Rolex Datejust for wife. Blue face.
Rolex Datejust for wife. Blue face.
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Original Poster:

99 posts

111 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
Hi All

I'm looking to buy my wife a Datejust from her birth-year as she'll be turning 30 soon. She's only had cheap watches before and I know she'd love something special.

After a bit of shopping around, it turns out it's tricky to find the right watch in 'mint' condition, with box & papers.

I've found a 36mm 16233 TT, fluted bezel and blue dial from a reputable dealer. I spoke to the shop who described the watch as being in perfect condition with almost no stretch on the bracelet, this is due to being locked in a safe for most of its life. It's got everything; papers, box, original receipt and spare links. Apparently the dial is blue with a slight purple hue, the picture on their website doesn't show the colour very well but I guess it must look like this:



First of all, at £4195 do you think the price is fair? I tried to negotiate a little on the phone, but the seller wouldn't budge, assuring me that this was the cheapest I'm likely to find. Looking on Chrono24 and Watchfinder, he seems to be right.

Secondly, can I have some opinions on the watch and whether you think it would suit a ladies wrist? She's used to larger watches as she used to wear Michael Kors and such. She spotted this Tag Heuer which is 39mm, but was put off because it is quartz and wants automatic. Here's the Tag:



Since the Tag is very blue and she has another blue strapped watch, it makes me think she'll like the blue face of the Rolex. I love it, but will she?

I've left a refundable deposit to hold the watch - going to have a look on Saturday.

What do you guys and girls think?

alorotom

12,788 posts

217 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
Personally I really dislike the Rolex - it looks very old man to me (father, grandfather both had/have them in that style)

The Tag is nice and more feminine in my opinion

Does she want one?? Will she be comfortable wearing something of value on her wrist like this - my Mrs as example will happily wear her engagement ring and wedding ring and her solitaire necklace worth somewhere around £15k combined but won’t wear anything worth more than a couple of hundred on her wrists (strange I know but I believe not unique in this)

Username...

Original Poster:

99 posts

111 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
I know she loves the Datejust style and she likes the two tone on the jubilee bracelet specifically. It's just the colour of the face I'm really wondering about, I love it and personally don't think it's old man. I'm 30 and would definitely wear it.

Personally I think the Tag is kind of nice but looks a bit cheap in comparison. Definitely not as classy and timeless like the Datejust.

She won't be too worried about wearing a high value watch. Her engagement ring is worth approx. £15k and she wears it daily. That's what insurance is for.


alorotom

12,788 posts

217 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
Sounds like your decision is made then in fairness

DJMC

3,606 posts

133 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
My wife's first Rolex, a DJ26 had a blue dial (her choice), but she tired of it and went for a silver diamond dot DJ26 after a few years.

More recently, when she decided she wanted something larger, it took many visits to various jewellers and ADs before she came away with exactly what she finally decided she liked. Three visits to the final AD before buying.

My point is that I think it's risky to choose what a woman wants. Either she'll say she likes it even if she doesn't and resent your choosing for her, or she'll tell you outright she doesn't like it and you have a row, and lose money taking it back.

What I would recommend is NEVER to surprise a lady with jewellery. In 31 years of marriage I've gone back to buy jewellery she's loved without her knowing it, but only if she kept mentioning the item for days after we'd left the shop. So either do it that way, or MUCH better still explain you'd like to buy her a watch and let her enjoy the buying process, the champagne, the chocolate Hob Nobs, the banter, etc...

That way she'll get what SHE wants, and you'll get a peaceful life and be judged all the more considerate for letting her choose.

TAKE HER with you Saturday for definite!!

audidoody

8,598 posts

286 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
I bought my Missus a S/S Lady Datejust years ago. She didn't really bond with it and finally found a mid-size mixed metal DJ with oyster bracelet fell in love with. The mid-size is 31mm and still looks small. A 36mm would be fine for her.

That blue dial watch looks perfect for her!

