the moment?
You are a customer willing and able to spend many thousands of pounds on a high-end product with a massive margin for both the manufacturer and the retailer, and yet you're made to feel as if you might be laughed out of the premises for attempting to give them your money.
That's why I will probably skip owning another Rolex until things return to being reasonable again.
Exactly its shocking You are a customer willing and able to spend many thousands of pounds on a high-end product with a massive margin for both the manufacturer and the retailer, and yet you're made to feel as if you might be laughed out of the premises for attempting to give them your money.
That's why I will probably skip owning another Rolex until things return to being reasonable again.
not fair for people like my self who is from a working class background who has always been fascinated with watches but never ever been able to afford them till now!!!
Edited by raihaan123 on Tuesday 14th May 14:37
andyman_2006 said:
You need find your local one (nearest postcode to where you live) and just to go speak with them, spend a little time with them discussing your options, explain your situation in the exact same way you have here, the steel pro models you want are extremely short supply and in very high demand, you could get lucky, but be prepared to wait, dont give the impression if you cant have it now, then you'll go playing off the AD's in various cities - they dont like this, and whether you like the process or not, they are actually assessing you - its a strange situation, where the customer does not hold all the cards (money) where this actually makes no difference to them, as they cant supply demand, so there is no shortage of customers in fact the exact opposite.
I recently visited a AD 230 miles from where i live (away on city break) so called in to discuss the Sub green LV, and of course they didn't have any, this AD was honest told me i'd be unlikely to get one from them: 1) i dont live nearby so postcode checks 2) i have no purchase history with them 3) short supply of stocks and so likely these will go to their regular customers, some of which have also waited nearly 2 years I mean these AD's are very cautious and you can get the feel of them scoping you out asking questions carefully examining your answers, its because so many buyers want to simply flip and sell to grey dealers, and there are handsome rewards as you know given WF prices!, if like me you actually want to own one, then i suppose its our job to convince them of this, which usually is where the 'getting to know your AD comes in handy'
On this occasion i didn't know this AD, though we had a decent chat, we looked at the usual DJ stocks and ladies for the missus, but by the time i was leaving he offered me an explorer which was arriving at store in 2 days, i actually declined as would be home by then anyway and for me my budget isnt as healthy as yours so that £5K will be sat to fund the Hulk should the call come! many would say there is a wait for anything at all steel from the pro range, not exactly true though given this example, just bear in mind the whole game play when you approach the AD, you never know your luck, but i think an explorer or air king is far easier to obtain than any GMT/Subs/sea dwellers.
Many on here will shout me down and prove you can get what you want, and quickly but the reality is chances are still slim, some have been lucky, given my experiences though you need to play the long game i'm afraid. :-(
One way to help try be allocated a GMT/BLNR or Pepsi/BLRO would be to use some of you healthy £35K max budget to buy an explorer or Air king first (still nice watches) or a more available DJ - now i know many dont agree with this approach (i have my reservations trust me) but often it appears this is the route to the good stuff like i say i'm not saying i agree this is how it should be, but they are not exactly horrible cheap watches and chances are you'll put yourself in a good or at least better position with your local AD, if worst case then frankly your still waiting the long game and have 1 or 2 nice Rolex's with a 5 year warranty you can wear and enjoy, and the rest of your budget sat in the bank ready for when you get the call on the good sports stuff.
high demand and lack of supply has driven the prices to a point where to be fair i'd wait it out rather than buy over list, that said you can afford to buy from WF right now, depends how good you are at waiting doesn't it!
I do wish you well though. and congrats on your achievements thats a healthy budget!
Andy
Andy, thank you for your kind words. Honestly it has been a dream of mine since a kid to own a submariner or a GMT. I think I will definitely visit my local AD and go from there on the weekend. Your words are so true.I recently visited a AD 230 miles from where i live (away on city break) so called in to discuss the Sub green LV, and of course they didn't have any, this AD was honest told me i'd be unlikely to get one from them: 1) i dont live nearby so postcode checks 2) i have no purchase history with them 3) short supply of stocks and so likely these will go to their regular customers, some of which have also waited nearly 2 years I mean these AD's are very cautious and you can get the feel of them scoping you out asking questions carefully examining your answers, its because so many buyers want to simply flip and sell to grey dealers, and there are handsome rewards as you know given WF prices!, if like me you actually want to own one, then i suppose its our job to convince them of this, which usually is where the 'getting to know your AD comes in handy'
On this occasion i didn't know this AD, though we had a decent chat, we looked at the usual DJ stocks and ladies for the missus, but by the time i was leaving he offered me an explorer which was arriving at store in 2 days, i actually declined as would be home by then anyway and for me my budget isnt as healthy as yours so that £5K will be sat to fund the Hulk should the call come! many would say there is a wait for anything at all steel from the pro range, not exactly true though given this example, just bear in mind the whole game play when you approach the AD, you never know your luck, but i think an explorer or air king is far easier to obtain than any GMT/Subs/sea dwellers.
