Help Please

[boulderbobo]

I folks, I am a noobie to the high end watch world and have been thinking about a purchasing a Rolex watch. I have a fairly conservative job so I have been looking for a watch that is not flashy. I am also kind of rough on things in general.

I have spent a fair amount of time looking at several different manufacturers and keep coming back to Rolex.

I love the new Datejust II (Gold/SS with Roman numerals/sticks/slate face) but I'm afraid it would not go over well at my job. So I am thinking about the white faced Explorer II. Of all the Rolex watches, the Explorer II seems to have a fairly low profile.

I have done some reading and trolling on this forum and others but still consider myself a novice.

My questions for the folks in the know are as follows:

Should I buy new or used?
Should I buy from a Authorized Dealer?
How much should I expect to pay?
My local dealers are pretty firm on retail price.

TYIA -

Bob-

[slcbbrown]

If you'll invest a little time reading the post on this forum, you'll get a bunch of your questions answered. Here are my opinions, though:

A Rolex can easily outlive you, so buying used is a great option. After you own them for a short time, they're all "used", anyway.
AD's are the safe route for buying, and you don't have to learn much to buy that way. Buying from non-AD's requires that you do a bit of research.
New Rolex are expensive, and used are all over the place, pricewise. Ebay is a pretty good place to get familiar with current prices.
AD's don't have much flexibility on new Rolex, but it's different with used Rolex that they may have taken in as trades.

On your watch choices-- a DJ II is going to be expensive because they haven't been on the market for very long. EXPII's are available on the used market at good prices. In the past 2-3 years I bought two black face versions for sons and paid about $3,000 for each.

[Danand]

Buy the watch that you want, not what you think others may or may not react to. As long as you aren't buying something diamond or otherwise encrusted it is pretty unlikely that most people will have a clue what it is anyway. So if it is an exp2, gmt, sub, whatever, it won't really make a difference.
If you want something durable stick wih SS, and possibly avoid the polished centre link bracelets.
Good luck!

[Numismatist]

Welcome to TRF! Time on this forum will help solidify your desire. When I first started looking I was after a certain watch, but after several months of learning, I had completely changed my mind and am much happier I spent the time and effort to learn first.

Now I'm on my third (that's the DANGER of this forum)

[snog]

buy what you want and not what you think will go unnoticed,if the datejust is what you want then get it,I would say that would be less noticable than the Explorer,as for price,you can get dicount at some ADs,it will be harder tho at this time of year,I would not buy from ebay! you could get a very good discount from the sellers on here,either 2nd hand or BINB,please tho buy the watch after you have tried a few on in a AD and get the watch you want not what is less flashy,if you do choose another instead of the datejust my vote would be for the sub c.

[Tools]

I say go get the watch that you want to put on your wrist every day for the foreseeable future...........

Believe me when I say that most any Rolex will be less "noticeable" than most of the 50mm Drugstore watches that every Department store sells on tables in the aisle..........

[rocco1109]

Most dealers will probably be pretty firm on price this time of year. I have purchased one new Rolex from a dealer. All the rest are used. Used is a great way to go because you can buy, try it out, and sell it if you like for little to no loss. It lets you catch and release.

The dealers in the Denver/Boulder area are not big discounters. Maybe you should hit up some of the non-chain store dealers. There is that small dealer in Boulder (forget their name) and then there is Williams Jewelers in Cherry Creek. You might try them for discounts. Also, cash is king. If you go in with a large wad of money, it might help do the negotiating for you.

I say get the DateJust II. Screw the people at work. Most of the time your watch will be under your shirt sleeve anyway and like others have said, you'd be surprised at how many people DON'T notice your watch. You should buy what makes you happy.

[Brenngun]

[QUOTE=Numismatist;2199385]Welcome to TRF! Time on this forum will help solidify your desire. When I first started looking I was after a certain watch, but after several months of learning, I had completely changed my mind and am much happier I spent the time and effort to learn first.

X2

[HL65]

I say go into an AD and try a few on and get the one that you want--forget about what others could think because chances are you will be the only one who notices it!!

[ingoodtime]

As Larry (Tools) said, the larger watches are noticed frequently. I know from personal experience that he is correct. My 47-48 MM watches get noticed. My 40 MM Rolex sub and GMT are barely noticed by non enthusiasts. Get what you like as you will be paying a good amount of money for the Rolex name. Spend it on what you like. If you really have to worry about what watch you want to wear, I'd wait until I had a different job.

[boulderbobo]

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

If you'll invest a little time reading the post on this forum, you'll get a bunch of your questions answered. Here are my opinions, though:

A Rolex can easily outlive you, so buying used is a great option. After you own them for a short time, they're all "used", anyway.
AD's are the safe route for buying, and you don't have to learn much to buy that way. Buying from non-AD's requires that you do a bit of research.
New Rolex are expensive, and used are all over the place, pricewise. Ebay is a pretty good place to get familiar with current prices.
AD's don't have much flexibility on new Rolex, but it's different with used Rolex that they may have taken in as trades.

