Basel 2018 release party at local AD

[harvey]

Thank you Faz for sharing your pics, especially of the BLRO.

I can't wait to pick one up! I have a Coke on a oyster so would love a Pepsi on a jubilee.

[2nastie]

Sounds like a great event. I’ll be attending a similar local event soon. Looking forward to seeing these new pieces in the flesh. Hopefully they got some of these raffles going as well. Haha I’ll be all over some these purchases if they were available.

[SG56]

I like your BLRO better :)

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by faz

Great event, good wine, champagne,Hors d’oeuvres, new watches and many nice PM pieces. A great AD with good knowledgeable team from all my past experiences with them ( know most of them by first name).

Highlight of the night for me: I was given a chance to buy a black skydweller but passed on it so someone else who really likes it can get it. While I appreciate the technology, it just isn’t my type of watch at this time.

A few very lucky people landed an opportunity to buy ( at MSRP plus tax) a hulk, a SD43, three TT CHNRs ( one present, a couple on order, ) one 2018 DSSD black plus also a DSSD blue, a BLNR, and get this: 4, ... yes ... 4 Daytona’s ( 2 black, 2 white), present in the flesh!!! ... plus one or two other watches that I am sure forgetting . Of course there were tons of people there and chances of winning the raffle to buy was very low (I.e. raffle the ability to buy at MSRP, not raffling free watches), but a bunch of people were very happy owners of new watches and that was great to see.

I wore my 16710 to the event to compare with the new BLRO and to calm myself down.

My personal take from seeing the new references: ( my personal, newbie opinions, take them with a huge grain of salt).

- BLRO: beautiful piece as obvious from pictures. If one is lucky to land one at MSRP, beautiful catch for sure. But for me, frankly, underwhelming a bit. I mean, You seen a WG version? You seen a jubilee?? Good, put them together and there it is. Nothing to see here. ( to buy, it is a great watch at that price point , but to see in flesh? Nothing you haven’t seen before). In fact, that counter with the demo BLRO was way too slow with no one around it so I revisited it for more pics. I already have a BLNR, and the 5 digit Pepsi, so I am not craving the new BLRO at all. Showing pictures to my wife, she agreed: oyster looks better to her. But she might have ulterior motives. Lol!

- TT 126711 CHNR: beautiful in person, the rose gold on the bracelet melts away into the steel so doesn’t stand out as much as my bluesy’s does for example, so more people will feel comfortable with it and it will be more popular than other TT watches for sure. But it being a TT, I think it will not be as much in demand as the SS models in a short while. I will wait a year or more before getting one if I were in the market.

-RG 126715 CHNR: pure beauty, it would probably be the favorite amongst most men looking for RG, as well as ladies.

- new DSSD: wider beefier clasp and bracelet, nice finishing touch between the logs. The king of divers has been updated and incrementally better like a newer gen Porsche 911 is to a previous gen.

If I owned a DSSD already , I wouldn’t go out and get the new one. For me personally it won’t be worth the update. But since I don’t own one, if I were to buy one, I would go for the new one. ( You would be hard pressed to tell the difference from three feet away though).

Which AD was this?

[redsubby]

I have the same ring you do.

[faz]

Originally Posted by kauebm

Hey Faz,

Great write up and photos, thanks a lot for those. I'm headed to a similar event in my local AD tonight, can't wait to see those in the metal.

Originally Posted by 2nastie

Sounds like a great event. I’ll be attending a similar local event soon. Looking forward to seeing these new pieces in the flesh. Hopefully they got some of these raffles going as well. Haha I’ll be all over some these purchases if they were available.

Don’t miss it. Nice to see these in the flesh to form your own opinion.


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[faz]

Originally Posted by 4srolex

Faz, it was good to see you at the event last night and I would have to agree with you on the Pepsi. I was a little underwhelmed when I saw it and think my BLNR is the GMT to keep. I’m in the list to get one at MSRP but I would not pay a penny more for it. I could not believe the first person who’s number was called turned down the Black Daytona because he wanted a white one.



