Help on Buying a new Rolex

[rolexch2510]

I have been wanting to buy a nice watch for many years and now being able to afford one i have chosen Rolex, i have been looking at several models and really can't decide, The Rolex GMT II 50th Aniversarry in SS and Gold with black face, the Rolex Sub in ss and gold with blue face or the Rolex Sub ss with black face, I am looking for a watch that not everyone will be wearing and will be a little special any ideas on the above or perhaps a different model,

Thanks

Clynt

[leopardprey]

I am looking for a watch that not everyone will be wearing and will be a little special any ideas on the above or perhaps a different model,

Explorer II. White or Black face. Or traditional Submariner No Date, then put an Aligot strap on it or a Nato/Zulu. Definately will not see many else around. When I was in KL, Malaysia recently it seemed I saw at least a dozen or so Subs a day! Have only seen one Explorer II in the "wild" recently (though I also had a friend in the military who had one), and only ever seen someone else wearing a Sub No Date (guy I went through a training course with).

Or get the Submariner LV with green bezel. You will not see many of those around as well.

[rolexch2510]

Thankyou i will goto a dealer and have a look at them also should i buy new or used, wheres the best place to buy, how can i check the authenticity of the watch a whether the dealer is authorised.

[Gaijin]

The Green Sub if you can get one. Other than that I would recommend the TT Blue Sub just because it is such a great looking watch and will keep you happy. Great first Rolex purchase. With a cool watch like that it may be the only one you purchase.

It trully makes me happy everytime I put it on.

[mikey]

I think you mentioned a Rolex that you will not see everywhere hence the TT Blue Sub. I would go with the GMT you mentioned. I don't see many guys wearing the TT Black dial Sub.

[rolexch2510]

Forgive me i am new here not sure on some of your abrieviations, ie tt and lv.

All your comments are well recieved, why all the hipe for the ss sub is it because rolex restricts the flow or beacause they are just well saught after.

[C.J.]

Originally Posted by rolexch2510

Forgive me i am new here not sure on some of your abrieviations, ie tt and lv.

All your comments are well recieved, why all the hipe for the ss sub is it because rolex restricts the flow or beacause they are just well saught after.

TT = Two Tone, bi-metal 18 karat yellow gold and Stainless Steel
LV = The 50th anniversary Submariner with the Green bezel
SS = Stainless Steel
DJ = Datejust
Exp II = Explorer II

[rolexch2510]

cheers for that,
still unsure of what watch to buy in fact i have some more to choose from lol, still should i buy buy new or second hand also i have a friend who says i should buy ss, or should i buy tt, really not sure and as it is such a large investment i dont want to make a mistake and regret it later

[ashu2289]

Originally Posted by rolexch2510

Forgive me i am new here not sure on some of your abrieviations, ie tt and lv.

All your comments are well recieved, why all the hipe for the ss sub is it because rolex restricts the flow or beacause they are just well saught after.

Well you can go for Sea Dweller also if you want a rolex which is rare n not commonly found. If price is no factor then go with LV thts also vry uncommon because of its availability n cost.
And ya as you said its your first watch purchase be sure gold is of your taste or SS is more of your taste as many times people are not satisfied with gold ones n crave for SS n same in reverse. So IMHO you better decide first tht you want to go with SS or TT and then after deciding this category go for the sub categories in them.

[Gaijin]

Good advice. Then after you narrow it down, go and try them on. Buy what sings to you!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by rolexch2510

...I am looking for a watch that not everyone will be wearing...Clynt

Welcome to TRF, Clynt.

It's important that you don't really bother about what others are wearing or looking for in YOUR watch; rather that you buy a watch that smiles back at you ALL the time....so you have no regrets at a later date and then decide you want to flip it.

The Blue Sub is extremely popular amongst most of us....so that could be an option. Try them all out at your local AD and see for YOURSELF which one smiles back at you the MOST!! And then buy that one only - and screw the rest of the world!!

Good luck in your final choice - JJ

[rolexch2510]

I really like the blue faced tt sub and the black gmt II tt lv, i have been looking at the the explorer on the internet, and will look at them when i got into the ad, i am currently in orlando but live in the uk so i am looking for one that not loads of people are wearing in the uk anyideas or comments,

[Woody]

If you are looking for something a little different then I would go for the Sea Dweller (SD) - great watch that can take you from jeans to black tie and you see very few about.

Just be aware that if you do buy whilst in the US HM Revenue & Customs will be looking to charge you 17.5% VAT on your return to the UK.

If I was you I would listen to JJ - get yourself into a few Authorised Dealers (AD) and try a few watches on. you will be amazed when you find the one that just calls out to you - it is the only way to do it.

On buying second-hand I would advise you to be careful. Lots of great deals out there but for your first watch when you are still learning about the brand I would recommend that you take the most secure option and buy from a good AD.

