Tried on the King of the Crown in Aruba

[samson66]

I stopped by the Rolex boutique in Aruba last week just for the heck of it. I was totally shocked to see right there, on display, my favorite Rolex in the entire catalog ... the platinum Day Date 40 with fluted bezel.

After picking my jaw up off the floor, the very friendly SA asked me if there was anything I'd like to take a look at. After expressing my undying love for the plat DD40 she actually let me try it out. This was an "exhibition piece" or whatever they call it, so not for sale. Either way, I was still surprised she let me try it out.

Let me just say this piece does NOT disappoint in the metal. Absolutely stunning watch in all regards. This is my Rolex "grail" watch that I will most likely never obtain. They dial is flat-out gorgeous. And if you have never seen a platinum President bracelet in person, you need to find one. They metal is just spectacular in the brightness and feel and weight. I was blown away by it. Exceeded all expectations and fit me perfectly.

If you are in Aruba, stop by. Terrific folks there. They were happy to talk watches. I never felt rushed or that I was wasting their time. Really nice experience, and I'm so happy I got to try out my grail watch.

[brandrea]

I dunno Mike, I think you have a spare kidney

In all seriousness, that is a STUNNING reference.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I dunno Mike, I think you have a spare kidney

In all seriousness, that is a STUNNING reference.

Gonna need more than one to cover that pal

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by samson66

Gonna need more than one to cover that pal

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bartolo]

Why were you surprised they let you try it out? That's what the watches are there for!

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Bartolo

Why were you surprised they let you try it out? That's what the watches are there for!

Yeah I hear you. I don't know, just surprised to see a $80K watch sitting there for display purposes. That's a big chunk of change for the store to purchase and not sell. It's such a rare watch. I've never seen one anywhere. For them to let me try it out when it was clear I was not purchasing was surprising to me. But yeah I guess it's there for folks to try. FYI they did not have one to sell.

[joli160]

Nice, I can see why that is your grail

[Devildog]

Looks fantastic on you Mike

Man, you are so screwed

[fl370]

I’ll be heading to Aruba next month, how was the stock? Anything for sale there? I’ve heard great things about there customer service at the Aruba Rolex

[rjd1]

Looks great on you - best Rolex in the current lineup IMHO -

[TopNotchChach]

Sheesh

[Zach69SS]

Op, I’m with you, the DD in Platinum is spectacular piece in any combination.
Looks super on you and glad to hear you had a good AD experience.


Cheers,

[samson66]

Originally Posted by fl370

I’ll be heading to Aruba next month, how was the stock? Anything for sale there? I’ve heard great things about there customer service at the Aruba Rolex

They had many watches on display, but not sure how many were actually available for purchase. And yes the entire experience was terrific. Really good people there and zero attitude.

I tried this one on right after the platinum and loved it. She told me this one was available to purchase. If I didn't already have a slate dial DJ41 I may have considered it. Beautiful watch.

You can see how different the metals look compared to the platinum. Exact same position and lighting.

[Edwardfry3]

Looks great.

[watchwatcher]

That's a beauty...and a real grail. We toss that word around a lot here, but I feel in this instance, it's most fitting.

[Chiboy]

Classic and beautiful.

[1William]

A good looking watch.

[OG1982]

Sounds like you had an excellent experience, Mike. Especially as an AD in a tourist destination, must get their fair share of ''tyre kickers', shall we say.

The platinum DD is a funny watch to me, I love them and agree it would possibly be a Rolex grail for me too. It clearly has the respect of the WIS community, and for good reason given the lustre of the metal and the unique ice blue dials offered with. What I've never understood, is why it commands such a premium over the 3 Gold variations? If you look up the basic price of Gold over Platinum, it commands a 3x premium.

Perhaps it's more to do with Rolex production numbers?

[Redfoot]

It appears to be sized perfect for you as well!

Those bracelets are so damn beautiful. Thanks for sharing

[jwill]

Nice pics, Mike. I'm very curious to know how the ice blue looks in person. I'm sure it must be hard for the camera to capture the true lighting; it happens all the time when I take pictures. Does it really stand out if you see it from a far distance?

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Originally Posted by samson66

If you are in Aruba, stop by. Terrific folks there. They were happy to talk watches. I never felt rushed or that I was wasting their time. Really nice experience, and I'm so happy I got to try out my grail watch.

I'll be in Aruba in 3 weeks, did you happen to catch the SA's name?

I'm looking to pick up a watch while I'm on vacation, always good to have a little inside info.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by WilsdorfNDavis

I'll be in Aruba in 3 weeks, did you happen to catch the SA's name?

I'm looking to pick up a watch while I'm on vacation, always good to have a little inside info.

No I'm sorry I didn't. I would describe her as a ~50-60 y/o Caucasian with shorter length dark hair and glasses. Dutch-ish accent.

