help w great "problem"

[milgaussSD43]

Been on AD list (NYC area) for a VTNR for some time but no joy. Stepfather heard I was looking for this and went to his local AD (USA South). He is a very good jewelry customer and they allocated him a VTNR in a few weeks. He's not a watch guy, and while I tried to explain I want an oyster (jubilee isn't for me), he didn't really grasp that, and his AD allocated a jubilee VTNR. He bought it 2 days ago and it's at his house right now. He plans to gift it to me soon.

Amazing! So generous. Except it's not the watch I want. There's no way I could ever say to him "hey, this amazing a very hard to get watch isn't really what I want, can we change it?" Just can't do that.

I know his salesperson at his AD and called her today, explaining the situation. She knows it was bought for me, and she said she was very sorry for the bad luck. But she said they don't take Rolex returns, and "since it's now considered new, we could only buy back for less than he paid." We all know that's ridiculous since a NIB AD VTNR is worth only $12k whereas a "used" VTNR is worth ~$18k+. No point in ruminating over that, it is what it is.

I only buy at ADs and do NOT flip. Of course we all know the value of this watch and chat I can flip in an instant for a profit. But I'm not ok w doing that. I called my AD and explained and asked if they might take the jubilee VTNR and allocate me an oyster VTNR. No luck there as they are Bucherer and per the CPO program can't buy watches < 3 years old.

Anyone w any ideas? I want a NIB unworn oyster VTNR and am willing to do a swap 1:1. I'm thinking of reaching out to a known trusted grey to do that. I want a swap and if offered $$ would not take it. And if I go this route, I would call stepfather's AD and propose what I'm planning and make sure they are ok with it. I don't want him to lose his privileges to get allocations and I don't want to participate in the flip culture.

Final note, he won't notice if I swapped the bracelet, so I won't need to tell him any of this.

[tacotaco]

Reach out to the Greys I’m sure they will do that trade in a heartbeat

[tacotaco]

Also be transparent with your family they will not care given it’s what YOU want

[bluestreak]

Won’t Rolex switch out the bracelet for you, since it’s being sold on both bracelets currently. It will cost a couple thousand, but you’ll have the watch you want. Your AD can arrange it. Hell, I think maybe an RSC will arrange.

If you don’t want to incur extra cost, a reseller is the way to go.

[superpop]

The Jubilee bracelet adds about 1K to the value of the watch vs the oyster. I bet you could find a local gray that would swap bracelets with you for next to nothing, you could do it with any GMT of the same vintage. That is what I would do. I would also not blab it to the AD and everyone else involved. Serial number will match and you will have what you want. The other option is just to buy the oyster bracelet and have both. The jubi bracelet is a very comfortable piece, I would try it before rejecting it.

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by superpop

The Jubilee bracelet adds about 1K to the value of the watch vs the oyster. I bet you could find a local gray that would swap bracelets with you for next to nothing, you could do it with any GMT of the same vintage. That is what I would do. I would also not blab it to the AD and everyone else involved. Serial number will match and you will have what you want. The other option is just to buy the oyster bracelet and have both. The jubi bracelet is a very comfortable piece, I would try it before rejecting it.

Exactly.

[Tools]

Oyster bracelets are pretty easy to come by, such generous gifts, not-so-much

[rockysw]

Originally Posted by Tools

Oyster bracelets are pretty easy to come by, such generous gifts, not-so-much

this.

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by Tools

Oyster bracelets are pretty easy to come by, such generous gifts, not-so-much

I would keep the watch as gifted and buy a spare bracelet for it. No other options if it were me.


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[bliss]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I would keep the watch as gifted and buy a spare bracelet for it. No other options if it were me.


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This exactely!

[hutch300]

This is the way.

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I would keep the watch as gifted and buy a spare bracelet for it. No other options if it were me.


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[prushkovez]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I would keep the watch as gifted and buy a spare bracelet for it. No other options if it were me.


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this!! man you are getting such a generous gift... i guess you can spend another couple of grands to get yourself an "oyster"

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I would keep the watch as gifted and buy a spare bracelet for it. No other options if it were me.


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This! It’s the most honorable way to handle it. Accept this most generous gift, just as your stepdad purchased it, then source an extra Oyster bracelet for it, when you can. Before you do though, try wearing it oh the Jubilee. It’s a very comfortable bracelet.

Kat


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[Rolex1982]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I would keep the watch as gifted and buy a spare bracelet for it. No other options if it were me.


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This!

[ganagati]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I would keep the watch as gifted and buy a spare bracelet for it. No other options if it were me.