Good luck and enjoy the hunt, it is great fun.

[watchnut]

I always read where these guys tell you to buy the watch that "sings to you"! Hell, when I look in that case it sounds like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! Not a solo in the place!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by watchnut

I always read where these guys tell you to buy the watch that "sings to you"! Hell, when I look in that case it sounds like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! Not a solo in the place!

[Watchlover]

Yacht-Master II. Not too many people have that.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Watchlover

Yacht-Master II. Not too many people have that.

And not many people can afford 30K!!!

[estatehomes]

My addiction to Rolex started with the TT Submariner with black face.

My addiction has taken me through the entire Rolex line-up at least once around.

It's been a "great" trip and my travels continue.

[astcell]

My next $30K will either go to an airplane or an Enigma. Can't decide.

[estatehomes]

By Enigma did you mean:

Enigma: (as described on Dictionary.Com)
(initial capital letter) a German-built enciphering machine developed for commercial use in the early 1920s and later adapted and appropriated by German and other Axis powers for military use through World War II.

[Mr. K]

I agree, try not to worry "what others will be wearing" and just get what you like.

I think the SS sub date, exp I, or a nice TT DJ are all very classic Rolex. You can't go wrong with one of those.

Just choose the one that calls to you, do not let sales people or "what is rare" decide for you.

And ENJOY the ride, buying watches is fun!

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by rolexch2510

I am looking for a watch that not everyone will be wearing and will be a little special

Frankly, these two criteria eliminate both the TT Blue Sub and SS Sub.

These two are very, very common. IMO, the least common Rolex is the Ex II, followed by the GMT-II and SD. TT GMTs are even more rare, and very nice.

I was in San Francisco and the wine country last weekend, so I naturally looked at watches (why are we like bird watchers wherever we go?). Anyway, in just a few days, I saw 3 TT Blue Subs, a Kermit Sub, 2 SS Subs, countless DJs and DDs, one Ex II and one Pepsi GMT-II (like the one I was wearing). No Daytonas or TT GMTs.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Subfiend

...TT GMTs are even more rare, and very nice.

Yes. Yes, they are!

[JJ Irani]

One of your better pictures, Allan!! Very nice!

[Prince]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

One of your better pictures, Allan!! Very nice!

Thank you very much, JJ.

[mic6]

buy the best..buy the classic..

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Prince

Yes. Yes, they are!

I like it It looks like the dial is a little more bronze than A&W. Looks good. Great pic too

[Tombstone]

Clynt welcome to the forum, my two cents if it were me I would go to an authorized dealer and spend an hour or so looking at the different Rolex options you have. Look through the Rolex catalog to see different dial, bezel, and bracelet options. Ask the dealer questions and if you like write the information down. Then if you would like post questions or concerns you have most people here would love to give input on any question you may have.

Additionally what ever you decide upon ask for a discount you should never pay full retail unless your buying a very hard to get Rolex. Enjoy your shopping experience if anyone treats you poorly at an authorized dealer remember keep looking there are plenty of authorized Rolex dealers out there.

[haakon59]

It's a tough decision sometimes, I know.

Well, here is just my opinion, since you asked us to chime in.

1. My first instinct is to go for the GMT Master II, the Two Tone 50th Anniversary model. For one thing, I find myself increasingly wanting to have a GMT watch and since Rolexes GMT hand is independently settable, I think this is a big plus if you are travelling to different time zones. Also, I like the dial with the larger hour markers and I like the look of the two tone combination with the black dial--it seems classy to me. The new case is supposed to be curved to be more comfortable and the bracelet is thicker, so all in all, I think it's a strong contender. I have not seen one in public so far and I normally see a lot of Rolex.

2. Submariner and Sea Dweller. Very classic (and copied by other brands) design and a very reliable model with a fantastic movement, both reliable and robust. When I see a Rolex (I live in Seattle) it most often is the Submariner or SS Datejust. To me it doesn't matter that other people wear it because I know I like it. These two models have been on my list for some time now and I am hoping to take the plunge soon, hopefully this summer if things go right. If your primary value is "exclusivity", then this is not your model, but if you want a really great and reliable model, these two are great ones.

3. Milgauss. This is brand new and I don't think it will be in stores for another 6 weeks or so. The dial is colorful with orange markers and it has a higher level of protection from being magnetized than other models. It has a 1950's look to it, which I especially like and which will likely be pretty exclusive for one, which is one of the values you highlighted. It lacks a date, and I generally like having a date on my watches, but I think this is a model where I personally would be willing to overlook that feature just because I think it's a cool looking model. I like the fact that there is no extra bezel ring around the crystal. When I first saw this model a couple of weeks ago, I took an instant liking to it and I recommend you include it amongst the models you are considering.

I am sure you will have fun choosing your new watch.