The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 19 January 2007, 03:43 PM   #1
Kris
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canada
Watch: Sea-Dweller Z-ser.
Posts: 313
New from Toronto, Canada! Bought my first Rolex!

Hi all, I'm new to the forum.

I was directed here by one of your member after a visit to their web-page and a couple email exchanges.

I've been aware of the ROLEX brand since I was 6 years old. I remember in grade 1 a fellow classmate came back from a trip to NYC and his parents bought him a Rolex knockoff. I think, back then there was only 1 main Rolex knock-off and the name "Rolex" on the dial was actually spelt "ROLlEX". Hilarious. It didn't last him long though. Looking back now I believe the watch braclet was held by pins and they snapped by weeks end and that was the end of his watch.

In September of 2006, I started making plans to purchase my first authentic Rolex. I knew that in purchasing a Rolex, CASH would be KING! If I wanted a good discount, I'd have to pay using cash. I found out later that VISA will charge the AD up to 4% of the final sale price in some cases. I'd rather some of that 4% come back to me in the form of a discount and that the other few percent going to the AD's as an incentive to give me a better deal.

My yearend bonus was coming up in December, so I planned on buying my first Rolex in the New Year.

The first thing I did was contact Rolex Canada (which lucky for me is in Toronto also) and had them send me a catalog with the pricing list. I received the catalog within a couple days and was really impressed! This is one fine catalog! Thick with beautiful glossy pictures of their top sellers.

As I went through the catalog and matched price with picture, I came to a decision of how much I wanted to spend. I was looking at the $6000-$6500 MSRP range in the catalog. The models I was looking at were the Explorer II, the GMT Master II, and of course the Submariner. All within what I could easily afford to pay out in cash. At the time I had settled on the GMT Master II with the black-red dial. As the Christmas season was approaching, I figured it'd be too late to buy in November (much less December) and expect to get a good discount, so I decided to start looking in January.

2 weeks ago I started going to some of the local Downtown Toronto Rolex Dealers. There are 3 of them within 15km of each other, 2 of which are no more than 100 yards from each other in a posh neighbourhood. I walked into the first AD "RDV" and talked to the lady there for an hour about the styles I liked. First was the Explorer II. Once I found out that the bezel could not be rotated, I lost interest in the watch immediately. Next was the GMT Master II in red-black. This one I liked. It looked better in person than in the catalog. She was all out of Submariners with the cyclop-date. She told me that the Christmas season was fantastic for the 16610 and she could keep enough of these things in stock. The next shipment from Geneva wasn't expected until February 5th! She only had the 14060M in stock. She had 2 SD's which I didn't look at. I only looked at them through the display case. She did have one 50th Anniversary Submariner LV. It looked awesome! The 16610 LV would officially be my first Rolex I ever tried on. I then tried on the GMT, and for kicks, tried on a Daytona with the gold center links.

I then asked her for a pricing breakdown for each of these watches. Their MSRP matched those inside the catalog on all the watches. She asked if I was buying today. I told her maybe. On the 16710, and the 16610 she said she could give me a 19% discount off the price, however, on the 16610 LV as it was a "special" watch, she couldn't give me anything! As a stalling tactic, I gave her my business card and asked her to call me when the 16610 came in and I'd make my decision then.

I called another AD in Etobicoke (suburb of Toronto) and asked if they had either the 16610 or the 16710 in stock. They had both, however, did not want to discuss price over the phone. I told the AD that I've been offered 19% by another and if they couldn't beat that, I'd be wasting my time coming in. The AD said he'd give me 21% if I paid by cash.

Last Thursday I walked into a watch store selling the likes of TAG, Tissot, ESQ, Omega, etc etc. I asked myself that if I didn't get a Rolex, what would be the next brand that I'd be interested in. I decided to check out the Omega's. I talked to the AD about the Omega line. They had a very good selection, however, I didn't like any of the styles. I wanted an automatic watch and in his display-case there were only 5 or 6 Omega's that were automatic. I was impressed by none of them. I saw the "007 Bond" watch also. The price tag on that watch was $5282 CAD. All the other's I looked at were priced between $3600-$4200. I walked out unimpressed. I was now determined more than ever to get a Rolex!

Last Sunday night I decided to make Monday my "cash-deposit" day on the GMT Master II at the first AD I went to. At the last minute, I decided to go on-line and do a search of Rolex collectors to see differing opinions on the Rolex line. Boy was I surprised with what I read. After reading JHII Rolex Reference page, I made a split second decision to inquire about the SD 16600!!!

