My first Rolex(es), and a question

[scott22]

Hello,

First, I'd like to compliment everyone on this forum for their great posts, helpful advice, civility, and sense of humor. I try to visit rolexforums.com as frequently as I can and always enjoy browsing the posts.

I posted once or twice late last year, before becoming a Rolex owner. Since I'm now a Rolex owner, I figured it was my responsibility to post.

Last year, I fell in love with the LV Submariner (green is my favorite color), and began to search local dealers for one. I also had a trip to Las Vegas planned for December, and originally thought I would have a good chance of finding one there, but then learned that they were pretty rare there.

In late November, I was visiting a local authorized dealer in Maryland, and while the dealer didn't have an LV (and indicated that they had only been receiving a small handful each year), they did have a black Submariner Date. Before I knew it, I was trying on the black Submariner and noticed that it was smiling back at me. (Or maybe I was smiling at it, and I was seeing my reflection.) I distinctly remembered reading advice on these forums to buy the watch that smiles back, so I began justifying to myself that although the LV was great, it wasn't as practical as a black one, which could be worn with anything, casual or formal. And it was a fine looking watch. One that was in stock, on my wrist, and that I could walk out of the store with.

You can guess what happened. I walked out of the store beaming, wearing my first Rolex, a watch I had wanted most of my life. I still liked the LV, but I knew I wasn't going to regret buying the black Submariner.

Here's the obligatory picture:

watch1.jpg

Now, fast forward a couple weeks. I'm on vacation in Las Vegas, and casually stroll by the Rolex store at the Wynn. Just as I expected, they did not have an LV in stock. (Although they had plenty of other Rolexes in stock!) I was glad I hadn't waited, as I would have been setting myself up for disappointment thinking that I would leave Las Vegas with an LV.

Later during the trip, I was walking through the New York New York casino/hotel, and as I was about to go up the escalator, I noticed a watch store in the distance with a Rolex sign in the window. "What the heck," I thought. "I'll walk buy and see what watches they have in the front window."

You might see where this is going! As I walked up to the store, I saw a Submariner sitting front center in the window. As I got closer, the green bezel became more and more visible.

"Ahh, crud," I thought, as I stood outside the store staring at it for a few minutes.

But I knew I would eventually come across an LV, and when I made the decision to buy the black Submariner, I was confident I would never regret that decision. It was my first Rolex, and it was a beautiful watch that would last for years and years. No regrets.

I went back to my hotel, but couldn't help but feeling a little depressed. I wasn't depressed that I had bought the black Submariner -- I was just a little depressed that I didn't also have the LV. After seeing it in person, I thought it was more beautiful than pictures. And there it was -- sitting in the window, like a rare four leaf clover that suddenly appears unexpectedly after much fruitless searching.

I had no intention of buying a second Rolex anytime soon. Two in less than a month? Crazy. Completely impractical and fiscally irresponsible. Initially, I didn't even entertain the notion of buying it, but then I started to wonder how much I would regret passing up the opportunity. Then, suddenly, I thought: "what the heck?", and I headed back to New York New York. My thinking had turned the corner: I was now seriously prepared to buy it. But as I walked to New York New York, I began to fear that it had already been purchased. After going through the anguish of deciding to buy it after all, I knew I would be doubly depressed if it was no longer there.

A wave of relief passed me as I walked up to the store and saw it still glistening in the display case. I nervously asked the salesperson "how much is the Submariner LV?", knowing full well what the price was, but stalling as I continued to struggle in my mind whether I was actually going through with this. The salesperson offered the LV for retail (no surprise there), saying that Rolex doesn't allow dealers to charge below retail (well, not sure about that, although I also paid retail for the black Submariner.) The salesperson said the LV had arrived that morning.