So

28,176 posts

252 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
Username... said:
Hi All

I'm looking to buy my wife a Datejust from her birth-year as she'll be turning 30 soon. She's only had cheap watches before and I know she'd love something special.

After a bit of shopping around, it turns out it's tricky to find the right watch in 'mint' condition, with box & papers.

I've found a 36mm 16233 TT, fluted bezel and blue dial from a reputable dealer. I spoke to the shop who described the watch as being in perfect condition with almost no stretch on the bracelet, this is due to being locked in a safe for most of its life. It's got everything; papers, box, original receipt and spare links. Apparently the dial is blue with a slight purple hue, the picture on their website doesn't show the colour very well but I guess it must look like this:



First of all, at £4195 do you think the price is fair? I tried to negotiate a little on the phone, but the seller wouldn't budge, assuring me that this was the cheapest I'm likely to find. Looking on Chrono24 and Watchfinder, he seems to be right.

Secondly, can I have some opinions on the watch and whether you think it would suit a ladies wrist? She's used to larger watches as she used to wear Michael Kors and such. She spotted this Tag Heuer which is 39mm, but was put off because it is quartz and wants automatic. Here's the Tag:



Since the Tag is very blue and she has another blue strapped watch, it makes me think she'll like the blue face of the Rolex. I love it, but will she?

I've left a refundable deposit to hold the watch - going to have a look on Saturday.

What do you guys and girls think?
Berrys in Nottingham has a new and unworn stainless version of that (white gold bezel). It's a nice looking thing.



kmpowell

3,549 posts

258 months

Tuesday 7th November 2017
quotequote all
My other half (35yo) is getting a 116000 with Red Grape dial from me this Christmas. The 36mm is a good size, understated S/S, and the red grape dial is subtle. They also do a blue dial version.

Worth considering, and IMO much classier than that bi-metal. I've also been offered (without asking) 10% off if I took a stock watch, so they are certainly a good price.

Here's the link, click configure to see the blue dial.

https://www.rolex.com/watches/oyster-perpetual/m11...

Username...

Original Poster:

99 posts

111 months

Tuesday 7th November 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the feedback so far thumbup

I think we've mainly determined that watch styles are very subjective! I know she loves this style of watch, especially with the two tone jubilee bracelet. That stuff I'm confident about. It's just the colour of the face which I'm unsure about and how it makes the watch look overall.

My thinking is that it's potentially a near perfect watch from the correct year, which is hard to come across. I might not find another DJ which is as complete or in such good condition before her birthday comes around.

I wonder if anyone has experience in having their Rolex dials changed? I know this can be done and keeping the watch 100% factory original doesn't really both me - we can keep the original dial too.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to take her with me, but she won't be expecting the Rolex and I'd love to surprise her.

For reference, here's a link to the exact watch: http://watchesofdistinction.com/product/3995-ref-4...

Any other thoughts?



Edited by Username... on Tuesday 7th November 11:24

NDA

25,720 posts

255 months

Tuesday 7th November 2017
quotequote all
That woman has a very hairy arm.

Those are my thoughts.

So

28,176 posts

252 months

Tuesday 7th November 2017
quotequote all
Username... said:
Thanks for the feedback so far thumbup

Any other thoughts?

Yes. How does she feel about secondhand watches?

Username...

Original Poster:

99 posts

111 months

Tuesday 7th November 2017
quotequote all
So said:
Yes. How does she feel about secondhand watches?
Not a problem. She mentioned a long time ago she likes the idea of a watch or a piece of jewellery from her year of birth. As long as it's immaculate and from a reputable source it wouldn't bother us.

A6Ced

2,538 posts

284 months

Tuesday 7th November 2017
quotequote all
I've seen ladies wearing larger rolexes and to be honest I think the smooth bezel suits better, and have seen quite a few Salmon pink faced ones as well but if Blue is the go to colour then...........

A quick look around threw up this

http://weekesandsons.com/rolex-3/?&SingleProdu...

I really like it and showed my wife it and she gave it a pair of thumbs up.