Rolex purchase

[9005rpm]

Hi all,

I have narrowed my search for a new watch down to a GMT II or a submariner, both in steel with a black face.

There does not seem to me to be much to choose between them, but I wondered whether there was a collective wisdom on which would make the better purchase. I don't need the functionality of the GMT II, and I appreciate that this is entirely subjective. That said, the views of those that know about these things would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[GPM3D]

Slightly biased - but the GMT II with ceramic dial is awesome. The latest GMT was up-spec'd 2 years ago, and has the new Daytona strap and squarer clasp shoulders. I read a magazine article just last week that t he submariner is (or has) just been given the same treatment.
I think i'm right in saying that ther're less GMT's than Sub's? But will stand corrected!!
Graham

[andy_s]

The ceramic bezels are very nice it has to be said. I only like the sports models to be honest and have had an Explorer II for years. The quality of the buckle etc is also much more solid than the older models. It's an honest watch but its price is crazy nowadays I think.

Submariner is a classic, GMTII is just as good a watch though.
- Sub more recognisable as a Rolex, + but doesn't scream it
- that's a chunk of change, + but you do get good quality
- servicing costly*, + mine looks new after ten years constantly on the wrist.

Either will resell fairly well I'd say, just get the one you're happy with most (for whatever reason!), both are a a safe bet.

• - Well, count £3-400 every 5-7 years I'd say.

[wigsworld]

Both great watches. The steel sub hasn't been updated yet but will do next year. So will get a ceramic bezel, maxi dial, new style thicker case and solid link bracelet with glidelock clasp. I reckon it'll be a good idea to get one of the last old style subs as they will be sought after in a few years.

[9005rpm]

Interesting comments guys, many thanks. I think that I will just have to take a good look at both and then decide. Am leaning towards the sub, but will find out when the updates are due.

Am I right to assume that the is a 0% chance of a discount?

[Jer_1974]

9005rpm said:

Am I right to assume that the is a 0% chance of a discount?

I don't think a Rolex dealer will budge on price. I bought my Sub date from Ancient and Modern Jewellers in December and paid £3100 for it. Today a Sub's RRP is £3740 but Ancient and Modern have one on ebay for £3495. When I bought mine I managed to get a few pounds off the ebay price. I got very good service from them.

Edited by Jer_1974 on Wednesday 4th November 21:03

[AB]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1313223.htm

Nice.

[jshell]

Jer_1974 said:

9005rpm said:

Am I right to assume that the is a 0% chance of a discount?

I don't think a Rolex dealer will budge on price. I bought my Sub date from Ancient and Modern Jewellers in December and paid £3100 for it. Today a Sub's RRP is £3740 but Ancient and Modern have one on ebay for £3495. When I bought mine I managed to get a few pounds off the ebay price. I got very good service from them.

Edited by Jer_1974 on Wednesday 4th November 21:03

Rubbish. If you walk into any dealer who has one in stock and tell them that you're there ready to buy that day and 'what's the deal' then discount is definitely on the table. Unless it's truly hard to find pieces like the SS Daytona etc.

[Mr MoJo]

jshell said:

Jer_1974 said:

9005rpm said:

Am I right to assume that the is a 0% chance of a discount?

I don't think a Rolex dealer will budge on price. I bought my Sub date from Ancient and Modern Jewellers in December and paid £3100 for it. Today a Sub's RRP is £3740 but Ancient and Modern have one on ebay for £3495. When I bought mine I managed to get a few pounds off the ebay price. I got very good service from them.

Edited by Jer_1974 on Wednesday 4th November 21:03

Rubbish. If you walk into any dealer who has one in stock and tell them that you're there ready to buy that day and 'what's the deal' then discount is definitely on the table. Unless it's truly hard to find pieces like the SS Daytona etc.

Discounts are available. I got a great deal on my Sub last Jan from Crouch's in Cardiff.

[Jer_1974]

Mr MoJo said:

jshell said:

Jer_1974 said:

9005rpm said:

Am I right to assume that the is a 0% chance of a discount?

I don't think a Rolex dealer will budge on price. I bought my Sub date from Ancient and Modern Jewellers in December and paid £3100 for it. Today a Sub's RRP is £3740 but Ancient and Modern have one on ebay for £3495. When I bought mine I managed to get a few pounds off the ebay price. I got very good service from them.

Edited by Jer_1974 on Wednesday 4th November 21:03

Rubbish. If you walk into any dealer who has one in stock and tell them that you're there ready to buy that day and 'what's the deal' then discount is definitely on the table. Unless it's truly hard to find pieces like the SS Daytona etc.

Discounts are available. I got a great deal on my Sub last Jan from Crouch's in Cardiff.

When I bought my wifes Rolex from Earnest Jones They would not budge on price. Must not tried hard enough.

[Incredible Sulk]

Jer_1974 said:

Mr MoJo said:

jshell said:

Jer_1974 said:

9005rpm said:

Am I right to assume that the is a 0% chance of a discount?