Finally, I decided, "I'm buying it," but then came the next dilemma: Las Vegas charges a steep 7.75% sales tax (vs. 5% in my home state), and 7.75% of an LV is not an insignificant chunk of change. The store said they could mail the watch to my home address to avoid paying sales tax, but otherwise I would have to pay tax. This decision took a good 15 minutes. I felt nervous having the watch shipped home, although the store promised it was safe to do. And, with the watch so close to my grasp, I really wanted to have it on my wrist as I walked out the store -- we all know what a great feeling that is. So, I hesitantly decided to pay the tax to walk out with the watch right then and there. It did cost several hundred dollars for that pleasure, but you know what? It was worth it.

And I don't regret getting the LV, either, or having two Submariners. I wear each with pride. If you think logically about it, it's a little silly to pay so much for a watch that is so much less reliable than an inexpensive quartz watch. But to me, Rolex represents a rich history and legacy of clever engineering, and logic rarely plays a role in these kinds of decisions. I enjoy wearing the watch, and that's what matters. I have stared at it, studying all of the small details. I wish I could see all the gears turning as it tracks the time, but knowing that they're in there is enough.

Some pictures of my LV:

watch2.jpg

watch3.jpg

Now that I've described how I came to own two Submariners in less than a month (in great, excruciatingly verbose detail!), I have a question to pitch to those still reading.

Umm... Basically, my LV has started squeaking. Not in a terribly alarming or annoying way, but I would rather that it *not* squeak.

The squeaking seems to be coming from the first link (most notably at the six o'clock position, although sometimes to a lesser degree at the 12 o'clock position), generally from the area pointed to by red arrows:

watch4.jpg

If I bend that link back and forth, I can hear the squeaking sound. When wearing the watch, if I move or flick my wrist quickly, I can also hear the squeaking sound. It really sounds like it needs a bit of oil.

I don't know if the sound is coming from the metal brushing against the metal, or if a speck of dirt got in that link, or what. It's something I can live with, but I'd rather it not make that sound (and the black Submariner doesn't have this problem at all). The LV only started doing this recently.

Any thoughts or tips?

[Mrdi]

oil it !

[JJ Irani]

Great post, Scott, and some superb acquisitions. You've got the Rolex fever real bad, uh?? No cure for it, unfortunately!!

Never heard of the squeaking sound. The most common complaint is a ticking sound when you shake the watch. That sound actually comes from the sleeve pins inside the links....NOT the watch.

JJ

[scott22]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

oil it !

I have contemplated trying a bit of WD-40 (is there any problem WD-40 can't solve?) but am a little worried it might cause damage. When I bend that link, in addition to hearing the squeaking sound, I can also feel it occasionally "catching", like one side of the metal is encountering friction as it brushes against another side of metal. In other words, that link doesn't always bend smoothly -- sometimes it's a bit jerky as it makes that distinctive sound. This doesn't seem to be happening with any of the other links. Maybe I will just have to try to carefully work some oil into that joint and see if that helps.

And yeah, I seem to be getting the fever! I've been eyeing the Rolex Explorer II with white background, but I want to wait awhile. If I buy these too frequently, the magic might start to wear off. Oh, and I might go broke!

[Tombstone]

Scott,
Brother I know what you mean, I have told this story before so let me apologize to those who have heard this story.

I too searched long and hard for the LV Sub. I bought a Sea-Dweller because I loved the watch and I felt a LV would never pop up. Several moths later I found myself on vacation and bang there it was a new LV Sub in the case of an AD. The manager advised that the watch had just arrived in the morning shipment.

I bought the watch, and had it shipped home. On the flight home I debated the logic of buying two Rolex watches in such a short period of time. Like you I felt the purchase was not being financially responsible, however, I like many here in this forum work hard, and I don’t buy many expensive items so I can in my mind justify what I did. It has been several months now and I still stare at my watch and frankly feel luck to have it. I am aware of many people who still search for this watch so I count myself luck. Welcome to the forum. Enclosed is a photo my LV Sub.