Many on here will shout me down and prove you can get what you want, and quickly but the reality is chances are still slim, some have been lucky, given my experiences though you need to play the long game i'm afraid. :-(
One way to help try be allocated a GMT/BLNR or Pepsi/BLRO would be to use some of you healthy £35K max budget to buy an explorer or Air king first (still nice watches) or a more available DJ - now i know many dont agree with this approach (i have my reservations trust me) but often it appears this is the route to the good stuff like i say i'm not saying i agree this is how it should be, but they are not exactly horrible cheap watches and chances are you'll put yourself in a good or at least better position with your local AD, if worst case then frankly your still waiting the long game and have 1 or 2 nice Rolex's with a 5 year warranty you can wear and enjoy, and the rest of your budget sat in the bank ready for when you get the call on the good sports stuff.
high demand and lack of supply has driven the prices to a point where to be fair i'd wait it out rather than buy over list, that said you can afford to buy from WF right now, depends how good you are at waiting doesn't it!
I do wish you well though. and congrats on your achievements thats a healthy budget!
Andy
Although I have a decent budget It's just so frustrating to be being almost double for a batman for example. But then again I feel this is the market now and it won't change and that prices may only keep increasing.
Thank you again
raihaan123 said:
Andy, thank you for your kind words. Honestly it has been a dream of mine since a kid to own a submariner or a GMT. I think I will definitely visit my local AD and go from there on the weekend. Your words are so true.
Although I have a decent budget It's just so frustrating to be being almost double for a batman for example. But then again I feel this is the market now and it won't change and that prices may only keep increasing.
Thank you again
You are welcome, from what I've seen over the last 2 months - new/unused, and nearly new 2018/2019 GMT Batman on the oyster bracelet are pushing £15K from some dealers, with 2014 models being listed for £11K upwards as well, triggered by the model on the Oyster being discontinued, and Rolex only offering it on the Jubilee, also hiking the price to from £6850 to £7150 same as the Pepsi. We have now seen Grey dealers hike the prices further, WF were quick on this you may have noticed!Although I have a decent budget It's just so frustrating to be being almost double for a batman for example. But then again I feel this is the market now and it won't change and that prices may only keep increasing.
Thank you again
I was Lucky enough to have received one last Nov before they were discontinued, i'm really happy with mine and have no intention of selling it on, like you i bought it to own and wear and enjoy,
I waited nearly 2 years as well.
I was let down initially by a AD in Leeds (My nearest at the time) whom i'll never go back to ever (i initially wanted one as a wedding present) the wedding came and went last June and no watch - so all in all very disappointing at the time, PM me if you want the AD's name so as to avoid - not that they'll care as they are not short of customers!!
All the best
Andy
If i could talk to my younger self regarding Rolex i would impart the following:
don’t buy a new one, especially a gold one
The subs now are a very common spot. Back 20 years you would have been lucky to see one. These days I couldn’t bring myself to buy one.
Unless you are roger federer, wearing Rose Gold rolex watches are a turnoff for most people, if you really want one then fine but don’t expect admiration, especially from work colleagues or decent women. Unless you work in an FX Brokerage, drive a white merc, blacked out range rover or are a big fan of towie in which case a rose gold rolex might work. Hah just a dig, no malice intended.
If it absolutely must not be a stainless steel watch then it has to be platinum (or titanium). There is no real material as White Gold or Rose Gold. They are
priced on the basis that people don’t really understand what these materials are.
A platinum rolex is a grail watch for many.
I am lucky to own a Rolex milgauss green glass, everyone loves it and it has taken a real beating.
if i were to have my time again i would buy a used one or something a bit funkier, less of a common spot.
For the type of money you are talking i would ignore Rolex and buy a used vacheron Constantine self-winder in Stainless Steel but it’s not what i would consider a younger persons watch as it’s not funky enough.
I would therefore go for a used AP, plenty of designs to choose from and deep discounts to be had if you buy used.
Carl_Manchester said:
Rolex Milgauss
This was the first thing I thought when I read this topic- fantastic looking things, pretty unusual.I don't know whether they're commanding the same sort of waiting lists with ADs that many other Rolex are, but the GMTs aside they're the only ones that really tickle my pickle.
HM-2 said:
Carl_Manchester said:
Rolex Milgauss
This was the first thing I thought when I read this topic- fantastic looking things, pretty unusual.I don't know whether they're commanding the same sort of waiting lists with ADs that many other Rolex are, but the GMTs aside they're the only ones that really tickle my pickle.
OP - I'd buy something else rather than get involved with the game Rolex and ADs are playing. I'd also rather have something that isn't made by the (near) million each year that everyone who sees it will think is a fake.
Edited by lostkiwi on Tuesday 14th May 19:56
lostkiwi said:
They had one in the window at WoS in Birmingham last week.
OP - I'd buy something else rather than get involved with the game Rolex and ADs are playing. I'd also rather have something that isn't made by the (near) million each year that everyone who sees it will think is a fake.
It surprised me that in 15-odd years of wearing various Rolexes they almost never got noticed or commented upon except when I was in a watch shop.OP - I'd buy something else rather than get involved with the game Rolex and ADs are playing. I'd also rather have something that isn't made by the (near) million each year that everyone who sees it will think is a fake.
Edited by lostkiwi on Tuesday 14th May 19:56
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