DJ dilemma - opinions welcome

[Cru Jones]

a (relatively) brief story....

over 15 years ago i was very fortunate to receive the datejust below as a college graduation present from my parents. i knew it was a nice watch, but i didn't appreciate at all what a "rolex" meant, other than it was a family tradition to have one. my dad told me other styles were available, but, since my parents and sister had gold and steel ones, i just kind of figured that's what a rolex looked like. (definitely not a WIS at the time, LOL.)

i wore the watch some and i knew it was "nice", but i never developed a bond with it b/c (i) i didn't know what a rolex was, and (ii) more importantly, over the years, i came to truly dislike gold on watches (a personal taste, sorry...). i stopped wearing it almost five years ago (when i "replaced" it with a swatch chronometer i used to help time my wife's contractions with our first born).

recently, i received an Explorer II from my lovely wife and it's been love at first sight. i've been learning about rolex, its history, how fine the time pieces are, and i even joined a forum (hello TRF!). i am obsessed! it really feels like i'm new to the rolex world, even though, technically, i've owned one for fifteen years.

now, i look at my DJ and i truly appreciate how special of a watch it is...but, I KNOW I WILL NEVER WEAR IT....the gold just isn't my thing.

so, long story short(er), i've started thinking about maybe trading the watch for another datejust. maybe with a silver or blue face. i've been telling myself that if i have the same style watch as what my parents chose, it'll still have that same sentimental connection....and my current DJ will have find a happy home and see the light of day!

am i wrong? does this make me a bad person? do i keep the watch and hope some day, when i get older (well, much older) i might grow into it?

but, then, will i have missed all these years creating memories with a watch i actually like?

one option that i don't have financially is to shelve this DJ and just buy another one, hoping i learn to like the gold one.

thanks for reading.....

[CKLinLA]

Its a beautiful watch - the DJ, and so is the Expy II - I have one too.

There is one option to consider that may reduce the 'gold' factor. Replace the
current two-tone bracelet with a nice leather strap. I had a gold Day Date that
I hardly ever wore, but I put it on a leather strap and that totally reduced the
'bling' factor for me. Now I wear it often.

[Rscmaine]

How about getting a white gold bezel, silver dial, steel crown, and either a steel oyster or wg jubilee and refitting it to your tastes...

You can sell the TT bracelet for enough to fund the swap - then wear the watch your parents gave you for years to come.

You end up with a Datejust with no yellow gold.

[RLXSTR]

Beautiful DateJust. I've got one that looks just like it with the Oyster Bracelet. A leather strap is inexpensive replacement instead of trying to replace everything on the watch to stainless steel which is another option. I would keep the watch because it was a gift for a very special occasion. You may not wear it but it would be a very nice gift when you child graduates from high school in the future.

Here is my DJ on a leather strap to give you some idea. What you see is a Bordeaux Red Crocodile Strap on my daily DJ.

[jameshe]

the strap option is a good idea, but I would recommend going with something like mine! You will never forget the sentiment, and there is no real point in having a watch in a drawer which you will never wear - keeping a picture of it on your wrist is probably a better idea.

However, that is only my opinion, and I obviously am not fully aware of the sentimental value you may or may not attach to it. If you sell and get a replacement datejust, then it is essentially still your parents contribution, just updated for something you can enjoy.

Would you have it serviced? If so, then essentially it wouldnt be exactly the same as they gave it to you. So go for a 'modified' DJ from the current lineup with the money and wear the heck out of it each and every day!

This may be somewhat insensitive so dont take any of this to heart necessarily

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by CKLinLA

Its a beautiful watch - the DJ, and so is the Expy II - I have one too.

There is one option to consider that may reduce the 'gold' factor. Replace the
current two-tone bracelet with a nice leather strap. I had a gold Day Date that
I hardly ever wore, but I put it on a leather strap and that totally reduced the
'bling' factor for me. Now I wear it often.

Thanks for that.

Are there preferred strap brands for DJs? Or, basically go to a watch or jewelry store and ask for help?

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Rscmaine

How about getting a white gold bezel, silver dial, steel crown, and either a steel oyster or wg jubilee and refitting it to your tastes...

You can sell the TT bracelet for enough to fund the swap - then wear the watch your parents gave you for years to come.

