Am I looking for the impossible???

[floz00]

Hello-
I introduced myself on my last post and have enjoyed reading this informative forum. I am Ron, and I am looking for my first Rolex Submariner. I am a 5th Grade tecaher in CT, and as you well know by my profession, that I am not rich. On to my question:

I am looking for a well used/abused Rolex Submariner. The condition of the watch is of no matter to me, as long as it is running. I do not care about boxes or papers, as long as it is authentic. I would even take a "franken-Rolex" made up of all authentic Rolex parts from different watches put together.

My question is...does any such watch exist? I mean, most who own a Rolex take care of them because of the amount of money it takes to purchase one. Also, most hold on to the boxes and papers due to collecting/authenticity. Me, I just want a really nice watch to wear every day. Something that will look great at school, with a suit, or even with jeans and a collared shirt.Something that would become an heirloom, something i'd pass on after I'm gone. Ideally, the watch would be lower than or around 2K. Am I crazy for looking for this watch??? Should I move on and try to purchase something different??? Please, lead me in the correct direction. Please keep in mind, I feel that Rolex is the pinnacle of all watches, and any other watch would not satisfy my desires. I do however understand that, to quote the Rolling Stones, "...you can't always get what you want". Thanks in advance for your thought and advice.
Best regards,
Ron

[Tools]

Ron,

A couple of years ago, you could have picked up a decent Sub for about 2k..

Today, I think that that price has gone up some..

You might be able to find a 14060 Sub in the high 2's though.. Depends on how much effort you want to put into the search...

Look into some of the off Main Street jewelers who may carry trade-ins and haven't been doing their normal business volume lately..

[SLS]

Ron, as Larry said, you will not be able to find a Sub in that price range, and if you do be very careful! You may be better off finding a Datejust in that range, or just save a little while longer and buy the Sub then. Good luck!
~Scott

[marshallr47]

Ron,
Welcome and thanks for sharing your story. I do wish you the best of luck on your but 2k for a Sub would be a tough find...not impossible though. It's a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Keep searching and good luck. Keep us posted.

[Marrk]

While I hate to strike an unwelcoming note, is the OP serious or are we being put on again? "I will take a Frankenwatch . . . but I want something to pass on after I'm gone." Huh?

In case the OP is serious: Save your teacher dollars. 2009 will be a good year to buy just about anything. You should do well, especially on a Submariner (simply because they are not "rare"). But you may find yourself well-served to spend more than you have so far budgeted.

[jamesw]

At that price range a Sub would be a bit tired and probably in need of servicing. It may pay to save a little longer. If you find one in great condition at that price i would doubt its authenticity.

[1MAC]

No, you can't find a Sub for $2k, but for around $3k you can find a pretty good example, just look on the For Sale section of this forum.

[Nakow]

If your craze is for the Rolex Sub with or without date then you can have a good deal around 3k,but around 2k you can have a nice Datejust ! My humble advise would be go for a nice Datejust or else spend more then 2k for a Sub .
Regards

[JAM]

Part of the thrill of buying a Rolex is in the research and the hunt. I think you may end up finding a non-date Sub for ~2k, or perhaps a bit more. Good luck with the search!

[shogan191]

I just traded my first Rolex back to the site I bought it from. Once they asign a trade value I'll pick out my next Rolex and have them ship it out. The first one I bought from them was a vintage Date Just TT Black face. I had it looked at by the local AD to confirm that all was original and it was.

I paid about $2400.00 for it. Looked great and kept excellent time. I'm trading it towards a Yacht-Master.

You should be able to find a decent Rolex on the For Sale forum here or from one of the reputable used sites. I don't think I can mention the specific site here because of the rules but you might be able to ask what some think of a site you have found.

Good luck and like someone already said, looking is all the fun.

[GradyPhilpott]

I think if you've already got a couple of grand to plop down on a beat up Rolex, why not save your money a little longer?

Earlier this year, I thought I might like to purchase a used Rolex, but when I realized how thorny the market is with fakes and whatnot, I just decided to wait until I could buy a new one.

I bought an Explorer and I like it a lot.

I have no regrets.

[cody p]

i think you need to clarify in your own mind just what it is you want. well used/abused will not make a great heirloom to pass on to a future gen (nor will a franken). be patient, save your money and get something used that is in good/excellent condition. my two pennies.