This is the right answer and the easiest one. Wear it with the jubilee for a little while (it might grow on you), and wait for the oyster to come in. Then you’ll have the extraordinarily generous gift, and two very different watches by virtue of having the two bracelets.

[Neil McCauley]

Originally Posted by Tools

Oyster bracelets are pretty easy to come by, such generous gifts, not-so-much

This.

I wish I was so fortunate to have one gifted to me lol.

Accept the gift.

Buy an Oyster bracelet separately - you were going to buy the watch, you just saved yourself about $8000

[~JJ]

Originally Posted by Tools

Oyster bracelets are pretty easy to come by, such generous gifts, not-so-much

Agree and well said.

[Watchdog]

Originally Posted by Tools

Oyster bracelets are pretty easy to come by, such generous gifts, not-so-much

This. You know the dynamics, and we don't BUT . . .

It seems like an extremely unpleasant situation just waiting to explode.

Take the watch and thank him profusely!

Secure the oyster bracelet later. It will cost you far less than a damaged relationship with a generous and kind-hearted man.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Watchdog

This. You know the dynamics, and we don't BUT . . .

It seems like an extremely unpleasant situation just waiting to explode.

Take the watch and thank him profusely!

Secure the oyster bracelet later. It will cost you far less than a damaged relationship with a generous and kind-hearted man.

Changing out a bracelet will not damage the relationship. It’s changing out a strap on a watch. No one cares.
Especially since the OP, who I assume knows his FIL better than anyone else here, has stated pretty explicitly that his FIL will not care.

[nighthawk77]

Originally Posted by Tools

Oyster bracelets are pretty easy to come by, such generous gifts, not-so-much

Exactly this.

Don’t be ungrateful. You’re getting an amazing gift and can pick up an oyster bracelet easily.

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by Tools

Oyster bracelets are pretty easy to come by, such generous gifts, not-so-much

100% agreed. Keep the watch, buy a new bracelet.

[rockysw]

if I were in your position, I would take the watch and enjoy it (and not treat it like a problem). You can always buy a oyster bracelet for the GMT at a later date.

Jubliee vs oyster doesnt make that much difference in my view. At the end of the day its the same watch. As I said above, you can always get a oyster for it from an AD or RSC. Worst case (they dont want to sell you or not in stock or whatever), you should be easily able to source one in the gray market.

[PandaLover]

Originally Posted by rockysw

if i were in your position, i would take the watch and enjoy it (and not treat it like a problem). You can always buy a oyster bracelet for the gmt at a later date.

Jubliee vs oyster doesnt make that much difference in my view. At the end of the day its the same watch. As i said above, you can always get a oyster for it from an ad or rsc. Worst case (they dont want to sell you or not in stock or whatever), you should be easily able to source one in the gray market.

+1

[Rentalcarman]

Because of the care and kindness behind the watch, and the only issue is the band, I would source out the. And and keep the watch for its special meaning. It doesn’t matter if he would or wouldn’t notice. He did it out of love for you and that makes the watch far more special than just being a watch.

I would either talk to an AD and share this story and seek their help for the band or I would share the same store with RSC. Worst case, find a trusted grey on here to get you the band.

But I would not under any circumstance sell or trade this watch because of the act of kindness behind it. When you look down at this watch you will always think about the love behind it. But if you sell or trade it, every time you look at it you will remember the opposite side of the story. Just my honest opinion.

Good luck to you!


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[sambb]

interesting story - i recently received an oyster GMT as a gift, and previously wanted the jubilee. However, as the timepiece was a gift, i will never trade the oyster for the jubilee. Im going to keep the oyster and it reminds me of the individual who gifted it to me. I feel more connected to the piece.

[2loaded]

What a world. Love TRF !

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Sounds like a lot of drama for such a generous gift. Wear the free Rolex with gratitude on the Jubilee as gifted. As others have said you can buy an Oyster bracelet. Having both bracelets honors the giver and the spirit of the gift as well as addressing your own preference.

[L_S_SHOE]

Your stepdad sounds like good dude.

I’d probably accept it as is and I bet you’ll find the Jubilee grows on you. If you really really don’t want to do that, then a trusted seller may be willing to do the swap, but you’ll probably have to throw some money into the deal so it would be worth their time and effort.

I’m not sure I’d tell his AD anything of this.


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[fsprow]

In my view, gifts are to be enjoyed and valued - not exchanged. Maybe old fashioned.

[Joearch]

OP, honestly, are you kidding. I have a unworn VTNR on Oyster. Happy to exchange bracelets w you.