I used to use a winder box, but then I read that it just makes your next service sooner, as it's always running, even if you're not wearing it. Since I have five watches and can only wear one at a time, I just let the others run down in the gun safe and, while some will sit for weeks without being moved at all, that's that much more time I have with that watch before it needs a service. My latest IWC has an eight year factory warranty, so I guess a winder box wouldn't do much to it. But I don't mind resetting a watch every time it comes out of the safe.

Rolex - I've said it before on this website, if accuracy REALLY matters, the Apple watch I'm wearing can't be matched for timekeeping accuracy.

In past years, I've acquired two Roxex's, and both
reside in a dresser drawer.

My Apple watch does so much more. Much of the magic has left the brand name Rolex.

Secondary is about $3k more. https://www.jomashop.com/rolex-watch-126334bkso.html

Other than that, get on the waitlist at all ADs you can.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael J. Shannon:
Rolex - I've said it before on this website, if accuracy REALLY matters, the Apple watch I'm wearing can't be matched for timekeeping accuracy.

In past years, I've acquired two Roxex's, and both
reside in a dresser drawer.

My Apple watch does so much more. Much of the magic has left the brand name Rolex.

Just get out of here with that.

I went to and AD in Charlotte, Windsor Jewlers. Had never bought anything there in my life. I was looking for a Hamilton and to see how long the wait was for a Datejust similar to yours only with the blue face. The saleslady told me it might take 6 months to a year but they keep the list and call as soon as they receive one. Two months later I got a call.

Find an authorized dealer that you like and wait. It is worth it.

There are many great watches out there. To all those recommending other brands, I am sure they are great too. But the man said he has always wanted a Rolex. He should be able to have what he wants.

Oh yeah, an Omega is on my list of wants too...

My wife bought me a Rolex around 40 years ago.

I used to dive with it a lot.

I went through 3 Seikos, an Omega Seamaster, and a Zodiac and they all leaked. If you think a Seiko is a better diving watch, that has not been my experience.

My Rolex never did leak.

I gave it to my son. My old eyes were having trouble seeing the gold hands on the gold face.

It was a two-tone date Thunderbird.
I ordered it custom with the rotating bezel.

I went to buy a new GMT II to replace it and so far everyone said years wait on the list.

A lot of Rolexs go out the back door of ADs to the secondary market when they can get a high premium for any Rolex on the secondary market.

Things seem to be cooling off on the secondary market so there may be more coming available.

Also, It was announced that Rolex is opening up three new factories.

When the first factory production hits the market starting next year things may become more available.

In the meantime, I can wear my Apple watch.

Rumor has it that the Pepsi GMT is not long for this world. They're having manufacturing issues with the ceramic bezels and they often break during service, leading to very long wait times. I have a Batman and, for some reason, those bezels don't seem to have the same issue. I don't know why red is worse than blue in that regard. A buddy paid $18k for his Pepsi on eBay a year ago and I thought that was nuts. Last one I saw pre-owned at the AD where I got my Batman, was $23k a few weeks ago. No thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
Rumor has it that the Pepsi GMT is not long for this world. They're having manufacturing issues with the ceramic bezels and they often break during service, leading to very long wait times.

This is my understanding as well. A friend of mine believes he's the next on "the list" for the next Pepsi coming in to the AD, I dont have the heart to tell him there wont be a next Pepsi.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael J. Shannon:
Rolex - I've said it before on this website, if accuracy REALLY matters, the Apple watch I'm wearing can't be matched for timekeeping accuracy.

In past years, I've acquired two Roxex's, and both
reside in a dresser drawer.

My Apple watch does so much more. Much of the magic has left the brand name Rolex.

I don't wear a mechanical watch for accurate time. My iphone with an atomic watch app gives me that level of accuracy by pinging three time servers. I use that to set my mechanical watches when I switch as the one I'm going to wear has run down already.

But I do wear a mechanical watch on my left wrist and an iwatch on my left wrist. I use the iwatch to let me know if there's an incoming email or phone call by vibrating as I usually keep my phone on silent. My iphone watch also tells me the UV setting and temperature outside to let me know if I have to put sunscreen on my face. It also displays my calendar for the day.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
Rumor has it that the Pepsi GMT is not long for this world. They're having manufacturing issues with the ceramic bezels and they often break during service, leading to very long wait times.

This is my understanding as well. A friend of mine believes he's the next on "the list" for the next Pepsi coming in to the AD, I dont have the heart to tell him there wont be a next Pepsi.

Then again, I hear they have a new Coke GMT coming out soon. So maybe they figured out the red bezels.

Mrs. Lee wanted a lady's OP 31mm with the mint dial. With no purchase history, I went to my local AD and asked to get on the list for it. The SA knows I'm a watch nut and not a flipper. Six mos later she called and said I could put a 50% deposit down on one and it would be mine. Came in a few mos later. FWIW, a year earlier, again, no purchase history, this SA called to offer me a new SD43. But I had just bought my James Cameron a few weeks before that and could not swing another Rolex in the same month. I had to pass. But she still came through for Mrs. Lee's watch.

