How many purchase sight unseen?

[dpt.calvin]

Every watch I've ever purchased I bought sight unseen. Namely, my BLNR, 16710 Pepsi, and Tudor GMT. I'm 32 years old. I call myself HENRY - high earner, not rich yet. I do well enough that I feel comfortable purchasing luxuries without significantly sacrificing "important" things in life. Fortunately, I've never been disappointed by any of my purchases. But these are still expensive purchases and it has me wondering...

1) How many of you have purchased a watch sight unseen (photos aside) and been completely disappointed upon receipt?

2) How many of you have difficulty choosing when there are multiple color options? E.g. white vs. black dial Daytona - I used to think I wanted the white dial, and maybe that's the hype and popularity influencing my opinion, but now I'm really drawn to the black dial.

With most, if not all, SS references being absent from AD display cases, it's rather difficulty to "see" first hand whether or not I really like a watch or which color I prefer.

My peers either 1) don't make enough to feel comfortable buying luxury watches or 2) do make enough but don't care to. So I can't look to their wrists.

***disclaimer - I know what I said in my "I have everything I need" thread, but looking and admiring isn't a crime!

[EtherBrown]

1. I’ve fallen out of love watches and enjoyed the purchase and moved on. Never regretted it.

2. I thought I wanted a Pepsi and then saw it side by side with a Root Beer and walked out with the CHNR.

I don’t have any close friends who are into watches at this level. So I appreciate the hell out of communities like this.


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[mdx77]

Nope, are you loco?!?!?!? I’m also a HENRY, but money is still money. I could never buy anything in this price bracket sight unseen. Just MHO. I too want a Daytona, but I REALLY am waiting to see if they release a TT White Dial in Ceramic. Nothing to do with hype...I just love the thought of that watch.

[EtherBrown]

Originally Posted by mdx77

Nope, are you loco?!?!?!? I’m also a HENRY, but money is still money. I could never buy anything in this price bracket sight unseen. Just MHO. I too want a Daytona, but I REALLY am waiting to see if they release a TT White Dial in Ceramic. Nothing to do with hype...I just love the thought of that watch.

I’m with you on that TT white! The CHNR got me rethinking the TT aversion and I actually love the contrast and bit of extra weight. Full PMs are too heavy for me to wear comfortably long term, so I’m glad I’ve scratched that itch and moved on.


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[Rexplorer214270]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

Every watch I've ever purchased I bought sight unseen. Namely, my BLNR, 16710 Pepsi, and Tudor GMT. I'm 32 years old. I call myself HENRY - high earner, not rich yet. I do well enough that I feel comfortable purchasing luxuries without significantly sacrificing "important" things in life. Fortunately, I've never been disappointed by any of my purchases. But these are still expensive purchases and it has me wondering...

1) How many of you have purchased a watch sight unseen (photos aside) and been completely disappointed upon receipt?

2) How many of you have difficulty choosing when there are multiple color options? E.g. white vs. black dial Daytona - I used to think I wanted the white dial, and maybe that's the hype and popularity influencing my opinion, but now I'm really drawn to the black dial.

With most, if not all, SS references being absent from AD display cases, it's rather difficulty to "see" first hand whether or not I really like a watch or which color I prefer.

My peers either 1) don't make enough to feel comfortable buying luxury watches or 2) do make enough but don't care to. So I can't look to their wrists.

***disclaimer - I know what I said in my "I have everything I need" thread, but looking and admiring isn't a crime!

Define high earner in terms of annual income range

[dpt.calvin]

Originally Posted by Rexplorer214270

Define high earner in terms of annual income range

Definition doesn't matter. It's relative. What's important (to me) is that I'm comfortable spending what I do.

[doboy007]

Hulk and SkyD (at least not the SS black dial). Wait, maybe I only saw pictures of BLNR before buying one. Can't recall on that one.

[ArtNouveau]

I saw the BLRO at a Basel trunk show before I received it. I had also seen a black DaytonaC before asking for one. I personally believe lots of people on this forum have not seen in person the higher demand models. If you have grey dealers in your town they will likely have them.

[Jim Beam]

Originally Posted by mdx77

Nope, are you loco?!?!?!? I’m also a HENRY, but money is still money. I could never buy anything in this price bracket sight unseen. Just MHO. I too want a Daytona, but I REALLY am waiting to see if they release a TT White Dial in Ceramic. Nothing to do with hype...I just love the thought of that watch.

Originally Posted by EtherBrown

I’m with you on that TT white! The CHNR got me rethinking the TT aversion and I actually love the contrast and bit of extra weight. Full PMs are too heavy for me to wear comfortably long term, so I’m glad I’ve scratched that itch and moved on.


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Help me understand the aversion to the gold bezel? What exactly is the appeal of the ceramic? Especially on a TT, I just don't see it. The combination (from a style perspective) just doesn't strike me as something that Rolex would be ready to offer. What's the appeal?

