Need Help with new rolex purchase (First High-End Watch)

[greanie]

Hello All,

This is my first post (First Impressions are everything in both directions)

I have only owned lower end watches for a long time (citizen Eco-drive). I wanna purchase a rolex as a heritage piece, something i can pass along to my children and grand-children.

A few questions:
Where to buy? Private Dealer or Store (Local authorized store is Ben Bridge in Austin, Tx)?

I really Like a Datejust 2 with a grey/black dial and Roman numerals, Stainless steel, smooth Bezel, non-jubilee band. Is this a timeless piece? (I understand this will be opinion based) My local store has this watch for around $7200 pre-tax

Thanks for the advice and tips on this purchase.

[hbombkid]

The DJ 2 is nice. That was my first Rolex (blue Roman) I just found it too dressy. I feel the stick dial is less dressy than the Roman dial. I had the fluted bezel though too. Most will say the 36mm DJ is classic over DJ 2 but all opinion.

On where to buy I have done AD and then trusted seller here. It depends what you want experience etc. You will save big over an AD here i.e. about 2k in savings. Do some research but David SW is awesome and highly recommended.

Good luck and whatever you choose you will love it and will be great to pass down to your child. That is why I got into watches a few years ago.

[greanie]

David SW?

I am all about saving 2K! Thats almost a second, Older rolex.

Any points in a different direction other than an AD (Im assuming this means Authorized Dealer) i am all ears on.

[greanie]

Any Texas Dealers? or Collectors looking to move some watches from their collection i would love to hear from. As my first watch i would most definitely like to see it in person unless its brand new in box (Which i take the assumption of it not being worn).

[sickened1]

Originally Posted by greanie

Any Texas Dealers? or Collectors looking to move some watches from their collection i would love to hear from. As my first watch i would most definitely like to see it in person unless its brand new in box (Which i take the assumption of it not being worn).

I believe Takuya (one of the trusted sellers here) is in Texas. You might wanna try and contact him. Good luck.

[travisb]

The DJ2 will surely stand the test of time as will any in the current line up.
Congrats in advance!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by travisb

The DJ2 will surely stand the test of time as will any in the current line up.
Congrats in advance!

X 2

[SLS]

Originally Posted by greanie

Any Texas Dealers? or Collectors looking to move some watches from their collection i would love to hear from. As my first watch i would most definitely like to see it in person unless its brand new in box (Which i take the assumption of it not being worn).

I have dealt Motomc, he is in TX...mainly deals in pre-owned I believe.
Scott

[blah114]

Originally Posted by greanie

Hello All,

This is my first post (First Impressions are everything in both directions)

I have only owned lower end watches for a long time (citizen Eco-drive). I wanna purchase a rolex as a heritage piece, something i can pass along to my children and grand-children.

A few questions:
Where to buy? Private Dealer or Store (Local authorized store is Ben Bridge in Austin, Tx)?

I really Like a Datejust 2 with a grey/black dial and Roman numerals, Stainless steel, smooth Bezel, non-jubilee band. Is this a timeless piece? (I understand this will be opinion based) My local store has this watch for around $7200 pre-tax

Thanks for the advice and tips on this purchase.

If you don't need a "date" window.. I'd do a Milgauss, used, with the new bracelet. As you know, this watch has a smooth bezel. I prefer the plain white or black dial versions myself.. without the green sapphire.

the DJII is absolutely stunning as well. The Roman numeral version of this watch, in any color, is particularly beautiful.

in a sea of datejusts or Subs, I rarely see anyone wearing a Milgauss.

[Speed]

Have you visited any local ADs? You should. Try on as many watches as you can....and then step back and think.

Sellers with great reps here are just that - great. However, bank wires is how most do business. If the thought of wiring thousands of dollars to someone you've never met / receiving a watch via overnight carrier scares you - pay more for peace of mind at an AD.

[LazyDaniel]

You will never go wrong if you deal with trusted sellers like OCRolexguy (Patrick) or DavidSW


Try it on at ADs but purchase them from a trusted seller here (you will definitely be saving by doing so)

[FTX I]

You must try several models at your local AD to minimize the risk of buyer's remorse. After that, if your AD can not offer you a good deal you can contact a trusted seller here.

[greanie]

Lots of Great information!!!

Thanks to all, I have had a great First impression of this forum so far.

"FTX I" you mention an AD giving me a good Deal, What does that mean? A Percentage off? Any extras to ask for from the dealer for purchasing through them (Like a free service or cleaning)?