COSC is an old spec. New models are specced at COSC + (e.g. -2/+2 sec/day, after casing for the 3230). I've never had a new one do worse. My first, a 3185 Explorer II ran on my wrist for 11 years and was at +/- 0 when I sent it for service due to a dislodged or worn rotor (I could hear it rubbing).

I agree a $7 quartz watch keeps better time. But that said, if we can agree to leave the time value of money concept to the side, no watch keeps value better than a Rolex.

My first 16610 I bought through Bobs Watches in San Diego, a very lightly used preowned which Bobs certified.
My current 126610LN I was lucky enough to buy through an estate sale at a reasonable price.
I had my name on 2 lists but no luck through ADs.
An Omega would be a great alternative which you can walk out the door the same day.

I buy all of mine second hand at Crown and Caliber or Swiss Watch Expo. Bob's is great, too!

I just bought a new Tudor Black Bay 58 at Jomashop for WELL under retail and it keeps better than a second a day. I've had it over a month and it's still not been touched.

The second hand market is falling quick as supply is finally catching up with demand.

This put your name on a list gimmick was Rolex trying to be like Vacheron, Patek and Audemars. It's damn near cost them their reputation.

Way out of my league ... best I can do is what I call my 'Rolodex'. which I bought from a fellow member here... and I only wear it on the weekends:



but one of my few fears in life is my wife is going to get me a Rolex one day... I've been telling her I wanted one for the last 42 years or so.

That should be a fairly easy model to get.

Depending on the AD, they can be very worried about keeping the ability to sell Rolexes.

(Not many small family shops still selling them/Rolex will jump on them if they end up selling to a flipper)

If it’s a place like that, they pretty much only sell them to people they know - their allocations are also tiny.

quote:

Originally posted by ryan81986:
Isn't David Truong a Rolex dealer?

^^ Dave Truong found the exact Rolex I wanted ^^

Give Dave a call.

Rolex has always been a bucket list item for me. I almost bought a Sub back when they were about $3500 new. I ended up buying one from an AD that I had purchased some of my wife’s jewelry with and was able to buy it for less than list.
The same watch is now $4000 more.

A Rolex is an investment if taken care of. You can always sell it if times get tough but I never will (hopefully).

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
Those ADs are full of shit. They probably have a stack of Rolexes on hand. Yes, they're playing games like Smudge said.

They aren't "playing games", just dealing with the realities of demand, supply, and those hoping to turn a quick profit ("Flip") merchandise others hope to acquire because they appreciate the watch they like.

I've purchased three Rolex watches, beginning with a previously owned Submariner that I bought at an AD (around 2012) before the brand reached it's height of popularity. I liked the watch for what it was in terms of aesthetics and design. I got it for a good price and within a week, someone offered me a thousand dollars over what I'd paid for it. I refused the offer, but saw the beautiful "descending" blue colored dial and the James Cameron Deep Sea Seadweller, and traded the Submariner in for one at an AD around 2019, after I "got the call."

Dealers can and will get somewhat obnoxious about potential customers' inquiries regarding what watches are in their inventory, BUT they have to be. Although Rolex is supposedly building a new plant to manufacture more stock, the fact is (like it or not) their product is in demand and for every piece sold to a "flipper", it's one less watch for someone who wants the item for him/herself or perhaps a close family member.

Around 2022, I decided that my "grail" watch was a Rolex Explorer II with a white ("Polar") dial, as I loved the low profile look and it's GMT (two time zone) function. The local AD (the one that sold me the DSSD) put me on their list, but I also took the time and effort to check out every other AD I learned was nearby when I travelled out of town. Last year, I checked out the Authorized Dealer in Aruba. They (like many dealers) only had display models (no movement inside the case) on the floor, but after a lot of questioning about me, my previous purchase history from Rolex, my vacation plans, etc..., the sales associate left the showroom floor, returned with a box, and said with a smile: "Today's your lucky day!" She was right!

Part of the enjoyment of getting a NEW Rolex is being able to purchase it at the Regular Retail Price (about $3k below the Gray Market price in this case), but actually finding one after a long search. The "treatment" received upon finding what you're looking for is very special and it also adds to the pleasure of the experience. I know how frustrating it is to have to delay one's enjoyment of a purchase, but if you (like me) don't want to encourage others to "flip" these very nice watches, then being patient and continuing the search with the right attitude WILL ultimately pay off.

Rolex says they don’t have lists etc. but that’s bologna. My wife and heard our nearest AD was having sell so we went in, nothing in men’s but they had some women’s watches available. My wife ended up getting a nice two tone date just on sale!

About the same time the Submariner 41mm came out and I showed interest in it to the salesperson. She would text me when they had sales etc and I would ask when my sub was coming in. I had to get my Omega Seamaster serviced after 16 years non stop wearing. So I went through her and unfortunately my wife’s crown came unscrewed and she had some water issues. So in total, we had bought a Rolex, had hers serviced and my Omega serviced to get the call for the new sub. I waited 2.5 years for that call.

Crazy? Absolutely, but the no date sub was my grail watch and when the 41mm came out I really wanted one. I was very close to going grey market but I kept holding off and I’m glad I did, paying retail was wonderful too.

^^ that submariner is my grail watch. Black and steel, no frills. Simplicity