[doboy007]

Originally Posted by Jim Beam

Help me understand the aversion to the gold bezel? What exactly is the appeal of the ceramic? Especially on a TT, I just don't see it. The combination (from a style perspective) just doesn't strike me as something that Rolex would be ready to offer. What's the appeal?

Too fragile, too shiny, too scratchy, and not too much contrast against rest of the watch.

[Jim Beam]

Originally Posted by doboy007

Too fragile, too shiny, too scratchy, and not too much contrast against rest of the watch.

Not sure I’d agree with the contrast. Gold bezel on a white dial is plenty of contrast I suppose you’re right about the scratch factor but I just don’t see ceramic as an option. What color would you want on it to go with the TT? Blue? I just don’t see it happening.

[JRell]

What does this thread mean? Lol

[doboy007]

Originally Posted by Jim Beam

Not sure I’d agree with the contrast. Gold bezel on a white dial is plenty of contrast I suppose you’re right about the scratch factor but I just don’t see ceramic as an option. What color would you want on it to go with the TT? Blue? I just don’t see it happening.

You mean this with a TT bracelet?
https://www.rolex.com/watches/config...-0041/discover

[GradyPhilpott]

I bought my BLNR sight unseen.

After I put down a huge deposit, I had some qualms about that, based on the fact that the colors were highly criticized in those days.

However, I soon put those feelings aside and when I first laid eyes on it, I was completely on board with the bezel insert.

I still like it more than the ceramic "Pepsi" models.

The new "Root Beer" is awfully good-looking, but it's a bit out of my league.

As to having problems deciding on this or that, by the time I drop my money, I've either done enough research to know what I want or I just fell in love at first sight.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I bought my BLNR sight unseen.

After I put down a huge deposit, I had some qualms about that, based on the fact that the colors were highly criticized in those days.

However, I soon put those feelings aside and when I first laid eyes on it, I was completely on board with the bezel insert.

I still like it more than the ceramic "Pepsi" models.

The new "Root Beer" is awfully good-looking, but it's a bit out of my league.

I see a lot of deposit posts. Is this normal? I never put a deposit down, though would not be opposed to it either.

[Jim Beam]

Originally Posted by doboy007

You mean this with a TT bracelet?
https://www.rolex.com/watches/config...-0041/discover

Yeah, but that's kinda my point. There's a reason why Rolex doesn't offer that exact model with a TT bracelet. Stylistically is just doesn't make sense; quite frankly I think it would look goofy. I just don't see them offering it.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by JRell

I see a lot of deposit posts. Is this normal? I never put a deposit down, though would not be opposed to it either.

There are a few situations that I do pay a deposit.

1. If I put the watch on layaway, which I have done so I can reserve the watch and also to transfer some funds from one account to another.

2. If an AD orders a watch especially for me. This usually entails a deal between ADs, a deposit in good faith makes sense.

3. I didn't order my BLNR, but I was told that one was coming in, so I put down a hefty deposit to ensure that when it did come in that my name would be on it. It worked.

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[doboy007]

Originally Posted by Jim Beam

Yeah, but that's kinda my point. There's a reason why Rolex doesn't offer that exact model with a TT bracelet. Stylistically is just doesn't make sense; quite frankly I think it would look goofy. I just don't see them offering it.

I don't think that's the reason they're not offering it. Otherwise they could've made everything ceramic and just removed the dial colors that don't fit well. They don't want TT (w/ ceramic) cannibalizing sales of OF models.

[Rashid.bk]

That’s pretty much the norm for me. Bought my last few sight unseen, but before I decide to chase a watch and decided to buy, I’ve researched it to absolute death so to speak.

[LSA916]

Bought my sub sight unseen. I was vacationing in Napa when my AD called, and it was a no-brainer since I've been expecting it. Was not disappointed when I picked it up the following week.

[joli160]

I bought all my watches BNIB online unseen

[Ihatecheese]

Yes I have and it was fine. Researched the shops and sellers.

[JSolution]

Yes most of them.

[AK797]

I have done this twice and twice I returned the watch after a few days as I just wasn't feeling it.

[Dennisoul]

Yes....I bought a 116200 for my 50th 3 years ago, it was my first ever Rolex. As soon as it arrived through h the post. I new it was the wrong one.. beautiful looking watch, but 36mm was so small on my wrist.....kept it for a year and traded it on, best decision I made was to get rid of it.

[madgpol]

Anyone purchasing a SS sports model

[JRell]

Thanks for the response! Interesting. Based on this I am going to ask if this will help get my Daytona sooner.

[HogwldFLTR]

I have; it didn't work out as well as I'd like!!!

[Pongster]

During this pandemic, no choice but to buy sight unseen. Online pictures would have to suffice. And so far no regrets. Well, just one. I like the watch but it was not working. So had it serviced.

[1William]

I have purchased without trying the watch and most times it works out. If it does not then I move on. I look at my watch collecting as a hobby and it cost money to be in the hobby. If I pay a fair price then I typically do not get hurt on a trade for another watch.