I don't think a Rolex dealer will budge on price. I bought my Sub date from Ancient and Modern Jewellers in December and paid £3100 for it. Today a Sub's RRP is £3740 but Ancient and Modern have one on ebay for £3495. When I bought mine I managed to get a few pounds off the ebay price. I got very good service from them.

Edited by Jer_1974 on Wednesday 4th November 21:03

Rubbish. If you walk into any dealer who has one in stock and tell them that you're there ready to buy that day and 'what's the deal' then discount is definitely on the table. Unless it's truly hard to find pieces like the SS Daytona etc.

Discounts are available. I got a great deal on my Sub last Jan from Crouch's in Cardiff.

When I bought my wifes Rolex from Earnest Jones They would not budge on price. Must not tried hard enough.

Dunno if it is still the case, but if it used to be that if Rolex got wind of someone discounting, then they lost the franchise.

[jshell]

Incredible Sulk said:

Jer_1974 said:

Mr MoJo said:

jshell said:

Jer_1974 said:

9005rpm said:

Am I right to assume that the is a 0% chance of a discount?

I don't think a Rolex dealer will budge on price. I bought my Sub date from Ancient and Modern Jewellers in December and paid £3100 for it. Today a Sub's RRP is £3740 but Ancient and Modern have one on ebay for £3495. When I bought mine I managed to get a few pounds off the ebay price. I got very good service from them.

Edited by Jer_1974 on Wednesday 4th November 21:03

Rubbish. If you walk into any dealer who has one in stock and tell them that you're there ready to buy that day and 'what's the deal' then discount is definitely on the table. Unless it's truly hard to find pieces like the SS Daytona etc.

Discounts are available. I got a great deal on my Sub last Jan from Crouch's in Cardiff.

When I bought my wifes Rolex from Earnest Jones They would not budge on price. Must not tried hard enough.

Dunno if it is still the case, but if it used to be that if Rolex got wind of someone discounting, then they lost the franchise.

Just a scare story, if they think you're serious, then there's deals out there. If not in that Rolex dealer, then the one next door... It's a mass-produced piece of jewellery, they're not all that rare.

[Jazzer77]

Im thinking of a Submariner , S/S dateless.
Independant jewellers on ebay has a new unworn one up at 3,095 , cost new 3,390.(Sorry my keyboard has no pound key today!).

Any idea of what discount would be reasonable to expect at an official dealer?

[jshell]

Jazzer77 said:

Im thinking of a Submariner , S/S dateless.
Independant jewellers on ebay has a new unworn one up at 3,095 , cost new 3,390.(Sorry my keyboard has no pound key today!).

Any idea of what discount would be reasonable to expect at an official dealer?

I'd be looking for 10% absolute minimum or I'd walk to the next shop. Managed about 17% on the wife's TT DJ - if I remember correctly.

I really think the trick is to tell them you're ready to buy that day! They get so many browsers, dreamers and people who just want to have a Rolex on their wrists for a few minutes.

[Jazzer77]

Thanks for the quick reply , if offered 17% I'd buy there and then.
I know the bi-metal ones can be bought with more discount but really prefer the clean uncluttered look of the ss dateless.



/Sorry to the o/p for the slight thread hijack

[jshell]

Jazzer77 said:

Thanks for the quick reply , if offered 17% I'd buy there and then.
I know the bi-metal ones can be bought with more discount but really prefer the clean uncluttered look of the ss dateless.



/Sorry to the o/p for the slight thread hijack

You're right: OP - The GMT any day of the week!

Jaz, I wouldn't buy TT for myself now, but I think it suits the ladies in terms of 'dress watch' better than SS.

[JAGS]

Between the GMT and the Sub, I'd have the Sub every day of the week.

In terms of discount, I picked up a Bi-Metal DateJust for my dad's 60th birthday in August. Specially ordered with a very specific dial (as the AD didnt have that piece in stock and I wanted a fresh example without having the dial changed out) and managed to wangle 20% discount off RRP. Excellent service from the AD and the watch turned up within 2 weeks.

Looked at an SS Sub at the time of buying the Datejust and the AD was offering the same %age discount on that too. Decided I had spent enough money in one day and left it at that.

[Stitch]

As an aside - is naming the discounters that good an idea on a public forum?

We wouldn't want the manufacturer picking up on it and getting heavy with these AD's would we?

[9005rpm]

JAGS said:

Between the GMT and the Sub, I'd have the Sub every day of the week.

In terms of discount, I picked up a Bi-Metal DateJust for my dad's 60th birthday in August. Specially ordered with a very specific dial (as the AD didnt have that piece in stock and I wanted a fresh example without having the dial changed out) and managed to wangle 20% discount off RRP. Excellent service from the AD and the watch turned up within 2 weeks.

Looked at an SS Sub at the time of buying the Datejust and the AD was offering the same %age discount on that too. Decided I had spent enough money in one day and left it at that.

Jags,

Thanks for this. Can you PM the name of the AD to me?

Cheers.

[ross-456]

I'm not sure I fully understand the following that the standard (stainless steel) Sub has. Is it not just a poor mans Sea-Dweller??


NB. I'm not a Sub 'hater' (I own a 50th Anni Sub). It's just my view of where the model sits in the Rolex sports range.