Monday morning I withdrew $500 during my coffee break and headed up to the first AD I visited, however, before visiting that store, I made a last second detour to another AD 100 yards down the sidewalk. It was a small little store. So small, they didn't have much of a selection of Rolex's. I asked about the SD. They said they could get it in by the next morning and would give me 21% if I paid cash on it. I took her business card and headed over to my first AD. The AD was very happy to see me. I told her I wanted to look at the SD as I didn't get a chance to see it the last time I was in. She pulled it out of the diplay and I tried it on. The feel of the weight of the watch was incredible!!!!! Is was nice and heavy and bulky (What I'd thought a Rolex should feel like). Everything about the watch was a bonus. It beat the 16610 hands-down in every single catagory including that fact it didn't have the cyclop. I found the cyclop to be a bit of a distraction on the GMT II and figured likewise on the Submariner. It was at that point I told her I wanted the SD. I asked her what could she give me as a discount. She surprised me when she said only 14% on this model! I told her that the AD down the street offered up 21% on cash and that if she could match that, I had $500 cash on me that I'd offer up as a deposit right that minute if she'd give me the 21%. She went to ask the owner and quickly came back and told me it was a done deal. I came in the next afternoon and gave a bankdraft for the balance of the watch.

In all, I paid $5800 CAD cash ALL-IN (including taxes). To my new American friends, on an exchange rate of $1.15 CAD for $1.00 USD, that means I bought the SD 16600 for $5,043 USD.

I love the watch! No buyer's remorse here! I'm just glad I read JHII Rolex reference page before I slapped my money down on that GMT II. Being that this watch is pretty much "air-tight" it being good for 4000ft, I know this watch will outlast even me!

I showed the watch to friends and collegues at work. They congradulated me as if I just had a baby or something! One of the collegues I go for coffee breaks with always smiles at me when he sees me and his eyes always drop to my wrist. When I first brought it in Tuesday after picking it up, I let him hold the watch. He was amazed at the weight of the watch. I had to tell him twice to hand it back to me! The bugger wouldn't let it go!

I've got more to tell about my adventures getting this watch, but that's for another day.
Kris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 05:53 PM   #2
Gedanken
"TRF" Member
 
Gedanken's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: Sir
Location: Melbourne
Watch: F-series SD
Posts: 8,589
Welcome to the forum, Kris, and also to the SD club!

Now let's see some photos!
__________________
You buy a Casio to make sure you're on time; you wear a Rolex because you don't have to be on time.
Gedanken is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 07:14 PM   #3
quinson418
"TRF" Member
 
quinson418's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington, USA
Watch: Rolex Sea-dweller
Posts: 207
Congratulations.
My first watch as we Sea-Dweller as well. I am really happy for you.

My story with my co-worker, I initially told them it was a USD$300 knock-off and they all believe in it. I took my watch and let him take a closer look. Then he said, look pretty good to me, but I can tell from the movement it is fake. At the moment, I was really laughing. He even said, I know it is fake because if it is real, you won't really let me hold a USD$5000 watch and he faked a dropping my watch move. For the whole time, I was just smiling back.

Later on, he asked me if it is really real because he thinks that I really wouldn't purchase a fake one but when I told him it is real, he didn't believe me, he said I was messing with his head. Then I told him, it really doesn't matter to me if you think it is real or not. Now he believes that it is real.



Anyways, I am happy for you, shine with your watch.
quinson418 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 07:38 PM   #4
slim
"TRF" Member
 
slim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: los angeles/SD
Watch: RG DD,SD43,Pam104
Posts: 385
Congrats! Lets get some pics!
slim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 07:53 PM   #5
miner
"TRF" Member
 
miner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 1,294
Kris
Welcome to TRF and the sd club, best Rolex out there IMO.

Just need some pics of the new watch please.

miner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 08:17 PM   #6
roadcarver
"TRF" Member
 
roadcarver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Real Name: Vernon
Location: C-a-n-a-d-a
Watch: 16600
Posts: 5,641
Welcome to another Torontonian! I'm actually from Markham. It was a pleasure reading your adventures and glad that you did your research before you handed over your hard earned cash.

One of my grail watches was the SD as well.. got it finally early this year from another forum member.

Welcome to TRF, once again and welcome to the 4000ft club!
__________________
I'm just a cook...
roadcarver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 08:55 PM   #7
padi56
"TRF" Life Patron
 
padi56's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Peter
Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng
Watch: ing you.
Posts: 53,063
Welcome to TRF Kris a Rolex classic the SD.
__________________

ICom Pro3

All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only.

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever."
Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again.

www.mc0yad.club

Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder
padi56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 08:58 PM   #8
Uncle-AJ
"TRF" Member
 
Uncle-AJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Real Name: Adrian
Location: Bolton, UK.
Watch: Daytona 116520
Posts: 6,844
Welcome to TRF Kris, nice story.
__________________
A man with a watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never sure.........Segal's Law

Member #10
Uncle-AJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 08:59 PM   #9
President
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: M.Thatcher MP
Location: Le Locle
Watch: Bear Grylls
Posts: 2,913
Hi!
President is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 09:50 PM   #10
Alcan
2024 Pledge Member
 
Alcan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Al
Location: Way Up North
Watch: your P's & Q's
Posts: 10,473
Hi Kris, welcome from Hamilton.
__________________
Member #1,315

I don't want to get technical, but according to chemistry alcohol IS a solution!
Alcan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 10:16 PM   #11
Scooby
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: Darren
Location: Virginia, USA
Watch: GMT
Posts: 923
Welcome Kris. That is an excellent story! Congrats.
Scooby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 10:52 PM   #12
----
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Hi Kris - welcome and good to have more CANCON on the site!