I think it was interesting the the last 2 Daytona’s that we’re raffled off were watches that are saved for customers who buy PM watches. This confirms that if you buy a PM, you will have move up the list and have opportunity to purchase a 116500 at SRP.



My buddy won the last Black Daytona so congrats to Daniel and Faz you are a true gentleman to give your winning ticket to the guy who really wanted the Skydweller.

Nice seeing you again as well. Nice to have familiar faces around so one can chat and share opinions with. Good times.
I am glad that was your buddy. I was standing next to him when the second last one got called and he was so disappointed, I felt bad. And as they read the last ticket numbers, his excitement built up and up and boom! I was so happy for him I actually pat him on shoulder like he was a teammate.

See you soon.


PS. I may be confusing your buddy with another gentleman that was standing next to me. Green Hawaiian shirt with glasses is the one I am talking about.

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[faz]

Originally Posted by harvey

Thank you Faz for sharing your pics, especially of the BLRO.

I can't wait to pick one up! I have a Coke on a oyster so would love a Pepsi on a jubilee.

That much soda is not good for you!

They would make an awesome duo for sure.


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[faz]

Originally Posted by SG56

I like your BLRO better :)

Coming from a rider/racer lady, that means a lot to me.

Psst: see my instagram (signature) for some pics of my solo ride last week on hwy 9 on my zx14 that you might like.




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[faz]

Originally Posted by redsubby

I have the same ring you do.

Anniversary gift from my wife (Tiffany’s).


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[SG56]

Originally Posted by faz

Coming from a rider/racer lady, that means a lot to me.

Psst: see my instagram (signature) for some pics of my solo ride last week on hwy 9 on my zx14 that you might like.




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I will do that!!
I deleted my watch-instagram. :(
I'll join from the other one that i never use, but i wanna see the pics :)

[4srolex]

Good to be a Rolex AD. Hold a raffle so that you can pay MSRP for a watch.



Build it and they will come....with their wallets


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[ALF61]

THANKS !!

The photos definitely show the purplish blue and the pinkish red on the BLRO and definitely like the old 5 digit colors better.

I am growing to like the CHNR, definitely will not buy the new pepsi. My take only.

[oldman2005]

Hi Faz, we came in a bit late just about the time the raffle started. Upon hearing the news that no new BLRO was being raffled, I gave my tickets away and went shopping with my wife . We came back after the event has ended and most has left. I had chance to try out the new BLRO, I was very excited to see to the new BLRO but..... what the heck, after trying it out, the watch is a quite bit underwhelming unlike the WG BLRO or CHNR!!! Even my $300 Seiko turtle PADI has a more wrist present.

The AD told me it will be years until I have my chance on the new BLRO but that's OK. I may go for CHNR instead as IMO the CHNR is more beautiful, dressier, more classy, and will be much easier to get and less expensive than the SS BLRO (at grey market price).

I think Rolex is smartly playing scarcity marketing, otherwise this BLRO is just another sleeper watch sitting in the display case just like tons of other DJs. I've simply lost the desire for it, BLRO is a nice watch but the hype is overblown.

Thanks to D&L AD for such a nice and fun event, they are the 1st class Rolex AD in the Silicon Valley.

[bc2010ss]

It was a great party. I was one of the lucky ones to buy a Daytona at msrp.

[faz]

Originally Posted by 4srolex

Good to be a Rolex AD. Hold a raffle so that you can pay MSRP for a watch.



Build it and they will come....with their wallets


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Nice shot! did not take a picture of that, thanks for sharing.

Listen, while we all feel like it is a great time to be an AD as the popular models sell like crazy, but imagine the overhead, the rent for the area of the Rolex displays, the sales team, etc., and the scarcity of the popular models to sell... I don't know. The showcases are full of less WIS desirable models, like ladies DJs and such, and $300k-500k worth of Rolex inventory is sitting there (just a guesstimate). I think if I were an AD, I would have preferred to have a series of these watches come on a weekly basis to sell and profit from, than to wait and wait and get a few once in a while.