[Toxicant]

Not that long ago I bought a really nice sub with box and papers for $2500.00 Yes, it probably should have it's first service but you can get that done for less then a few hundred if you don't send it back to Rolex. You can find a datejust for probably somewhere between 1200-2000 depending on how old it is.

If I were you, I'd start looking at craigslist, thats where I found the sub. Spend sometime on the web, learn about the watch you want and then buy the seller.

Good luck

[Blimms]

Ron, have you given Omega any consideration??

[sea-dweller]

It's not impossible, but I believe that it will take some searching (along with some luck!).
A decent pre-owned SS Sub Date will run > than 3K these days. The recent economic conditions have seen some Rolex owners sell their timepieces for prices a little bit lower than, say, a few months ago. Keep searching and always 'buy the seller'.

[floz00]

First off, thanks for the all the responses, I have found them very helpful.
I have checked out the Omega Seamaster Professional and like it, but there is something about a Rolex that really pushes my buttons. I'll keep the search going, and keep saving my hard earned dollars and maybe someday I'll get one!!
I agree that the thrill of the search is ALMOST as good as getting the watch you want. I started out wanting a Citizen...got it...then a Tag....got it...Sold both and saved some cash for a Breitling got it...sold it, bought a Citizen and stashed the rest of the $$$ away. I'm on my way to getting a Sub gentlemen(and ladies)!!!

Again, thanks for your help, and I look forward to contributing to the forum!

Oh, and as for the gentleman asking if I was serious about a Franken-Sub. First off, yes I am... I think that when you pass something on, it is not the monetary value of something you leave, it would be the idea of someone owning something I loved. It may not be a Rolex, perhaps it could be a Yankees shirt, or or a NY Giants jersey. To you... thanks for your response and I'm very sorry if I struck a chord with you. To me owning a Rolex has nothing to do with status, just with loving the design, history, and quality of the watches themselves.

Ron

[WatchTimes]

Its tough!
I have been looking for a Sub ND and don't ever care if it has the band
as I want to put it on a Nato and I haven't had any luck.... I dont mind
an old one that shows some wear either...

I dont care if its old and shows some wear, I want it or my watch to wear when
I know Im gonna need a tough watch! (hunting, camping etc)

[DRKBC]

Here is the thing ... you buy the beater sub for $2500 plus, you pay the $500plus to have it serviced and still it is just OK. Or you bite the bullet and spend $3500 - 4000 and get a decent example in decent to very good condition and you have something. Not to say that you couldn't get lucky (particularly in this economy) but sometimes you can end up paying out what you save very quickly in service and it just doesn't make good sense (or cents), i.e. it costs a lost more to bring a beater up to speed than to just buy something that is in good condition to begin with.
thats my opinion for what its worth.

[gone-rolex-mad]

Are you mad? Don't go near a frankenwatch, you'll be throwing your money down the drain, fair dues if your not fussed about the box and papers but hold out for a watch that has not been tampered with. A bastardised watch is worth nothing where as a genuine rolex is worth more that the sum of its parts.

[Dubai]

Keep looking on for sale section , you will find whatever you want.

[zalorrero75]

Hey found a GMT-Master II / Model #16710 / Mens in craigslist.org for Wash DC for $1995. If it is real then it is a great deal.
Maybe someone can tell you if it is real from this link:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...904170989.html
The price seems to low... but one never knows.
Good luck..... and do not buy a Franken Rolex!!! I bought one and got ripped. Got a Tudor with the face of a Rolex. Now I have a brand new DJ 116201 and it is the greatest thing in the world. Trust you will not feel good with a franky....

[TempoKing]

YOU SAID
Am I crazy for looking for this watch???

First of all welcome to TRF also known as "dreamers paradise".
I am afraid even Santa Claus in the best of season spirits will not be
able to satisfy your under 2k request for a Rolex Submariner,
and as for Victor Frankenstein's assistance to the same request ..
I would say...Look what happened to him.

Now that we are all relaxed calm and cozy could I possibly interest you
in a very nice Rolex AirKing comensurate with a teacher's salary from my private
collection or a very nice Heuer Carrera re-edition..?
It will be my pleasure...

[floz00]

Thanks to everyone! I will hold out for the real deal!
Ron

[boyet]

Originally Posted by floz00

Thanks to everyone! I will hold out for the real deal!
Ron

That's the spirit.

[stevemulholland3]

why dont you buy a tudor?
it will be a good way for you to have the feel of rolex without the extreme price.
the good thing is that you will be able to sell it down the line right here and turn around and get a rolex if you feel that thats what you really want to do..