Congrats on the SD and I think you got a good deal.
  Reply With Quote
Old 19 January 2007, 11:14 PM   #13
GerardoG
Banned
 
GerardoG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Real Name: Gerardo
Location: Here
Watch: ALL of them
Posts: 32,098
Welcome and congrats! Now....where are the pics???!?!
GerardoG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 12:38 AM   #14
sinbad
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Midwest U.S.
Posts: 164
Thank you for sharing your story. You made a good choice.
sinbad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 01:30 AM   #15
mp0610
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 30
Welcome! Great story, and you worked the dealers very well to get a great watch at an awesome price! Lets see some pics
mp0610 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 01:49 AM   #16
President
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: M.Thatcher MP
Location: Le Locle
Watch: Bear Grylls
Posts: 2,913
Good story, something you can tell your grandkids certainly!
President is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 03:29 AM   #17
MRQturbo
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Markham
Posts: 51
hey welcome..great story..i'm from markham also....
MRQturbo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 04:05 AM   #18
tonelar
"TRF" Member
 
tonelar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: Tony
Location: san francisco
Watch: Seadweller
Posts: 1,368
Welcome to the forum, Kris... The SD moves me the same way... it's a beauty, wear it in good health.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gedanken View Post
Welcome to the forum, Kris, and also to the SD club!
Hey? I didn't know there was a Seadweller Club on here, where do I send my dues?
__________________
It's a rarity that something popular is actually right...

Wear 'em with PRIDE, y'all.
tonelar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 04:06 AM   #19
JJ Irani
Fondly Remembered
 
JJ Irani's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Real Name: JJ
Location: Auckland, NZ
Watch: ALL SOLD!!
Posts: 74,319
Welcome to TRF, Kris. Congrats on a superb acquisition!!
__________________
Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!!

I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!
JJ Irani is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 04:43 AM   #20
charles
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 445
Congrats!! I love my SD...fantastic timepiece! Wear it in good health...and post some pix!
charles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 04:55 AM   #21
ginzo
Member
 
ginzo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Real Name: Robert
Location: Boston, MA
Watch: GMT/1675 Exp/1016
Posts: 196
Welcome Kris, You bought yourself a great first Rolex with the SD.
ginzo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 05:15 AM   #22
mamas
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 792
congratulations, the SD is my first and only rolex too!
mamas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 06:14 AM   #23
Fiwi
"TRF" Member
 
Fiwi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: Melissa
Location: Bahamas
Watch: Ladies SS/Plat YM
Posts: 277
I enjoyed reading your thread! Congratulations on purchasing your long-anticipated Rolex and welcome to TRF!
Fiwi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 08:10 AM   #24
Pete
"TRF" Member
 
Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Real Name: Pete
Location: Guelph
Watch: 16610/216570
Posts: 678
im from toronto as well......welcome!!

sounds like u were about to head into RDV but went into La Difference instead? all on bloor st in yorkville east of avenue....

Pete
__________________
Pete - Guelph ON - 16610 D / 216570
Member #745
RIP JJ "Always in our hearts, and on our wrists"
"I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul"
Pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 08:14 AM   #25
Prince
"TRF" Member
 
Prince's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Real Name: Allan
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Watch: Daytona/Sub/GMT/DJ
Posts: 20,323
Welcome to TRF, Chris. Congrats on the SD purchase, and as others have stated, pics of your Rollie would be much appreciated. You see, we have this fetish here...

Cheers!
__________________
Member: Rolex Keeper's Society
"You see, you can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself." - Rick Nelson
Prince is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 08:35 AM   #26
Kris
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canada
Watch: Sea-Dweller Z-ser.
Posts: 313
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete View Post
im from toronto as well......welcome!!

sounds like u were about to head into RDV but went into La Difference instead? all on bloor st in yorkville east of avenue....

Pete
Actually, I went to Royal De V. on my original visit to the area, and on the day I went to drop the deposit, I stopped at Le Diff. first for some "bargaining-leverage" and then walked back over to RDV with my "guns a blazing"

It's true, the AD said she could only offer 14% on it. I said how about 21% with a downpayment. She jumped all over it.

Oh, just in case you guys are wondering, it is a 2006 model as it has the "Z" serial number. But then again, RDV is the most popular Rolex Dealer in the GTA as it's in Yorkville, so their product-turnover is high.
Kris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 January 2007, 11:51 AM   #27
Prince Tudor
"TRF" Member
 
Prince Tudor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: Lucas
Location: Canada
Watch: Rolex and Tudor
Posts: 726
Another fellow Torontonian....welcome.
You got a great deal.
I live in downtown but have never been to any of the Yorkville AD's.
I've bought from the one in Etobicoke. I found that in person they are good to deal with. But, I agree my first contact with them was over the phone and they don't like to talk $ over the phone.
I think I will be visiting Yorkville this week to consider my next purchase. Oh man....I can see the bank account draining now
Prince Tudor is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.