Need advice on Rolex purchase

[hellsbuddha]

Hi

I have wanted a rolex as an everyday watch for the last 10 years and really want to get one this year.

My budget is around £1500 - (and may stretch a bit more if I can get rid of some camera equipment).

There are several on this site http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/rolex%20modern.htm

but I have no idea about the differences between the Air King and Date Adjust.

Also I would like to have a date on it, as its something I find very useful.

Oddly enough I prefer the chunky strap - bigger square blocks as opposed to the finer straps on some of them.

So, any advice appreciated and which one would you folks recommend.

I would also like to hand it to my son when he's 21 (a good time away)

thanks

[Disco You]

The Air King is the cheapest Rolex. From what I have read it is for a reason, they don't feel anywhere near as nice. They are also not often found with date windows.

If I were you I would save a bit longer so that you can get a nice date/day date/ date just. But before you do that I would go somewhere that you can try each of the models on to see which you like the feel of best.

[Mr E Driver]

Better to spend a bit more on an Explorer 2 or a GMT2. Join TZ-UK and keep an eye on the sales thread.

edit...here you go. http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t...

[Disco You]

Mr E Driver said:

Better to spend a bit more on an Explorer 2 or a GMT2. Join TZ-UK and keep an eye on the sales thread.

edit...here you go. http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t...

He wants a dress watch so you tell him to look at divers models?

[Mr E Driver]

Explorer 2 isn't a divers watch really and it can look a whole lot more 'dressier' if you put it on a strap.

Although this looks a lot more like a tool watch with the Toshi strap¬

[hellsbuddha]

that's lovely but £1.5k is really the max for me
sam

[DKL]

HB,
Get yourself registered on TZ - it may take a while! but there are plenty of dates/datejusts for around and just under your 1500 and precisions for around 500-700.
This should include all the boxes/paperwork etc. If you persist for a month or two I'm sure something will come up. Patience.

[hellsbuddha]

thanks will keep a look out.

Not looking till September at the moment

[andy_s]

Mr E Driver said:

Explorer 2 isn't a divers watch really and it can look a whole lot more 'dressier' if you put it on a strap.

Although this looks a lot more like a tool watch with the Toshi strap¬

How bizarre - I've done the same thing with mine on a Toshi (that colour too) - the thickness of the leather meant it started to get caught between the sprinbar and case edge so ended up a bit scuffed - does look good though!

[Barreti]

Disco You said:

The Air King is the cheapest Rolex. From what I have read it is for a reason, they don't feel anywhere near as nice. They are also not often found with date windows.

If I were you I would save a bit longer so that you can get a nice date/day date/ date just. But before you do that I would go somewhere that you can try each of the models on to see which you like the feel of best.

I have a 1962 Air King, a 1977 Datejust, a 1989 GMT Master and a 2010 Air King and the statement about the Air King being cheap is rubbish.
Both my Air King keep fantastic time and the new one feels very solid and tight.
The old one is sweet as a nut and its nearly 50 years old.
They are no nonsense watches. No

The most comfortable of my 4 Rolex though is the Datejust. Unlike most other watches I have I can wear my Datejust 24x7 without getting the urge to take it off. I think this is something to do with the adjustability and comfort of the Jubilee bracelet.

I picked it up for £1300 with paperwork. And paperwork/box/idiot guide etc is important should you want to sell it on later. Don't believe me? Have a look how much boxes go for on ebay!

There are 2 significant differences between older and newer Datejusts. The older ones don't have quickset dates and the newer ones do - and I can't remember which year it changed, so you'll have to do your homework.
Quickset date is where you can pull the crown out one click and change the date. Non-quickset means you have to wind the hands around 24hrs to change the date. If its not a watch you will wear very regularly this can be tiresome and you'll end up looking at watch winders - been there, done it.

Oh, and when you do find a watch you're interested in, make sure its not on the Rolex stolen register. Again, google it.

Good luck in your search. You don't need thousands to get a nice Rolex, but if you are careful about its authenticity you can pick up something nice for your budget and enjoy it for years.