You end up with a Datejust with no yellow gold.

Thanks!

Selling my TT bracelet and other parts could fund the switch? Interesting!

How could a "watch beginner" like me go about this? Talk to my AD for help? Go to a second hand store with a good reputation that carries Rolexes?

[Rscmaine]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Thanks for that.

Are there preferred strap brands for DJs? Or, basically go to a watch or jewelry store and ask for help?

Any 20mm strap will work.

Online you will find a much wider selection. If you are keeping the gold bezel and face I would suggest either black or brown alligator or croc. Much dressier and in keeping with what Rolex provides in straps.

But there are about 35 million other choices out there.

Take your time and scan the web.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by HoustonGoldExchange

Beautiful DateJust. I've got one that looks just like it with the Oyster Bracelet. A leather strap is inexpensive replacement instead of trying to replace everything on the watch to stainless steel which is another option. I would keep the watch because it was a gift for a very special occasion. You may not wear it but it would be a very nice gift when you child graduates from high school in the future.

Here is my DJ on a leather strap to give you some idea. What you see is a Bordeaux Red Crocodile Strap on my daily DJ.

You're right, that combo is really sharp!! Thanks for sharing the picture.

[RLXSTR]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Thanks!

Selling my TT bracelet and other parts could fund the switch? Interesting!

How could a "watch beginner" like me go about this? Talk to my AD for help? Go to a second hand store with a good reputation that carries Rolexes?

We've converted a few 2-tones to stainless steel.

[Rscmaine]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Thanks!

Selling my TT bracelet and other parts could fund the switch? Interesting!

How could a "watch beginner" like me go about this? Talk to my AD for help? Go to a second hand store with a good reputation that carries Rolexes?

Absolutely no...

I'll send you a PM.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by jameshelliwell

the strap option is a good idea, but I would recommend going with something like mine! You will never forget the sentiment, and there is no real point in having a watch in a drawer which you will never wear - keeping a picture of it on your wrist is probably a better idea.

However, that is only my opinion, and I obviously am not fully aware of the sentimental value you may or may not attach to it. If you sell and get a replacement datejust, then it is essentially still your parents contribution, just updated for something you can enjoy.

Would you have it serviced? If so, then essentially it wouldnt be exactly the same as they gave it to you. So go for a 'modified' DJ from the current lineup with the money and wear the heck out of it each and every day!

This may be somewhat insensitive so dont take any of this to heart necessarily

Thanks, James, for your thoughts. I've noticed your watch on another thread...in fact, it inspired me to dig out my DJ and to start thinking about what I posted in this thread!

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Rscmaine

Any 20mm strap will work.

Online you will find a much wider selection. If you are keeping the gold bezel and face I would suggest either black or brown alligator or croc. Much dressier and in keeping with what Rolex provides in straps.

But there are about 35 million other choices out there.

Take your time and scan the web.

Thanks for the color suggestions...a dressy watch could end up being a nice complement to the polar Explorer! Now about that gold face.....

[CKLinLA]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Thanks for that.

Are there preferred strap brands for DJs? Or, basically go to a watch or jewelry store and ask for help?

There are no specific brands. I suggest going into a shop and see what matches well. If you do buy online, just make sure the strap is not too thin (or more rarely too thick) for the watch.


If you go with changing/updating the dial face/bezel, best to go through an AD -- unless you know someone highly recommended. You might find that just changing the dial face to a white or silver dial would 'tone down' the gold enough for you. Changing the dial is quote commonly done and not that expensive.


My Day Date has a silver dial so your watch may not look too different from this after you change the dial...
]

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Rscmaine

Absolutely no...

I'll send you a PM.

Oh, ok, thank you. Looking forward to it. Much appreciated.

I hope my question didn't break TRF decorum or something. If so, sorry.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by CKLinLA

There are no specific brands. I suggest going into a shop and see what matches well. If you do buy online, just make sure the strap is not too thin (or more rarely too thick) for the watch.



If you go with changing/updating the dial face/bezel, best to go through an AD -- unless you know someone highly recommended. You might find that just changing the dial face to a white or silver dial would 'tone down' the gold enough for you. Changing the dial is quote commonly done and not that expensive.