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by scott22

If you think logically about it, it's a little silly to pay so much for a watch that is so much less reliable than an inexpensive quartz watch.

Well I do consider a good mechanical Rolex to be at least, if not more reliable than any quartz watch. Quartz watches may be more accurate, but in terms of reliability, I would consider battery failure as a higher risk than the mechanical malfunction of a Rolex.

The Green Submariner is captivating, and I found it more and more difficult to get out of my mind, until I was almost compelled to have one. More power to you for walking out of the store with it on your wrist.

Now that you have the Green Submariner, there isn't anything stopping you from taking the black bezel and putting it on your Green Submariner, and if you get tired of the green, you can get a watchmaker to change it over to the black in 5 seconds. Keep the green bezel insert for when you want to change back to the original. However, as you already have a black Sub you may not want to do this.

[Gaijin]

Scott that was one of the finer battle reports for the search and purchase of an LV (or any watch) that I have ever seen. Excellent write up and pics. I was on the edge of my seat.

I almost feel guilty at the ease of my obtaining one.

I love it too and catch myself staring at it all the time. My Air King feels neglected.

[greenfan]

Both are excellent watches scott, enjoy them in good health....

[slim]

That was DESTINY!!!! Congrats buddy

[davor]

wear them in good health buddy i know i will mine when i get it...

[mike]

That is a great story and many congrats on getting the LV!

I love the maxi-dial of the 16610LV and the black sub makes a perfect counterbalance. You truly have a diver for any occasion and two classics!

I would try a very small drop of oil (like gun oil) in your link. --Very small--
Do NOT use WD-40. It has penertating qualities that will damage the seals.

[TARDIS]

I agree with Mike - DO NOT USE WD40.

You must have very acute hearing. Best just leave it. I think it may go away after a month or so.

[colemanitis]

I visited that same AD in August. It's a great little shop. Lots of Rolex watches! The gentleman I spoke with was very nice and was more than happy to whip out a dozen or so watches for me to try on. I told him before hand that I was not buying, but just looking. He didn't care - he still gave me the full treatment. It's nice to hear you were able to give them the business that I wasn't able to.

[viper]

awesome story! reminds me of when I found my LV last year. they said it was in the case for about 20mins before I came in

[mrbieler]

Congratulations. Nice pair. Wear them in good health.

I'm in Vegas once a month and I sneak over to New York New York and the Wynn when I can. Both are nice. The shear volume of Rolexes at the Wynn is staggering. They had three of the new GMT's on display last time I was there. A store the size of your average watch store only EVERY watch is a Rolex.

Prices were standard. Their big pitch is that they'll ship and save you tax. Obviously with all Vegas being a tourist town, that's a big hit.

[watchnut]

That is one great story! excellent writing, great plot, important moral, the whole nine yards! I wish I had it on tape to listen to in the car! Congratulations, I"ve had my black Sub for two weeks and thank God the SS anniversary GMT isn't out or I'd be in the same boat you are!

[watchnut]

Just occured to me.... just think how much better you feel than if you had dropped $10K plus at the tables and had nothing to show for it!

[Blue Bull]

Nice story,BUT,shame on you for buying both at retail.Shop around and get a good discount,especially on the Sub/Date.

[Lol-x]

Scott, I know exactly what you mean by the little squeak in the bracelet. I had that too and on my Green Sub as well. Anyway I got this little lubricant applicator. Literally 2 drops and the squeak was gone forever (several months now).
I agree with the other - do not use WD40 as that isn't a lubricant it is more of a solvent.
Here is a photo of the item I purchased to lube my bracelet. O.K. it's not watchmakers lube, but I can tell you it works like a charm. This lubricant has no solids, waxes, teflon, graphite or other products that will affect your chain, it is environmentally friendly so it is worth a look. I think you can buy it from bicycle shops for only a few dollars, excellent applicator and technology. It's like a pen with a needle nose tip.