You live and you learn

[Sal_UKSheffield]

I bought my first rolex, a SubC date for my 26th birthday in June 2014 and 2 celebrate my promotion at work. I absolutely loved the watch and kept it for about 8 months then decided to sell it to part finance a car. I kept the car for about 4 months and realised it was the worse financial decision I ever made, I was at the garage constantly. I lost about £1k on the watch and £5k on the car. It was the most irrational decision I ever made and was an impulse buy, like the watch. Oh well you live and you learn.

I am about to sit my final exam for ACCA, chartered accountancy exams and to celebrate my qualification I want to buy a fine time piece, most likely a rolex. This will be the only luxury watch I buy for years, at least 2/3 years, so it needs to be an all round watch.

There was times that I loved the sub c date and others where I would get bored of it.

What are your thoughts guys? I know most of you will say the cure for that is having several fine time pieces and wear in rotation lol.

In addition, when I do decide to buy, do I go hassle free and buy new, (at a premium - although I did get a £400 discount on the sub my first purchase at my local AD, so I think I could at least get the same amount of discount again without having to wait - he has a great reputation in getting stock), or do I buy BNIB or used?

I lost £1k on the sub within 8 months of buying it and it was in new condition and I really want to avoid that if i decide to sell this new purchase. I keep reading threads where people say they bought a BNIB watch only to be told dials/hands/ movements have been swapped and could do without that headache. (I am in the UK for reference).

also would it be cheaper for me to fly out and buy new outside the UK and make a trip of it for a week somewhere lol.

watches I am looking at are:
1) sub c date/hulk
2) daytona
3)YM 2 SS
4) AP royal oak
5) Blancpain FF
6) let me know of any time pieces you would recommend

what are your thoughts all? I need to be enabled lol

[crfsocal]

-Get the Sub C date/Hulk

-Go in the direction you get peace of mind when purchasing...

btw by your post it looks like AD is the best option for you, imo.

[GB-man]

I like the hulk best out of those might be cheaper to go to Germany or italy and buy ex vat?

[Sal_UKSheffield]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I like the hulk best out of those might be cheaper to go to Germany or italy and buy ex vat?

how much would it cost in Germany roughly?

[reno1910]

Been there done that with cars...

Been there done that with aftermarket hands, bezels, etc... but wife did not care.

Any watch of vintage will need a service so factor that into your cost as well.

Hulk... gag me
YM... gawdy barf
Daytona... yum

JMHO

[jwmacawful]

uksal; i would buy new. no hassles, no nagging doubts if it's bogus or not. even if you have to go in hock. splurge a little. good luck on the exam.

[locutus49]

Hulk or Daytona. Either is a great long term investment in your pleasure.

[Sal_UKSheffield]

Originally Posted by jwmacawful

uksal; i would buy new. no hassles, no nagging doubts if it's bogus or not. even if you have to go in hock. splurge a little. good luck on the exam.

Cheers buddy, 1 last exam can't wait to get it over and done with lol

Does any one have a EU price list for rolex?

I like the idea of going to Germany to buy

thanks in advance

[WS9D]

GMT2c blnr

[gummy]

1. Preowned hulk....

2. preowned BLNR...

[Sal_UKSheffield]

Originally Posted by Ks6pd

GMT2c blnr

I am not a big fan of the GMTs lol

For me the sub is such a superior watch (just my opinion)

[Sal_UKSheffield]

Originally Posted by gummy

1. Preowned hulk....

2. preowned BLNR...

I would not mind buying preowned - I just don't want to get conned or end up with a tampered watch...

[sutats]

I understand what you mean about impulse purchases and it's great you reflected and realised and yet at the end of the day it was only money. You can always make more should you want to.

Given that you're prudent about your next purchase, you may also want to consider a pre-owned watch where the initial hit's been absorbed by the previous owner(s). You will of course need to do your research with whom you buy from.

From your list, I think the Hulk would be a versatile and fun choice and it should keep you going for a while.

Buying watches abroad on a vacation or work trip is always exciting but there's much timing involved if you want to get a deal. It's best to keep your purchase straightforward.

[hawaiian58]

Like others have posted, I'd go with the SubC, Hulk, or Daytona. If not already done, I'd try each piece on too because one may sing to you while others may come off your list just because. And good luck on your exam!

One other thing, consider buying from a trusted seller right here on TRF. I picked up my SubC and a PAM from Takuya, both at great prices and like new. Saved me thousands!

[SC11]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I like the hulk best out of those might be cheaper to go to Germany or italy and buy ex vat?

It wouldn't be Ex VAT as he is within the EU and so in Italy/Germany he would have to pay the given countries VAT and would not be able to claim it back.