Very helpful. Thank you for the advice.

[Rscmaine]

DOH!

You have an Exp II ?

That bracelet will fit your DJ!

Bezel/dial/crown swap at a qualified watchmaker and you're done.

You can still get the leather or croc straps and swap them between both watches.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by CKLinLA

There are no specific brands. I suggest going into a shop and see what matches well. If you do buy online, just make sure the strap is not too thin (or more rarely too thick) for the watch.

[...SNIP...]

thanks!!!

sorry, i'm sure this has been discussed before and is definitely a newbie question, but, is changing a strap something that i can do? would i need a special tool? or is it best to go through a professional?

[jnmarshall]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Thanks!

Selling my TT bracelet and other parts could fund the switch? Interesting!

How could a "watch beginner" like me go about this? Talk to my AD for help? Go to a second hand store with a good reputation that carries Rolexes?

I would highly advise NOT turning something like that into a "frankenex". Do you have any brothers or sisters you could pass this on to? Or be honest with your parents and tell them you'd like to sell or trade it for a model you would prefer to wear. You are all adults they should understand.

[jets]

Originally Posted by CKLinLA

Its a beautiful watch - the DJ, and so is the Expy II - I have one too.

There is one option to consider that may reduce the 'gold' factor. Replace the
current two-tone bracelet with a nice leather strap. I had a gold Day Date that
I hardly ever wore, but I put it on a leather strap and that totally reduced the
'bling' factor for me. Now I wear it often.

Great advice here.

I recommend that you not trade in the watch I have a feeling you may regret it. You can get an authentic white gold bezel and dial and have a watchmaker sawp it out so you can keep the original parts just in case.

You mentioned a child. One day (if you have a boy and gift it to him) he may just love two-tone watches! You never know...

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by jnmarshall

I would highly advise NOT turning something like that into a "frankenex". Do you have any brothers or sisters you could pass this on to? Or be honest with your parents and tell them you'd like to sell or trade it for a model you would prefer to wear. You are all adults they should understand.

"frankenex"..... that's good stuff! if i decide to swap dials, bezels, etc., i'll be sure not to present the new version as "frankenex" to my parents!!

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by jets

Great advice here.

I recommend that you not trade in the watch I have a feeling you may regret it. You can get an authentic white gold bezel and dial and have a watchmaker sawp it out so you can keep the original parts just in case.

You mentioned a child. One day (if you have a boy and gift it to him) he may just love two-tone watches! You never know...

thanks for your thoughts. i'm starting to think that if i go the leather strap route, it makes sense to hold on to the watch, but, changing the dial, bezel, crown, bracelet, etc., will mean that, in the end, i'll just be left with the movement coming from my parents. in that case, i don't know if i can attach that much sentimental value to that (even though it's the most critical part!! LOL.).

but, selling or trading mine for another might mean more out-of-pocket expense than making a "frankenex", which also isn't ideal. i have no idea what a mid-90s TT DJ is worth. got some more studying up to do!!

anyway, great food for thought. thanks.

[jnmarshall]

Trying the strap sounds like the most sensible option to keep the original watch. It's easy to do and cheap.

[DWdrummer]

I think its beautiful as it is. gold and stainless is beautiful together and that Roman dial is to die for. Wear it well.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by jnmarshall

Trying the strap sounds like the most sensible option to keep the original watch. It's easy to do and cheap.

thanks. i agree that it would seem to be the quickest and cheapest way to see if i can make peace with the gold dial and enjoy wearing the watch today....

now just to find a good source for quality straps....and the right color!!

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by DWdrummer

I think its beautiful as it is. gold and stainless is beautiful together and that Roman dial is to die for. Wear it well.

thanks for the compliment. the roman dial is definitely a positive.

no matter what, it's a real pleasure to think about these things. i feel very lucky to have the opportunity.

[jnmarshall]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

thanks. i agree that it would seem to be the quickest and cheapest way to see if i can make peace with the gold dial and enjoy wearing the watch today....

now just to find a good source for quality straps....and the right color!!

Don't think of it as gold, it's champagne. That'll be less blingy

At the risk of being flamed try walmart as an option. Large selection, cheap and if you get something you later decide wasn't to your liking easy to exchange or return.