On your watch choices-- a DJ II is going to be expensive because they haven't been on the market for very long. EXPII's are available on the used market at good prices. In the past 2-3 years I bought two black face versions for sons and paid about $3,000 for each.

Good advice here. Thank you for taking the time to provide input.



Bob-

[boulderbobo]

Originally Posted by Danand

Buy the watch that you want, not what you think others may or may not react to. As long as you aren't buying something diamond or otherwise encrusted it is pretty unlikely that most people will have a clue what it is anyway. So if it is an exp2, gmt, sub, whatever, it won't really make a difference.
If you want something durable stick wih SS, and possibly avoid the polished centre link bracelets.
Good luck!

Thanks Dan!



Bob-

[boulderbobo]

Originally Posted by Numismatist

Welcome to TRF! Time on this forum will help solidify your desire. When I first started looking I was after a certain watch, but after several months of learning, I had completely changed my mind and am much happier I spent the time and effort to learn first.

Now I'm on my third (that's the DANGER of this forum)

I know what you are saying. I have already changed my mind 1x.

It's a slippery slope.



Bob-

[boulderbobo]

Originally Posted by snog

buy what you want and not what you think will go unnoticed,if the datejust is what you want then get it,I would say that would be less noticable than the Explorer,as for price,you can get dicount at some ADs,it will be harder tho at this time of year,I would not buy from ebay! you could get a very good discount from the sellers on here,either 2nd hand or BINB,please tho buy the watch after you have tried a few on in a AD and get the watch you want not what is less flashy,if you do choose another instead of the datejust my vote would be for the sub c.

Forgive my ignorance...what does the c stand for in Sub C?

Bob-

[boulderbobo]

Originally Posted by Tools

I say go get the watch that you want to put on your wrist every day for the foreseeable future...........

Believe me when I say that most any Rolex will be less "noticeable" than most of the 50mm Drugstore watches that every Department store sells on tables in the aisle..........

This may be the way to go. I need to do more homework.

Thanks Larry!



Bob-

[boulderbobo]

Originally Posted by rocco1109

Most dealers will probably be pretty firm on price this time of year. I have purchased one new Rolex from a dealer. All the rest are used. Used is a great way to go because you can buy, try it out, and sell it if you like for little to no loss. It lets you catch and release.

The dealers in the Denver/Boulder area are not big discounters. Maybe you should hit up some of the non-chain store dealers. There is that small dealer in Boulder (forget their name) and then there is Williams Jewelers in Cherry Creek. You might try them for discounts. Also, cash is king. If you go in with a large wad of money, it might help do the negotiating for you.

I say get the DateJust II. Screw the people at work. Most of the time your watch will be under your shirt sleeve anyway and like others have said, you'd be surprised at how many people DON'T notice your watch. You should buy what makes you happy.

Thanks for the advice Will.



Bob-

[boulderbobo]

[QUOTE=Brenngun;2200163]

Originally Posted by Numismatist

Welcome to TRF! Time on this forum will help solidify your desire. When I first started looking I was after a certain watch, but after several months of learning, I had completely changed my mind and am much happier I spent the time and effort to learn first.

X2

Good advice.

Thanks Rick!



Bob-

[boulderbobo]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

I say go into an AD and try a few on and get the one that you want--forget about what others could think because chances are you will be the only one who notices it!!

You are probably right Connor.

Thanks,

Bob-

[boulderbobo]

Originally Posted by ingoodtime

I'd wait until I had a different job.

This might be the ticket....but I'm not a patient kind of guy.....



Bob-

[BarkMaster]

It's hard to imagine working with people that would care about your choice of timepiece. Very petty.

Sorry to hear that. I hope you can find a better working environment.

[Mr S1]

I recently sold my white face Explorer II and regret it ! I loved mine, it was very discreet and looked superb. I'd happily recommend you one of those. I bought mine used and provided you buy from a reputable seller you should have no issues with it at all. Bit daft someone having issue wit what watch you wear, maybe they need to get out a bit more....

Happy hunting !

[boulderbobo]

Originally Posted by BarkMaster

It's hard to imagine working with people that would care about your choice of timepiece. Very petty.

Sorry to hear that. I hope you can find a better working environment.

I'm actually working on not working.

I just like to say under the radar as much as possible.


Bob-

[boulderbobo]

Originally Posted by Mr S1

Bit daft someone having issue wit what watch you wear, maybe they need to get out a bit more....

Happy hunting !

So true :)



Bob-

[Maxtor]

Explorer 1 is easy to wear with anything and is under the radar. Great all arounder.
Beware, once you have your first Rolex you start thinking about getting another.

[snog]

Originally Posted by boulderbobo

Forgive my ignorance...what does the c stand for in Sub C?

Bob-

Rolex submariner ceramic,it's the new material the bezel is made from.