Buying within the EU would only see an advantage based on exchange rate, countries VAT and countries AD's willingness to discount! Which currently these are in our favour (UK resident) but the best option is via an Airport duty free Heathrow or even better an EU airport where you are duty free and taking advantage of exchange rate as well (not discount)

[Sal_UKSheffield]

I would really consider buying from TRF but I have no idea what the process is

and how do I know I have been sent a watch that is tamper free?

[Vivalas]

Congrats on getting to the end and being Chartered :-)

A few ideas that may be worth considering.

Flying to Amsterdam, great AD at the airport and great prices from what I've heard. It's a lottery what's in stock at the time but I've read that people have picked up a BLNR and the hulk. Think that's luck but date or non date should be realistic.
Last year in Venice the AD offered 10% off SS sub and 15 to 20% of gold before I even tried to negotiate. Think Rome is similar too as maybe most of Italy and Greece.
However I wouldn't fly abroad just for that in case the deals weren't there at the time.

For me if its a keeper buy new and in Europe to save. If you're likely to flip, but pre owned.

What about someone like iconic watches? Or watchfinder?

How about Haywood Milton of Liverpool? Very knowledgable guy and has a lot of Pre owned for sale. Posts on forums sometimes and always very helpful. I'd try his firm myself.

[Daytona4130]

Hulk wins for me

[brettpaul]

I'd say SubC ad it's a classic or a 16610LV....the Hulk just doesn't do it for me.

[Sal_UKSheffield]

Originally Posted by Vivalas

Congrats on getting to the end and being Chartered :-)

A few ideas that may be worth considering.

Flying to Amsterdam, great AD at the airport and great prices from what I've heard. It's a lottery what's in stock at the time but I've read that people have picked up a BLNR and the hulk. Think that's luck but date or non date should be realistic.
Last year in Venice the AD offered 10% off SS sub and 15 to 20% of gold before I even tried to negotiate. Think Rome is similar too as maybe most of Italy and Greece.
However I wouldn't fly abroad just for that in case the deals weren't there at the time.

For me if its a keeper buy new and in Europe to save. If you're likely to flip, but pre owned.

What about someone like iconic watches? Or watchfinder?

How about Haywood Milton of Liverpool? Very knowledgable guy and has a lot of Pre owned for sale. Posts on forums sometimes and always very helpful. I'd try his firm myself.

Watch finder are quiet expensive tbh
I can get a brand new sub from a dealer for £150 more so it just doesnt make sense buying a 2 year old watch for £5250 when i can get a new one for £5400

I would want to be paying £1000 less than list if i am buying used otherwise i just dont see the point

[TheVTCGuy]

Sal, first of all congrats on your achievements and good luck on your test! Being a dumb American, I have no idea what those initials mean, or even what industry it is in, but regardless, you are obviously an intelligent and mature young man and whatever your work passions, here's to your future success. Now, about which Rolex to get...

My advice.... disregard (within reason of course) the financial reasoning as to which model to purchase, go with your heart.

A Rolex is many things to many people, but (IMHO) most of all it is a reflection of ourselves; a testiment to our passion for a fine timepiece and a reward for hard work. Take it from an old... geiser like me, too many times in our short lives we opt for the logical choice, I believe in this instance, go with what "sings" to you, what makes you smile everytime you look at it, and what you are excited about owning. It will make you a happier and better man.

Anyway, that's my two... uh... er... shillings(?).

[beer]

losing 1k is not bad as in the UK we immediately lose 17% (the tax) and 1k is not much less than 20% of the RRP

why not buy in a country with less tax

[Oryx]

stick with a Rolex - I would go with the SD4000

[Cru Jones]

LVc.... All the goodness of the Sub with the twist of an amazing dial. In three years of ownership, I've never once been bored with it.

[AK797]

TBH I think you will probably sell the next Rolex you buy, happens to most of us and already to you, so getting a good price is crucial. If you fancy a trip to EU, check out chrono24 and send a few messages and if you are comfortable with a seller then fly out and pick it up, you will save the most that way. Germans are generally the most trustworthy but Italians have great prices too. Or try Iconic which is more convenient.

As for the watch, well best to choose the one that sings the loudest to you, that's the one that might just have a chance of being a keeper.

[james1787]

If you think you might just flip it again, I would buy used so you don't take the depreciation hit. If it's one you know you will keep a long time... Then buy new.

I've done the car thing before. To me a reliable, inexpensive to maintain useful vehicle that gets me from point a to point b is fine. Took a while to figure that out and definitely could have had a few additional Rolex from money poured down the drain on some.

[THC]

Originally Posted by crfsocal

-Get the Sub C date/Hulk

-Go in the direction you get peace of mind when purchasing...

btw by your post it looks like AD is the best option for you, imo.

Agree

[SSDAYTONAHULK]

Classic and respectable

[whysleep]

Hulk.

[Joearch]

One of these will work. All basically worth what I paid for them thru trusted seller here.
Two were pre owned but in like new condition. All classics IMHO. Good luck.