Welcome, Date-Just

[Lew Archer]

A business trip last week took me to lovely Alexandria, Virginia. Wondering the quaint streets, and browsing in shop windows on King Street, I came to a small family owned jewelry store. Fittingly named King's Jewelry, it is an authorized Rolex dealer.

Unsuspecting, I stepped in and found myself chatting with the owner and founder. The conversation turned to Rolex and soon he introduced me to a very able salesman, with both passion for his subject and knowledge.

They had a respectable array of models on hand and I inquired about the Date-Just, a model I don't own.

I was interested in a 36mm case, preferring the classic size in that model. I was torn between variants. Generally, I wanted the fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet, and was leaning towards the old school, two tone version...but which dial? Champagne? Silver? White?

As we considered the options, I found myself with mixed feeling about the two tone gold and stainless steel combination. Simply put, the new watches in this configuration seemed just too bright for me. I realized the patina of vintage models took off that edge and toned down the impact of the watch.

Even so, though, gold seemed a bit much for my personal taste.

On cue, the salesman brought out a model I'd been considering for some months, the white gold and stainless combination with silver dial.

I had not walked into the store intending to by. But, when it's right, it's right...and that was that. I compared it to a black dial version, but finally decided on the silver dial. The watch, despite its white gold accents (the fluted bezel and markers) was handsome and quite comfortable. This would be my first Rolex with a jubilee bracelet and I immediately saw how comfortable that design really is, with the polished center links that given the bracelet elegance and blend into the overall presence of the watch.

We discussed the price. A very reasonable offer was made. I weighed the watch in my hand a moment, then said,

"You've made yourself a sale."

The watch was fitted, perfectly, then prepared for shipping to my home in California.

As promised, it arrived via registered mail and here it is, fellow enthusiasts...a Date-Just 36mm, white gold and stainless, silver dial.

Cheers!




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