Thanks again everyone, would love to continue to hear from all on my original Post.

[greanie]

Thanks to all for all the feedback.

I have had a very positive first impression of this site/forum and all its members.

"FTX I" You mention an AD giving a good deal. Does this refer to a percentage off? or are you talking about negotiating for a free service or other types of items that can be offered as part of the purchase? (What would/should i ask for that an AD would be willing to offer)

Also i would love to continue to heard feedback from all forum members that wish to provide information and detail into my original post/question.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by greanie

Thanks to all for all the feedback.

I have had a very positive first impression of this site/forum and all its members.

"FTX I" You mention an AD giving a good deal. Does this refer to a percentage off? or are you talking about negotiating for a free service or other types of items that can be offered as part of the purchase? (What would/should i ask for that an AD would be willing to offer)

Oh but...the discount question.

As a first time buyer an AD has little to no incentive to discount a watch that will sell itself. If you've purchased many luxury watches and jewelry from said AD, they might cut you a deal.

A warranty on a new watch is 5 years. Service is now recommended at 10 years. If you think your AD (or you) will be around to make good on a "free" service in 10 years, give it a try.

Sounds like you could benefit from hanging around here a while longer and learning more about the watches you may like - caution, your interests may likely change.

If it's all about saving money, an indie seller is the way to go.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by greanie

"FTX I" You mention an AD giving a good deal. Does this refer to a percentage off? or are you talking about negotiating for a free service or other types of items that can be offered as part of the purchase? (What would/should i ask for that an AD would be willing to offer).

I was talking about discount. Some ADs are willing to move their prices a bit depending on the model. You can browse the for sale section here to get the idea of how much the watches cost and then you know the discount you need. If you're not happy with the final price at the AD you can count on trusted sellers here. Happy hunting and good luck.

[Time Exposure]

Buy the watch for you. When the groundhog starts delivering your mail, you won't have any control whether your heritage piece is treasured by an heir, or sold to fund a trip to Las Vegas.
Buy it from a trusted dealer. The folks listed above come highly recommended. I can personally vouch for Thanh Do aka Takuya, as I bought my stainless Daytona from him then traded it a few weeks later (for full credit!) towards a white gold model.
So to recap: buy that stainless DJII just the way you like it, and save a bunch of money with the same product from a trusted dealer. We all want you to love the Daytona /Milgauss / Sub/ GMT/ stick dial blah blah blah as much as we do, but stick to what you like. And with all due respect to your heir, it's YOUR watch, not their's!

[Storm Central]

A smooth bezel definitely levels out the versatility of dress meets casual with the DJ2. The DJ may offer a little more wiggle room in terms of dial and if you were to pass on the watch to a daughter or granddaughter. I would suggest my watch of choice in that range, but you have a good grasp on what will work best.
I would go through
A) AD for peace of mind but highest price
B) Buddies on the forum for some peace of mind, trusted sellers, and lower prices
C) Look for white market (that are non AD) or gray dealers because there is a greater chance of lower prices but there may be a little more insecurity. You never know though. I've always had pleasant transactions with the Sant Blanc team.
Good luck to you and excited for your future wrist hardware

[adamlea]

If you go the AD route, buy from an out of state AD and have them ship it to you. You'll save sales tax that way.

When I got my first, a fellow member referred me to an out of state AD that he'd made several purchases from. I asked for one from the vault, not the floor, and I even asked them to go over it with a loupe, which I would have done had I bought it in person.

Since it was my first, I wanted to go with an AD. They were great to deal with, willing to negotiate, and they overnighted it. So, I not only saved a little on retail, but I also saved on sales tax. Believe me, it adds up.

If you're interested, PM me and I'll send you their contact info.

[murph145]

The DJII was my "dream" watch so to speak something semi affordable and still had that classic rolex look.

I wanted the blue with fluted bezel. After doing some some research and looking around I really ended up wanting the GMT BLNR and that is what I got.

Found a trusted seller on the forum whom allowed me to use PayPal and we did the transaction and a few days later had the watch. BNIB with everything and 5 year warranty. I saved like $750 off the msrp and the sales tax out here 9% (another $800) so I was happy.

Look around on the forums and look in the sellers section. A lot of reputable sellers here

good luck and future congrqats you and your family will enjoy

[greanie]

Thanks again for all the information. Again a great first experience on the forum.

Im gonna continue to look for my DateJust 2 with Roman Numerals, hopefully i dont "Keep-looking" myself into another watch and more indecisiveness.