[faz]

Originally Posted by ALF61

THANKS !!

The photos definitely show the purplish blue and the pinkish red on the BLRO and definitely like the old 5 digit colors better.

I am growing to like the CHNR, definitely will not buy the new pepsi. My take only.

Wait and see it in person if you can. Definitely do not order it sight unseen for sure. The bezel colors are not different than the WG model (at least I don't think they are.)

[AJM914]

Lookin good!

[faz]

Originally Posted by oldman2005

Hi Faz, we came in a bit late just about the time the raffle started. Upon hearing the news that no new BLRO was being raffled, I gave my tickets away and went shopping with my wife . We came back after the event has ended and most has left. I had chance to try out the new BLRO, I was very excited to see to the new BLRO but..... what the heck, after trying it out, the watch is a quite bit underwhelming unlike the WG BLRO or CHNR!!! Even my $300 Seiko turtle PADI has a more wrist present.

The AD told me it will be years until I have my chance on the new BLRO but that's OK. I may go for CHNR instead as IMO the CHNR is more beautiful, dressier, more classy, and will be much easier to get and less expensive than the SS BLRO (at grey market price).

I think Rolex is smartly playing scarcity marketing, otherwise this BLRO is just another sleeper watch sitting in the display case just like tons of other DJs. I've simply lost the desire for it, BLRO is a nice watch but the hype is overblown.

Thanks to D&L AD for such a nice and fun event, they are the 1st class Rolex AD in the Silicon Valley.

thanks for contributing these pictures. Sorry I missed you there, would have been nice to catch up.

A few others attending there that I talked with also shared similar feelings towards the new BLRO. Definitely didn't evoke that 'wow' feeling in person, perhaps because there was nothing 'new' there. Same red/blue bezel as WG, same jubilee bracelet as DJ41 (look wise at least), same familiar black dial of GMT II. The 'new' factor surrounding the CHNR (both TT and RG) definitely wins here.

[faz]

Originally Posted by bc2010ss

It was a great party. I was one of the lucky ones to buy a Daytona at msrp.

Were you the last winner by any chance??
(if so, I was standing right next to you.)

Congrats on picking up that beauty.

[ZOOK]

Originally Posted by bc2010ss

It was a great party. I was one of the lucky ones to buy a Daytona at msrp.

Luck of the draw!! Congratulations.

[BNA/LION]

Very Nice! Thanks for posting.

[Rolex85]

very well said. I can say i agree with your thoughts on all of them.

[Scottticktock]

Nice draw, enjoy.

[vman]

It was a great event indeed. However, what was up with all the folks who thought they won free watches?

[bc2010ss]

I won the second to last one.

[faz]

Originally Posted by vman

It was a great event indeed. However, what was up with all the folks who thought they won free watches?

Seriously? I was wondering what the whole confusion etc. was about on a 'couple of' occasions... this explains it! That is too funny!

[faz]

Originally Posted by bc2010ss

I won the second to last one.

[faz]

Originally Posted by BNA/LION

Very Nice! Thanks for posting.

Originally Posted by Rolex85

very well said. I can say i agree with your thoughts on all of them.

[ALF61]

Originally Posted by faz

Wait and see it in person if you can. Definitely do not order it sight unseen for sure. The bezel colors are not different than the WG model (at least I don't think they are.)

I have never seen a white gold either. But tell me one thing: with all the quality on photography Rolex has access to, why do the colors in their catalog more resemble the BLNR blue and a true red as should be ? their photo on the catalog is misleading to say the least, these pics you and others have posted speak more closely of the true colors.

Still not enticed for the Pepsi. The CHNR is unexpectedly and surprisingly stunning !!