That slate DD might still be there for the taking...

There's an Omega boutique a few doors down but unfortunately closed by the time I walked by. FYI most stores there close at 6. Rolex was 7 I think.

If you wind up getting anything there let me know. Good luck

[Watchdoyouwant?]

Originally Posted by OG1982

Sounds like you had an excellent experience, Mike. Especially as an AD in a tourist destination, must get their fair share of ''tyre kickers', shall we say.

The platinum DD is a funny watch to me, I love them and agree it would possibly be a Rolex grail for me too. It clearly has the respect of the WIS community, and for good reason given the lustre of the metal and the unique ice blue dials offered with. What I've never understood, is why it commands such a premium over the 3 Gold variations? If you look up the basic price of Gold over Platinum, it commands a 3x premium.

Perhaps it's more to do with Rolex production numbers?

It's not just Rolex. I think most, if not all watch brands, charge a premium for platinum over gold.

One often repeated "reason" for the premium that platinum is harder to work with than gold. I don't buy that.

I suspect the real reason is purely invented prestige and marketing. Just like a platinum charge card is a higher tier than a gold charge card, a platinum watch is a higher tier (and therefore commands a higher price) than a gold watch spot price of the metal notwithstanding.

All that said, I love platinum watches. I have a platinum 5146 Patek, and the heft of it is just lovely. It's a comparatively dainty 39mm watch, but it's heavier than my 40.5 mm (and substantially thicker) gold 5960.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Originally Posted by samson66

No I'm sorry I didn't. I would describe her as a ~50-60 y/o Caucasian with shorter length dark hair and glasses. Dutch-ish accent.

That slate DD might still be there for the taking...

There's an Omega boutique a few doors down but unfortunately closed by the time I walked by. FYI most stores there close at 6. Rolex was 7 I think.

If you wind up getting anything there let me know. Good luck

Thanks for the response, I'll let the forum know if I pick up anything.

[elau1958]

Originally Posted by WilsdorfNDavis

I'll be in Aruba in 3 weeks, did you happen to catch the SA's name?

I'm looking to pick up a watch while I'm on vacation, always good to have a little inside info.

Her name is Carmen.

Very nice SA but just like all SA, friendly but never follow through. My condo is just a walking distance from the Boutique. Stand outside and look right and you will see my building, Harbour House.

I went in the Boutique often and told Carmen I wanted to have the lady's Date Just blue floral Motif with diamonds for my wife back in August. She had one Display Unit and she collected all my contact information. She knows where I live and as soon as the Display Unit can be sold, she promised she will call me.

I was just there two weeks ago and as usual I went to check on the status. She sold the watch ONE day before. Without calling me.

The inventory is as tight as in the States. So don't get your hopes up too much.

[elau1958]

Originally Posted by samson66

No I'm sorry I didn't. I would describe her as a ~50-60 y/o Caucasian with shorter length dark hair and glasses. Dutch-ish accent.

That slate DD might still be there for the taking...

There's an Omega boutique a few doors down but unfortunately closed by the time I walked by. FYI most stores there close at 6. Rolex was 7 I think.

If you wind up getting anything there let me know. Good luck

The Boutique does close at 7:00 nightly.

Now the cruise ship season starts one must be quick to pull the trigger. Inventory is extremely tight and if you see something you like, get it immediately. The next tourist from the ship will snatch it up before you even have a chance to blink. And my suggestion is not to let the watch goes back to the case. Hang on to it if you have to think about it.

[travisb]

Looks good on you! You're in trouble...

[samson66]

Originally Posted by elau1958

Her name is Carmen.

Very nice SA but just like all SA, friendly but never follow through. My condo is just a walking distance from the Boutique. Stand outside and look right and you will see my building, Harbour House.

I went in the Boutique often and told Carmen I wanted to have the lady's Date Just blue floral Motif with diamonds for my wife back in August. She had one Display Unit and she collected all my contact information. She knows where I live and as soon as the Display Unit can be sold, she promised she will call me.

I was just there two weeks ago and as usual I went to check on the status. She sold the watch ONE day before. Without calling me.

The inventory is as tight as in the States. So don't get your hopes up too much.

Good info thanks. Nice place for a condo! We loved Aruba.

Originally Posted by elau1958

The Boutique does close at 7:00 nightly.

Now the cruise ship season starts one must be quick to pull the trigger. Inventory is extremely tight and if you see something you like, get it immediately. The next tourist from the ship will snatch it up before you even have a chance to blink. And my suggestion is not to let the watch goes back to the case. Hang on to it if you have to think about it.

I did give that WG DD40 slate dial a consideration. I was surprised how much I liked it. But in the end it's a lot of money and is too similar to my slate Datejust 41. One day I may upgrade but not today.

[Hollie_Rollie]

It is certainly the most beautiful watch in the current catalogue